Agrifirm, a cooperative in the Netherlands, and Lantmännen Lantbruk in Sweden are set to expand their research collaboration with Felleskjøpet Forutvikling, a subsidiary of the three Norwegian Felleskjøpet cooperatives. The companies said their aim is to strengthen their positions in the area of research into new products and feed concepts for ruminants, poultry and swine.
All parties signed a partnership agreement May 7 at Nötcenter Viken, the Lantmännen research farm in Sweden. By joining forces and working together with experts and universities, Agrifirm, Lantmännen and Felleskjøpet hope to be able to innovate quicker and more efficiently. A rapidly-changing environment in which responsible materials, animal welfare and animal health become increasingly important urges the need for a quicker development of new products and feed strategies for the customer, the announcement said.
By entering into this partnership, the three agricultural cooperatives will make use of each other's research facilities. Research for dairy cattle will be carried out on Lantmännen's research farm Viken. Agrifirm's Laverdonk research farm will be used for research into swine, poultry and calves. The research facilities of Felleskjøpet Forutvikling will be available for common research projects.
All entitites will operate their own research programs in addition to joint research projects.
Although Agrifirm, Lantmännen and Felleskjøpet have excellent relations with various universities, research facilities, suppliers and other partners, they said they see added value in close cooperation among the three companies.