With a total of 415 exhibitors on 18,200 square-metres, this is the largest AgroFarm to date. The exhibition space expanded by 24 percent resulting in an additional hall for the first time. The 25-percent increase in exhibitor numbers reflects growing interest in Russia's animal production sector. Half of the exhibitors came from outside Russia, with Germany, Denmark and France in the lead among the 30 country-strong exhibitor participation. National pavilions from Lithuania and New Zealand were established for the first time.

 

A global event for animal production technologies in Russia

The importance of participating at the AgroFarm exhibition was emphasized by international participants.

"Cooperation in the field of animal production between Russia and Denmark continues to strengthen from year to year. This has been confirmed by the participation at AgroFarm. Danish companies have brought their latest developments in animal production and breeding, and this exhibition is a wonderful way to showcase our very latest solutions," said Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Denmark.

 

This year also saw a significant increase in innovations, with 55 innovation nominations and a final shortlist of 16 awards. Categories included “Best Product – AgroFarm 2014”, "Best Scientific Development – Agro Farm 2014" and "Best Service – AgroFarm 2014".

For the first time, the exhibition reached the 10,000 visitor milestone. An overwhelming 98 percent of those were professionals. Visitors constituted mainly entrepreneurial farmers – owners and managers of agricultural holdings, and pigs and poultry production farms throughout Russia. According to the preliminary visitor survey results, decision-makers made up about 40 percent of the visitor profile.

 

Technical focus 

The technical program remains one of AgroFarm's significant draws. The topical relevance of this year's various focus areas is timely as Russian farm managers continue to grapple with the dynamics of global agricultural markets and price effects.

 

The technical forums this year consisted of 55 specialist events. Highlights included the business forum “Animal Husbandry Production and Processing Strategy: Challenges and Prospects”; the International Poultry Conference “Key markets for poultry products: trends and prospects for producers”; and the Business Meeting “Advanced management systems for pig farming: Russian and foreign practices“. A roundtable “Cost reduction drivers in pig production” discussed the impact of WTO membership on beef cattle. Other seminars were dedicated to aquaculture and rabbit production in Russia.

 

A key topic this year was reproductive technologies. Russian and international experts addressed topics such as pregnancy detection, oestrus stimulation and synchronisation, optimal timing of insemination, and the use of ultrasound scanners. Herd management systems for heat detection as well as the proper use of pharmaceuticals for the synchronisation and optimisation of reproduction processes were explored. The conferences also addressed ways to increase cattle and pig stock using modern reproductive technologies.

 

Taking place alongside the technical forums was the Annual Meeting of the Russian-Danish Agribusiness Club, the annual event of the Russian milk producers´ association "Soyuzmoloko" and the National Association of Industrial Cattle Producers of Russia.

 

Global leaders and market experts in attendance

 

Political and business leaders from Russia and abroad were among the speakers and guests. Among the delegates from the policy attending were Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Arkady Dvorkovich; Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dmitriy Yuriev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Gennadiy Onishchenko; head of Russia´s veterinary and plant health control agency Rosselhoznadzor Sergei Dankvert, Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Labinov; Director of the Department for International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Denis Trefilov; Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark Dan Jorgensen, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary and Food Administration of Denmark Per Henriksen and others.

 

Market experts included Nan Dirk Mulder, Rabobank, Andrey Golokhvastov, Agriconsult, Albert Davleyev, Vice-President of the International Poultry Development Program(IPDP), Investors like Raj Vardhan, Senior Vice-President, Olam International, global producers like Vitor Hugo Brandalise, President, Tyson do Brasil. Animal production market issues and trends with relevance to Russia such as the agricultural economy policy and global market trends and economies along with details on markets for products of animal origin including eggs, milk and meat were discussed with Russian experts.

The AgroFarm exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation and partnered by the National Dairy Farmers Union „Soyuzmoloko“, National Pig Producers Union of Russia, Russian Poultry Union (Rosptitsesoyuz), the National Association of Industrial Cattle Producers of Russia.

 

The next AgroFarm will take place 3-5 February 2015 in Hall 75, All-Russian Exhibition Centre, Moscow, Russia.

 

Source: www.agrofarm.org