Crop and Grassland Service (AGPC)

BACK-TO-OFFICE REPORT

To Eric Kueneman, Chief AGPC

Through

From T. Friedrich, AGPC

Dates of Travel 09-18/11/07

Project Symbol

Country Visited Germany

Purpose • Participation in the World Soil and Tillage Show on the

Agritechnica Agricultural Engineering exhibition in Hanover/GER

• Presentation at the Forum of the WSTS

• Participation in a meeting of the ISO TC 23/SC 6 workgroup on

application technologies taking place at the Agritechnica

Follow Up • The posters directly referring to FAO’s work will be provided to FAO for

future use.

• It is planned to produce together with GKB a brochure comprising of all

posters shown on the joint stand of FAO, GKB and ECAF.

This report has been cleared by E. Kueneman, Chief AGPC for distribution as indicated

below

Date: 21/11/07

Distribution:

Kadlecikova, REU

Pandey, Director AGPD Mangstl, Director KCE

AGPC list Kienzle, AGST

Sayour, AGPD

AGP Registry

AG 6/1 Friedrich T. _______________

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Summary

The “Agritechnica” Agricultural Engineering Exhibition is worldwide the largest specialized

fair for agricultural machinery and agricultural engineering. FAO, through KCE, had been

requested at an early stage to be part of a special feature “World Soil and Tillage Show”

(WSTS) and of it’s organizing committee. The RO was part of an FAO team to organize and

staff the exhibition and to represent FAO.

FAO participation had been coordinated between the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change

(PIK) and the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) and the German

Society for Conservation Tillage (GKB). The Agritechnica 2007 was larger than previous

ones and hit with 330,000 visitors an absolute record. The world soil and tillage show

(WSTS), despite the poor signposting and indications in the exhibition catalogue, was visited

by a total of 20,000 visitors, of which about 1,200 stopped for more detailed discussions and

consultations at the stand of FAO.

The general response and interest in Conservation Agriculture was very high. Many farmers,

including organic farmers, approached the stand to get more information on adoption of CA.

A surprising number of farmers reported already applying CA. Within Europe Finland

surprised with a statement of more than 100,000 ha being already under permanent no-tillage

corresponding to 20% o the finish crop land, followed by Switzerland getting close to 10%

adoption. Also France reported a yet small but very active and well organized group of CA

farmers. Germany had started for many years with two farmers only and has in the last 3 years

expanded CA to 1,600 ha. In addition to this there are some organic farmers in the process of

converting from minimum tillage to no-tillage.

The participation of FAO in the World Soil and Tillage Show was highly appreciated by the

German organizers and the partners of FAO in this undertaking. It provided a useful proof for

the validity of FAO’s work on agricultural land use and adaptation to climate change and

showed the relevance of this work also for European countries. The posters directly referring

to FAO’s work will be provided to FAO for future use. It is also planned to produce together

with GKB a brochure comprising of all posters shown on the joint stand of FAO, GKB and

ECAF.

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Background

The “Agritechnica” Agricultural Engineering Exhibition is worldwide the largest specialized

fair for agricultural machinery and agricultural engineering. International industry usually

aims at the Agritechnica with the introduction of innovations. Traditionally the Agritechnica

had “Specials” on specific topics. These Specials have been replaced at the 2007 Agritechnica

by an extra show on soil and tillage, the “World Soil and Tillage Show” (WSTS). FAO,

through KCE, had been requested at an early stage to be part of the organizing committee and

of the WSTS and Josef Kienzle of AGST had been nominated the FAO representative in the

committee.

Purpose of Mission

The FAO contribution to the WSTS was aiming at the impact of climate change on

agriculture and practical soil related options for adaptation to climate change. FAO

participated in a joint installation with the Potsdam Institute for Climate change and shared

the neighbouring stand on Conservation Agriculture with the European Conservation

Agriculture Federation (ECAF) and the German Society for Conservation Tillage (GKB). The

RO was part of an FAO team to organize and staff the exhibition, and to represent FAO. The

RO attended the entire exhibition from assembly of the stand to dismantling accompanied

from FAO side by Mr Josef Kienzle for the first five days and by Ms Katrin Mannartz for the

last four days of the exhibition. In addition the R.O. gave a presentation on conservation

agriculture at the forum during the world soil and tillage show and participated in a meeting

of the ISO technical committee 23, subcommittee 6 (TC 23/SC 6 on pesticide application

equipment) workgroup on application technologies.

Findings

FAO participation had been coordinated between the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change

(PIK), the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) and German Society for

Conservation Tillage (GKB). FAO shared on the exhibition area of PIK (about 50 sqm) a

poster on climate change adaptation and a computer model developed by IIASA and FAO on

climate change impact on agro ecological zones and cropping which was projected on a large

screen.

