NOVUS experts will provide insights into the biological and economic impacts of milk fat depression. (Image source: NOVUS)

To support the dairy industry with the widespread challenge of milk fat depression, NOVUS is hosting a webinar series on milk fat depression awareness

The two-part educational initiative focuses on identifying this challenge and the causes behind it, along with providing actionable solutions to improve milk fat production and farm profitability. NOVUS experts will provide insights into the biological and economic impacts of milk fat depression, helping webinar participants to gain practical knowledge on identifying the issue in individual cows and herds, along with strategies to mitigate its effects.

“Milk fat depression is a multi-faceted challenge that significantly impacts dairy operations, particularly where farming conditions play a role,” said NOVUS expert, Edwin Westreicher. “Our goal with this webinar series is to empower producers and nutritionists with science-backed strategies to recognise and address this challenge effectively, helping them maximise both productivity and profitability.”

Another expert, Hannah Tucker highlighted that milk fat depression not only impacts profits, but can also disrupt the sustainability goals of modern dairy farms. “By offering actionable insights and reliable solutions, we aim to support producers in overcoming these challenges and achieving long-term success,” said Tucker.

The first two webinars titled: ‘Milk Fat Depression: What It Is and Why It Matters’ and ‘Is Milk Fat Depression Impacting Your Profits?’ are scheduled to take place on 13 March and 24 April 2025 respectively. 

To register for these free-to-attend webinars, visit: https://novusint.co/MilkFat

VIV Asia 2025, the premier international trade show for the animal protein production and processing industry is set to return in March this year. (Image source: VNU Europe)

With over 150 curated sessions led by 300 industry experts, VIV Asia 2025 provides an unparalleled platform for knowledge building and networking

VIV Asia 2025, the premier international trade show for the animal protein production and processing industry is set to return this year in co-location with Meat Pro Asia and Horti Agri Next (HAN) Asia, with an expanded focus on sustainable solutions. This year’s edition will feature a series of high-level seminars that will address pressing challenges in modern livestock production, including disease prevention, regenerative agriculture, and biosecurity. These seminars will provide a platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among industry professionals, all with the shared goal of shaping the future of animal farming.

150 seminars, 300 industry experts

With over 150 curated sessions led by 300 industry experts, a major emphasis of VIV Asia 2025 will be on disease prevention and biosecurity, where speakers will present cutting-edge strategies for controlling infectious diseases, mitigating risks, and enhancing farm biosecurity to ensure resilient livestock production. The seminars will offer insights into the latest scientific developments, policy frameworks, and technological innovations designed to protect animal health and minimise the risk of disease outbreaks.

Another key focus will be on regenerative agriculture within animal farming, with thought leaders exploring sustainable farming practices that enhance soil health, foster biodiversity, and optimize resource efficiency. Discussions will highlight the economic and environmental benefits of regenerative approaches, along with real-world case studies that demonstrate their effectiveness.

Smart tech and alternative protein

The role of smart technologies and precision farming in advancing livestock management will also take center stage. Industry leaders will delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation in improving productivity, optimising resource use, and reducing environmental impact. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these innovations can be integrated into existing farming systems to drive efficiency and sustainability.  

Feed innovation and alternative protein sources will be another critical topic, with a focus on the latest developments in animal nutrition. Experts will examine alternative feed sources that not only enhance sustainability but also improve animal health and productivity. The discussion will cover advances in feed formulation, nutrient efficiency, and novel protein alternatives.

Conference highlights to watch out for

Poultry Sessions take center stage, offering highly sought-after insights into industry developments. Experts will discuss key trends, technological advancements, and market patterns, alongside critical updates on the fight against avian influenza. Dedicated sessions will also explore trade opportunities, current market challenges, and strategies for success. Session highlights include: International Poultry China Forum – Featuring speakers from Rabobank and China Agricultural University on 11 March and The first World Native Poultry Conference – Organised and hosted by the World Poultry Science Association (WPSA) on 12 March.

