Digital Innovation: our journey in precision farming

For 125 years, Skretting has been at the forefront of aquaculture, not just as a feed producer, but as a pioneer in digital innovation. Our purpose of "Feeding the Future" goes beyond delivering high-quality, sustainable feed, it also includes the development of cutting-edge digital tools that support farmers in optimising farm performance. This could be everything from sustainability reporting to integrations with farming systems and biomass cameras… it's all part of our ever-evolving digital ecosystem. Digitalisation is not an option—it's a necessity, and here at Skretting, we have embraced this reality through the continual evolution of our digital infrastructure.

A legacy of innovation

Our commitment to digital solutions began long before the term "digital transformation" became a buzzword. In the early 1990s, we launched WinMix, an internally developed feed recipe optimisation programme connecting feed formulation and production. This innovation continues to keep Skretting at the forefront of formulation.

Back in the 90s, realising that there was a pattern to growing and feeding salmon, we started creating feeding tables and growth models, which developed into our digital forecasting suite, AquaSim. This digitual suite generates growth models not just for salmon, but a wide range of other fish and shrimp species. AquaSim gives farmers advanced models that predict growth, optimise feeding strategies, and enhance farm performance in varying environmental conditions.

Precision farming in practice: Skretting 360+

Digital tools and services can enhance productivity and simplify operations for our customers, and Skretting 360+ offers the complete package: innovative tools and comprehensive services to optimise feeding, farming, and health management, including proactive technical support, delivered through AquaSim.

Skretting 360+ was successfully introduced to Ecuadorian shrimp farms in 2018 through collaborative efforts with Eruvaka; who develop cloud-based aquaculture pond management solutions, including real-time monitoring and smart feeders.

Expanding the Skretting 360+ program with connected farms in the Mediterranean area is another example of success. Farmers of sea bass and sea bream can benefit from continuous monitoring of growth performance and farm operations through our 360+ program.

The collection of essential data, in real time, allows our teams to take preventive and proactive measures, to help clients obtain the maximum value of their farm, in a sustainable and profitable way. Based upon appraisals of the farming environment and each farm's production targets, we provide several recommendations, including the most cost-effective stocking patterns, feed selection and feeding strategy to enable farmers to achieve their desired results. Skretting 360+ provides a comprehensive view of the business and gives farmers full control of the production cycle.

Skaila Datahub: Harnessing the power of data

Skaila Datahub is a prime example of our commitment to data-driven decision-making. This powerful platform integrates data from various sources, both internal and external, to create a single, secure, and accessible repository. With features like object and row-level security, the Skaila Datahub ensures that data is both accessible and protected.

The Skaila Datahub is set to replace AquaSim's dataset, bringing even greater efficiency and precision to our digital tools. It will enable our teams to generate actionable insights, and help farmers anticipate harvest times, optimise feed usage, and predict price trends.

The future of sustainable aquaculture

Our journey doesn’t stop here. We are constantly exploring new ways to enhance our digital offerings. From automating sustainability reporting to integrating farm data, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aquaculture. For instance, the integration of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database allows us to connect with suppliers and share the responsibility of sustainability across the entire value chain.

Moreover, our customer ecosystem is evolving to meet the growing demand for self-service and seamless digital experiences. With upgrades to our online ordering platforms and customer portals, we are making it easier than ever for farmers to access essential tools and information. Whether through a mobile app or a PC interface, our customers can now order feed, track deliveries, and access important documentation all in one place.

At Skretting, digital innovation is more than a strategy—it's a commitment to our customers and the future of aquaculture. As we continue to develop and refine our digital tools, we are dedicated to empowering farmers with the precision and insights they need to succeed. And yet, we are just scratching the surface of what digitalisation has to offer! As we accelerate our efforts, we are confident that the best is yet to come.