The Agro Innovation Lab was represented at the Biofeldtage for the first time this year at the Esterhazy Organic Farm in Donnerskirchen, Burgenland, on 6th and 7th August 2021. Visitors to the innovation show were able to find out about the innovations of the Raiffeisen Lagerhaus Group. And, looking back, our evaluation of this first opportunity to participate in an on-site event in a long time is extremely positive.
In keeping with the motto “live instead of just virtual”, more than 11,000 visitors came to Donnerskirchen in Burgenland to find out about innovations in organic farming. Almost 200 exhibitors from the areas of crop cultivation, agricultural technology and animal husbandry presented their products and developments across an area of more than 70 hectares. And one of these exhibitors was, of course, the Agro Innovation Lab. At our stand, visitors were able to experience our innovative services for sustainable agriculture at first hand. The Agro Innovation Lab has now been offering services to agricultural businesses for several years in cooperation with the Austrian Lagerhaus cooperatives. And our portfolio is constantly being expanded and complemented with new developments.
During the innovation show, which was moderated by Georg Brunnhofer, visitors were able to see our machines and equipment in use under real conditions. Our Trichogramma drone turned out to be a real visitor attraction, with visitors of all ages being enthusiastic about the innovative way of applying beneficial insects. The audience ranged from representatives of agricultural businesses to interested consumers, and guests with non-agricultural backgrounds were particularly amazed at the advances being made by these technologies and at their contribution to the sustainable management of the countryside.
The demonstration of our field robot Oz also generated huge enthusiasm. With its wide range of tools, the Oz field robot from Naio Technologies assists with the seeding, tillage, maintenance and harvesting of speciality crops. The robot is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized farms that grow vegetables or herbs or have greenhouses or nurseries. At the test field directly in front of our stand at the Biofeldtage site, the robot was able to demonstrate how mechanical weed control can work completely autonomously. Due to the humid conditions, Oz was particularly able to highlight the great advantages of its lightweight design and the resulting low level of soil compaction.
Visitors could also find out more about our soil sampling service and see our special sample-taking vehicle. The choice of a quad as a support for the drilling technology used to deliver this service underlines our commitment to protecting the soil. After the areas to be sampled have been registered in the local Lagerhaus, the Korneuburg-based Agro Innovation Lab team arrives and takes the samples, which it delivers to the soil sample analysis laboratory of AGES (Agency for Food Safety) for examination. The results of the analysis are sent directly to the farmer. This is an uncomplicated way of presenting farmers with information about the supply of nutrients to their fields, on the basis of which they can precisely tailor their use of fertilisers.
Our new “Lagerhaus Weather Stations” were also presented in Donnerskirchen. No other industry is as dependent upon weather conditions as agriculture. By placing the compact station directly on their land, farmers can obtain precise data and thus plan with certainty.
All in all, Biofeldtage 2021 at the Esterhazy Organic Farm was a complete success for Agro Innovation Lab. This proximity to practicing farmers enables us to continuously improve our services and to demonstrate them in practical situations.
Photo (c) AIL