In the heart of Germany, head grower Thomas Henniger is leading a complex greenhouse strategy. At the Gemüsering Böhmer facilities in Zorbau and Schkölen, his team is cultivating over 30 different tomato varieties, including cherry, medium TOVs, cocktail, and San Marzano varieties. The approach of utilizing two separate greenhouses—one for summer crops and another for winter — enables year round supply. However, this split strategy necessitates unique management techniques to optimize production across seasons.
Lukas Scholz and Thomas Henniger in Zorbau
The CO2 challenge: costs and strategies
A major challenge facing modern greenhouses is the rising cost of CO2. Effective CO2 management is critical, especially in winter when the use of LED lighting provides an opportunity to control greenhouse CO2 levels with minimal venting losses. This raises a crucial question for growers: When is the best time to dose CO2, and how much should be dosed?
Historically, the dosing strategies in Zorbau have been guided by a mix of experience and intuition. However, the team has now shifted towards a data-driven approach with the implementation of the SERA Manager, a platform enabling optimization of CO2 strategies using precise data analytics.
Leveraging data for optimal CO2 dosing
SERA Manager integrates crop models with a physics model that accounts for air exchange and CO2 loss, allowing the team to identify CO2 concentrations that maximize profitability. Supported by a two-week forecast using weather predictions, each model is finely tuned to the specific conditions of the Zorbau greenhouses. This realistic simulation demonstrates how precise CO2 dosing can enhance both plant growth and profitability.
Recent historical data analysis has highlighted strategic improvement opportunities from previous seasons. Dr. Lukas Scholz, General Manager at Gemüsering Böhmer, explains, "Instead of reducing CO2 injection to cut costs, SERA's analysis showed us how to inject more effectively and strategically." Significant gains were identified during November, February, and March—months with sufficient natural light and minimal venting requirements.
Lilli Schütz und Florin Munteanu in Zorbau
Tracking progress with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as CO2 use efficiency and net profit improvements, are essential for tracking the effectiveness of CO2 strategies. These KPIs provide clear insights into the gains achieved through optimized dosing. Week by week, head grower Thomas Henniger adjusts his approach based on SERA's recommendations, witnessing tangible improvements in performance metrics.
Importantly, decision-making power remains with the grower. Unlike fully automated systems, the SERA model offers operational suggestions while allowing growers to retain control. This balance between automation and human intervention ensures effective management of unexpected events.
Profit gains and future outlook
As the industry grapples with rising CO2 costs and evolving market demands, data-driven solutions like SERA Manager represent a major leap forward in greenhouse management. The impact of SERA's CO2 model is noticeable, with optimized CO2 dosing increasing production by up to 12% and net revenue by 10%. Dr. Scholz emphasizes, "Thanks to SERA, we can increase production and profitability across our 8-hectare greenhouse in Zorbau. That's what truly matters to us."
For more information:
SERA
Florin Munteanu
Co-founder & CRO
[email protected]
+40722674911
www.SERA.ag
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