Glynllifon students visit leading livestock trade fair EuroTier
Agriculture and engineering learners travelled to Germany to see the latest developments in the sector, also taking in some of the country’s historic landmarks
Coleg Glynllifon students recently visited EuroTier, one of the world's biggest trade fairs for livestock farming and livestock management.
Agriculture and engineering learners travelled to Hanover in Germany for the fair, where they observed the latest developments in the sector.
While in Germany they also visited the factory of combine harvester manufacturer CLAAS.
Esmor Hughes, engineering lecturer at Glynllifon, said: “EuroTier is a global platform for companies and traders to show innovation in the farm animal industry, giving a complete overview of innovations, solutions and established standards for the industry.
“In the show there are sections for cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and goats. The students spent a whole day in the show, and had the opportunity to question and observe the latest technological developments in livestock handling systems, breeds, health and nutrition and buildings, as well as feeding and handling machines.
“There was also a section on sustainable energy production from farms, giving students diversification ideas.”
Of the trip to the CLAAS factory in Harsewinkel, Esmor said: “This was an excellent opportunity for the students to visit one of the world's leading manufacturers of harvesting machines and agricultural tractors.
“They visited a museum and a show building and saw a presentation to the company, while the highlight of the visit was being able to visit the combine harvester production line, where they saw how the machines came together from start to finish.
“The tour of the production line started with the combine frame being fabricated with a robotic welder, being cleaned and washed and then painted. They then saw the machines, weighing up to 25 tons each, coming together easily and efficiently.
“The factory had recently been renovated, and many tasks that would have historically been completed by humans had been automated and were being completed by robots.”
While in Germany, students also enjoyed cultural activities, visiting the cities of Bielefeld, Cologne and Berlin. In the capital, they took in world-famous landmarks such as the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, and saw part of the historic Berlin wall.
Esmor added: “It was also a great opportunity for the students to experience the food and culture of another country. The experience will certainly enhance their development and their confidence to travel in the future, and it most certainly enriched their knowledge and updated them on what is current in the agricultural industry.”
Coleg Glynllifon is a land-based campus with residential facilities, situated on the Glynllifon Estate near Caernarfon. The Glynllifon farm extends to 300 hectares and is a perfect environment for studying countryside management and agricultural studies. To learn more about the courses on offer, click here.