24.07.2019
Räpi experimental farm
Apetit’s experimental farm in Köyliö in the Satakunta region of Finland actively contributes to research that promotes the contract growing of plants. With a history of more than 60 years, the experimental farm cooperates with contract growers, universities and research institutes. It develops cultivation methods and varieties that support sustainable cultivation ecosystems.
Continuous development
The Räpi experimental farm engages in close cooperation with various parties. Experimental cooperation with Apetit’s contract growers, on their fields, plays a significant role. The new knowledge and expertise developed at Räpi is transferred to Apetit’s approximately 100 contract growers.
Tests are carried out to identify the best, tastiest varieties that are suitable for outdoor growing and the manufacture of frozen products. The experimental farm invests in new methods and technologies, such as a cultivator that makes use of satellite locationing and machine vision to enable weeding as close to the surfaces of the plants as possible. In addition, protective nets for carrots have been tested to prevent pests. The experiences have been good: protective nets have long useful lives, and their use considerably reduces or eliminates the need for chemical pesticides.
One of the field sections on the experimental farm is dedicated to organic cultivation. In the future, the experimental farm will develop organic cultivation methods to enable industrial-scale organic cultivation.
The delicious taste of Apetit frozen vegetables comes from expert farming and superior varieties
The Räpi experimental farm is constantly testing new varieties to find those with the best flavour, texture, nutritional quality and suitability for freezing for use in Apetit products. Apetit’s product development also guides choices related to plant varieties and contract growing. The popularity of Apetit Kotimainen, a product range focused on vegetables grown in Finland, supports introduction of new varieties to contract growing in Finland.
The results of the research at Räpi experimental farm are used in the development of the Apetit responsible farming method to which all of Apetit’s contract growers are committed. The responsible farming method is used to manage plant-specific cultivation instructions, quality and product safety, and other factors. For example, plant protection measures are only used when necessary and with due consideration. The Räpi experimental farm plays a key role in Apetit’s Responsible Farming method.
Räpi has a place in history of Finnish cultivation
The written history of the Räpi experimental farm began in 1156, when it was part of Lalli Manor. Apetit has owned Räpi since 1954, when the farm was sold to Länsi-Suomen Sokeritehdas Oy, which had been established in Säkylä in the early 1950s.
Apetit's operations then began in 1954 as an experimental farm for Länsi-Suomen Sokeritehdas Oy and they have continued uninterrupted to the present day, with Räpi serving as an experimental farm for Lännen Tehtaat and now Apetit. Today, as one of only a few company-owned experimental farms in Finland, it contributes to the development of agricultural expertise in Satakunta.
