From 16 to 18 June 2026, Bernburg in Saxony-Anhalt will once again become the central hub for modern crop production as the DLG Feldtage returns to the fields of the International DLG Crop Production Centre.

Set on DLG’s expansive 600-hectare trial farm near Leipzig, the open-air event is gearing up to showcase practical farming innovations under the inspiring theme “Crop Production out of the Box”. With more than 150 exhibitors already registered, the organisers are still welcoming further participants via dlg-feldtage.de.

Recognised as the leading international field exhibition for crop professionals, DLG Feldtage brings together farmers, agronomists, machinery experts and researchers seeking hands-on insights into the future of crop production. This year’s programme spans everything from plant breeding and crop protection to fertilisation strategies and cutting-edge agricultural machinery. Visitors can look forward to a rich mix of demonstrations, expert knowledge and real-world trial plots, supported by popular formats including DLG Spotlights, Expert Stages and Pop-up Talks.

The thematic DLG Spotlights are set to be a major draw. The “Planting Green” Spotlight will delve into direct drilling into living cover crops, with live plots demonstrating soil-friendly techniques, nutrient efficiency and modern weed management approaches. Equally compelling is the “Value Chain for Quality Wheat” Spotlight, which traces how premium wheat quality is upheld from field to processing, illustrating the collaboration required across agriculture, trade and milling. Meanwhile, the “Organic Farming” Spotlight will highlight diverse rotations, robust crop choices and practical advice for organic growers looking to refine both production and marketing.

Across the site, visitors will find dedicated meeting zones for discussions on oil and protein crops, resilient cropping concepts and strategies for navigating weather-related risks. As always, machinery demonstrations are a core attraction. Across six themed areas from direct seeding and deep tillage to mechanical weed control 66 machine combinations will take to the field, each accompanied by expert commentary and presented once per day.

Following its successful debut in 2024, FarmRobotix returns with the latest robotics, automation tools and AI-driven innovations for crop production. A special demonstration area will spotlight autonomous field systems, offering a glimpse of how technology may redefine farming in the years ahead.

Beyond the plots and machines, the DLG Plaza will serve as the social and professional heart of the event, hosting expert talks, panel sessions, regional food and relaxed networking. Short and sharp Pop-up Talks will take place at exhibitor stands and Spotlight areas, covering timely topics such as fertilisation and crop protection. The popular DLG CropNight will also make its return, inviting attendees to unwind with live music, food and summer drinks. Camping facilities will be available for visitors wishing to stay on site.

For more information please visit www.dlg-feldtage.de

Scientists are intensifying efforts to understand how the H5N1 avian influenza virus, widely known as bird flu, is adapting to infect dairy cattle in the United States.

This unexpected development has raised fresh concerns about animal health, biosecurity, and the long-term implications for human health. The virus was first identified in US dairy herds in March 2024, marking a significant shift from historical patterns, as influenza viruses have not traditionally caused outbreaks in cattle.

Researchers believe this emergence reflects the virus’s well-known ability to jump from birds to mammals. However, new scientific evidence suggests that recent H5N1 variants may be better suited to infecting cow cells and tissues than earlier strains. This growing adaptability has prompted global attention from virologists, veterinarians, and public health experts monitoring zoonotic disease risks.

A study published in Nature Communications by the MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research examined a wide range of H5N1 viruses spanning more than 60 years. The findings reveal that the virus’s ability to infect bovine cells is linked to genetic changes that have built up gradually over time. Some strains demonstrated a stronger capacity to replicate in cattle cells, highlighting clear differences between virus lineages and their potential to adapt to new mammalian hosts.

Influenza viruses are known for their rapid evolution, which enables them to cross species barriers. As H5N1 becomes more efficient at infecting mammals such as cattle, scientists warn that the theoretical risk of further adaptation including to humans may increase. Previous events, including the 2009 swine flu pandemic, illustrate how animal-origin influenza viruses can eventually pose global public health challenges.

Current data suggests that the strain circulating in US dairy cattle is among the most capable of infecting bovine cells identified so far. However, researchers caution that other bird-origin viruses could also infect cattle under the right conditions. This highlights the need for continuous surveillance, advanced genomic analysis, and functional testing of circulating strains.

Ongoing monitoring of H5N1 in livestock is considered essential for early risk detection, safeguarding agricultural systems, and strengthening pandemic preparedness in an increasingly interconnected world.

A landmark fertiliser manufacturing project rising in Dowa District is poised to redefine Malawi’s agricultural landscape, promising to boost food security, reduce import dependence and stimulate industrial growth.

The state-of-the-art fertiliser plant, owned by entrepreneur Napoleon Dzombe, is designed to produce an impressive 40 metric tonnes of fertiliser per hour enough to meet Malawi’s national demand in just 150 days.

