The first Demo Event of the QuantiFarm project took place last week in the picturesque Pays de la Loire region, France. Organised by our partner IDELE in collaboration with the Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture des Pays de la Loire, this dynamic event gathered farmers, advisors, researchers, and project partners for an immersive exploration of how digital technologies are reshaping agriculture—particularly in the meat sector.
A Hands-On Experience in Precision Agriculture
The event was packed with insightful activities that showcased cutting-edge farming innovations:
🔹Visit to EARL Bérard Beauvais – Attendees had the opportunity to see firsthand how a beef cattle farm utilises a feeding robot to optimize feeding across different animal categories within the herd. This demonstration highlighted the efficiency and practical benefits of automated feeding systems.
🔹Participation in the Harpagon Project’s Precision Feeding Day – Hosted at the Trinottières Experimental Farm, this session provided a platform to present the initial findings of QuantiFarm and introduce the QuantiFarm Toolkit, a resource designed to evaluate the technical, economic, social, and environmental impacts of digital farming technologies.
Key Insights and Takeaways
With around 80 participants engaged over the two-day event, several important conclusions emerged:
🔹Time Efficiency and Work Comfort – Feeding automation saves several hours of labor daily and significantly enhances working conditions. Many farmers expressed that they would not revert to traditional methods after experiencing the benefits of automation.
🔹Economic Viability – When labor time savings are factored into the cost-benefit analysis, automated feeding technologies can become profitable within a 5 to 10-year period compared to conventional feeding systems.
🔹Performance-Driven Profitability – If labor savings are excluded from the analysis, a notable improvement in productivity—whether in milk production or animal growth—is required to justify the investment in automation.
Looking Ahead
The enthusiastic response to this first Demo Event highlights the increasing interest in digital farming solutions and their ability to revolutionize agricultural practices. As QuantiFarm continues its mission to assess and promote digital innovations in agriculture, these findings will help shape the future of farming, driving efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
For more information about QuantiFarm and its initiatives, visit our website and explore the QuantiFarm Toolkit here!
