Around 260 companies, associations and organizations have so far registered for the nationwide Organic Field Days on 14 and 15 June 2023 at the Grieshaber & Schmid organic farm. The exhibition hall and demonstration areas are fully booked. The official registration deadline for exhibitors to participate has already expired. Late registrations are possible in exceptional cases.
This year, the Organic Field Days will take place for the first time on a family farm and for the first time in Baden-Württemberg. The modern organic farm northwest of Stuttgart focuses on arable and field vegetable cultivation as well as dairy farming on 270 hectares. These and other topics are also reflected in the varied program of the Organic Field Days.
“We are delighted to be hosting the Organic Field Days for the first time in 2023,” says Peter Hauk, Minister of Agriculture in Baden-Württemberg. “The Organic Field Days are an important milestone in providing further impetus for more organic products from and in Baden-Württemberg.”
Focus on field vegetable cultivation and agrivoltaics
Field vegetable cultivation is a particular focus of this year’s Organic Field Days. Among other things, machine demonstrations will provide an insight into new chopping techniques. Both tractor-guided and autonomous machines will be used. Various institutions will be presenting efficient irrigation techniques, including modern forecasting models, on more than one hectare. Other specialist topics include weed control and dam construction as well as the influence of different planting material qualities in potato cultivation.
For the first time, visitors to the Eco-Field Days can also find out about alternative energy sources and view agrivoltaic demo systems. Guided tours of the special area and presentations in the specialist program will shed light on the topic from all sides.
“The Organic Field Days 2023 in Baden-Württemberg with its focus on field vegetables and agrivoltaics will appeal to completely new target groups this year,” says Carsten Veller, Project Manager Program and Network. In addition, the program and exhibitors at the event reflect the entire breadth of sustainable agriculture and range from crop cultivation and animal husbandry to marketing and research.
You can find this press release, a film about the 2022 Organic Field Days, information about the venue, photos and further information at: www.oeko-feldtage.de
Background
The nationwide Organic Field Days are a two-day meeting place for all organic farmers and all farmers who want to convert or are looking for new methods for environmentally friendly agriculture. The event offers players from the entire sector an ideal platform to discuss current topics with farmers and representatives from politics and business. The innovation show shows where organic farming stands and where it is heading. The event is now taking place two years in a row due to postponements caused by the pandemic.
The program of the Organic Field Days offers a mixture of practice and research in organic crop production and animal husbandry. In demonstrations, visitors can see machines in practical use. Innovation examples show prototypes and new developments. The main topics at the Organic Field Days 2023 are field vegetable cultivation and agrivoltaics.
The latest findings on challenges such as animal welfare and nutrient management will be covered in forums and discussed by scientists and practitioners. Numerous demo plots will showcase new cereal and legume varieties and catch crops for organic farming. Companies and associations will present their equipment and advisory services. In the area surrounding the modern dairy cattle barn, exhibitors will be presenting all aspects of animal husbandry. A cultural program and culinary, regional delicacies in organic quality round off the program.
Biolandhof Grieshaber & Schmid: An ideal venue
The Grieshaber & Schmid farm in Ditzingen-Hirschlanden has been run according to Bioland guidelines since 1981. Three families work closely together on the multi-generational farm. The original focus is still on cereal, potato, field vegetable and arable fodder cultivation as well as grassland management. The dairy herd now comprises 250 Fleckvieh cows. As a dual-purpose breed, the cows make very efficient use of the alfalfa clover grass from the arable forage and the forage from the grassland. The farm can completely dispense with the purchase of protein feed. A 75 kilowatt biogas plant utilizes slurry and manure.
The organizer of the Organic Field Days is FiBL Projekte GmbH. Co-organizers are the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Agriculture, the Grieshaber & Schmid organic farm and the Foundation for Ecology and Agriculture. The BÖLW is the patron of the event. The REWE Group and BayWa are gold sponsors of the Öko-Feldtage, while DSV is a bronze sponsor.