Event News

Modern potato production includes diverse aspects from soil health to robotics. (Image source: PotatoEurope)

PotatoEurope 2026 returns to Germany from 9 to 10 September 2026 to showcase the latest technology and innovations in potato cultivation

The event will explore visionary ideas in future‑oriented arable and crop production, as well as machinery in live field operation. Experts will lead the event’s star segments such as DLG Spotlights and the DLG Expert Stage, opening up opportunities for meaningful networking.

The DLG Spotlight ‘Agricultural Logistics’ provides a platform for tractors and specialized trailers – including scraper‑floor systems, conveyor belts and potato boxes – as well as cover systems and logistics software. Martin Vaupel, Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony, will be available to answer visitors’ questions.

Another offering of the DLG Spotlight that will unite farmers, manufacturers, researchers and investors is FarmRobotix, presenting future-oriented technologies, including the workings of autonomous machinery and digital systems.

The open‑air exhibition will focus on the entire value chain, from breeding through to processing. Running alongside is the SugarBeet Expo, a specialist trade fair for innovative field technology and current trends in sugar beet cultivation.

Participants can expect internationally leading companies from breeding, crop protection, digitalisation, agricultural machinery and processing to exhibit the latest market offerings. New varieties as well as the effects of crop‑protection products and fertilisers will be showcased in dedicated demonstration plots.

As modern potato production includes diverse aspects from soil health to robotics, PotatoEurope has set up a technical programme to cover these issues, flag challenges and seek solutions in specialist forums, expert talks and practice‑oriented discussion formats.

Participants will be experiencing live machinery demonstrations and get a close up picture of the advanced technologies-driven workflows that support the whole process under real operating conditions in the field. Topics include planting, harvesting, loading and innovative crop‑protection technologies. Case IH is the technology partner.

EuroTier 2026 to Showcase the Future of Smart Animal Farming (Image credit: DLG Spotlights)

EuroTier 2026 is set to bring the global agricultural community together from 10 to 13 November in Hanover, Germany, highlighting the latest progress in animal farming and livestock management

With more than 2,100 exhibitors from over 50 countries, the event will present a wide range of innovations aimed at improving efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare across livestock systems.

Spanning an impressive 220,000 square metres, the exhibition will focus on practical solutions for modern farming. The central theme, “Intelligence in animal farming”, reflects the growing role of smart technologies in shaping the future of agriculture. From dairy and beef cattle to pigs and poultry, the event will explore how digital tools and advanced systems can support farmers in meeting both economic and environmental goals.

A key feature of the exhibition is the Inhouse Farming Feed and Food Show, which introduces forward thinking approaches to agricultural food systems. Topics such as aquaculture and alternative protein production will be explored, offering farmers insight into emerging opportunities and sustainable practices.

“As a leading innovation hub, we not only offer an international top class technical and exhibition program. This year, our visitors can also look forward to numerous new features. With the EuroTier Milky Way, exhibitors will present innovations and solutions covering the entire value chain of milk production across three halls. Further highlights include DLG VetCon, the new networking and professional training event for large animal and herd veterinarians including a foyer exhibition, as well as the Innovation Boulevard, where selected innovations from the two award schemes Innovation Awards EuroTier and EnergyDecentral 2026 will be showcased. This will allow EuroTier to set new standards not only in terms of product and topic diversity, but also as the world’s largest international business and networking platform,” says Ines Rathke, Show Director of EuroTier.

The event will also feature a series of DLG Spotlights, where live demonstrations and curated exhibits will present real world applications. These include advances in breeding, forage production, robotic milking, emission reduction and circular farming systems.

Alongside this, expert led stages will host discussions on animal health, feeding strategies, biosecurity and sustainable farm management, creating a space for knowledge sharing and practical learning within the agricultural sector.

Field preparations begin for PotatoEurope 2026 and New SugarBeet Expo (Image credit: PotatoEurope)

The road to PotatoEurope 2026 officially began with a practical potato planting event held on 21 April, organised by the DLG

This hands on activity set the stage for both PotatoEurope and the newly introduced SugarBeet Expo, which will take place on 9 and 10 September 2026 at Rittergut Gestorf, near Hanover. The event is expected to draw around 300 exhibitors, making it a key gathering for the farming community.

The planting demonstration was carried out in collaboration with farmer Friedrich Henkels, whose land is being prepared as a 45 hectare open air exhibition site. Industry representatives, media, and agricultural stakeholders attended to get an early look at what is planned for September. Machinery from AVR, DeWulf, and GRIMME was used during the planting, with crops that will later be harvested live during the exhibitions. Support for the demonstration came from Case IH, while Interseed Potatoes GmbH supplied the planting material.

“It’s an honour to organise the potato planting event this years and, once again, to welcome PotatoEurope to this farming region for the sixth time,” said Friedrich Henkels, Agrarpartner Limberg KG that manages the land.

“We look forward to hosting the new event, SugarBeet Expo. Events like these allow farmers to experience solutions directly in the field. That is essential when preparing investment decisions and long-term strategies,” he added.

The event also highlighted the importance of live machinery demonstrations, which will form a central part of both exhibitions. Visitors will be able to see planting, harvesting, and crop handling in real field conditions. Innovative techniques, including crop protection and mechanical weed control, will also be showcased.

“PotatoEurope is the central platform for exchange, innovation, and further development within our industry,” emphasizes Olaf Feuerborn, Chairman of the Board of UNIKA. “Especially in light of current and future challenges, the exhibition will highlight how innovative and high-performing the German potato industry truly is.”

Together, the two exhibitions aim to create a shared platform for growers, processors, and industry experts, reinforcing their importance within modern European agriculture.

DLG Feldtage 2026 to showcase practical crop protection for modern farming

The DLG Feldtage 2026 event is set to take place from 16 to 18 June at the International Crop Production Centre in Bernburg, Germany

Recognised as one of Europe’s leading field based events for crop production, it will bring together farmers, experts, and industry leaders to explore practical approaches to modern crop protection. The event will focus on helping farms make informed decisions through real world demonstrations and direct exchange with specialists.

Arable farming is facing growing pressure. Resistance among weeds and pests continues to rise, while key chemical solutions are steadily being withdrawn. At the same time, new pest challenges are emerging, making crop protection more complex than ever. Farmers are now expected to rely on a broader approach that combines crop rotation, soil management, careful variety selection, and precise use of crop protection products.

For decades, chemical crop protection has played a major role in securing stable yields, especially in highly specialised farming systems. However, this approach is becoming less reliable. The number of available active ingredients is shrinking, and resistance in weeds such as blackgrass is increasing. With strict approval processes across Europe and fewer new products entering the market, farmers are left with limited options.

This shift is pushing agronomic practices back into focus. Methods such as flexible soil cultivation, improved seedbed preparation, and adjusted sowing dates are becoming essential tools. Crop rotation is once again a key strategy, as diversifying crops can reduce the spread and dominance of problem weeds. Choosing competitive crop varieties and maintaining strong field hygiene also play an important role in long term success.

The DLG Feldtage 2026 event will highlight how these strategies work in practice. With around 300 exhibitors and more than 60 live demonstrations, visitors will see a wide range of solutions, from advanced spraying systems to mechanical weed control and integrated farming approaches. Interactive sessions, expert talks, and discussions will provide valuable insights into efficient and practical farming methods.

The event also offers a platform to explore future technologies, including digital tools, smart spraying systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence. By encouraging open dialogue between farmers and experts, the event aims to support farms in improving productivity, using resources wisely, and preparing for future challenges in agriculture.