Attendees can also watch out for these key talks lined up at VIV Asia 2025, and plan their schedules accordingly to avoid missing any of the sessions on high demand: Aquatic Conference, AgriBITs, Shaping the Future of Local Dairy Markets, Biotechnology Innovation for Health Promotion and Sustainability Improvement in Animal Farming, and Smart Insect-Driven Feed Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture, among many others! More details regarding the specific locations, dates, and times can be found on the VIV Asia website under the Conference Programme section.

Birgit Horn, managing director at VNU Europe shares, “VIV Asia 2025 represents a critical opportunity for industry stakeholders to access the latest knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate on innovative solutions that will shape the future of animal farming. These high-level seminars and conferences will provide an unparalleled platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient industry.”

Onsite registration costs €15 or THB 600. Register online for **Free Admission** before 11 March at: www.vivasia.nl / www.meatpro-asia.com / www.hortiagrinext-asia.com

With up to 1,500 exhibitors, this landmark event will take place from 12–14 March at the Impact Exhibition Centre in Bangkok. (Image source: VNU Europe)

VIV Asia 2025, the region’s most comprehensive feed-to-food exhibition, is set to lead the conversation once more on the future of animal production

With up to 1,500 exhibitors, this landmark event will take place from 12–14 March at the Impact Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. This year’s programme emphasises a species-specific approach, addressing poultry, swine, aquatic, and dairy sectors, alongside pivotal themes such as disease management, biosecurity, and regenerative agriculture.

Diving into advanced seafood farming tech

Marking a significant prelude to the main event, on 11 March, the Aquatic Conference co-organised with International Aquafeed will focus on creating a blue economy through aquaculture.

Severina Proskurnova, person-in-charge of the Aquatic sector at VNU Europe, noted, “Aquatic is the bridge forging the connections between knowledge and opportunities. The conference shall enhance key areas of the biosciences in relation to production of fish, shrimp, nutrition, health, and more.”

Through the Aquatic Conference, attendees can learn more about responding to shrimp farming challenges, optimising aquafeed additives solving gut health and efficiency issues, and applying hatchery and breeding technologies.

Agrifood technologies now and in the near future

Additionally, VIV Asia 2025 has introduced a partnership with AgriBITs, a premier platform for agrifood and its digital transformation. For two days, 13–14 March, AgriBITs sessions will present cutting-edge innovations at the Food Tech Transition Square, Hall 6. These will include AI, automation, and biotechnology, providing a unique opportunity for industry stakeholders to gain insights into transformative technologies.

“We are really excited to launch AgriBITs, as you get to see and join the conversation on how these fast-moving and game-changing technologies are shaping Agrifood today,” noted AgriBITs project manager, Natalie Taylor.

Deepening the value chain with co-located events

Running concurrently with VIV Asia 2025 are two co-located events—Meat Pro Asia, dedicated to meat processing and packaging solutions, and the new exhibition Horti Agri Next (HAN) Asia, focusing on arable farming and controlled environment agriculture.

Together, these events aim to deepen the value chain available onsite and create a comprehensive forum for cross-industry collaboration and innovation. Overall, VIV Asia 2025 gears up to be the biggest edition yet with noteworthy growth in every sector of the livestock industry.

Pre-register here for a free ticket to attend VIV Asia 2025.

Birgit Horn in an exclusive interview with Far Eastern Agriculture, discusses the theme of the upcoming VIV Asia event. (Image source: VIV Asia)

Managing director of VIV Worldwide, Birgit Horn in an exclusive interview with Far Eastern Agriculture, discusses the theme of the upcoming VIV Asia event, underscoring its importance, and throwing light on some of the breakthrough innovations set to be showcased at this unique global hub dedicated to the world of animal protein production and related sectors

Could you highlight the significance of VIV Asia 2025, held in co-location with Meat Pro Asia and HAN Asia?

