DLG International). Russia's leading tradeshow for animal husbandry and breeding took place at the VDNH Exhibition Grounds in Moscow from 6 to 8 February 2018. The organizers of the fair are OOO DLG RUS and AO VDNH.
 
On a record exhibition area of 18,500 sqm, a 12 percent increase compared with 2017, 410 exhibitors from 30 countries showcased a wide spectrum of latest solutions for husbandry, feeding, animal health and modern genetics for cattle, pig, poultry, rabbit, goat and sheep production. 13,985 trade visitors –corresponding to a rise of 12 percent compared to the previous event – with a decision-making share of more than 40 percent have ensured a good atmosphere among the exhibitors and promise good post-event business.
 
The Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation officially supported AgroFarm 2018. The main trade associations – the National Union of Milk Producers "Soyuzmoloko", the National Pig Producers Union of Russia, the Russian Poultry Union and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association of Russia – were official partner organizations of the exhibition.


During the high-profile opening ceremony, which took place on 6 February, the Best Product Development, Best Scientific Development and Best Service Awards were conferred on the winner companies. As part of the exhibitor evening, the winners of the "Best Family Farm" competition have also received their awards.
 
As a leading trade fair in the Russian animal industry, AgroFarm hosts manufacturers and suppliers of modern technologies from all over the world who meet their target groups from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. Almost half of all AgroFarm exhibitors are international companies, accounting for 61 percent of the exhibition area. The majority are from Germany, France, Italy, China, Ireland, Denmark, USA, the Netherlands and Turkey.
 
This year's AgroFarm recorded the largest German participation since the tradeshow foundation 12 years ago – on an area of 650 sqm, 28 companies showcased their solutions for modern animal production (an increase of 60 percent compared with 2017).
 
Numerous foreign delegations were led by high-ranking guests of honor, including Irish Minister of Commerce Pat Breen, Danish Minister of the Environment and Food Larsen Esben Lunde, Israeli Ambassador in Moscow Harry Koren and Head of the Department of Food and Agriculture of the German Embassy in Moscow Dr. Hinrich Snell.
 
In total, around 70 specialist events were held at the AgroFarm 2018. The actuality and diversity of the topics reached top executives, managers and experts from all over Russia. The extensive technical program started with the annual congress of the National Union of Milk Producers "Soyuzmoloko". Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich and Russian Minister of Agriculture Alexander Tkachev took part in the event.
 
The main emphasis of the technical program was on "Digital Livestock Farming" with a focus on the use of state-of-the-art digital technologies to increase production efficiency combined with sustainability. For this purpose, the organizers, together with international partners, set up an Information Center, offering Russian and foreign livestock professionals a neutral platform for the exchange of views and experience. The Information Center was supplemented by a conference on the same topic.
 
Special highlights at the AgroFarm were live demonstrations of udder and claw care in dairy cattle, ultrasound examinations for reproductive purposes of cattle, goats and sheep, and improved egg-shearing technologies.
 
Particularly gratifying was the significant increase in size of the live animal area. Dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits and various poultry breeds were presented at the AgroFarm.
 
The next AgroFarm will take place from 5 to 7 February, 2019 in Hall 75 at the VDNH Exhibition Grounds in Moscow. More information on AgroFarm is available online at: www.agrofarm.org or by contacting DLG RUS via e-mail at: agrofarm@dlg.org