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AgroFarm, the international exhibition for animal husbandry and breeding, is continuing its very dynamic development. This was the conclusion drawn by the organisers, DLG International GmbH, a subsidiary of the DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft – German Agricultural Society), and the Agricultural Sector of AREC (Moscow). From 26 to 28 May 2010 altogether 222 exhibitors from 19 countries came together at the VVC exhibition grounds in Moscow to present modern genetics for breeding, as well as animal housing construction systems and modern production methods for cattle, pig, poultry, goat and sheep husbandry and rabbit keeping. The number of exhibitors was up by one third compared with the previous year’s event. Visitor numbers too grew by around five per cent compared with 2009. This year 8,430 animal farmers and experts from the fields of agriculture and agribusiness came to the exhibition. The organisers rate this as a clear indication that the upswing has started in Russia’s animal husbandry and that animal farmers in Russia, with a great need for information, are seeking solutions to improve production efficiency on their farms. AgroFarm with its comprehensive programme of exhibits and the many sector-specific events was able to help them find answers to their questions.Distinct rise in numbers of international exhibitors
Participation by international exhibitors has increased further. In particular a substantially higher number of companies from Germany, France, Canada and Austria took part in the exhibition this year. Trade associations from the USA also participated in AgroFarm on a joint stand for the first time. There were altogether 45 exhibitors from Germany, including 29 in the country pavilion promoted by the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. This joint participation has almost doubled by comparison with 2009. A further encouraging feature was that the exhibitors’ programmes were expanded considerably, not only in the traditionally well represented cattle segment with all internationally leading providers of machinery and equipment for milking and refrigerating. This year the areas of pig husbandry, feedstuffs and poultry keeping were also very well covered.
Leading-edge and top-flight specialist events create forum for the future
An important component of AgroFarm was its practice-oriented technical programme with an international character, comprising some 40 specialist events addressing topical issues in the areas of cattle, pig, poultry and rabbit farming that were discussed by Russian, European and North American experts. This made AgroFarm the most important information platform dealing with current trends and questions relating to the future for Russian animal farmers this year too.
The opening event on the topic, “Interactions between state and industry and their influence on the development of animal production in Russia” generated particular interest. Here the representatives of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the State Duma and the Russian Government discussed existing frameworks, promotional influences on further development of animal production in Russia, conflicts of interest and possible solutions with representatives of agribusiness. The conclusion that can be drawn from this event is that Russian animal production is currently developing consistently, especially in the pig and poultry segments, but also in the cattle sector. That state promotion and financial support play a particular role in driving this development was confirmed by Alexander Nikitin, Director General of Miratorg, one of the largest pork producers in Russia, and Denis Cherkesov, Deputy Director of the Livestock Department in the Ministry of Agriculture. Cherkesov also added that Russian animal production is currently going through an investment phase. “When developing production it is important to focus on competitiveness. The aspects of cost reduction and quality increase play a key role here. It is not sufficient to simply fight for higher producer prices – farm managers must also go consistently for cost saving and quality-promoting production”, explained Cherkesov. That is why he considers adaptation of production methods through the application of modern genetics, state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, farm inputs and management systems to be of prime importance.
Awards for products and service
At AgroFarm 2010, an impartial commission made up of Russian and international experts selected products addressing the Russian market in particular for the AgroFarm awards. The “Best Product AgroFarm Award” this year went to the feeder mixer wagon V-Mix 10-N12 from the firm Bernard van Lengerich Maschinenfabrik GmbH&Co.KG, the feeding management system for lactating sows “Gestal FM” from the firm JYGA Concept. Inc., the self-propelled feeder mixer wagon SILOKING from the firm Mayer Maschinenbaugesellschaft mbH, the Huber soft bed type “Ametist” from the firms OOO RIF “Ametist” and Huber Technik Vertriebs GmbH, the milking cluster with transparent milking cups DAD-01 from the firm OOO “Dogger” and to the milk replacer “Mologa” for calf rearing from the “Mologa” Group. The “Best Service AgroFarm 2010” went to the firm TransFaire-Agro from Saint -Petersburg.
http://www.dlg.org/aktuell_landwirtschaft.html?detail/dlg.org/1/1/3298
