In our Agrofood Ecosystem® model, HKScan together with farmers will bring contract farming to the next stage of development, where responsibility is closely integrated into the company's contract farming.
In the Agrofood Ecosystem model, we explore, using digitalization and data, how we can reduce climate impact in line with our Zero Carbon climate plan, support diversity and animal welfare and prevent water eutrophication. New solutions are piloted on pilot farms and best practices will be introduced in all our markets. There are currently around 80 pilot farms in Finland and Sweden.
In the Agrofood Ecosystem work, we have a partner network which helps us gain agility for our development work. Business partners include Vaisala, Datasense, Biolan, Gasum, Yara, Luke, VTT and Empirica.
Transparent food production chain
Customers, consumers, investors and other parties are expressing growing interest in food production methods and environmental footprints. The aim of HKScan's Agrofood Ecosystem is a transparent meat chain where the responsibility information of the entire food chain can be provided to end-users in a clear and interesting way.
Transparency produces new information and data that allows producers to develop the productivity of their farms. The goal is to have an environmentally friendly and economical method of production that will increase competitiveness of the sector.
Below you'll find more information about our development projects that we implement together with our partners. On social media, you can follow our hashtag #hkscanagrofood.
Towards our Zero Carbon -goal
Achieving the Zero Carbon targets requires both a significant reduction of emissions and an increase in carbon sinks together with contract farmers and other partners.
Optimising nutrient use in the fields
Promotion of resource efficiency and carbon sequestration in field farming are at the heart of the Agrofood Ecosystem® activities. In the summer 2020, Kariniemen pilot farms used the precise fertilisation technology to optimise the efficiency of nutrient use in the fields.
A new type of organic fertilizer Arvo from Kariniemen chicken manure
Biolan is processing a new type of fertiliser for field farming from the manure generated in the Kariniemen chicken farming. Arvo fertiliser performed well in the Agrofood Ecosystem® farm trials and the pilot activities will be extended to next summer.
Sensors providing new information on carbon binding in fields
Towards HKScan’s Zero Carbon target by boosting carbon sequestration in fields.
Utilisation of pig manure at the biogas plant
In the Agrofood Ecosystem® cooperation, we are exploring the opportunities to use pig manure at the Huittinen biogas plant. With the switch to manure-based feedstock, the biogas plant would produce biogas and recycled fertiliser. Manure processing at the biogas plant would directly reduce the carbon footprint of pork by 12%.
Artificial intelligence in animal welfare monitoring
Animal welfare is an important part of our Agrofood Ecosystem® work
We are exploring opportunities to bring digital technology to contract farms to support and promote animal welfare and its measurement. Also check out the Kiiski farm pilot where we use artificial intelligence in monitoring broiler bahaviour.
Read more about the artificial intelligence
Cleaner water systems by nutrient recycling
Nutrients recovered in manure processing
In summer 2020, a total of 510 tonnes of separated pig manure was transferred from Huittinen to a grain farm in Sastamala. With the solid manure fraction, the crop farm got valuable phosphorus and organic material in its fields. At the same time, nutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea was reduced.
Read more about manure pilot