Birgit Horn (BH): VIV Asia 2025 is the 17th edition and is set to be the biggest one so far with dedicated pavilions, expanded hall areas, and a series of high-level seminars. This year’s event carries the theme Regenerative Agriculture and Disease Management and emphasises a species-specific approach, addressing the pressing issues in the poultry, swine, aquatic, and dairy sectors. Further, VIV Asia 2025 will explore critical industry topics, from feed efficiency and biosecurity to technological advancements in aquaculture and animal production. Remaining to be in co-location with Meat Pro Asia, the region’s leading processing and packaging trade fair for meat, egg, poultry, seafood & food products; and now also with the newest Horti Agri Next (HAN) Asia covering arable farming and controlled environment agriculture—attendees can see that together, these events deepen the value chain available onsite at VIV Asia 2025 representing both feed to food and seed to food, and create a comprehensive forum for cross-industry collaboration and innovation. 

Can you shed some light on how the event can help shape Asia's agricultural and livestock landscape? 

Birgit Horn (BH): With VIV Asia 2025, we have built strong ties and partnerships with industry associations who are really leading it on the field such as the Thai Automation and Robotics Association (TARA), Dutch Poultry Centre, Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations, and Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), among many, many others. By providing solid platforms in VIV Asia such as AgriBITs, a two-day event that we are launching for the first time, focusing on agrifood production and its digital transformation; as well as the Aquatic Conference covering the production of fish, shrimp, nutrition, health, and more, there will be a wealth of opportunities to build and exchange knowledge, drive innovation, and ultimately shape the region’s agricultural, livestock, and aquatic outlook for the coming years.

How many companies are expected to exhibit this year and who are the top exhibitors?

Birgit Horn (BH): We are expecting up to 1,500 exhibitors this edition. As top exhibitors, we have household names such as Big Dutchman, Famsun, Cargill, HatchTech, Marel, Moba, San Group, and Lanxess.

What are some of the notable innovations that are planned to be showcased at the event?

Birgit Horn (BH): Our partners TARA will be showcasing more on Far-UVC technology as a survival solution for shrimp farming. Then ISHIDA, a leading supplier of food weighing and packaging machines, will be highlighting a newly-launched X-ray machine that features advanced sensors and image processing technology, ensuring precision for the food industry. Another exciting initiative to look forward to is the SMElevate Spotlight where we call on SMEs and Start-ups to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and products in relation to regenerative agriculture. There will be a lot more innovation for sure so show attendees better not miss VIV Asia 2025.

What are the travel and accommodation arrangements that are being offered to attendees?

Birgit Horn (BH): We have partnered with BTC Group as the official hotel and travel agency for VIV Asia 2025. What this means for attendees is that,should they choose to book through BTC, they get special hotel rates at competitive pricing and discount codes for partner airlines.To make the attendees’ visit more seamless, on site, we have also arranged for free shuttle vans and buses from Bangkok’s city centre to and from IMPACT for the entire duration of the exhibition. As disclaimer, please note that the list of official and recommended suppliers can be found only on our vivasia.nl website. So for the attendees, please be careful and conduct your due diligence to avoid scams and fraudulent transactions. 

Lastly, the entire VIV team would just like to once again invite everyone in the world of livestock production and processing and agriculture industry to come and be part of the most complete feed-to-food tradeshow, VIV Asia 2025. The three co-located events (VIV Asia, Meat Pro Asia, and HAN Asia) cover over 75,000 sq m across Challenger Halls 1–3 and Exhibition Halls 5–7 of the IMPACT exhibition centre. We have also prepared over 150 seminars led by 300 industry experts, addressing numerous topics like livestock disease management, food safety, aquafeed extrusion and best aquaculture practices, biotechnology innovations, biosecurity, regenerative and sustainable agriculture. So there will definitely be something for everyone! We are counting the days and looking forward to a packed, productive, and meaningful VIV Asia 2025.

VIV Asia 2025 takes place from 12-14 March at the Impact Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. Pre-register here for a free ticket to attend VIV Asia 2025. 