Adjacent to the PIK area FAO showed the concept of Conservation Agriculture on the FAO-

GKB-ECAF exhibition area (about 100 sqm). The area comprised four large graphic displays

showing the concept of CA, a world soil map and the degree of soil degradation (GLASOD),

as well as the worldwide adoption of no-tillage and conservation tillage in agriculture. In

addition, eighteen poster displays had been produced on FAO and GKB in general, definition

of CA, description of technical components of CA and of FAO-CA projects as well as an

overview of technical parameters for different types of furrow openers. Corresponding furrow

openers were also exhibited. Eye catchers on the stand were: a six row no-till planter with

one row inserted into a box with soil and mulch; a soil box covered with grass for trying hand

jab planters with real seed in real soil; a rain simulator showing the erosion, surface runoff

and water infiltration capacities of soils with and without mulch cover and with growing grass

cover; and a model displaying the operations in a conservation agriculture cropping system

(see foto). The finishing of the stand and the exhibits was very good and corresponding to the

demanding standards of the Agritechnica exhibition. While FAO had contributed to most of

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the conceptual ideas for the stand and the technical details for the posters, the actual

execution and building of the exhibits was arranged by GKB and its associates as well as by

supporting machinery industry.

View of the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF stand at the WSTS in Hannover before opening

The relatively large exhibition area was permanently staffed with people from FAO,

ECAF/GKB and the Swiss contractor providing the no-till planter for the show. In this way an

excellent technical coverage of several topics, including very specific and practical

knowledge to respond to farmers, could be provided. Language coverage was also assured

within the stand for German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese and on some

days Russian, Czech and Finish. Especially GKB had organized a large number of

internationally recognized CA specialists and of students to assist on the stand who were

present at the stand in shifts (see list of people met).

The Agritechnica 2007 was larger than previous ones and hit with 330,000 visitors an

absolute record. The world soil and tillage show (WSTS), despite the poor signposting and

indications in the exhibition catalogue, was visited by a total of 20,000 visitors, of which

about 1,200 stopped for more detailed discussions and consultations at the stand. Delegations

from the German Ministry of Agriculture, the German Agricultural Society (DLG) and from

several countries and universities where directed through the WSTS. The other visitors

comprised farmers from European and overseas countries, agricultural machinery

manufacturers, university professors and students and officials from German federal and state

authorities related to agriculture and land management. One of the highlights among the

visitors was the Austrian ecologist and root specialist Lore Kutschera (age 93) who is known

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for having developed an international standard method for root classification, publishing a

root atlas and being the founder of the International Society of Root Research.

The general response and interest in Conservation Agriculture was very good. Many farmers,

including organic farmers, approached the stand to get more information on adoption of CA.

A surprising number of farmers reported to already apply CA or being in the process of

adoption. Within Europe Finland surprised with a statement of more than 100,000 ha being

already under permanent no-tillage corresponding to 20% o the finish crop land, followed by

Switzerland getting close to 10% adoption. Also France reported a yet small but very active

and well organized group of CA farmers. Germany had started for many years with two

farmers only and has in the last 3 years expanded CA to 1,600 ha. In addition to this, there are

some organic farmers in the process of converting from minimum tillage to no-tillage. It

appeared that CA being a concept wider than just no-tillage was particularly attractive for

organic farmers thinking in biological processes.

Within the WSTS there was a number of discussion fora presenting different aspects of soil

management, several of them specific on CA. The RO presented in one forum the concept of

CA and FAO’s work at global level, shared with another presentation of the state authority for

agriculture of the federal state of Saxony. Saxony appears to be the actual leading state in CA

promotion within Germany. State research has shown the potential impact of CA on reducing

flood events and in reducing water pollution. As a consequence, the state is now only giving

subsidies to farmers adopting no-tillage systems (CA) and not to farmers adopting mulch and

reduced tillage systems, since the research showed continued intake of pesticides and

leaching of nitrates and phosphates under reduced tillage, while under no-tillage no pesticides

could be found, and the nitrate and phosphate levels in water bodies declined to very low

levels.

The ISO TC 23/SC 6 workgroup on pesticide application techniques met briefly during the

Agritechnica show to discuss the advance of the work items in relation to the new European

Thematic Strategy on pesticides. Proposals for listing technical methods for drift and dose

reduction and traceability were discussed. New work items for standards related to good

practice, reduction of point source pollution and risk reduction for environment and humans

from pesticide use were discussed. Participating country representatives reported the latest

developments in their countries regarding the harmonization of national legislation with the

European legislation on sprayer certification, inspection and operator licenses. OECD has

launched an inquiry about an OECD programme on sprayer certification equal to the tractor

codes. The idea resulted from FAO’s work on sprayer guidelines. However, while ISO is

appreciating the collaboration with FAO, there appeared to be serious reservations against

this OECD approach because of the danger for duplication, since OECD, as organization, is

not well integrated and collaborating with the ISO TC 23/SC 6.

