14.08.2019

Swiss Future Farm opens its doors

Ettenhausen TG – A year after its inauguration, Swiss Future Farm is opening its doors to the public for two days. In mid-September, visitors to the site in Tänikon will have chance to learn about the project’s achievements so far.

To celebrate its first birthday, Swiss Future Farm is opening its doors to the public for “Farmtage” on September 20 and 21. There will be five practice stations, where visitors can participate in demonstrations. At others, they can learn more about Swiss Future Farm’s activities.

A lot has been going at the project in the St.GallenBodenseeArea. “Converting the machine park proved to be the first challenge,” said Nicolas Helmstetter, project manager at GVS Agrar, which operates Swiss Future Farm in partnership with BBZ Arenenberg and AGCO.

Speaking about the project, Nils Zehner, agricultural engineer at AGCO, highlighted: “The site was the first in Europe to implement the latest precision planting technologies for sowing beets and corn.” The findings showed that different machine settings led to varying yields and results, which will be analyzed and expanded in the coming year.   

In just one year, the project has generated practical knowledge via numerous trials, while also encouraging knowledge transfer. “For Swiss Future Farm to succeed, researchers, consultants and practitioners from both the public and private sectors must work together and communicate,” said Martin Huber, Director of BBZ Arenenberg.

The open door days will also play a role here by showcasing the latest trends for using renewable energies, such as a tractor equipped for biomethane. Energy is one of Swiss Future Farm’s focal areas in its second year, alongside data flows. On September 20 and 21, the project will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, and on September 20, people can visit on their own, before tours of the Straw Bale Arena start at 6.30 p.m. There will be talks on “Agriculture, Robots and Consumers – traditional production in the digital world – and what ends up on our plates?”.