Association of German Agricultural Investigation and Research Institutions

The Verband Deutscher Landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten e. V. (VDLUFA) is a German registered association that unites agricultural testing and research institutions, including experimental stations, LUFA (Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten), university and non-university research facilities, state institutes, and private laboratories. Its origins trace back to the "Verband landwirtschaftlicher Versuchs-Stationen im Deutschen Reich," founded in 1888 in Weimar. After World War II, it was re-established in 1948 under its current name. The association is headquartered in Speyer, where the Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Speyer is also located. VDLUFA's core activities encompass applied agricultural research, the analysis of seeds, fertilizers, feed, and soil, and advisory and information services on agricultural topics. Its work is organized into specialist groups (Fachgruppen) covering areas such as soil, fertilizers, seeds, animal nutrition, feed, milk, and analytics. Results are published at the annual VDLUFA Congress, in method books through VDLUFA-Verlag (Darmstadt), and in other formats. The association is also active in standardization, increasingly coordinating with European (CEN) and international bodies such as the International Seed Testing Association and ISO. One of its most notable contributions is the Weender Analysis, standardized in the 19th century by Wilhelm Henneberg and Friedrich Stohmann at the experimental station in Weende, which systematically defined feed analysis methods and is now used worldwide. Since 1954, VDLUFA has awarded the Sprengel-Liebig-Medaille, named after Carl Sprengel and Justus von Liebig, for outstanding achievements in agronomy. The association continues to hold annual congresses, with the 137th VDLUFA Congress scheduled for September 22–25, 2026, in Leipzig under the theme "Stoffkreisläufe im Wandel – Strategien für eine zirkuläre Agrar- und Umweltwirtschaft" (Material Cycles in Transition – Strategies for a Circular Agricultural and Environmental Economy). It also publishes training catalogs, position papers, and conference proceedings, and engages with sponsors and exhibitors from industry and research.

The predecessor of VDLUFA, the "Verband landwirtschaftlicher Versuchs-Stationen im Deutschen Reich" (Association of Agricultural Experimental Stations in the German Reich), was founded in 1888 in Weimar. This early organization brought together experimental stations dedicated to agricultural research and testing. After the Second World War, the association was re-established in 1948 under its current name, Verband Deutscher Landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten e. V. In 1976, Heinz Vetter (born 1924), then director of the Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt des Landkreises Weser-Ems, served as president of the association. The association's seat is in Speyer, where the Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Speyer is located. Over the decades, VDLUFA has expanded its membership to include not only traditional experimental stations and LUFA but also university and non-university research institutions, state institutes, and private laboratories. Its work has been organized into specialist groups (Fachgruppen) covering soil, fertilizers, seeds, animal nutrition, feed, milk, and analytics. A key historical contribution is the Weender Analysis, standardized in the 19th century by Wilhelm Henneberg and Friedrich Stohmann at the experimental station in Weende (now part of Göttingen), which systematically defined feed analysis methods and is now used worldwide. In 1954, the association established the Sprengel-Liebig-Medaille, awarded regularly for merits in agronomy. VDLUFA has also been active in standardization, increasingly shifting to European (CEN) and international (ISTA, ISO) levels, while preparing work in its specialist groups. The annual VDLUFA Congress serves as a major platform for presenting results, with the 137th congress planned for 2026 in Leipzig.

• 2026

  137th VDLUFA Congress scheduled for September 22–25 in Leipzig.

• 1976

  Heinz Vetter served as president of the association.

• 1954

  Sprengel-Liebig-Medaille established.

• 1948

  Re-established under the current name after World War II.

• 1888

  Predecessor association "Verband landwirtschaftlicher Versuchs-Stationen im Deutschen Reich" founded in Weimar.

A scientific and professional association setting standards for agricultural testing and research in Germany, with growing international coordination.

• VDLUFA Method Books

  Published by VDLUFA-Verlag, Darmstadt, these books standardize analytical methods for soil, fertilizers, feed, seeds, and more.

• VDLUFA-Mitteilungen

  Association bulletin published periodically.

• Congress Proceedings

  Proceedings from the annual VDLUFA Congress, such as the 136th congress in Oldenburg.

1. 1Home - VDLUFAvdlufa.de
2. 2Wir über uns - VDLUFAvdlufa.de
3. 3Verband Deutscher Landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Verband deutscher landwirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org