The AgroFarm exhibition takes place next week from 7 to 9 February in Hall 75 at the VDNH Exhibition Grounds in Moscow. Countries outside Russia that are particularly well represented in the exhibition hall include Germany, France, Italy, China, the US, Ireland and Belarus. A comprehensive range of technology for modern cattle, pig and poultry production will be on display, in addition to equipment for goats, rabbits and aquaculture.

The exhibition has been boosted by the news that Russian farmers are expected to benefit from 11.5 billion rubles (180 million euros) of subsidies to modernize the farming sector. They will be able to recover between 20 to 30 percent of the cost of capital investments – depending on the agricultural sector and location – to modernize existing facilities or build new ones. According to an Interfax report dated 24 January 2017, pig and dairy farms, which are core sectors represented at AgroFarm, will be among the beneficiaries.

“We have already noted an increase in companies interested in displaying their livestock solutions at AgroFarm,” says Olga Hunger, Head of CIS region, DLG . “Foreign companies are particularly strong this year, with national pavilions representing Ireland, France and Germany. Official delegations from Denmark and Netherlands are also expected at the exhibition.

“This may well reflect the fact that companies are continuing to invest in Russia, but the latest report on the subsidies, protection of the internal market from imported food of animal origin and the stability of the Ruble are, of course, a boost to Russia's agriculture sector and have been welcomed by exhibitors,” adds Hunger.

Automation processes provide a key focus

Special attention will be paid to automation at the AgroFarm 2017 exhibition as this is one of the main trends in modern animal husbandry. Numerous exhibitors will show the latest technical solutions including: automated cleaning equipment; systems for the preparation and delivery of feed; watering systems; milking robots; climate management; products for electronic animal identification and monitoring; and software for managing animal production.

This section of the exhibition will be complemented by a conference, "Automation of the processes in animal husbandry", as well as special company presentations on various automation systems for cattle, pig and poultry farming. In addition, AgroFarm visitors will have the opportunity to visit a dairy farm to learn more about the latest automation technology in a more practical way.

Presentation of breeding animals

A major visitor attraction will be a comprehensive presentation of breeding animals. AgroFarm will feature live exhibits of dairy cows, breeding bulls, alpacas, sheep and goats. Chickens, quail and rabbits can also be seen at the event.

Broad-ranging international technical program

AgroFarm's unique technical program is a hallmark of the exhibition, and this year more than 50 professional events are taking place. These include:
> the 8th Congress of the National Dairy Producers Union
> the business forum “Russia's livestock sector is on the way to developing domestic and foreign markets”
> the international conference "How production of poultry meat and eggs in Russia compares glabally"
> the conference "Innovations in pig farm management – ways to increase operational efficiency"
> the two-day conference dedicated to aquaculture "Freshwater Aquaculture: Mobilization of Resource Potentials"

Live demonstrations and workshops

Farming professionals will provide live demonstrations and workshops on breeding evaluation of cattle, sheep and goats, udder and claw care in dairy cattle, ultrasound examination of cattle, reproduction in sheep and goat keeping, as well as rabbit insemination.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to get detailed opinions and experiences from experts about current issues in animal production and animal breeding.

The opening ceremony, which will include the presentation of the awards in the "Best at AgroFarm” competition, will take place on 7 February at 14:00.

AgroFarm is organized by DLG International GmbH (Germany) and VDNH, OA (Russia) in conjunction with the following partners: National Dairy Farmers Union, National Pig Producers Union of Russia, Russian Poultry Union and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association of Russia.