At the Öko-Feldtage in Ditzingen-Hirschlanden on June 14 and 15, visitors can find out about all the latest innovations in organic crop production and animal husbandry. Researchers and practitioners will discuss with politicians what organic farming needs now in order to grow and develop further. Peter Hauk MdL, Minister for Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection, will open the Öko-Feldtage 2023.

“Together with all our partners, we have made the Grieshaber & Schmid farm the central meeting point for organic farming in Baden-Württemberg for the first time. Farmers can find out about all the latest innovations in organic farming and about converting to organic farming in one place,” says Paulina Gundlach, Project Manager Communications and Human Resources, adding: “The trial and demo plots are in good shape. Almost 350 exhibitors are looking forward to two days of exchange and networking with our team.”

“The first group of our cows are already going out to pasture,” reports Reinhard Grieshaber, one of four farm managers at the Grieshaber & Schmid organic farm. The dairy farm, co-organizer of the Öko-Feldtage, is introducing pasture grazing for its Fleckvieh cows this year. Together with other experts, Grieshaber will explain everything about the conversion to grazing and the farm’s herd and health management to interested visitors.
A guided tour of the farm will also be offered on the topic of crop cultivation: the organic farm’s regionally adapted, diverse crop rotation with field vegetables, threshed crops and fodder production. This is also about the added value of the farm. The topic of supply relationships and value chains runs like a common thread through the entire event with many other contributions in forums and workshops.

“Around 200 program items, including special areas on irrigation and chopping technology in field vegetables and an exhibition on agri-photovoltaics: the Öko-Feldtage is packed with solutions for sustainable agriculture,” says Carsten Veller, Project Lead Program and Network of the Öko-Feldtage.

Background
This year’s Öko-Feldtage are being held for the first time in Baden-Württemberg and for the first time on a private farm. The modern organic farm Grieshaber & Schmid northwest of Stuttgart focuses on arable and field vegetable cultivation as well as dairy farming. These and other topics are also reflected in the varied program of the Öko-Feldtage. The event is a two-day meeting point for all organic farmers and all farmers who want to convert or are looking for new methods for environmentally friendly agriculture. It 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 program of the Öko-Feldtage offers a mixture of practice and research in organic crop production and animal husbandry. Visitors can watch demonstrations of machines in practical use. Examples of innovations show prototypes and new developments.
Field vegetable cultivation is a special focus of this year’s Öko-Feldtage. Demonstrations will provide insights into new hoeing techniques directly in the field and show which irrigation systems are suitable for the location and how efficient and economical they are.

Wide variety in the program and trade exhibition
Challenges such as improving animal welfare, 30% organic and dealing with new genetic engineering will be addressed and discussed in forums. Numerous demo plots will showcase new cereal and legume varieties, heat-tolerant crops such as millet and chickpeas, catch crops and much more. Companies and associations will be presenting their equipment and advisory services. In the area surrounding the modern dairy cattle barn, exhibitors will be presenting all aspects of animal husbandry.

Another highlight of the Öko-Feldtage is the award ceremony for the Federal Organic Farming Competition by State Secretary Silvia Bender from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Experts will also be demonstrating various aspects of organic potato cultivation. They will show over 20 different varieties, including numerous new varieties, and their characteristics.

Model systems will be presented as part of the Agri-PV special. Practitioners and experts will also shed light on all current issues relating to agri-PV in practice and research.
Live music on 14 June from 20:30 with the band Malaka Hostel and culinary, regional delicacies in organic quality round off the program.