The best plant for our customer. At every moment, that is our driving force. How do we make that happen? By capturing and interpreting large quantities of data from our cultivation and breeding process. No wild guesses, but hard data that suggest the most profitable varieties for the customer. In this blog we explain why we do that and how.

Why Microflor takes a data-driven approach.

Data-driven, evidence-based ... all sounds very high-tech, but actually, as humans, we've been doing that for centuries. We look for an explanation behind everything and then try to fit it into a bigger story. In the beginning with common sense and a lot of gut feeling. In recent decades via sophisticated computers and state-of-the-art sensors that allow us to measure and link more and more data to insights that used to remain hidden.

For us biotech scientists, that means a quantum leap forward. Today we can build on a more reproducible and reliable production process. After all, every grower knows that light, temperature, water and nutrition are important. But what is the ideal combination and how to adjust this optimally on a gloomy day or a hot summer day? This used to be done based on feeling and experience. Thanks to software, there is more data to base our decisions on. Just think of controlling lighting based on weather reports, plant stress determined with fluorescence measurements and so on.

This data-driven process also brings additional challenges. After all, customers expect more. In the past, for example, the appearance of a variety was decisive. Today, that no longer suffices. What does? Performance, stability and reliability.

Because we now collect and communicate a lot of data about our varieties, customers can look for the variety that best suits their crop and market. After all, that is also our motto: the right plant for the right grower, without the grower having to make extra investments. We take care of that.

Investing to capture and interpret data

The investments to enable data capture and interpretation are a no-brainer for us. Feel free to compare it to the Internet. Who can do without it today? Of course, these investments didn't happen overnight. A handful of early adopters had delved into software programs like PowerBi a few years ago. The first challenge was to piece together the multitude of data scattered across different files. When detailed reports had uncovered the added value, only then did new investments intrude. Enter sophisticated sensors, training on reporting tools and so on.

Let's zoom in on our most important tools. With the breeding software EBRIDA we capture data. First we measure the plants in detail. Then we track the parameters at the young plant growth, collect all the data and convert it into relevant reports that we monitor daily. With various sensors, we measure leaf temperature, light utilization efficiency and so on. Furthermore, we deploy Business Intelligence Tools to process data that we missed with the naked eye. Finally, through Plantscout, we track customer data.

Data capturing in test breeds

Time to zoom in on this data-driven process.

In our breeding department, we select new seedlings to be re-bloomed after propagation.

Each batch of each variety is evaluated for vigor, spiking, number of buds, root quality and failure rate. We do this several times, in different seasons and growing conditions each time. We also test certain varieties in two different growing times. Why? To test what the result is with an ultra-fast warm phase of seventeen weeks and what with an average warm phase of twenty-seven weeks. From this we deduce that some varieties only do well at the average grow-out, but there are some that score well at both growing times. We market the varieties with high productivity at seventeen weeks under the label turbo varieties.

To be clear, these are our test varieties. When that variety comes into production, we continue to follow it up. With the customers themselves via Plantscout. But also by re-blooming the varieties several times a year. Because depending on growing conditions, shifts can still occur to which the variety responds differently. We use these production varieties in bloom as a benchmark for the new test varieties. After all, the bar can always be raised.

The right breed at the right customer

Capturing data is one thing, but the real value we create is through interpretation. And for two reasons. On the one hand, we are able to place the right variety with the right client based on this valuable information. On the other hand, we also use that data internally to compare varieties among themselves. Hard data instead of gut feeling. This is how we decide which varieties will make it to production and which will not. We do that on the basis of a checklist of different characteristics. If there is a check mark everywhere, we continue with the variety. If that is not the case, the breed does not come onto the market.

Less risk = less cost

The ultimate goal is to only market varieties that give the highest return. Quality before quantity. Not the most varieties but the right variety for the right customer. That is our goal. That is why we not only deliver the genetics, the customer also gets a detailed data sheet from us. A recipe, on the basis of which we determine together with the customer whether or not that variety fits into his own cultivation strategy and conditions. A hefty cost saving for the growers. Because by making the right choice right from the selection, they can estimate the result. This reduces the risk of test varieties not meeting expectations. At the same time, customers can also determine the right price and their sales market based on this data.

Striving for transparency

With this open communication, we make a difference in the market. Because we share our data with our growers, they know what to expect from the varieties. We will continue to invest in this in the coming years. It is still in the future, but the idea is that our customers will have direct access to the data and will be able to make their own selection. Admittedly, these are serious investments, both in software and in training. But for us, they are worth it. It is our guarantee of a supply of highly productive varieties, of high quality and of smiles for growers and their customers.