The DLG Feldtage 2024 exhibition has not only confirmed its position as an international venue for crop production professionals but has also presented strategies and innovations for efficient and sustainable “Next Level” crop production. Under the guiding theme “Crop production out of the box”, 370 exhibitors from 18 countries presented innovations and strategies in crop production, plant breeding, crop protection, agricultural technology and fertilizers. Some 17,000 visitors from 45 countries were drawn to the Brockhof estate – this year’s chosen venue – in Erwitte, Germany, 11 to 13 June. The visitors were able to benefit from the new concept of the organizer DLG (German Agricultural Society), which demonstrated how successful farm businesses adopt blue sky thinking for their cultivation and sales strategies. FarmRobotix, the new DLG platform for robotics, digital farming, automation and ArtificiaI Intelligence (AI), celebrated its premiere. The DLG Plaza venue with several event stages, expert “meeting points” and “pop-up talks” offered information on current professional topics in new ways. The “Value Chain Day” focused on the entire food chain. With over 2,000 participants, the DLG CropNight premiere was a sell-out event that offered a new outdoor networking format.
Under the guiding theme “Crop production out of the box”, the DLG presented a comprehensive range of information over three days that focused on the strategies necessary for a successful future in arable farming. At the DLG Feldtage 2024, visitors were able to identify the latest varieties, cultivation methods and technologies and were invited to look beyond their own fields and conventional methods in areas like agricultural technology, organic farming and value chains. The exhibition and technical program not only attracted professionals but also around 300 journalists and bloggers, who used the venue for crop cultivation professionals to give information about effective innovations for the industry and to network with the exhibitors.
“Productivity, climate change, digitalization – crop cultivation is undergoing a process of transformation worldwide. New cultivation and crop protection strategies, resilient new breeds, but also innovations in agricultural technology, robotics and AI provide tools for making modern crop production both efficient and sustainable. The exhibitors at the exhibition discussed innovations relevant for agriculture and demonstrated the potential that lies in future crop production,” said Tobias Eichberg, Managing Director of DLG Service GmbH and responsible for trade fairs and exhibitions at DLG. “Our exhibitors were very satisfied with the quality of the professional visitors,” he added.
Dr. Lothar Hövelmann, CEO of DLG e.V., noted the high level of creative expertise at the DLG Feldtage exhibition: “Progress in crop production could be seen everywhere at the DLG Feldtage event. The breeding companies’ answers to the challenges of climate change have been impressive. Pattern recognition and interpretation of plant diseases and pathogens are becoming ever more precise and also faster. Together with flexible application technology, this takes crop protection to the ‘Next Level’.”
Visitors impressed by range of exhibits and specialist information
Initial survey results from the exhibition indicated a high visitor satisfaction with the range of products and services at the DLG Feldtage, with 98 percent of the respondents noting they were impressed with the exhibitor and professional program. Particular interest in new seeds and varieties, agricultural machinery, crop protection, fertilizers, organic farming and new FarmRobotix exhibition feature was also noted. Exhibitors presented a range of market-ready robot models on dedicated demonstration areas. At the “Field Robot Event” visitors gained a glimpse into the future at the contest for international students, who competed against each other with their proprietary robots, reflecting the innovation potential of upcoming young talents. Innovations were also the focus of the machinery demonstrations. The new Live Arena with its spectator stands was a particular magnet for visitors. Images of each of the machines in operation were projected onto two large LED walls using drones and web cams.
The new DLG Plaza was well attended throughout the trade fair. Farmers benefited from the numerous networking opportunities and the technical program on the three stages with some 200 speakers. Visitors were able to gain further specialist knowledge at six different “meeting points” and 42 “pop-up talks” dedicated to a particular topic.
For the first time, the DLG and its partners hosted the Value Chain Day. Stakeholders from the entire value chain spent the day discussing issues relating to augmenting the added value of domestic plant-based products. Experts from the organic value chain discussed positioning as well as sales and distribution strategies for the organic sector. The focus was also on an exchange of information across the industry in a relaxed atmosphere at the subsequent “Get-together” networking event.
The DLG CropNight, a sell-out event, celebrated its premiere with around 2,000 guests enjoying cool drinks and relaxed live music late into the evening. The new “DLG-Feldtage-Camp“ accommodation facility was fully booked, proving a successful premiere. Sleeping huts, caravan pitches and tent sites along with a 24-hour trade fair experience with festival flair rounded off the camping feature.
Co-organizers of the DLG Feldtage are the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Raiffeisen Waren-Zentrale Rhein-Main AG (RWZ), Cologne, and Raiffeisen Waren GmbH, Kassel.
Voices of exhibitors
- “The crop wheel on the North Rhine-Westphalia stand, which provided a clear overview of the respective share of crops grown in the federal state, was a popular highlight. Visitors were able to obtain in-depth information on soil and soil management, gains in fertilizer efficiency, strategies for integrated crop protection, innovative cultivation methods and crop rotation systems, water protection, erosion reduction, biodiversity, renewable raw materials, climate and soil monitoring as well as plant and crop analyses. Visitors to the stand appreciated the wide range of neutral technical information on offer.”
Dr. Horst Gömann, Head of the Department of Agriculture, Renewable Resources and Water Conservation, Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia - “Our goal of using the DLG Feldtage 2024 as a platform for the transfer of expertise on innovative concepts and solutions and to inspire enthusiasm for progress in agriculture has been fully achieved. The mood among the visitors was positive.”
Christoph Kempkes, CEO, RWZ AG - As a local company, Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV) is very satisfied with how the DLG Feldtage went. The number of visitors was high, the in-depth discussions were at a high professional level. The DSV topics of soil fertility and crop rotation attracted plenty of attention. The walk-on raised bed on the stand was a crowd-puller. This feature enabled visitors to view the soil from two angles, upwards and down into the soil. The new DSV grain varieties met with great interest. High-yielding, site-adapted and resistant varieties are in great demand.”
Angelika Hemmers, Marketing Lead, Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV) - “We are very satisfied with the DLG Feldtage 2024. Our customers appreciated that they were able to experience our machines operating directly in the field and view the latest innovations live.”
Elena Glitz, Head of Marketing, CLAAS Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH - “True to the theme Crop production out of the box’, we were able to discuss our topic ‘Next Level Farming’ with farmers. We not only showcased our expertise in agricultural technology, but also fielded questions about arable farming. We are very satisfied with the professional exchange.”
Yves Desjardins, Head of Sales / CSO, LEMKEN GmbH & Co. KG - “The Naturland Advisory Service, the Naturland Farmers’ Market Association and Natur-Saaten can look back on a successful DLG Feldtage 2024. Perennial wheat, organic breeding and information on transitioning to organic farming attracted a number of visitors to our stand.”
Celine Grau, Marketing and Event Management, Naturland
