There’s only one event that brings together engineers and representatives from leading equipment manufacturers to foster new connections and combinations in support of improving agriculture equipment operability worldwide: The Agriculture Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) Plugfest.
Held last week in Marienfeld, Germany, the Fall 2025 AEF Plugfest saw hundreds gather at the Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte to assess tractor-implement compatibility between a variety of distinct brands and for the betterment of ag.
“As a proud founding member of AEF and the organization’s secretary, AEM is pleased to support this fantastic, one-of-a-kind event,” said AEM Senior Director of Agricultural Services Austin Gellings. “In addition to providing a forum for assessing tractor-implement connectivity, Plugfest continues to serve as a valuable forum for networking and collaboration on agreed-upon industry solutions.”
For three days, Plugfest participants (that included a range of engineers, software architects, cloud security experts, autonomy, and high-speed experts, among others) from 96 companies came together to not only connect their machines, but also to share ideas and best practices for improving the ag industry and creating the connectivity that equipment users have come to expect.
During Plugfest testing, implement manufacturers in attendance are given the opportunity to connect with tractor manufacturers through a system of rotating tables. Every 45 minutes, implement representatives rotate to a different tractor manufacturer to test ISOBUS compatibility and make adjustments where necessary. Over the course of a few days, each participating organization can engage in testing with one another – all in one place.
Meanwhile, AEF’s ISOBUS database establishes and maintains the compatibility of ag equipment across brands and products, giving farmers more choices for equipment purchases as they look to expand or make new connections with their current fleet. Prior to purchasing new equipment, farmers can check the AEF ISOBUS database to see if and how compatible the new equipment will be with their current equipment.
This year, and for the first time at Plugfest, AgIN’s interoperability environment will be tested in order to identify any remaining issues or necessary adjustments needed in advance of November’s Agritechnica event, where the first use case for sharing machine data will be demonstrated through the display of telemetry data from assets of different brands. Developers from AgIN participant companies will collaborate directly with the AEF AgIN development team, who will offer assistance in setting up sample data and connected platforms, ensuring a stable and effective network.
AEM encourages its members and other agriculture equipment manufacturers to get involved in AEF and participate in Plugfest events.
About AEF
AEF is a global non-profit organization founded to improve cross-manufacturer compatibility in agricultural equipment. Founded in 2008, it includes participation from eight agriculture equipment manufacturers, three associations, and over 300 general members that work together to improve cross-manufacturer compatibility of electronic and electric components in agricultural equipment. For more information, please visit aef-online.org or reach out to AEM’s Austin Gellings at agellings@aem.org.
