AEF Plugfest: Interoperability in Action to Improve Farming Operations Worldwide

TheAgricultureIndustryElectronics Foundation(AEF)'s largest-everPlugfestwas buzzing with excitement as new connectionsand combinations were made in support of improvingagricultureequipmentinteroperability to simplifyfarming operations worldwide.

Held in Bologna, Italy, Sept.16 - 20,the fall Plugfestbroke records, withmorethan 360engineers and representatives from more than 90leading agriculture equipment manufacturerscomingtogether to test the compatibility of their ISOBUS products, working alongside their competitors for the betterment of the agriculture industry. The three-dayPlugfestevent was thelargest interoperability interaction across brands,with more than 3,000 tests performedby manufacturers of tractors, implements,and displays.

"At this year's Plugfestin Bologna, more than 360 people joinedto test ISOBUS equipment," said Norbert Schlingmann, AEF general manager. "Participants include the whole range of engineers, from software architectstocloud securityexperts toautonomy andhigh-speedexperts, who came together to not only connect their machines, but to share ideasfor improvingthe agriculture industryand creating the connectivity that farmers have come to expect."

AEF is a global non-profit organization founded to improve cross-manufacturer compatibility in agricultural equipment. The organizationhosts biannualPlugfestevents each year, onein Europe andthe other in North America,togivemanufacturersthe opportunity to test the compatibility of tractors with implements.

Each Plugfestis organized to give implement manufacturers the opportunity to connect with tractor manufacturers through a system of rotating tables. Every 30 minutes, implement representatives rotate to a different tractor manufacturer to test compatibilityand adjustas needed.

"The whole idea about Plugfestis that in threedays, participantscan test compatibility with multiple manufacturersall in one location," said Andrew Olliver, AEF chairmanand global precision technology partner managerfor CHN Industrial."Representatives from tractor manufacturers work directly with the representatives oftheimplements to test the interoperability of their electronics systems."

At this event, representatives from 64 implement manufacturersparticipated, including those that manufacture the following:

• Mowers/rakes
• Planters
• Seeders
• Liquid fertilizer controllers
• Sprayers
• Spreaders
• Potato harvesters
• Front loaders
• Silage trailers
• Large square balers
• Variable chamber round balers

AEF was founded in 2008 and includes participation from eight agriculture equipment manufacturers, three associations,and over 300 general members that work together toimprove cross-manufacturer compatibility of electronic and electric components in agricultural equipment.AEF's ISOBUS databaseestablishes and maintainsthe compatibility of agriculture equipment across brands and products, giving farmers more choices for equipment purchasesas they look to expand or make new connections with their current fleet. Prior to purchasingnew equipment, farmers can check the AEF ISOBUS database to see if and how compatible the new equipment will be with their current equipment.

"It's important for Kubota to be here at theEuropean Plugfest,because we believein the interoperability of our systems," said Peter van der Vlugt, managing director - InnovationCenter Europe for Kubota Holdings Europe. "Any implements that we produce are not only sold with Kubota tractors, but theyare also sold in Europe with other brand tractors so farmers can determine what kind of machinery they operate."

"It is very importantto join forces as a total industry to work on interoperability, and Plugfestis a means to test yourinteroperability to other manufacturers. So,it is key that other manufacturers should come so we can grow Plugfestto an event for the whole industry,"continued van der Vlugt.

AEM is a proud founding member of AEF andserves as the organization's secretary,representingNorth Americaand helpingensure interoperability of equipment around the world.Back in 2007, AEM recognized the need for a dedicated organization to lead agriculture equipment interoperabilityand helped support the establishment of AEF.

"AEM's focuswith AEF is to represent theneeds of North American agriculture, which includes looking out for the needs of manufacturers and farmers alike," said Austin Gellings, AEM's director of agriculture servicesand AEF secretary."And Plugfestserves as the ideal opportunity for engineers representing machines of multiple colors to work together across competitive lines in support of the broader industry."

"I grew up on my family's farm, and there is a shift happening in North America where we are seeing more farmers look toownmore brands of equipment and having mixed fleets, which is why interoperability is so important. Farmers want more options and equipment availability to do what they need to do and purchasetools based on what is best for their farm," continued Gellings.

AEF encourages AEM members and agriculture equipment manufacturers to get involved in AEF and participatein Plugfestevents.

"For AGCO it is very important to be involved in AEFbecause AGCO is a multi-brand company and we need to be interoperable inside AGCO as well, and it is in our nature to connect with companies and bring everyone together in support of our customers who would like mixed fleets," said Adrian Hackfort, AGCO director, product management onboardelectronics & fuse."Interoperability is important for every participantin the agricultural landscape, and it is important to join AEF and the Plugfestto learn from each other, participate in working groups, be part of guidelines and new standards that help shape the future of our industry."

Check out a video recap of the AEF Plugfest below, or watch it here: