Many farmers are diversifying to expand their business. These ideas vary greatly, ranging from fish farming on a pig fattening and biogas plant operation, cultivating new tree species to make forests more climate-resistant, to growing new crops such as black cumin or poppy seeds, to the further processing of their own agricultural products. What unites the speakers at the Fendt Sustainability Forum 2025 is their desire to break new ground and think in terms of generations. Keynote speaker Alexander Bloch, presenter of the car magazine auto mobil, emphasised that farmers perform invaluable work, particularly in an era of artificial intelligence and automation.
Christoph Gröblinghoff (Chairman of the Fendt Management Board) at the Fendt Sustainability Forum
“Four years ago, when we held the first Fendt Sustainability Forum, sustainability was a much greater focus. However, the megatrends of population growth, climate change, and the food versus fuel debate remain a defining part of our reality. Consider England, for instance, where an exceptionally wet autumn in 2024 was followed by one of the driest springs in 2025, leading to the smallest harvest on record. The issue of sustainability therefore remains important, and this applies to all three pillars: ecological, economic and social," said Christoph Gröblinghoff, Chairman of the Fendt Management Board, in his welcome speech at the fourth Fendt Sustainability Forum. " We are clearly committed to Germany as a production location. In the future, all wheeled tractors will continue to be built and exported from here to the rest of the world. But to achieve this, we need ideas, innovation and progress; we must strive to improve things a little each day."
Planting ideas – new approaches to plants and fungi
Farmers Alexander Thumm and Wilhelm Jochen Behn with presenter Guido Höner
Alexander Thumm an arable and pig farmer and master agricultural machinery mechanic has been growing soybeans in the Baden-Württemberg region, Germany, since 2010. As well as the challenge of growing soybeans and meeting their specific requirements, he has specialised in the further processing of soybeans, namely roasting and de-oiling, and has invested in the necessary technology. This enables him to produce pig fattening feed from soybeans for both his own use and sale.
Since 2021, Wilhelm Jochen Behn from Lower Saxony has grown 20 different crops on his family farm, including oilseeds and legumes. As well as sunflowers, lentils, linseed and hemp, these now include exotic crops such as poppy seeds and black cumin. The only stipulation was that all crops had to be both sown and harvested using existing technology. This has worked out perfectly, with only a new sunflower attachment for the combine harvester still needing to be purchased. In order to increase the farm's added value and create regional jobs, he processes the harvest into cold-pressed oils, baking mixes, mustard and flour, which he sells via an online shop.
Truffel expert Anja Kolbe-Nelde reports on the special requirements of mushrooms
Anja Kolbe-Nelde is a passionate mushroom enthusiast. Since 2015, she has run a mushroom farm in the Kyffhäuser district of Thuringia, growing shiitake and king oyster mushrooms, among others. However, her favourite is the truffle. Following extensive training, she now advises other farmers on setting up high-yield mushroom plantations and participates in relevant research projects. Truffles grow in symbiosis with 32 different native tree species, ranging from hazel to lime and oak. The key to success lies in achieving this symbiosis and ensuring the right conditions, such as the lime content of the soil, location, and humidity.
Paulownia: what can the special tree offer?
(ltr) Farmer Stefan Jahrstorfer talks to Bastian Schröder from the Schröder tree nursery about the unique characteristics of paulownia trees
The so called princess tree (Paulownia) is renowned for its rapid growth and vibrant blue flowers. Originally from East Asia, this species has become increasingly popular in Europe in recent years. Stefan Jahrstorfer, an organic farmer and Bayer employee, is testing around 50 different tree species in his forest, including Paulownia, which he obtained from Bastian Schröder's tree nursery. If given the right conditions, the Paulownia tree can reach a growth rate of four to five metres per year, making it particularly quick to harvest.
Opportunities from the water or sea bass meets pigs
Carl Niehues provides an insight into the challenges of aquaculture
Pig farming, a biogas plant and sea bass breeding: Luise and Carl Niehues' farm is committed to the circular economy. They knew from the outset that they wanted to diversify, and that fish farming was not yet established in the Münsterland region. Despite the challenging approval process and significant investment costs, the couple decided to proceed. They have built up their sea bass farm under the name 'Die Geflossenschaft' The Fin Cooperative), including an online shop, recipe tips and a list of cooperating restaurants. They achieve a feed conversion ratio of 1:1.1 with sea bass and only need to heat the insulated containers housing the fish tanks in winter.