Numerous representatives from business, associations and politics took part in the opening ceremony. (Image source: Messe Essen GmbH)

The 41st International Plant Fair (IPM) officially opened on 28 January and welcomed trade visitors from all over the world to Messe Essen

Until 31 January, more than 1,400 exhibitors from around 50 countries will be showcasing their products from the fields of plants, technology, floristry and garden features. Numerous representatives from business, associations and politics took part in the opening ceremony.

With 1,400 exhibitors from around 50 countries showcasing their products from the fields of plants, technology, floristry and garden features, the trade show demonstrated the achievements of the green sector. Numerous representatives from business, associations and politics took part in the opening ceremony. Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf, president of the Central Horticultural Association (ZVG) and the NRW State Horticultural Association, emphasised the importance of the world's leading horticultural trade fair in her speech. At the same time, she appealed to politicians to optimise the framework conditions: “Horticulture is facing up to climate change and the associated challenges. Now is the time for horticulture to receive the political support it needs.” 

“North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's number one horticultural state, both in terms of plant production and the wide range of high quality horticultural services on offer. Here in NRW, the industry also comes together at the most important international horticultural trade fair to present new innovations and to network. We are proud of our strong, vibrant and innovative horticultural industry," Minister Gorißen assured. "The sector will continue to need good framework conditions and planning security in the future. As Minister of Agriculture, I will continue to stand up for our businesses, for example when it comes to reducing bureaucracy. We need more practicable and practical solutions, which is why I hope that the new federal government will show greater commitment to horticultural businesses.”

These are the IPM novelties 2025 The ‘IPM Novelty Showcase’ competition initiated by the ZVG once again proved that the green sector is innovative and powerful with a lively participation: 33 exhibitors from eleven countries submitted a total of 55 plant innovations in the run-up to the trade fair. One of the highlights of the opening was therefore the ceremonial announcement of this year's winners. A total of seven new varieties were honoured in different categories and one additional plant was awarded a special prize by the jury.

The certificates were presented by Andreas Kröger, ZVG Vice President (Hamburg) and the German Flower Fairy 2024/25, Anne-Marie Bals.

Categories

In the ‘Spring Flowering Plants' category, the expert committee chose Primula acaulis Flamenco Mix F1 from Rudy Raes Bloemzaden n.v. in Belgium. This flamenco dancer has uniquely fringed flowers and pays homage to Spanish tradition. For the jury, the ruffled flowers, which are unique to F1 hybrids, were the deciding factor for the award. This is completely new for generatively propagated primroses and offers a cultivation advantage for growers.

In the ‘Bedding and Balcony Plants’ category, Sundaville Blue from Suntory Flowers Europe in the Netherlands was honoured as the ‘IPM Novelty 2025’. The attractive growth with less vigorous tendrils makes this Sundaville so special. The extraordinary colour of the flowers varies from pink to shades of blue-violet. It flowers throughout the summer and also likes a spot in full sun.

In the ‘Flowering Indoor Pot Plants’ category, Cyclamen persicum ‘Illusia’ from Schoneveld breeding in the Netherlands was awarded the title ‘IPM Novelty 2025’. The new flower shape means it is not immediately recognisable as a typical cyclamen. In full bloom, it resembles a corolla with countless buds underneath. It is best suited for autumn cultivation. The consumer can enjoy an excellent shelf life of up to four weeks without the flowers ageing.

In the ‘Tree Nursery Products’ category, the jury chose Cornus kousa Flower Tower from Diderk Heinje Pflanzenhandelsg.mbH & Co. KG from Germany. The particularly slender shape can be a highlight for small gardens in urban areas and thus expands the range of the attractive Cornus kousa for another important use. The abundant flowering and exciting autumn colours complete the picture.

Asplenium antiquum ‘Yuaspgio’ Gioia from Vitro Plus B.V. in the Netherlands was honoured in the ‘Foliage Indoor Pot Plants’ category. This fern expands the extensive range of green houseplants with unique, serrated leaves and a stunning, fresh green colour that brightens up any interior. An excellent new trend fern and a variation on the existing bird's nest ferns.