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IPPE unites experts from production, processing, manufacturing and allied services. (Image credit: IPPE)

Event News

International Production & Processing Expo IPPE stands as the largest annual trade exhibition serving the global meat, poultry, egg and animal food industries.

Hosted every year at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the event acts as a powerful meeting point for industry professionals seeking insight into the latest developments shaping the protein supply chain.

IPPE unites experts from production, processing, manufacturing and allied services, offering direct access to cutting edge technology, equipment, supplies and solutions. Formed by the collaboration of the International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and International Poultry Expo, the event draws a truly international audience. Senior decision makers, executives, engineers, researchers and operations leaders attend from across the globe, representing businesses ranging from animal feed producers to poultry processors and egg specialists.

With thousands of exhibitors spread across vast exhibition halls, IPPE provides a comprehensive showcase of innovation. Recent editions have welcomed over 1,300 exhibitors and nearly 31,000 registered attendees, highlighting its growing influence within the sector. Visitors benefit from hands on engagement with suppliers, early exposure to emerging technologies and valuable networking opportunities that support long term business growth.

The expo is carefully organised into dedicated zones covering animal nutrition, animal health, rendering, egg production, live production, food safety, worker safety and meat and poultry processing and packaging. Beyond the exhibition floor, IPPE delivers a strong educational programme, featuring expert led seminars, TECHTalks, product launches, career development initiatives and leadership recognition events.

As a strictly business to business event, attendance is reserved for industry professionals. Revenue generated is reinvested into research, education, public relations, crisis management and regulatory support, ensuring lasting value for the sectors it serves. Overall, IPPE remains a vital global platform for innovation, collaboration and industry advancement.

A new geography of agricultural production is emerging, driven by mechanisation.

Agriculture

Global agriculture continues to expand, yet the agricultural machinery market is navigating a period of turbulence.

Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies are reshaping where and how farm equipment is bought and sold. This evolving landscape was outlined during the press conference launching the 47th edition of EIMA International, the world’s leading exhibition for agricultural technologies, set to take place in Bologna from 10 to 14 November.

Mariateresa Maschio, FederUnacoma President, said, “Protectionist policies in some countries, economic sanctions, interference with trade routes, and tariff wars have led to market fragmentation and a sharp slowdown in trade which is weighing on the performance of the agromechanical sector.”

Traditional markets are feeling the strain. The United States recorded a 10 percent fall in tractor sales in 2025, while Germany, France and the United Kingdom also posted double digit declines. In contrast, southern Europe is showing renewed momentum. Italy and Spain both closed the year with strong growth, signalling cautious optimism within the European agricultural machinery industry.

India remains the standout performer. With tractor sales exceeding 1.1 million units, the country continues to dominate the global market. According to Maschio, this growth reflects deeper structural demand rather than a short term spike. “Over the past fifteen years, output in the primary sector has grown significantly,” said Mariateresa Maschio, “but to meet the needs of the world’s population it will have to grow by a further 14% by 2034, especially in India and in those countries of North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East that are experiencing the highest demographic growth.”

A new geography of agricultural production is emerging, driven by mechanisation, digital farming solutions and expanding demand in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Chinese manufacturers are rapidly increasing their presence across these regions and even gaining ground in Europe.

“In the coming years we will have a highly segmented agromechanical sector, with low-cost basic technologies alongside highly advanced technologies for complex operations,” added Mariateresa Maschio, underlining the importance of innovation, policy support and international cooperation as the sector looks ahead.

SecureDX and Panacea Korea enhance animal health. (Image credit: EIN PRESSWIRE)

Cattle

SecureDX, a US-based animal health diagnostics innovator, has announced a strategic partnership with Panacea Korea, a leading South Korean manufacturer of diagnostic testing solutions, to expand access to verified, affordable animal disease testing across North America.

The collaboration brings together advanced diagnostic manufacturing with AI-driven digital reporting to modernise how animal health data is captured, managed, and trusted.

Under the supply and exclusivity agreement, SecureDX will act as Panacea Korea’s exclusive importer and commercialisation partner in North America. The partnership introduces a new portfolio of validated animal disease testing kits and select diagnostic equipment, all integrated with SecureDX’s proprietary SecureOS AI-powered digital reporting and chain-of-custody platform.

The combined offering supports the detection of high-impact infectious diseases, including avian influenza, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and other critical pathogens affecting cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, and exotic or zoo animals. All tests are developed under strict validation and quality management protocols to ensure consistent accuracy across species and testing environments.

