Tractor Tuesday on Thursday

One has to appreciate that agriculture plays a very important role here as it does in many parts of Bavaria. Much is probably historical as comparatively few are really employed in the "Agro Business" but the farm lobby is one the politicians cannot afford to ignore.

The EVG (Ein- und Verkaufsgenossenschaft - Purchasing and Selling Cooperative) agricultural merchants in Erkheim is the largest in the immediate area but tiny in comparison to BAYWA, a Bavarian-based but Germany wide conglomerate which has several branches nearby.

The EVG is almost a one-stop shop for farmers (incl. forestry) but also for normal consumers. Apart from feed, machinery, fertiliser etc, you can get almost all your DIY hardware & hand tools, your beer, household equipment (fridge, oven), all you need to build a house, do up your garden, toys, clothing, limited food. Almost seems like a relic out of the '60s but what I especially like is that you can often find the small bits and pieces/spare parts to repair things - the trend nowadays is to throw away equipment just because a small washer needs replacement.

Today the EVG was holding a "Green Land" evening on the very edge of the village, to demonstrate the latest farm machinery from their various main suppliers concentrated on grass harvesting, loading and transport. Naturally such an event attracts far more than just farmers and the large marquee, beer, food, music means it becomes a social event.

Have posted more photos on Flickr which show more of the show. I went with Luna and it occurred to me that the big difference to the UK was that we were the only dog/owner pair there. Few farmers have dogs and with the very different makeup of farming, dogs are not generally liked by farmers (and hunters). Luna found the evening boring anyway, the best grass harvesters were notable by their absence - sheep.