28th EGF General Meeting 2020

EGF2020

“Meeting the future demands for grassland production”

The 28th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation was hosted by Finland and was dedicated to the challenges that society and environmental constrains have continued to bring forward, such as mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, improving carbon sequestration and nutrient use efficiency, and finding measures to improve biodiversity in grassland-based systems.

The conference on “Meeting the future demands for grassland production” was structured in five sessions:

  1. Crop physiology, plant breeding and nutrient utilisation;
  2. Grasses in animal nutrition;
  3. Grasslands and environment;
  4. Novel technologies in farm management and economy; and
  5. Knowledge transfer and consumer perceptions.

Virtual conference – a great success
The 28th EGF General Meeting 2020 for the first time in EGF history took place virtually. The online conference arranged by the University of Helsinki, Finland, attracted and impressed more than 360 delegates from 28 different countries. Organising such a congress in such a perfect way is a major task that requires solid scientific and technical know-how and appropriate facilities.

Despite the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic the 28th General Meeting provided novel insights for grassland science and stimulated fruitful discussions and networking. The 28th EGF General Meeting 2020 was a great success, scientifically, technically and socially. Regarding the form EGF2020 was also a pioneering master achievement for the future.

Congratulations and thanks
The European Grassland Federation EGF congratulates and thanks Dr Mervi Seppänen (Chairperson), Dr Marketta Rinne, Dr Perttu Virkajärvi, and all their colleagues who were involved in the organisation of the 28th EGF General Meeting 2020. In addition, a special thank is to be addressed to the important generous sponsors and supporters.

Outcome of the conference
After the most interesting sessions and exciting virtual tours, the participants in EGF2020 will retain excellent proceedings and pleasant thoughts and impressions of Finland.

  • The Proceedings of the 28th EGF General Meetings 2020 (Grassland Science in Europe, vol. 25) can be downloaded for free from here.
  • A summary of the 28th EGF General Meeting by Dr Perttu Virkajärvi (Finland) will be avalable soon.