In the heart of Germany, the Agriculture Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) Plugfest took place last week, serving as a unique nexus for engineers and representatives from leading equipment manufacturers. The Fall 2025 event, held at the Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte in Marienfeld, brought together a diverse group of professionals to foster connections and enhance the operability of agricultural equipment worldwide.
The AEF Plugfest is an unparalleled event that provides a platform for assessing tractor-implement compatibility across various brands. Austin Gellings, AEM Senior Director of Agricultural Services, expressed his organization’s pride in being a founding member of AEF and their support for the event. He emphasized that Plugfest not only facilitates the assessment of tractor-implement connectivity but also serves as a valuable forum for networking and collaboration on industry solutions.
Over three days, participants from 96 companies, including engineers, software architects, cloud security experts, and autonomy and high-speed specialists, gathered to connect their machines and share ideas. The event’s structured format allowed implement manufacturers to rotate between tractor manufacturers every 45 minutes, testing ISOBUS compatibility and making necessary adjustments. This efficient setup ensures that each participating organization can engage in comprehensive testing with one another in a single location.
The AEF’s ISOBUS database plays a crucial role in maintaining the compatibility of agricultural equipment across different brands and products. This resource empowers farmers with more choices when purchasing new equipment, enabling them to check compatibility with their existing fleet before making a decision.
This year’s Plugfest marked a significant milestone with the first test of AgIN’s interoperability environment. This initiative aims to identify any remaining issues or necessary adjustments before the Agritechnica event in November, where the first use case for sharing machine data will be demonstrated. Developers from AgIN participant companies will collaborate directly with the AEF AgIN development team to ensure a stable and effective network.
The AEM encourages its members and other agriculture equipment manufacturers to engage with AEF and participate in Plugfest events. By fostering collaboration and innovation, these gatherings contribute to the continuous improvement of agricultural equipment and the advancement of the industry as a whole. The insights and connections forged at the AEF Plugfest are instrumental in driving progress and meeting the evolving needs of farmers worldwide.