The DLG (German Agricultural Society), organiser of the world's largest exhibition for animal production, EuroTier, reports outstanding exhibitor participation figures this year. With 1,939 direct exhibitors and 28 additionally represented companies from altogether 49 different countries, figures are around eight percent higher than the previous record level. On an exhibition area of almost 18 hectares (a plus of two per cent), the exhibitors are presenting modern, innovative and professional concepts for agricultural animal husbandry.

The largest contingents of international exhibitors come from the Netherlands (147), France (92), Italy (59), Denmark (56), the United Kingdom (52), China (52), Belgium (48), Austria (42) and Spain (42). Accordingly around 40 per cent of the exhibitors come from outside Germany. This international participation reflects the unbroken high level of interest in Germany as exhibition venue for systems, machinery and equipment in livestock husbandry.

This interest is not only driven by the large domestic market in Germany – it is also a consequence of the strong attraction exerted by EuroTier on leading farm managers and the growing markets in Central and Eastern Europe and on experts in the Near and Middle East and China. The exhibitor figures underscore EuroTier's leading position as the turntable to international markets.

In addition, advisors and consultants from many international associations and organisations as well as research institutions, academia and DLG with its experts are offering comprehensive opportunities for gathering information.

Livestock focus

It is becoming increasingly clear that all actors in the agricultural sector will need to adapt to more volatile markets in future. At the same time, a growing world population and changes in eating habits as well as the demand for biomass to generate power in large parts of the world are strong medium and long-term arguments indicating a further increase in demand for food. This represents good conditions for animal farmers, both in Germany and worldwide.

However, competition for market shares will become keener among producers. And the major challenge in this competition for animal producers worldwide will consist above all in achieving successful sustainable production, even in turbulent frameworks with volatile farm input and producer prices, currency fluctuations and uncertain availability of capital. That is why farmers must manage their farms professionally keeping the future in mind.

Their need for information and orientation is high. They require informative and competent guiding assistance, especially regarding questions of management, quality assurance, husbandry in line with animal welfare and appropriate functionality, herd management, feeding, animal health, hygiene and genetics. The special focuses at the exhibition, look at the fertility of dairy cattle and group housing of sows, as well as the presentation of daughter animals at the TopTierTreff – top cattle genetics, cater to these needs too.

Monday saw three seperate EuroTier events held for pig, poultry and dairy producers.

On Wednesday there was an Eastern European Conference on the effects of the new Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, and the Second Chinese-European Pig Summit.

BioEnergy Decentral

The BioEnergy Decentral exhibition prepared together with VDMA Power Systems and the support of the VKU, the association of municipal utilities, is being held at EuroTier. The entire spectrum of technological developments in the field of bioenergy, renewable energies, and systems and installations connected with decentralized energy supply are being presented here.

More than 550 exhibitors from 20 different countries are showing their new and further developments. In addition, the special focuses "Energy from wood chips" and "Biogas from sugar beet" in the open-air section of the exhibition are exploring two interesting topics in greater detail. As a global forum for decentralised energy supply, BioEnergy Decentral brings the various segments and partners in the market together.

High numbers of visitors expected

The high demand and need for information to set the course for the future and the numbers of advanced ticket sales all indicate a high level of visitor interest from Germany and abroad. In today's situation no forward-looking animal farmer should miss this excellent programme of information. That is why EuroTier 2010 will be the expected magnetic draw for the expert public. DLG expects 120,000 visitors.