Successful ROPA In-House Demonstration and Conference at ROPA Rheinland on October 13, 2024

• The ROPA In-House Demonstration on October 13, 2024, at ROPA Rheinland attracted over 5,000 visitors with practical field demonstrations and a diverse supporting program.

• The conference featured expert talks on agricultural issues, including presentations by Frank Lampenscherf, Dr. Eberhard Krayl, Max Erath, Heinz Leipertz, and Ferdi Buffen.

• The event showcased the latest ROPA machinery, including the Tiger 6S sugar beet harvesters and the new Keiler 2 potato harvesters, with live demonstrations.

• Distinguished guests such as Ingrid Stigler, Laura Karl, Daniela Dreher, and Julia Klammer attended, emphasizing the importance of innovation in agriculture.

• The supporting program included a fan shop, machine exhibition, used machinery offers, and a children's program, enhancing the event's appeal.

• Culinary offerings and a social atmosphere in the factory halls provided a satisfying experience for attendees, contributing to the event's overall success.

A special highlight in the agricultural technology sector was the ROPA In-House Demonstration, which took place on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at ROPA Rheinland in Viersen-Boisheim. More than 5,000 enthusiastic visitors closely followed the practical field demonstrations right in front of ROPA Rheinland's 2.5-hectare production site. Alternating with the Agritechnica in a biennial cycle, this event was once again well-organized and drew visitors from near and far. With captivating lectures, impressive machine demonstrations, and a diverse supporting program, the event was a great success.

Conference with Distinguished Speakers

The day started at 9:30 a.m. with a conference addressing current issues in agriculture. Frank Lampenscherf, Managing Director of ROPA Rheinland, welcomed the guests and provided an overview of developments at the site. Following this, Dr. Eberhard Krayl, CEO of ROPA, updated the expert audience on the latest developments at ROPA's headquarters in Sittelsdorf and international locations. Particularly fascinating was the presentation of the new ROPA logistics center, featuring a covered hall area of 2.4 hectares—more information on this will be available soon on the ROPA website.

The main focus of the conference was on the expert talks by renowned specialists:

• Max Erath (Crop Consultant at N.U. Agrar) discussed the "Impact of Extreme Weather on Nutrient Dynamics in the Soil" and emphasized the need for agricultural adaptations to meet future challenges.

• Heinz Leipertz (Head of Region Rheinland, Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG) presented the "Current Developments in Sugar Beet and Sugar," highlighting the environmental requirements and market changes.

• Ferdi Buffen (Managing Director of Wilhelm Weuthen GmbH & Co. KG) addressed the "Market Developments and Growth Opportunities in Potato Cultivation," predicting that up to 50,000 hectares of additional farmland could be gained in the European potato belt by 2035.

The 400 invited guests took the opportunity to exchange views on the latest developments in agricultural technology and gain valuable insights into the future of agriculture in an exclusive setting.

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In-House Demonstration and Technical Innovations in Action

At 12:00 p.m., the ROPA In-House Demonstration opened its doors to the general public. On more than seven hectares of sugar beet and three hectares of potato fields, visitors could witness the latest ROPA machinery in action. A highlight was the deployment of three Tiger 6S sugar beet harvesters in combination with the ROPA Maus 6 and various potato harvesters.

The new generation of Keiler 2 potato harvesters, specifically the RK22 model, took center stage. The DoubleSelect variant with an additional UFK on the Igel 3 was particularly impressive, showcasing its excellent separation performance and efficiency during the harvest. Sebastian Grünig from ROPA Rheinland also presented the modern Bijlsma-Hercules potato storage technology, which garnered significant attention from attendees.

Diverse Supporting Program and Prominent Guests

The demonstration was complemented by a diverse supporting program, which included a fan shop, machine exhibition, used machinery offers, a technology company fair, and plant breeders. The latest ROPA collection in the fan shop was also in high demand. For younger visitors, there was a colorful children's program featuring a bouncy castle, pedal tractor course, and face painting.

The event was further honored by the presence of Ingrid Stigler (German Sugar Beet Queen), Laura Karl (German Sugar Beet Vice Queen), Daniela Dreher (Bavarian Potato Queen), and Julia Klammer (Rhineland Potato Queen), who delivered greetings to the participants at 2:00 p.m., emphasizing the importance of innovation and technology in agriculture.

Practical Field Demonstrations and Technical Presentations

At 2:30 p.m., the technical presentations and live demonstrations began. Michael Gruber, Head of Sugar Beet Technology, showcased the latest advancements in ROPA's sugar beet harvesting technology, while Dr. Rupert Geischeder, Head of Potato Technology, presented the innovative progress in potato harvesting technology. These demonstrations provided visitors with the opportunity to see the machinery in action and engage with experts.

Culinary Delights and Social Atmosphere

The visitors' culinary needs were well catered to, with grilled specialties, coffee, cake, and refreshing drinks ensuring a satisfying experience. The festively decorated factory halls provided a perfect setting for guests to exchange ideas and reflect on the day's events in a relaxed and social atmosphere.

Conclusion: A Successful Day for Technology and Agriculture

The combination of engaging expert talks, impressive machine demonstrations, and a lively supporting program made the ROPA In-House Demonstration 2024 a resounding success. ROPA extends its thanks to all the visitors and looks forward to the next event in two years.