Relive the magic and excitement of the WSRC11!​

World Soybean Research Conference 11 (WSRC11) 18 – 23 June

World Soybean Research Conference 11 recently took place in Vienna from June 18 – 23, and we are happy to look back on the successful event. We want to thank everyone who participated and helped make this conference such a successful meeting of science, agriculture, retail and more!

For the first time in the history of the WSRC series, this edition took place in Europe. Under the theme “Soybean research for sustainable development”, the World Soybean Research Conference 11 brought together over 700 international participants from 51 countries including representatives from government, research and academia, extension and education, NGOs, private sectors, and resource partners. The opening ceremony of the conference was opened by the Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Minister Norbert Totschnig, and the Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Austria, Minister Leonore Gewessler. Mr Jingyuan Xia, Director of FAO Plant Production and Protection Division, and Istvan Rajcan, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada held a keynote presentation. We are very happy about the involvement of the FAO, since this demonstrated the global importance of the event.

The programme included plenary sessions on Soybean research for sustainable development; European Soybean; Soybean in agricultural systems; and regional soybean reports as well as many scientific parallel sessions and workshops. Around 250 poster presentations expanded the programme where latest scientific findings were presented and from which the young scientists award candidates were chosen. The exhibition brought together companies and organisations from various fields and in the Donau Soja umbrella booth, Donau Soja members had the possibility to present the European sector to the global audience.The conference topics ranged from Soybean Genetics, Genomics, Breeding & Biotechnology; Soybean Weeds, Diseases, Pests and their Management; Agronomy, Physiology & Agrotechnology to Soybean Food, Feed & Nutrition.

 

Night of European Soy

A clear highlight of the conference was the “Night of European Soy” in Weltmuseum Wien, which celebrated the growth and diversity of Europe’s soya-based food market. 26 European producers showcased the versatility of soya and the delicious products made from it. Over 200 participants were able to wander through the beautiful museum and try the different specialties. Our sincere appreciation goes to all exhibitors who made this “soy-licious” night possible with their contributions in presenting their products.

The following exhibitors took part in the “Night of European Soy”:

ADM-Wild Europe, Meat Alternatives & Meat Extension LANDGARTEN – organic snacks
TAIFUN TOFU – organic & vegan tofuspecialities LUVI Fermente – organic soy-sauce and miso
TREIBER TOFU – traditional asiatic tofuspecialities MANUFABA – organic tofu from Seewinkel
SOY CONSULTANT, Edamame MONA-Naturprodukte, Sojadrinks und Desserts
OJAH – producer of Plenti NUGENIS, soy-powder high in spermidine
LA SANFERMESE, sustainable ingredients REISETBAUER & TRETTL – organic soy-sauce
ARDO Austria Frost – Edamame SOJAREI Vollwertkost, organic tofu and specialities
EVERGREEN – organic tofu and sprouts VFI-Oils for Life – soya-oil
FARMENTO – organic tempeh and natto SC INEDIT Veggie Foods
FERMENTUM – organic miso from Vienna LUYA Foods – okara & chickpeas
GB FOOD – Goldblatt organic pates ALFA BIO Lunter, tofu and spezialities
GENUSSKOARL – organic soy-sauce and miso TOFU CATALÁN, tradicion artesanal tofu japonés
HANDL Tyrol – veggie Snacks SOYKA, fresh m*lk products / organic

Collaborative member booth

Attendees had the opportunity to exchange information with over 30 exhibitors on site about the newest innovations in the soybean community. The focal point of the exhibition hall was the Donau Soja Booth, under which our members represented the vision of more sustainable agricultural procedures and food possibilities in Euro.

Booth participants:

Verein Soja aus Österreich UFOP e.V. & Sojaförderring
Haziak SAS BISO GmbH
Raiffeisen Ware Austria AG Saatzucht Donau
EST GmbH Saphium Biotechnology GmbH
Farmet a.S. Valibiotics AG & Nourivit Technologies GmbH
GrainSense Oy & Biofor System d.o.o. Grim Management Services B.V.
Agrifutur SRL Soyconsultant
Soia Italia Association Daymsa
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Someno’s TOFU Co.Ltd

Gala evening

On Thursday, 22 June the gala evening was held in the Vienna City Hall and gave ample opportunity for participants to broaden social networks and friendships in the breathtaking ambience. Young Scientist awards, and Lifetime Achievement Awards were granted and the location for the next WSRC12 was announced as Rosario, Argentina.

Find more pictures from the WSRC11 here:

Watch a highlight video of the conference here:

Media snippets

We are very happy that the WSRC11 in Vienna created quite the international media buzz! So far there have been a total of 165 articles in print media, online, on TV as well as on the radio – but we expect additional coverage to follow in the coming weeks!
Find some highlights of the media coverage here: