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Fair Calendar


	Globus
	Politics & Markets
	Agribusiness
	Research & Innovation

Summer 08

Politics & Markets:

Wanted: a new agricultural policy!

Future farmers will have to be able to demonstrate the social-acceptability of their methods. Presented here, is the concept of a new agricultural and regional policy to reward farmers for meeting such requirements while not leaving their businesses completely open to free market forces.

The financial crisis and its effects

The international financial crisis and inflation cause shock waves with effects running right into the markets of the agricultural economy. The search by capital for secure and, at the same time liquid, investment possibilities as well as government intervention in trade streams are behind the incalculable variations in farm product prices. Only when calm returns to the financial world will food markets be able to steer into quieter waters.

Phosphate: absolute dependence

The EU is much more dependent on shipments of phosphate than for any other important agricultural input. Global production already limps behind demand which means it will be in short supply in the coming years and therefore expensive on the world market - and that means in Europe too.

Agribusiness:

DLG Trendmonitor: Great expectations in summer 2008

Optimism in European agriculture had further increased up to February 2008 and readiness to invest also continues to rise.

Farm development: Could you better your business abilities?

A survey of European farmers highlights three decisive business success factors. Information networks and contacts are crucial and should be built-upon because these bring new ideas into the business. Also promising are the abilities to first of all develop a strategy for the business and then to apply it according to the demands of the time. Especially helpful appears to be contacts outwith the purely agricultural network for instance with the non-farming public.

Research & Innovation

Europe's increasing dependence on energy imports

Energy consumption will increase in Europe while the continent’s own deposits of fossil fuels won’t last particularly long and renewable energy supplies will still barely reach 10% by 2030. Dependency on energy imports will therefore rise substantially.

Autumn 08

Politics & Markets:

Record prices on the high seas

Sea freight costs will remain dear as long as the economy booms in China and India. Not maize, soybeans or wheat dominate the sea freight business but instead the demand from both countries for ore and coal. Resultant high freight costs not only negatively affect the import of soymeal. With grain too, northern Europe’s position is impaired with suppliers from Black Sea ports.

Speculators: You can bet they'll turn up!

The rise in cereal and oilseed prices in the last financial year was greatly increased by speculative buying by investment funds. Is the situation to be reversed now? Probably not, since the capital influx into agricultural commodities continues unabated.

The WTO negotiations: What went wrong

Agribusiness:

British pig produktion: Welfare fails to protect market share

British pig production is in the doldrums. There are many reasons for this but mainly high costs from very strict animal welfare regulations are to blame. Whether the British sector is simply among the first to deal with this situation or has been outmanoeuvred in the European market by it, remains to be seen.

Survey: Every dairy farm plans expansion

What strategies do dairy farms use to prepare for hard times? 500 EDF members were asked and most plan business expansion and further specialisation of their business. In 2008/2009 expected investment averages 2700 € per cow half of which directly into the farm milk production enterprise.