6,000 m2 of new office-, laboratory- and conference facilities let in record time. This is reality for Agro Food Park, Denmark’s new innovation and business park within the agro-food sector, as 120 employees from 17 companies have just moved in. Located just outside Aarhus, Agro Food Park is planning for considerable expansion in coming years.

Dr Silim Nahdy has been appointed to the post of Executive Director of the African Forum for Agricultural which is a close business partner to the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture.

As a result of the reorganisation of the Knowledge Centre some departments have been divided and others merged.

With many Danish farmers currently operating under difficult economic conditions, the role of the Danish Agricultural Advisory Service (DAAS) is increasingly important. A partnership comprising 31 local advisory centres throughout Denmark in addition to a Knowledge Centre, the DAAS is owned – and much used – by Danish farmers.

New figures from the Agency for the Danish Food Industry show that Danish farmers have applied to have a larger area approved for organic production in 2011 than 2010. But the increase is still not high enough compared to the government’s vision for organic production, points out Ole Bloch Engellyst, Head of Organic, Knowledge Centre for Agriculture.

India has the money and an expanding demand for milk products. Denmark has the most efficient and most modern production of milk in the world. Perhaps, the beginning of a Danish business adventure based on the export of knowledge and technology.

For consumers and breeders of food products it is no longer sufficient that products are approved as organic by the state authorities. They ask for additional documentation for the organic, economic and social sustainability in the production.

Calf mortality in the Danish cattle herds registered in July was at a record low, with a fall of 37.5% in comparison to the same month in 2010.

Numerous countries are showing interest in the Danish system of electronic registration of hoof disorders.

Nicolai Fog Hansen, web manager for the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture, has recently been elected as new President for EFITA, a European federation for development and use of IT in the agriculture and food sector.

Calculations undertaken by the Danish Knowledge Centre for Agriculture and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council indicate that an average full time farming operation in Denmark will attain an income of about half a million Danish kroner in 2011.

The latest positive trends in the economic gains for agriculture continue into 2012 with better earnings, increasing production and increasing investments. But farmers experience to a greater degree restrictions to an increased production.

The Knowledge Centre for Agriculture is co-author to a guide that ensures the right solution is selected to advising farmers and food producers in developing countries.

Farmers have a tool that shows precisely when it is best to cut the grass so that the cows get the best fodder.

Over 90 procent of Danish milk cows are covered by mandatory veterinary advisory services. This is much greater than the law requires. This is because 900 herds have freely entered the agreement since the law was introduced 8 months ago.

Can genes from English and Swedish pigs provide a more robust and vigorous pig for organic production? The Knowledge Centre for Agriculture, Organic Department and the Development Centre for Outdoor Animal Production are looking into this in a new project.

There are now only 3.925 milk production cow herds remaining in Denmark. They supply in total just as much milk as 141.000 herds did 50 years ago.

The farming sector will be a significant actor in the future provision of energy. Therefore the Knowledge Centre is presently strengthening its profile in order to make bio-energy production attractive to farmers.

The large technical database at the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture has over the last 15 years provided advisors and other users with access to the latest knowledge.

African farmers shall increase production of food products to meet local and international demand.

Agro Food Park together with 11 other companies from Aarhus have signed a climate partnership with Aarhus municipality.

22 entrepreneurs from abroad participating on the course “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” have learnt how to make a good idea, into good business.

Healthier fruit and vegetables and a more environmentally friendly production. That is the objective of a new EU initiative that aims to reduce the risk and effect of pesticides on human health and the environment by using a more efficient spray technique.

How can the individual farmer reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Advisers from the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture have found a definite answer to that question by visiting four farms in Denmark.

A reduction in accidents on the farm and improved well being for foreign workers on Danish farms are the objectives of the new interactive e-learning tool “Safety on the farm” that has been developed by the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture.

The Romanian farmers can learn a great deal about new technologies from Danish agricultural experts.

Some of the many farm buildings that exist today surplus to farm requirements can provide the frame for new companies and initiatives and hereby assist in promoting life in rural areas.

One of the challenges to pig production under organic farming conditions is the lack of amino acids in the feed. Therefore The Knowledge Centre for Agriculture, Organic Farming Department has tested hamp as an alternative fodder with positive results.

In recent years the interest for organic production of biogas has increased significantly.

A clean Baltic Sea and sustainable farming. These are the objectives for Baltic Deal a new international project that the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture is partner in.

The number of farmers that received objections for not looking after sick animals in accordance with regulations has been reduced by 50%, confirming that farmers are taking animal welfare seriously.

Cows on Danish farms have better welfare conditions now than previously. This is confirmed in the report entitled ” Kontrol af Dyrevelfærd i 2008 og 2009” (Control of Animal Welfare in 2008 and 2009), that has recently been published by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.