Conclusions & Recommendations

The participation of FAO in the World Soil and Tillage Show was highly appreciated by the

German organizers and the partners of FAO in this undertaking. It provided a useful proof for

the validity of FAO’s work on agricultural land use and adaptation to climate change and

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showed the relevance of this work also for European countries. As such FAO’s participation

in the show enhanced visibility of FAO in one of its major donor countries.

The posters directly referring to FAO’s work will be provided to FAO for future use. It is also

planned to produce together with GKB a brochure comprising of all posters shown on the

joint stand of FAO, GKB and ECAF.

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List of People met

Stand staff and people associated with the stand:

Josef Kienzle, FAO

Katrin Mannartz, FAO

Matthias Waibel, student

Jana Epperlein, Secretary Gen., German Conservation Tillage Society (GKB)/ ECAF member Heiner Voßhenrich, President, GKB

Bullock, Jim, Soil Management Initiative (SMI), ECAF member UK

Thomas, Frederic, TCS, France

Gottlieb Basch, President European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF)

Wolfgang Sturny, Swiss No-till/member of ECAF

Res Chervet, Swiss No-till

Andreas Wyssbrod, Swiss No-till

Häberli, Martin, Swiss-No-Till

Hans-Peter Lauper, Swiss-No-Till

Bernhard Streit, Swiss-No-Till

Timo Rouhiainen, President of Finish Conservation Agriculture Federation (FINCA)/ECAF

Igor Krasnikow, Advisor, Russia

Alexander Mosjenko, Advisor, Russia

Alexander Seiler, Student, FH Triesdorf

Tillmann Reiss, Student FH Triesdorf

Kerstin Dohles, Student FH Triesdorf

Sebastian Haag, Student, FH Triesdorf

Ingo Stockheimer, Student, FH Triesdorf

Veronique Rudy, Student, FH Triesdorf

Nils Fölster, Rabe Werke (agricultural machinery manufacturing company)

York-Th. Bayer, Agricultural Extensionist

Rolf Derpsch, No-till expert, Paraguay

Stefan Minder, Manager of AgriSoilutions (no-till service provider, Switzerland)

Pedro Fankhauser, President of Fankhauser Company (no-till planter manufacturer, Brazil)

Federico Fankhauser, Snopex Agricultural Machinery (importer of Fankhauser/Switzerland)

Eric Mattich, Snopex

Visitors: (closer contacts and discussions were held with a total of about 1,000 visitors on the

stand)

Anton Mangstl, Director KCE/FAO

Lothar Hövelmann, DLG (organizer of WSTS)

Frank Wechsung, Potsdam Institute for Climate Change (PIK)

Ulrich Köpke, Director Institute of Organic Agriculture, Bonn

Wolf Eckelmann, Director Mineralogy and Soil Science, BGR Hanover

Hans Henrik Pedersen, Inst. for Agro Technology and Food Innovation, Denmark

Karsten Borchard, University of Kiel

Ellen Müller, State Authority for Agriculture of Saxony

Marion Senger, Director Soil and Crop production, Chamber of Agriculture, Lower Saxony

Angelo Ruggeri, macchine agricole s.r.l., Italy

Friedrich Wenz, Farmer/Consultant for organic agriculture

Frank J.M. Verder, Mantis ULV application equipment

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Andrea Wagner, Budissa Agroservice GmbH (Forage conservation)

Bjarne Wretdal, Export Manager VM, Finland (no-till seeder manufacturer)

Ari Koutonen, Managing director VM, Finland

Tobias Meinel, Amazonen Werke, Germany

Christoph Bommes, agro-consulting, Germany

Stefan Stremlow, Fazenda Vale Verde, Londrina/Brazil (farmer)

Lucian Fechete, University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Vitaliy Petrov, Sales manager Kuhn, Russia

Mike Dahlseide, Director Marketing, Morris Industries, Canada

Tim Marshall, Director Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP), Canada

Zhang Zhen Xin, Deputy Chief, Exchange Centre for International Cooperation, Chinese

Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences

Thomas Reissig, Tonutti SpA, Italy

Mike Lessiter, Lessiter Publications (no-till farmer), USA

Lore Kutschera, root scientist, Austria

Travel Programme

Friday, 09/11/07

p.m. Travel Rome-Hanover

Saturday, 10/11/07

a.m. preparation of the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area, assembly of exhibits

p.m. briefing of exhibition staff

cont. preparation of the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

Sunday, 11/11/07

a.m./p.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

Monday, 12/11/07

a.m./p.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

Tuesday, 13/11/07

a.m./p.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

Wednesday, 14/11/07

a.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

p.m. presentation on CA in the WSTS forum

meeting of ISO/TC 23/SC 6 workgroup application technologies

cont. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

Thursday, 15/11/07

a.m./p.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

Friday, 16/11/07

a.m./p.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

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p.m. no-till information evening for farmers of villages north of Hanover

Saturday, 17/11/07

a.m./p.m. service a the joint FAO/GKB/ECAF exhibition area

p.m. dismantling of exhibits and exhibition stand

Sunday, 18/11/07

a.m./p.m. return Hanover-Rome