Visser Agro
The ambition
Sierd Visser: “On approximately 135 hectares of arable land, we grow seed potatoes (85 ha), seed onions (30 ha) and onion sets (20 ha). In addition, we work with several contract growers (approx. 25 ha) for onion sets. We also grow wheat and sow bird food fields in collaboration with an agricultural nature association. We supply our onions to the processing industry, who use our produce in the vegetable mixes you find in the supermarket. Our onion peeling company is focused on the processing of undersized onions. We position ourselves as a chain partner for all parties that want to purchase peeled onions. Together, we coordinate the cultivation in order to be able to offer the product that the customer needs during the processing season.”
The challenge
“Labor and growth are issues that don’t go hand in hand right now; labor is expensive and in short supply. Fortunately, we’ve been able to build a core team of employees over the past few years. In addition, we’re investing in labor-saving measures at the arable farm and in the peeling facility. This includes, for example, a fully automatic and semi-automatic VHM crate filler, Optica Q sorting machines from Schouten, and an automatic positioning machine in the peeling facility. In addition, starting this winter, we will begin peeling and packaging shallots. We want to tap into this market segment because this activity is is now done by manual labour in Poland.”
“VHM is really strong in quality and support and that is valuable.”
About Visser Agro
Visser Agro was founded in 1941 and was a mixed agricultural firm until 1980. In that year, Visser switched completely to arable farming. Currently, the company operates as a chain partner in onions capable of offering ‘Planet Proof’ products to consumers. Visser Agro is owned by Sierd Visser and his wife Anne Veldboer. They are the fourth generation to run the day-to-day business. There are two permanent employees, a seasonal help, and the three children and Sierd’s father also chips in. During peak times, Sierd can call on several retired farmers.
The solution
“In 2022, I fell ill and could no longer set the harvest pace myself. With our current acreage, we were also reaching the limits of our two-row harvester, and investing in a new one wasn’t a wise move. All of this got me thinking and led me to outsource the harvesting.”
“With a four-row potato harvester and a Fully Automatic BoxFilr, we now have sufficient capacity in the barn during the short harvest season. We use this setup to fill the boxes with potatoes and onions. Given the heavy volume of produce during harvest, this machine is the perfect solution for keeping the process running smoothly. We use three tipping trailers to keep up with the four-row harvester. And in the winter, we use it to fill boxes and big bags, though a TwinFilr works just as well for that.”
The Result
“Automation is important to us in terms of labor savings and job satisfaction. When I first learned about VHM about three years ago, Nico Knibbe convinced me of the quality of the machines, and I became seriously interested. VHM really excels in quality and support, and that’s valuable.”
“Right now, it’s a comprehensive solution that fits very well with today’s agricultural businesses. Thanks to automation, we can continue to grow with a relatively small team and maintain sufficient capacity during the busy harvest season. VHM also aims to digitize box registration. When linked to the VHM box fillers, storage locations can be displayed digitally.”
We use the following machines:
