Prominent livestock platform, DLG Spotlights at EuroTier 2026 in Hanover, Germany, will shed light on innovations and future-focused developments across the livestock sector

From 10 to 13 November, visitors can check out the latest developments in robotics, emission reduction and forage production. Selected breeding animals will be exhibited live for the 'TopTierTreff' (Top Genetics). Such live demonstrations and curated special exhibitions will unlock futuristic ideas for innovative technologies, processes and concepts designed to make livestock farming more efficient, sustainable and animal-friendly.

A robust technical programme will include lectures, panel discussions and networking formats covering all key areas of livestock production and related energy sectors.

Manufacturers of advanced milking technology will showcase automation in modern dairy farming with the latest robotic solutions for automated milking systems or share visionary barn construction blueprints at the Barn Robot Event. Conventional milking parlors are gradually becoming a thing of the past replaced by conversion concepts based on robotic systems. Milking large dairy herds are no more a labour-intensive job with the support of advanced technologies. While future-oriented, these concepts will be grounded in their easy facilitation in real life situations.

For Emission Reduction, visitors can expect live demonstrations of seamless integration of livestock farming and climate protection. With expert stages for pigs and poultry lying adjacent to the emission reduction pavilion, visitors can expect insights on sustainable practices especially in these two areas.

The Top Genetics display will unite breeders from home and abroad, with breeding companies talking about strategies, fostering knowledge-sharing, particularly in dairy and beef cattle breeding. The event organisers have arranged for a large panoramic video screen this year so that the animals exhibited on stand reach far and wide. 

Spotlight on 'Forage Production' will promote smart farming technologies that can revolutionise the quality of maize silage, grass silage and hay throughout the entire production chain, from harvesting to ensiling and storage. This offering will be complemented by the new “Forage Days”, taking place on 12 and 13 November. During these special theme days, the DLG Expert Stage Cattle, as part of the Forage Production Spotlight, will focus on the production of high-quality forage and its targeted use in ruminant nutrition.

The 'Innovation Boulevard' that will be a new addition this year, will feature products recognised with the Innovation Award, alongside other notable innovations in animal farming, feed, management and technology. Visitors will gain a concise overview of the latest developments and then have the opportunity to meet the product developers directly at their exhibition stands for more in-depth discussions. 

The African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) and the Namibian Standards Institution recently organised a two-day programme to raise awareness among Namibia’s fisheries and aquaculture communities about the role of coordinated African standards to advance sustainable economic development, food security and regional trade

“Standards are not just a technical requirement; they are identified as an economic driver,” said Diina Nashidengo, director of the Commerce Directorate at the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, explaining its influence in market expansion. 

"By developing harmonised African standards, we move to dismantle trade barriers," Nashidengo said, while explaining how a wider integration can facilitate the mutual recognition of conformity assessment results, reduce delays at border crossings and lower compliance costs for businesses. 

Nashidengo spoke at an awareness programme on the implementation of harmonized African standards and conformity assessment in fisheries and aquaculture, held recently in the coastal town of Walvis Bay.

Fisheries are integral to Namibia's economy, largely driving the country's export business as well. Harmonised standards would solidify Namibia's hold over international markets while promoting sustainable production. 

Namibia is associated with multiple regional and international standardisation bodies, including ARSO, the International Organization for Standardization and the Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Standardization.

Regenerative and climate-smart farming practices are empowering coffee and tea farmers in Kirinyaga and Embu counties to grow climate resilient with improved yields, giving way to livelihoods security

Part of the Mt Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods (MSULi) programme for spreading awareness on sustainable production and creating employment opportunities, this six-year initiative is implemented by Rainforest Alliance with support from the IKEA Foundation. When initiated in 2020, the campaign included more than 55,000 farmers from the Mt Kenya area, who are now well versed in sustainable farming practices, landscape restoration and climate adaptivity. 

"Farmers have reported that they have been able to replace their old varieties with improved tea clones and coffee seedlings, and are now witnessing increased yields and better quality produce," said Rainforest Alliance Country director, Marion Nyaga.

The Rainforest Alliance 2025 Annual Report and Impact Data in Kagio, Kirinyaga county, has drawn positive response from private sector partners who brought affordable financing to farmers and agribusinesses. Coffee and tea production besides, farmers also learnt about natural resources conservation and enterprises diversification by growing avocado and macadamia as well.

The campaign saw farmers using environmentally friendly methods to restore biodiversity and boost soil health. The result reflected in the buzz of the bees and the croaking of frogs and toads driving pollination across Mt Kenya, which had till now suffered years of degradation due to unsustainable farming practices. The farmers were trained in compost-making to replace chemical fertilisers and pesticides, resulting in restored soil fertility and much less production costs. With enhanced moisture retention capacity, the soils are now capable of supporting dry spells that may run longer than usual.

The MSULi programme has been designed to generate maximum value even when it is not operational. It has a fully registered Landscape Management Board, a multi-stakeholders platform, to coordinate conservation and sustainable agricultural activities beyond the project's lifespan. "Regenerative agriculture is what our grandfathers and grandmothers used to practice. They planted different crops together, used manure and maintained healthy soils. We are simply bringing back those practices using modern knowledge," said Landscape Management Board trustee, Karugu Macharia. 

Around 220 hectares of degraded forest that has been restored and more than 500 hectares of degraded farmland that has been rehabilitated in Mt Kenya landscape as part of the project is going to serve generations to come.

"We have created green enterprises and worked with financial institutions so farmers can access affordable loans to invest in climate-smart agriculture," said manager, Dida Wario. 

The Government of Kenya has partnered with the country's farmers to commission the Sh500-million Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill at Mitunguu in Imenti South Sub-County

While the Government contributed Sh200mn for the project, farmers raised the remaining Sh300mn.

According to Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, farmers can look forward to increased profit margins once the new facility is operational, reducing the cost of dairy feed from the current average of Sh3,200 to about Sh2,800 per bag. With revised farm-gate rates of Sh52 per litre from Sh50 since this month, dairy farmers can expect boosted returns as well. 

Further securing quality and productivity of dairy herds for farmers, the Government has also announced reduced cost of sexed semen from Sh7,000 to Sh1,400. 

“As we celebrate the success of Meru Dairy, let us also remember what the government has done for you. We will continue increasing the supply of subsidised sexed semen across the country,” Kindiki said. 

He highlighted that the Government is especially prioritising the dairy sector to boost food security and farmers' incomes. A Sh100mn budget plan is already in place for Phase Two of the mill, while another Sh100mn through the supplementary budget will facilitate Phase Three.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, Kenneth Gitonga, the feed mill investments will be transformational for the 720,000 lpd-capacity cooperative, which is already seeing substantial progress. 

Gitonga is anticipating expansion encouraged by the promising numbers reflecting the cooperative's steady growth. Over the last three years, farmers membership rose from 11,012 to 161,874. Daily milk intake has increased from 287,000 litres to 670,000 litres, and the number of affiliated cooperative societies has grown from 139 to 168. 

The cooperative is aiming to make Sh25bn in annual sales next year, given its consistent returns from Sh9.3bn in 2023 to Sh20.1bn in 2025.