A core differentiator of the partnership is the seamless integration of diagnostics with SecureOS. The platform leverages mobile technology and AI-enabled workflow standardisation to streamline sample registration, track chain-of-custody, monitor testing status, and deliver secure, traceable results. This approach reduces manual errors, improves data integrity, and enables standardised reporting for veterinarians, producers, laboratories, and animal health professionals.

Affordability without sacrificing quality is central to the collaboration. Through efficient manufacturing, optimised logistics, and digital workflow automation, SecureDX aims to deliver premium-quality diagnostics at a more accessible price point, expanding reliable testing options for farms, veterinary practices, zoos, laboratories, and animal export operations.

“Accuracy, quality control, and affordability are the foundation of everything we do,” said Justin Jones, CEO of SecureDX. “By combining Panacea Korea’s diagnostic technology with our SecureOSplatform, we are simplifying how testing is performed, reported, and trusted, while keeping costs accessible for real-world animal health applications.”

The partnership will also include PCR instruments and select point-of-care diagnostic platforms, all designed to integrate seamlessly with SecureOS and supported by laboratory validation standards.

“Working with SecureDX allows us to pair high-quality diagnostics with intelligent digital reporting,” said Clara Shin, CEO of Panacea Korea. “Together, we are raising the standard for accurate, affordable, and scalable animal health testing.”

The integrated diagnostic solutions are scheduled to launch in Q1 2026, with tailored offerings for laboratories, commercial farms, veterinary clinics, zoological institutions, and export programmes.

African Farming

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Monarch Tractor leads V2G revolution in agriculture

Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS. (Image source: Gridtractor)

Gridtractor, Monarch Tractor, and Borg Warner have achieved a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities utilising a Monarch MK-V tractor, a Borg Warner 60 kW DC fast charger, and Gridtractor’s cloud-based charge management system employing the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 

This collaborative effort, supported by a US$3mn grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) aimed at advancing "Vehicle to Building" technology, showcased the pioneering deployment of V2G capabilities from the Monarch MK-V tractor, which operates entirely on electricity, at PG&E’s Applied Technology Services (ATS) center in San Ramon, California.

The demonstration represents the culmination of extensive technology development, particularly in achieving high-power export capabilities from the Monarch MK-V tractor and integrating it seamlessly with Gridtractor’s open-standards charge management system and Borg Warner’s 60 kW DC Fast Charger. The MK-V tractor, designed as a versatile 3-in-1 electrification tool, functions not only as a tractor and utility vehicle but also as a potent electric generator, enabling the demonstration of high-capacity energy exports.

Once this integrated system becomes commercially available, owners of the MK-V tractor will have the opportunity to optimise charging costs and generate revenue by participating in various dynamic rate and demand response programs, complementing the already significant fuel savings achieved through electric vehicle (EV) operations. Gridtractor’s energy market integrations and load scheduling applications will play a crucial role in facilitating these opportunities.

Moreover, the system will support "automated load management," allowing for the efficient coordination of charging and discharging activities with other on-site loads. This capability will be particularly beneficial for facilities such as irrigation pump sites and wineries, where maximising the utilisation of existing electrical services without exceeding capacity is essential. With its flexible, scalable Internet of Things (IoT) architecture and seamless market integrations, Gridtractor’s platform, built on native OCPP principles, promises to connect any energy market or program with any Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) application.

The attractiveness of electrifying MK-V tractor fleets will be further enhanced by a range of incentives and grants, combined with anticipated bill savings resulting from recently approved dynamic rate programs. Agricultural customers stand to benefit significantly from these initiatives, not only improving the return on investment (ROI) of their fleet electrification efforts but also contributing to the overall reliability of the grid in their respective communities.

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Crops

NUS develops microneedle system for faster plant growth. (Image credit: NUS)

Fertilizers & Pesticides

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have unveiled a cutting-edge microneedle biofertiliser system that could redefine sustainable agriculture and precision farming.

The innovative technology uses dissolving microneedle patches to deliver living biofertilisers directly into plant tissue, bypassing soil-related limitations and significantly improving efficiency.

In controlled greenhouse trials, leafy vegetables such as Choy Sum and Kale showed faster and healthier growth, recording higher shoot biomass, increased leaf area and greater height all while using over 15 per cent less biofertiliser compared to conventional soil inoculation. This breakthrough highlights a promising pathway to reduce fertiliser waste and minimise environmental impact.

