40-year anniversary: “I enjoy going to work"
On April 1, 2025, Uffe Pilegård Larsen celebrates 40 years at AU Flakkebjerg. Since he first walked through the doors of the former Statens Ukrudtsforsøg in 1985, he has been part of the institution’s journey and witnessed significant developments in the field of crop production and arable farming.
From field trials to specialisation
Uffe began his career working on spraying techniques and field management. One of his early projects involved studying how morning dew affected the effectiveness of pesticides. “We’d go out early in the morning—after covering the fields with tarps the night before—and measure the impact of the dew. It was one of the first things I worked on, and I really enjoyed digging into how we could optimise the use of pesticides,” he says. Over time, he moved into work on seed germination and soil studies. One of the most fascinating experiments involved burying seeds at various depths to test how long they could survive underground. “How long can a seed survive in the soil? We buried them for up to ten years to find out. It was incredible to be part of something like that and to understand how nature works,” he adds with a smile.
Today, Uffe is Buildings Manager for Field Trials at Flakkebjerg. He holds a degree in Agro Business and Landscape Management from Vejlby. |
Technological innovation must go hand in hand with craftsmanship
Throughout his career, Uffe has seen technology in research evolve dramatically. “When I started, we used typewriters and had one computer for the entire department. Today, everything is digital, and we have access to far more advanced analysis tools.” Still, he stresses the importance of practical knowledge. “No matter how much data or technology we have, it’s essential to understand the craft—to know how things actually work in the field.”
Trust and collaboration as core values
In addition to his research work, Uffe has also been active in leadership and board positions, including serving on the board of Aarhus University and as a union representative. When asked about the values that have guided him, he answers: “It’s about fairness and decency. It’s about ensuring good working conditions for everyone—and I’ve always believed in creating the right environment to bring out people’s strengths.”
Passion keeps motivation alive
Looking back on his 40 years at AU Flakkebjerg, Uffe reflects with great satisfaction. “Most days, I genuinely enjoy going to work. I’ve always had a passion for agriculture and for understanding nature and its processes—so it’s been a real pleasure.” And what about the future? “I’ll keep going as long as I enjoy it and feel I can contribute. My plan is to stay until the end of 2028.”
Congratulations to Uffe on his 40-year anniversary!