The spring conference of the working group of the masters Austria, which took place in Gols in Burgenland on March 6 and 7, revolved around innovations in garden, fruit and viticulture. In addition to the cross -federal state exchange during the federal board meeting, that was on the program on four companies.
“At this year’s spring conference, we want to show how innovative the companies are in the production and marketing of their products. This should motivate other farmers to also implement their ideas and to take new ground,” explains Andreas Ehrenbrandtner, Federal Chairman of the ARGE masters.
Less packaging thanks to the laser lettering
The first excursion was “Veganis GmbH”, a purely biologically economy production and trading company for high-quality organic fruit and vegetables in Seewinkel. With the motto “Bio in motion”, the operation, under the direction of the managing director Christoph Mick and Michael Pilsel, takes new and innovative ways both in their own production as well as when importing organic fruit and vegetables.
The company is particularly committed to reducing and avoiding packaging. Veganis has been used at Veganis for some time. This makes it possible to do without stickers. Various lettering and logos can be attached directly to the food through a laser by gently removing the top pigment layer of the shell.
The Wendelin wine -growing company was then visited in Gols. This is located on the eastern bank of Lake Neusiedlerse and is managed as a family business as close to nature and sustainably by Elisabeth and Christian Gangl, a board member of the ARGE Master Burgenland.
Innovative harvest machines and field robots in use
On the second day, the representatives of the ARGE champions were guests at Michlits family in St. Andrä am Zicksee. As a member of the Seewinkler producer, the innovative vegetable float produces solar vegetables, zucchini and snack radishes in organic quality. For the harvest, Martin Michlits has invested in a harvesting machine unique in Austria, which enables a quick and gentle harvest of the tubers. In addition, it attaches great importance to biodiversity and soil health.
The last excursion goal was Michael Krammer’s organic farm – also in St. Andrä am Zicksee. The young farmer sees the future of agriculture and forestry in digitization and uses a wide variety of digital opportunities to optimize his company and how it works. In addition to automatic steering systems and camera control soil processing, a field robot was purchased for the cultivation and cultural care of sugar beet and onions a few years ago. Throughout Austria, he is one of the pioneers in the area of robotics and was able to report first -hand participants to the conference about the possible uses and challenges in practical use.
Berlakovich: Use of digital technologies increases competitiveness
“Digitization opens up a variety of opportunities for agriculture. Through the use of modern technologies such as farm droids, milking nrobots or drones, work processes can be more efficient and the competitiveness of our businesses. With regard to the lack of crop people and specialist personnel Supports this change actively through targeted advanced training and courses in order to make domestic agriculture sustainable, “explains Nikolaus Berlakovich, President of the Burgenland Chamber of Agriculture.
Ehrenbrandtner: curiosity and openness to be decisive for new ways
ARGE Master Federal Chairman Ehrenbrandtner emphasized how important comprehensive and professional expertise in agriculture and forestry are. In addition to good technical basics, a certain open -mindedness is also important to new ideas and technologies. “Masters acquire professional and personal higher qualifications with a strong practical relevance in the course of their extensive training. In addition, curiosity and openness to new ways are an optimal basis for new marketing and technology to withstand the changing influences in agriculture and forestry,” he said.
Every year an average of 440 women and men go through the masters: interior training in one of the 15 professional fields of agriculture and forestry so far. Almost two thirds of the graduates complete the training in the areas of agriculture and forestry.