Traditionally, biofertilisers  beneficial bacteria and fungi that enhance nutrient uptake and stress tolerance are applied to soil, where they face competition from native microbes and adverse conditions. The NUS approach sidesteps these challenges by delivering microbes straight into leaves or stems, enabling faster and more targeted results.

“Inspired by how microbes can migrate within the human body, we hypothesised that by delivering beneficial microbes directly into the plant's tissues, like a leaf or stem, they could travel to the roots and still perform their function, but much more effectively and be less vulnerable to soil conditions,” said Assistant Professor Andy Tay from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NUS, who led the study.

The plant-friendly microneedles, made from biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), dissolve within a minute of application, releasing their microbial payload gently into the plant. Laboratory tests confirmed minimal tissue disruption, stable chlorophyll levels and a rapid return to normal stress markers, underscoring the system’s safety and viability.

The team successfully delivered a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) cocktail directly into plant tissue, outperforming soil-based treatments. Importantly, growth response correlated with microbial dosage up to an optimal threshold, allowing growers to determine the lowest effective dose and cut costs.

“Our microneedle system successfully delivered biofertiliser into Choy Sum and Kale, enhancing their growth more effectively than traditional methods while using over 15 per cent less biofertiliser,” Asst Prof Tay said. “By faster growth we refer to higher total plant weight, larger leaf area and higher plant height.”

With strong potential for urban farming, vertical farms and high-value crops, the researchers are now exploring scalability, automation and wider crop trials. This pioneering “microneedle biofertiliser” concept positions smart agri-tech at the forefront of eco-friendly, future-ready farming.

A new geography of agricultural production is emerging, driven by mechanisation.

Livestock

Avian flu viruses is raising concerns over poultry health, food security and regional egg supplies.

Poultry

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to spread across East and West Asia, with new outbreaks affecting poultry farms in countries including the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Iraq and Israel.

The resurgence of the H5 group of avian flu viruses is raising concerns over poultry health, food security and regional egg supplies.

Among Asian nations, the Philippines has reported the highest number of new poultry outbreaks in recent days. Over the past 10 days, the country’s animal health authorities confirmed 10 outbreaks of HPAI to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Most involved the H5N1 virus, particularly in Isabela province in northern Luzon, affecting both large commercial farms and smaller backyard flocks. These latest cases bring the total number of outbreaks on Luzon over the past four years to 293, impacting around 2.35 million birds through culling or mortality.

New detections have also been reported in Mindanao, including South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, involving grazing ducks infected with H5N1 and H5N8 strains. Authorities cite contact with infected birds and contaminated fomites as the likely sources of infection. As of 31 December, only one active outbreak remains under investigation in Central Luzon.

In Japan, five additional H5N1 outbreaks were confirmed between late December and early January, mainly affecting large laying hen farms. These cases raise the country’s total outbreaks since October to 13, with more than 3.87 million poultry directly affected. Further suspected cases are currently under review.

The spread of avian flu has significantly disrupted South Korea’s egg supply, prompting the government to import over 2.2 million eggs from the United States in January. Since October, South Korea has confirmed 34 poultry outbreaks, including a notable case involving the H5N9 virus, detected for the first time in domestic birds.

Elsewhere in East Asia, Taiwan reported a new H5N1 outbreak in early January, affecting nearly 60,000 laying hens in Chiayi county. In western Asia, H5N1 has re-emerged in Israel and Iraq, with infections linked to contact with wild birds.

With outbreaks spanning multiple regions and virus strains, authorities warn that enhanced biosecurity, surveillance and rapid response will be critical to limiting further spread across Asia’s poultry sector.

Several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia.(Image credit: WHO)

SecureDX and Panacea Korea enhance animal health. (Image credit: EIN PRESSWIRE)

Equipment

The initiative is part of the PDTS call.(Image credit: INTA)

Equipment

INTA and the National University of La Matanza (UNLAM) are working on the optimisation and fine-tuning of a compact, controlled and affordable hydroponic system designed to enable the domestic production of fresh food in small spaces and under variable climatic conditions.

The prototype builds on the experience gained through the Antarctic Hydroponic Production Module (MAPHI).

INTA and UNLAM are jointly developing a module aimed at facilitating vegetable production in reduced spaces, regardless of external climatic variability. The goal is for the final prototype to be economically accessible and simple enough to be used by anyone in a household setting.

The project originates from the know-how developed through MAPHI, a system designed to produce vegetables under the extreme conditions of Antarctica. Drawing on that experience, INTA Santa Cruz, in collaboration with the National University of La Matanza, is now adapting and optimising the technology at a smaller scale, specifically targeted at domestic use.

