Dr Dietrich Schulz, from the German federal department for environment, invited the group of directors and state delegates to Wimex to provide an exchange between the Russian and German agricultural companies considering the options for further usage of litter and manure. “Entrepreneurs are more easily convinced by other entrepreneurs than by authorities,” he explained.

They visited the biogas plant of the Wimex Group near Leipzig, the world’s first biogas plant able to process organic material as high as 70 per cent in litter.

During the visit to a parent stock farm on the former soviet military airbase in Köthen, discussions centred on whether the biogas plant could be a model for plants in Russia.

Kaj Forsius, project leader from Helsinki Commission, thanked Thomas Blanke, chief manager for animal production in Wimex, for the highly informative visit.

Wimex has also played host to two other parties this summer. Agrargesellschaft Wulfen, a subsidiary of Wimex, Europe’s largest broiler hatching egg exporter, celebrated its annual farmyard party in Wulfen. The company produces raw materials for parent stock and grandparent stock feed.

Helge Klamke, production manager, thanked Martin Bringezu on his retirement for his 34 years working for the company. Highlight of the event was the coronation of the asparagus queen — Romanian seasonal harvester Ramona Popescu.

Another visit was by more than 20 German broiler growers and feed industry consultants who saw Wimex’s Baasdorf office, Rosefeld hatchery, Wulfen farm and one parent stock flock, biogas plant and Bördergarten vegetable production. Discussion focused on the association of strict cost management with profitability, and the ability of broiler to perform well on a lower cost feed.