Highly regarded: Why do farmers in Austria have such a great image?
Hannes Royer founded the association "Land schafft Leben" (Land Creates Life)
Hannes Royer is an organic farmer and one of the best-known agricultural podcasters in Austria today. A farmer since childhood, he has a passion for agriculture that stems from his family's farm, which has a documented history dating back to 1204. He joined the family business at an early age and founded a contracting company offering winter services in 2013. He explores the themes of knowledge and appreciation of agriculture and agricultural products in various formats. While farmers are often not viewed so positively in Germany, the situation in Austria is quite different. He believes that the most effective way to improve the image of farmers is through communication about the topic of "food" and by farmers acting as role models. Whether it's driving large machines quickly or doing the grocery shopping, farmers should take responsibility.
Speeddating: Securing returns with ideas
Should it be goats, sheep, robust cattle, water buffalo or perhaps a mower? Bernd Merscher specialises in cultural landscape services. Depending on the requirements, he provides either traditional landscape maintenance using machinery or the grazing of areas by various animals. This method is sustainable and quiet, and ensures natural cultural maintenance.
Susanne Pingold and Guido Keiner live in the beautiful cultural landscape of Franconian Switzerland. They have several sources of income, including an orchard, a farm shop, a distillery, holiday apartments, motorhome parking spaces and hosting events. Providing three gravelled motorhome parking spaces was an additional source of income for them with low investment costs, as much of the necessary infrastructure was already in place thanks to the holiday apartments.
Siblings Michael Kuch and Sandra Hornung have also set up a farm shop at Sulzburghof in Baden-Württemberg. In the farm's own café, as well as in the shop, master confectioner Sandra Hornung sells baked goods produced on the premises. The ingredients, such as grain and milk, come from the family farm run by Michael Kuch. With a farm café, another café in the neighbouring village, a farm shop, ice cream sales and events, the farm is always bustling with activity, and guests can observe the workings of the farm first-hand, as the café and cowshed are only about 30 metres apart.
Anne-Marie Muhs has been experiencing hustle and bustle on her farm for over 25 years, so it's nothing new for her. She set up Germany's first farm kindergarten back then, and she still looks after groups of children on the family farm in Schleswig-Holstein today. There, the children learn how to interact with chickens, cows and pigs through practical tasks such as feeding them, sweeping the stalls and searching for eggs. They also gain an understanding of life cycles. The topic of livestock slaughter is also an integral part of farm life and is explained to the children in an age-appropriate way. Nowadays, there are numerous farm kindergartens in Germany, most of which have long waiting lists. The North German company also offers advice on setting these up effectively and provides further training for staff.
The Castell-Castell family experienced a turning point in 1990 when two storms resulted in the loss of seven years' harvests in one night. Ferdinand Fürst zu Castell-Castell has spent 30 years working on the conversion of the forest. Similar to viticulture, forestry is a business that requires foresight and clever planning over generations. Together with a consultant, he developed a new concept for his forest, drawing inspiration from Alsace. Here, too, he finds both forests and vineyards. Today, he is experimenting with different species and setting up a series of trials for his descendants, incorporating hunting into his strategy.
Tractor instead of Ferrari
Journalist Alexander Bloch wants to test the Fendt 832 Vario instead of a car
Alexander Bloch presents the car magazine programme Auto Mobil and runs the YouTube channel Bloch Erklärt. (Bloch Explains...). The son of a farmer, he first sat on a tractor at the age of two. However, tractors were much smaller back then, in terms of both size and horsepower. His passion for machinery was ignited at an early age, leading him to pursue a career in cars rather than fruit farming. As an engineer, he believes that, alongside innovation, the performance that German companies can achieve is an important factor. But his passion isn't confined to cars. Two years ago, he had the opportunity to drive the Fendt 1050 Vario and try operating a wood chipper. He says, 'Driving a car is cool, but not necessarily useful. Driving a tractor in the field is cool and useful." His concluding statement drew applause from the audience: 'Farming is a profession with a future because what farmers do cannot be replaced by AI.'
Impressionen vom Fendt Nachhaltigkeitsforum
