Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief Executive Manager of the Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG - German Agricultural Society) , Thorsten Herdan, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems and Dr. Karl Schlösser, Project manager EuroTier, DLG (from the left)

The member companies of VDMA Power Systems reported that they were extremely satisfied with the course of the exhibition.

This was the conclusion drawn by the organiser DLG at the close of the word’s largest exhibition for animal husbandry and management held at the Exhibition Grounds in Hanover from 11 to 14 November 2008.

Some 130,000 visitors came to gather information about machinery and equipment, genetics, farm inputs and services for modern animal husbandry as well as potentials in the field of bioenergy and local energy supply. As a result DLG has recorded a record number of visitors – eleven percent up on the figure for the last exhibition. Accordingly EuroTier has further consolidated its position as the world’s leading exhibition for professional animal husbandry. BioEnergy Europe has become established as key exhibition for bioenergy and local energy supply.

The following individual conclusions can be drawn:

• The number of exhibitors has grown by 15 percent. 1,764 direct exhibitors and
• 44 additionally represented firms from 46 countries presented their programmes and innovations. The very high proportion of foreign exhibitors (42 percent) clearly proclaims the international status of EuroTier.
• With some 130,000 visitors, EuroTier 2008 was the information forum for forward-looking investors. This high level of interest reflects confidence in the medium and long-term potential of the branch. Discussions on the stands regarding the short-term outlook were coloured by the impacts of the general economic uncertainty.
• More than 22,000 visitors came from abroad – from over 80 countries. The largest contingents came from the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Denmark. Against the backdrop of the current financial crisis the investors from Central and Eastern Europe sought above all orientation to help them steer their farms and businesses in the short term. The high numbers of visitors from the Near, Middle and Far East is particularly encouraging.
• The cattle sector at EuroTier is unique in the world thanks to the professional presentation of genetics and the comprehensive programme of equipment, machinery and installations. The concept offers dairy farmers and beef producers ideas and solutions for competitive production in the future.
• The pig sector is the mirror of the entrepreneurial and professional development of the branch. Pig production is becoming increasingly more global, and division of labour is rising. In this segment Germany with its strong position acts as a pacemaker in Europe.
• The World Poultry Show satisfied its claim to be the world meeting place for the poultry branch. Breeders, producers and processors from all over the world used the comprehensive and extremely specialised programme to tap the good perspectives in the market. 75 percent of the exhibitors in this segment came from abroad. They encountered the most international visitor group at EuroTier.
• One of EuroTier’s hallmarks is its feed and animal health segment – the largest of any exhibition in the world. These components are key factors for successful animal husbandry. The Congress of the German Association of Veterinary Practitioners (bpt) being held parallel with EuroTier provided optimal synergies for tackling current issues.
• BioEnergy Europe, developed jointly with VDMA Power Systems, was once more a striking success. The programme offered by the some 400 exhibitors met with exceptionally high demand. According to a survey every fourth visitor was interested in this segment. The exhibition programme was supplemented by an an extensive technical programme devised and implemented in partnership with BFL, an organisation devoted to promoting agricultural building construction and optimising livestock management conditions, and KFW, German Centre for Forest Work and Technology, as well as further partners.
• The aquaculture segment is a firmly established part of EuroTier. The high demand for information about the perspectives of this production branch were covered by specialist exhibitors as well as by an extensive forum programme.
• Visitors made excellent use of the extensive technical programme at EuroTier 2008. The international events organised by the Dairy Farmers, Pig Producers and Poultry Farmers on the eve of EuroTier are now established as a highlight for practitioners from all over Europe. They attracted some 1,300 international experts. The first Chinese-European Pig Summit got off to a good start and proved an attractive meeting place for experts and business.
• The new German Minister of Agriculture, Ilse Aigner, used the EuroTier Evening to outline her policy for the agricultural branch for the first time.
• The Young Farmers Day on Thursday was a great success. Over 5,000 young farmers, pupils and student from home and abroad attended the various specialist events at EuroTier. Once again one of the highlights of EuroTier 2008 was the Young Farmers Party attended by some 2,500 young people.

The next EuroTier will be held in Hanover from 16 to 19 November 2010.