It’s a new day on the farm. The feed is loaded into the machine, where it is cut and mixed before being transported and distributed to the animals. What used to require a lot of manual labor can now be done with automated machines. Behind this technology is TKS Agri, a modern company with roots dating back to 1930. Since the 1950s, the company has been developing and manufacturing agricultural machinery, and today it develops solutions for handling feed and getting it from storage to the animals more efficiently.
It all began in 1930, when Trygve Kverneland established a blacksmith shop on his farm in Kverneland. Here, simple tools such as scythes and knives were produced. Eventually, the business would take a completely different direction.
In the 1950s, mechanization in agriculture increased, and in 1952 the company began manufacturing agricultural machinery, with a focus on hay balers. This marked a major turning point in the company’s history.
Today, TKS Agri is a modern company that develops and manufactures equipment for indoor mechanization and livestock feeding. The company provides solutions for both cattle and small ruminants, and also offers products for horses, among other animals. Its product range spans from stand-alone machines to complete, automated feeding systems.
The journey from a small blacksmith’s shop to today’s technology-driven business has not been without challenges. Until the 1970s and 1980s, there were far more farms in Norway. There were more farmers, but smaller herds. Today, the situation is different: There are fewer farmers and larger farms, and the number of animals on many farms has increased. This trend also affects what TKS Agri provides.
“We used to be a manufacturer of individual machines for many farmers. Today, there are fewer farmers and larger farms, so we’re developing complete systems that can handle feeding operations for an entire farm,” says Atle Sjølyst-Kverneland, CEO of TKS Agri.
This means that multiple machines must work together. TKS Agri’s solutions can handle, among other things, the cutting, mixing, transport, and distribution of feed.
A modern barn may house multiple groups of animals with different needs. Dairy cows may require one feed mix, while younger animals may need a completely different one. That’s why today’s feeding systems aren’t just about moving feed from one place to another. The systems also need to know where the feed is going, how much to dispense, and which group of animals it’s for.
That’s why it’s important that the machines work as they should. In agriculture, a machine has to do a job every day. For example, it must be able to withstand moisture and cold, but at the same time be easy to use.
“We’ve built a machine tailored to an industry where the machine has to do a job every day. We’re proud to receive positive feedback from our customers,” says Atle.
In today’s production, simple control and automation are key elements. The goal is to make feeding more efficient and reduce the need for manual labor during a busy workday.
Photo: TKS Agri feeding system in use
For TKS Agri, collaboration is a vital part of development. The company is open to new ideas and collaborates with other industry players. One example is their partnership with the French manufacturer KUHN. TKS Agri has developed the system that controls the KUHN FeedMixer, a machine that cuts and mixes feed. The system also enables the machine to communicate with other feeding equipment.
This was also one of the reasons TKS Agri joined Nordic Edge’s agriculture cluster. It has become a platform for meeting other players, discussing technical issues, and exploring new development opportunities. The company particularly highlights the opportunity to connect with other companies and gain insight into how others operate.
“It’s useful for us to be a member of the cluster. There are many interesting players we can learn from,” explains Atle.
For TKS Agri, the way forward is to continue developing solutions that make everyday life easier for farmers. For Nordic Edge, it’s about connecting these needs with technology, expertise, and new partnerships.
“TKS Agri is a great example of how technology can solve specific challenges in agriculture. It’s inspiring to see how open they are to sharing experiences and knowledge with both startups and competitors. At the same time, they themselves can gain new insights and learn from others through the cluster,” says Gunnar Crawford, head of the Agritech cluster at Nordic Edge.