Harvesting unit for reeds

For the past four years, Sjöutsikt Sverige AB has participated in research projects together with Upplandsbyggd's "”Richer Water”"project and SLU's Reed for Feed to investigate the potential of reed as roughage for horses and cattle. The results show that reed works excellently as roughage and also has positive effects on the habitat, the aquatic environment and wildlife.

The main aim of the project is to develop a new harvesting unit to make reed harvesting more efficient and enable harvesting also from areas close to land, shorelines and wetlands. This aims to increase economic profitability while contributing to reduced eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.

The planned harvesting unit will be able to harvest and handle reeds from areas that were previously inaccessible and will enable an efficient and environmentally friendly harvesting process without contaminating water or clay soil. The project will be implemented through collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as Vallentuna 4H, which acts as both customer and partner. Their expertise and needs will guide the design of the new harvesting unit.

The project's goals include the development of a harvesting unit that enables more efficient reed harvesting on land, shore and in wetlands. At the same time, they strive to double reed fodder production from 50 tons in 2024 to 100 tons in 2025. These measures aim to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen emissions, which contributes to a cleaner water environment and a more sustainable economy. After the project is completed, Sjöutsikt Sverige AB will be able to increase its reed fodder production, while contributing to reduced eutrophication and increased sustainability. The new harvesting unit will be unique on the market and opens up opportunities for continued research and development in the area. By making reed harvesting more efficient and producing high-quality roughage, the project contributes not only to economic growth but also to a cleaner water environment and increased sustainability in agriculture.