Global data for the winegrowing sector show a stable slightly upward trend. World wine consumption now exceeds 240 million hectolitres. The global wine trade has capped 100 million hectolitres and is still rising. However, the global data conceal different dynamic trends in world regions, notably the enormous boom in the Asian region.
Rising global competition requires investment in marketing structures. At the start of the process chain, i.e. wine-growing techniques and cellar technology, innovative methods have become more important than ever before to overcome the consequences of climate change (extreme weather conditions, new plant pests, etc.). The wine industry too makes use of the new possibilities of digitisation in these sectors. Here, the path is the goal of the 63rd German Winegrowers' Congress, which will take place concurrently with INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA.
A scientific advisory board composed of experts from all German colleges of advanced technology offering study courses in oenology, as well as teaching and research institutions, advises the German Winegrowers' Association (DWV), which is the professional organisation for German winegrowers and is organising the congress for managers and multipliers in the national and international wine industry. The General Secretary of the DWV, Dr. Rudolf Nickenig, emphasises that "against the backdrop of globalisation, climate change and the digitisation of our entire lives, the aim of the 63rd German Winegrowers' Congress is to highlight the latest research results in international oenology, speak about best practices in the experience of leading companies and provide a platform for managers from as many winegrowing countries in the world as possible to discuss and exchange views."
The congress agenda will build a bridge to the INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA technology trade fair with its special shows, machine demonstrations and wine tasting sessions. The German Winegrowers' Association intends to provide new impetus for innovations in the wine sector with the events taking place in the exhibitions halls. The "Weintreff“ (wine meeting place) organised by the DWV with wines from all German winegrowing regions will again provide an excellent setting where exhibitors, visitors and congress participants can meet to conduct technical talks and exchange their experiences at the trade fair.
The German Agricultural Society (DLG) is also planning to provide insights into everyday practice by presenting machine demonstrations. This year, the DLG is focusing on the topic of "plant protection". In past years, there has been a massive change in the scenario and demands both in classic agriculture and in special crops.
Due to the continuous change in climate, new pests, new crops and new cultivation methods, different and new ways of combating pests, and the loss or the development and approval of new pest control measures, the challenges are changing fast. Previously unknown pests and plant diseases are already affecting many regions. They adapt very quickly to new conditions and can build resistance to established pesticides. When traditional pesticides lose their effectiveness, a new active substance is not always available. The necessity to develop special pesticide solutions therefore requires a high degree of research and development, especially for small-scale growers who provide a wide range of fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. Agribusiness is therefore obliged to observe developments very closely in order to search now for innovations to face future agricultural challenges.
Finally, this also places increasing demands on application technology, which must devise ways to achieve ever greater precision with the greatest possible number of automated start and shut-down functions since spraying increasingly has to take place also during evening hours and at night when the wind has died down. Spraying must be as precise as possible and take place under ideal conditions to be effective. As a result, this continues to place great importance on the development of drive units and steering systems and in particular on the further development of application technology, e.g. sprayer booms, sensors and nozzle systems since it is vital to apply substances accurately with reduced amounts in order to minimise
drift. Nozzle lighting and automatic nozzle monitoring are therefore quickly gaining in importance, as well as systems for automated steering, boom control and application. A number of exhibitors will therefore demonstrate crop spraying and small pesticide techniques for special crops in direct practical comparisons on a course specially prepared according to the model of the DLG field days. Visitors will be able to gain their own impressions of the state of the art, flanked by expert commentators. Upon registration, exhibitors at INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA will receive information on participation in machine demonstrations.
