A look back at the 79th ALVA Annual Meeting at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

Created: June 11, 2025
Last updated: August 8, 2025

A look back at the 79th ALVA Annual Meeting at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

The 79th annual conference of the ALVA (Association of Agricultural Engineers) took place at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein on May 26 and 27, 2025. This conference also marked a small anniversary, as the ALVA is celebrating its 115th year . Under the theme "Understanding Agriculture, Shaping the Future: A Holistic View of the Soil, Plant, Animal, and Environment System," key challenges and future perspectives of agriculture were examined.

79th ALVA Annual Meeting at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

The event offered a diverse program with over 100 expert presentations, an extensive poster session, and engaging plenary lectures by renowned scientists from Germany and abroad. The focus was on topics that also reflect the current research spectrum of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein:

Sustainable soil management
Sustainable grassland management
Environmental impacts of agriculture
Innovative and digital approaches for agriculture

As the comprehensive scientific conference proceedings demonstrate, the importance of soil as the foundation for sustainable agriculture was a central theme. Maintaining soil fertility and minimizing erosion are essential for the continued production of high-quality food and feed crops. At the same time, water availability is becoming an increasingly limiting factor. Climate change is bringing rising temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns, which pose new challenges for agriculture.

The conference also provided a forum for discussions on innovations that could shape the agriculture of the future. Digitization, robotics, and vertical farming were presented as potential solutions. At the same time, organic farming was highlighted as a sustainable alternative that promotes biodiversity and utilizes near-natural production methods.

A particular highlight was the concluding field trip to the research site of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. Participants gained direct insight into current research and were able to experience innovative approaches in practice.

The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein would like to express its sincere thanks to all participants, authors and the numerous helping hands that contributed to the success of the conference.

As hosts of this important conference, we are pleased to have contributed to networking and dialogue about the future of agriculture. The 79th ALVA Annual Conference impressively demonstrated the importance of exchanging knowledge and ideas to make agriculture sustainable and future-proof.