Substantial increase in numbers at AgroFarm 2008

130 exhibitors from 16 countries have registered for the Moscow-based International Exhibition for Animal Husbandry and Breeding - exceptional technical programme - from 24 to 26 April 2008

 
APK VVC (Moscow) and the DLG-Agriservice, a subsidiary of DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft, German Agricultural Society, Frankfurt am Main), organisers of the International Exhibition for Animal Husbandry and Breeding, AgroFarm 2008, have reported a very good outcome with regard to the number of exhibitor registrations. From 24 to 26 April, some 130 exhibitors will be presenting an extensive range of professional dairy, beef and pig production technologies at the VVC grounds (All-Russian Exhibition Centre) in Moscow, which will also be showcasing poultry production and aquaculture, too. In comparison with last year’s première event, the number of exhibitors has gone up by 12 percent, and the exhibition floor space has actually increased by almost 30 percent. A particularly positive development is the rise in the number of international participants, with companies from 16 countries having registered (2005: 11 countries). AgroFarm 2008 is thus further consolidating its status as an unrivalled information platform when it comes to meeting the needs of professional livestock breeders and farmers in Russia. Highlights this year include, inter alia, live demonstrations of hoof care and a milking robot, an auction of breeding animals as well as daily livestock shows in the AgroFarm Ring.
 
More than 30 events: conferences, forums, podium discussions
On top of this, AgroFarm 2008 is offering an extensive, practice-oriented technical programme that has been put together by leading Russian and European agricultural associations. Top experts will be on hand in over 30 conferences, forums and podium discussions to deal with key issues facing the Russian agricultural sector. Thus, in addition to the outstanding offers presented by the exhibitors, this year’s AgroFarm will also provide an information and further training programme tailored to the needs of Russian livestock farmers.

The technical programme will kick off on 24 April with the conference on the theme of “Perspectives for Russian Animal Production - Effects of the State Programme”. Here representatives of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Agriculture, as well as leading Russian and international experts, will give their opinions and then engage in discussions with the participants.
 
“Cattle” Forum
Subjects at this forum will include insemination, pregnancy monitoring, rearing of young cattle, modern feeding and feed preparation methods as well as herd management systems. Russian investors will also be able to attend an event dealing with the establishment and organisation of large-scale dairy farms.
 
“Pig” Forum
This forum for pig farmers will focus on breeding programmes, piggery construction and modernisation, genetics-based improvements in meat quality, ways of optimising feed rations and improving feed and management systems. Amongst other events, a podium discussion is scheduled to be held with pig breeding associations from Russia, England and Denmark on the theme of “’Successful pig breeding in Russia - Opportunities afforded by international partnerships”. Another podium discussion on the agenda will look at the topic of “Successful feeding strategies for efficient pig fattening”. Leading suppliers of machinery and equipment for pig feeding systems will give their views on efficient pig feeding.
 
“Poultry” Forum
This forum will deal with the construction of modern hatcheries, the selection of hatching systems in line with the genetic potential of the poultry breeds and special aspects of feeding. Furthermore, it will also look into the turkey-keeping sector.
 
“Aquaculture” Forum
At the Aquaculture Forum, visitors can expect a whole range of useful tips to help them set up a fish-breeding business. In addition to the Aquaculture Forum, there will also be an information and advisory centre, the “Aquaculture Information Centre”, where small and large-scale breeders can find answers to their questions about the start-up and organisation of fish-keeping enterprises. Other information can be accessed here too, e.g. concerning the procurement of juvenile fish, compound feed and its various quality grades or preparations for improving breeding conditions and preventing fish diseases.
 
Round Table “Slurry Management”
A definite structural change is underway in Russia today in the direction of large-scale farms. This gives rise to questions about farm organisation, in particular with regard to compliance with ecological demands for slurry management. For example, which types of storage are to be recommended? How can slurry be used efficiently? This Round Table is designed to provide answers here.
 
Quality Enhancement for Professionals
A particular focus will be on qualitative improvements amongst agriculture-sector professionals. The organisers’ concept provides for a true “learning workshop”. The thematically oriented forums and practical demonstrations contain a wealth of information for those involved in animal husbandry. Thus, AgroFarm 2008 offers Russian farm managers an excellent opportunity to train their workers within a three-day period. Professionals can thus upgrade their professional skills within the scope of numerous events at AgroFarm 2008 directly by engaging in conversations and rounds of discussions with proven experts in the fields of animal husbandry, feeding and care.

The events at AgroFarm 2008 are free of charge. However, prior registration is requested for reasons of organisation.

The concept built around the two supporting pillars of a trade exhibition and professional programme was geared specifically to the tremendous demand for information and investment amongst Russian professionals. Throughout the three-day event, the exhibitors’ stands were buzzing with intensive discussions. According to an objective survey, the exhibitors were particularly impressed by the high quality of AgroFarm’s trade visitors. In addition to the products and services of the exhibitors, the accompanying specialist programme provided a number of outstanding opportunities to deal in depth with some of the thematic focal points of particular interest to Russian professionals. Indeed, owing to the great demand for information on various issues concerning animal breeding, feeding and management not a single seat was left vacant in any of the three forums. A special focus at the event was on the theme of modernisation in the milk-production sector, in particular on feeding, management and milking technology. In the cattle-breeding sector, AgroFarm played host to a wide range of modern genetics presented by organisations and companies from Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Ireland, as well as from various regions in Russia. Visitors were particularly interested in the Russian-bred animals showcased in the specially created AgroFarm Ring.

AgroFarm 2007 also provided pig farmers with an excellent array of information. The British Pig Association, for example, with its joint stand of British exhibitors put together a special programme specifically targeting the Russian market. Furthermore, a series of forum events dealt with issues concerning poultry farming and aquaculture. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture together with the various livestock breeding associations gave their full support to the AgroFarm specialist programme, providing many useful insights, including indepth information on Russia’s ongoing promotion programme.

AgroFarm 2007 was officially opened by the Russian Deputy Agricultural Minister, Sergey Mitin, the representative of the State Duma’s Agricultural Committee, Airan Khairullin, DLG’s Exhibitions’ Manager, Dr. Jochen Köckler, and the Deputy Agricultural Director of the Russian AgroFarm organiser GAO VVC, Soja Bautina.

 
Next year’s AgroFarm is scheduled to take place once again from 24 to 26 April at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre in Moscow.

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