Jorge Birgi, researcher at the INTA Santa Cruz Experimental Station, said,"we were able to design a production module that condenses the technologies used in the Antarctic system, while adding new features. Given the scale, this is a module that allows a family to produce their own food."

The initial objective was to transform a highly complex system, originally conceived for hostile and isolated environments, into a compact, efficient and economically accessible prototype capable of producing fresh food in limited spaces and under variable climatic conditions.

Martín Díaz, project director overseeing the optimisation phase,said, "this collaboration will provide technical tools that strengthen the prototype and make it possible to reach the goal of developing a product that can be commercialised."

Among its defining features, Díaz explained that "the module is designed to produce vegetables independently of external environmental conditions. It controls all key variables — temperature, light and nutrients  to ensure production regardless of location."

During its deployment in Antarctica, the MAPHI project led to the development of a complete technological package. This included compatible substrates, specific seed types, seed treatments and dedicated protocols. A tailored nutrient solution adapted to Antarctic conditions was also developed, along with a monitoring system incorporating sensors and custom-designed electronic boards. These components allowed data to be collected, processed and presented in a way that was easy for operators to interpret.

At this stage, efforts are focused on transforming MAPHI's technologies into a product that can be utilised by society and the productive sector. In other words, the project that proved capable of producing vegetables under extreme Antarctic conditions is now being used as a springboard for the development of commercial products.

In this regard, Birgi noted that "to achieve this objective, the MAPHI team developed a reduced-size prototype that incorporates new functionalities, making it easier to operate in a domestic environment."

Through the joint project, INTA and UNLAM will now contribute a business plan aimed at turning the prototype developed by the Santa Cruz Experimental Station into a commercial product. This phase will include a market study to identify potential user profiles, as well as the development of an intuitive interface allowing the system to be managed via a mobile phone application.

The final outcome will consist of a series of technical documents defining target users, the final price of the production system, the data collection platform to be used, and the materials required for construction.

The initiative is part of the Technological and Social Development Project (PDTS) call, a joint programme promoted by Argentina's National Interuniversity Council (CIN) and the European Union (UNIUEAR).

FAO drone training for effective pest management for Locusts. (Image credit: FAO)

Limex unveils Modular 8 washing system for crates. (Image credit: Limex)

Technology

The latest generation of Braud harvesters demonstrates impressive versatility across a wide range of vineyard structures. (Image credit: New Holland)

Machinery & Equipment

New Holland Agriculture continues to set new standards in modern viticulture with its acclaimed Braud grape harvester range - a series celebrated globally for precision, productivity and long-lasting reliability.

Built on decades of specialist expertise, the Braud brand has become synonymous with exceptional grape-harvesting performance, and under the New Holland umbrella it remains a trusted partner for winemakers seeking both efficiency and gentle crop handling.

Each Braud harvester reflects a signature blend of engineering excellence and vineyard-friendly design. The machines are created to treat vines with care while delivering powerful harvesting capability, ensuring that grapes are collected cleanly and with minimal damage. This focus on protecting fruit integrity directly enhances vineyard productivity and supports the production of higher-quality wines.

The latest generation of Braud harvesters demonstrates impressive versatility across a wide range of vineyard structures. With both high-capacity and extra-high-capacity models, including the popular 9000 L and 9000 X series, the range adapts effortlessly to narrow boutique vineyards, expansive commercial estates, and even sloped terrain. Their advanced systems  such as the industry-proven Noria basket conveying system, optional destemmer technology, and innovative side-conveyor configurations  ensure consistently clean, gentle and efficient fruit handling.
This adaptability makes Braud harvesters an ideal choice for growers looking to streamline operations while maintaining strict quality standards. Backed by a global legacy and trusted by thousands of vineyard operators, these machines are built to deliver season after season, reducing labour needs, improving harvest speed, and preserving overall vine health.

Engineered for durability and operator comfort, the Braud range combines robust construction with intuitive controls, offering ease of use without compromising on precision. The result is a harvester that not only boosts productivity but also supports sustainable agricultural practices, helping vineyards reduce waste and optimise long-term output.

Choosing a Braud grape harvester means investing in a heritage of innovation, reliability and world-leading vineyard technology  giving growers confidence in every harvest and reinforcing New Holland’s reputation as a champion of next-generation viticulture solutions.

COMPASS accurately detects and removes a wide range of foreign materials, including dirt clods, rocks, sticks, insects and animal parts.(Image credit: Key Technology)

ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation.

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