Construction of the facility is progressing steadily, with installation of key manufacturing machinery already completed. According to project timelines, the plant is expected to begin production by April next year, while remaining construction works are scheduled for completion by January 2026. Once operational, the Dowa fertiliser factory will stand as one of the most significant private-sector investments in Malawi’s agricultural value chain.

Dzombe, founder and Managing Director of Mtalimanja Holdings Limited, says the plant’s production capacity will address long-standing fertiliser shortages that have often disrupted farming seasons across the country. "At that production rate, the factory can make enough fertiliser to serve the whole country within 150 days," Dzombe was quoted.

The project is widely seen as a strategic intervention at a time when Malawi continues to grapple with rising fertiliser costs, foreign exchange shortages and climate-related food insecurity. By manufacturing fertiliser locally, the plant is expected to stabilise supply chains, improve affordability for smallholder farmers and enhance agricultural productivity.

Dzombe explained that the decision to invest in local fertiliser production was motivated by the need to strengthen economic resilience and support farmers more sustainably. "For years, Malawi has been importing fertiliser at huge cost. This factory will significantly cut those expenses and ensure farmers access fertiliser on time and at more affordable prices," he said.

Beyond agriculture, the Dowa fertiliser plant is anticipated to deliver wide-ranging economic benefits. These include job creation, reduced pressure on foreign currency reserves, growth of local industries and improved national food security. Analysts believe the investment aligns with Malawi’s broader development goals of industrialisation, import substitution and private-sector-led growth.

As anticipation builds ahead of production commencement, Dzombe’s Dowa fertiliser project is increasingly being hailed as a game-changing milestone one that could reshape Malawi’s farming sector and position the country for a more self-sufficient and resilient agricultural future.

European spraying innovation has taken a bold leap into the South African agriculture sector with the arrival of Vicar mist blower sprayers, a technology reshaping the way growers manage crop protection.

Developed over 40 years ago by Italian engineer Vincenzo Caroli in collaboration with LTS in Germany, this advanced sprayer design has become synonymous with intelligent airflow, high efficiency, and exceptional coverage. Now imported by Ikapa Trading in Grabouw, Vicar sprayers are fast becoming a favourite among farmers seeking smarter, faster, and more precise spraying solutions.

What sets the Vicar system apart is its pioneering radial turbine technology, which independent consultant Mike Heath who has witnessed decades of machinery evolution believes to be a game-changer. Unlike conventional axial flow sprayers that rely on propeller blades and lose speed as air moves through housings and deflectors, Vicar sprayers use a single turbine resembling a water wheel. This turbine sucks air in from both sides and moves it radially at a 90° angle, producing a consistent, high-velocity air stream.

The uniquely designed cast aluminium housing forces air through calibrated outlets only, resulting in a uniform exit speed of 250km/h to 280km/h at 540 PTO. Crucially, this system achieves optimal spray delivery while requiring up to two to three times less air volume than axial flow designs dramatically improving efficiency.

Vicar sprayers are also fitted with 360° rotating spray heads, each equipped with up to eight nozzles that move with the airflow for precise application. Heath explains that this makes every model adaptable: vineyards, orchards, tree crops, flowers, vegetables and dense plantations can all be targeted with outstanding coverage. The Vicar 540 reaches 12m per side and 25m in height, while the Vicar 450 covers 4m per side and up to 15m high ideal for vineyards and orchards. The 456 model enhances multirow spraying for modern high-density crops.

Vicar’s airflow control technology also allows operators to manipulate spray direction and prevent turbulence. Upper outlets can create an “air ceiling” to keep spray low for young crops, while lower outlets deliver targeted protection. With reduced drift up to 90% less environmental pollution, as tested by the Julius Kühn-Institut—Vicar ranks among the few sprayers meeting Germany’s strict regulations.

Heath adds that the sprayers’ ability to work faster at high air speeds means farmers can double their operational pace compared with axial fan sprayers. “Being able to work faster and spray multiple rows is allowing Vicar clients to substitute at least two conventional sprayers with one Vicar sprayer,” he notes.

Built for stability, especially on hilly terrain, Vicar’s trailed models feature double-axle frames, three-point linkage attachment, adjustable wheels and a short-turn system that improves manoeuvrability. Tanks include clean-water reservoirs for easy flushing, reducing contamination risks and enhancing longevity.

Despite being pricier than traditional sprayers, co-owner Neels Thiart says the machines pay for themselves quickly thanks to superior performance and durability. In Europe, their second-hand value remains exceptionally high: “In Europe you are able to sell one of these sprayers second-hand for almost the same price as you bought it,” he says.

With unmatched penetration, reduced drift, precision airflow and long-term value, Vicar sprayers are proving to be a formidable investment for South African farmers striving for smarter, more sustainable crop protection.