"Every plant gets exactly what it needs — I don't ever want to go back"

Sustainable agriculture and caring for the environment start with healthy crops and clean soil. Pieter van Leeuwen-Boomkamp runs a versatile 140-hectare farm on sandy soil in Nijkerk, right next to a protected nature reserve in the Netherlands. To protect his crops effectively while safeguarding the surrounding ecosystem, he strives daily for maximum precision that contributes to the vision of Clean Food Clean World.

“This year I have kept my fields clean. Now, I am really in control“– Pieter van Leeuwen Boomkamp

87 fields with the size of a postage stamp

The farm features a unique land layout encompassing 87 individual fields. “I farm a few larger blocks, but most fields are the size of a postage stamp,” Pieter explains. The average field size is around 2 hectares, with some as small as half a hectare. Managing so many compact plots with sharp corners and irregular boundaries makes precise spraying a constant challenge.

I was completely done with over- and underdosing in the turns

Applying crop protection and liquid fertilizer accurately on these fields was a constant source of frustration and stress. When turning, the spray boom would rotate, causing traditional equipment to overdose on the inside and underdose on the outside. “When you turn into a corner, you feel like the boom is standing still for a moment,” says Pieter. “At that point, you are bullying your crop. Later in the season, you’d see the crop lying flat on that exact spot due to overapplication, while the outer corners turned yellow too quickly from a lack of nitrogen.”

Preventing disease pressure and crop damage

That uneven distribution had direct consequences in the field. In sharp turns, disease pressure such as Phytophthora in potatoes frequently emerged because coverage lagged behind. In sensitive crops, overdosing on the inside of turns caused immediate leaf scorch and damage. Pieter knew things had to change: he needed a system capable of delivering the exact application rate and droplet size on every millimeter, regardless of machine speed.

“It is user friendly and running smoothly, I don’t want to go back!”– Pieter van Leeuwen Boomkamp

Confidence in a system that delivers 100% certainty

When Pieter first encountered BBLeap, the promise of 100% control and even distribution sounded almost too good to be true. However, after detailed discussions, he was fully convinced. The solution came with installing the LeapBox on his trailed Fendt Rogator sprayer (36-meter boom width, 50 cm nozzle spacing). The system gives each individual nozzle its own control, responding instantly to changes in speed, takeoff, and turns.

Always the right droplet with Excellent Spraying

Driven by Excellent Spraying, his machine maintains constant pressure, exact application volume, and an identical droplet spectrum at all times. “Whether I am driving 0.5 km/h in tight corners to avoid a fence post or tree, or operating at full speed, the application rate is 100% exact from the very first millimeter. The droplet size is always right, and you no longer have to simulate fixed driving speeds to get good coverage.”

Spotless potatoes without ‘extra buttons’

Now in his second season using the LeapBox, Pieter has applied over 3,000 hectares. The results in the field are undeniable. “Where I previously fought Phytophthora outbreaks in curved fields, my potato crops have remained completely clean. And that manual ‘10% extra dosage button’ I used to hit in the turns to stay safe? I haven’t touched it once since having BBLeap; the system handles turn compensation entirely on its own.”

“Where I previously fought Phytophthora outbreaks in curved fields, my potato crops have remained completely clean. And that manual ‘10% extra dosage button’ I used to hit in the turns to stay safe? I haven’t touched it once since having BBLeap; the system handles turn compensation entirely on its own.” – Pieter van Leeuwen Boomkamp

“I am confident that it sprays the right distribution with this advanced technology, I have never caught it on any mistakes.”– Pieter van Leeuwen Boomkamp

Worry-free and clog-free spraying

Pieter is equally clear about system reliability. “Others sometimes tell me their spray systems clog up or stall five times a day due to dirt or poorly dissolved products, forcing them to use hot water or emergency workarounds. I haven’t experienced any of those issues with LeapBox. I use the exact same chemical mixes, and the technology operates flawlessly without clogging or downtime.”

That reliability comes down to Excellent Spraying. Traditional setups often rely on smaller nozzles and lower pressure for low rates, which leads to settling chemicals and blocked tips. With BBLeap, Pieter uses a single, larger nozzle for all applications. Powered by ultra-fast valve switching (0.8 milliseconds) and 100% constant pressure, the liquid stays in continuous motion, preventing deposits from ever forming.

Spraying on Data in sensitive onions

In sensitive crops, precision makes a world of difference. Executing precision spraying via custom task maps has become second nature. For soil herbicides in onions, he has his soil scanned by Loonstra to variably apply rates based on organic matter. “In sensitive onion crops, you want to target weeds without stressing the plant; thanks to this precision, I haven’t seen a single spot damaged by overapplication.”

Uniform cereals through sensor control

He also utilizes data for crop nutrition. In cereals, Pieter uses an Augmenta crop sensor mounted on the tractor roof to variably apply liquid fertilizer. Where turning used to cause over- or under-fertilization, nozzle-by-nozzle accuracy delivers perfectly uniform growth. “The crop is now completely even in color from front to back and left to right.”

Peace of mind in the cab and time to observe the crop

Beyond crop performance, the technology delivers huge benefits in workplace comfort. “Spraying isn’t my favorite task, but the weekly scouting round is essential to observe my crop. Because the system runs so smoothly, I barely need to watch the monitor. I can focus entirely on the surroundings, obstacles, and the plants. If I spot a weed like devil’s snare while driving, I bring a shovel next time to dig it out.”

Spraying on Data with LeapSpace: Seamless digital administration

Logistics and administration are equally streamlined through Spraying on Data. Pieter prepares his application maps in Dacom or utilizes soil scans from Loonstra, after which the task files are wirelessly sent to the cab via our digital platform, LeapSpace. The LeapBox instantly picks up the file and executes the precise rate nozzle-by-nozzle with extreme resolution.

“In the past, you sprayed first and then had to log everything manually on the computer afterward,” says Pieter. “Now, everything is ready in advance through LeapSpace, the system executes it flawlessly, and application records are instantly updated. That saves a lot of time — even when spraying late at night from 9:30 PM to 3:00 AM in potatoes, I step off the tractor feeling relaxed.”

“In sensitive onion crops, you want to target weeds without stressing the plant; thanks to this precision, I haven’t seen a single spot damaged by overapplication.” – Pieter van Leeuwen Boomkamp

Future Vision: Real-Time Spraying on plant level

With Excellent Spraying established as a dependable foundation, Pieter looks ahead with confidence. He is participating in field tests with LeapEye camera technology (Real-Time Spraying) to move toward autonomous machine decisions.

Dreaming of Plant Precision Spraying

His vision for the future is clear: “Having the camera detect exactly where each plant is and controlling the nozzle seamlessly to enable Plant Precision Spraying. But a compact setup for seeding or planting equipment would also be fantastic to apply soil herbicides targeted right during planting.

“With BBLeap, you never have to doubt if your distribution is right. Everything they promised, they delivered 100%.” – Pieter van Leeuwen Boomkamp

Read more stories