The IFMA 2025 pre-congress itinerary

• Sunday, February 15th, 2026

  Welcome to Buenos Aires!

  Your journey into the heart of Argentine agriculture begins the moment you touch down. Welcome to the vibrant, cosmopolitan capital of Argentina, a city where rich European heritage and passionate Latin American spirit collide in a captivating display of grand architecture, bustling boulevards, and hidden cobblestone streets.

  We are delighted to welcome you to the official starting point of our IFMA25 Pre-Congress Tour.

  Upon your arrival in Buenos Aires a Laurik International representative will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals hall. From there, you will be escorted for a comfortable and seamless transfer to our centrally located group hotel.

  After checking in, the afternoon is yours to relax and acclimate. You may wish to rest after your long journey, take a stroll through the elegant neighbourhood surrounding the hotel, or simply find a classic café to enjoy your first taste of Argentine coffee.

  In the early evening, the entire group will convene for our official Welcome Briefing. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow delegates from around the world, get acquainted with your tour leader, Hendrik Jordaan, and receive a detailed overview of the exciting week ahead.

  Following the briefing, we will enjoy our first dinner together at a carefully selected Buenos Aires restaurant, sharing stories and anticipation for the incredible journey into the Pampas that awaits. It’s the perfect start to a week of learning, networking, and discovery.

• Monday, February 16th 2026

  The Pampas Beckon

  

  Morning (8:00 AM): Our adventure begins. We depart from our hotel in Buenos Aires in a comfortable, modern coach.
  As we leave the city behind, our onboard expert—a local agronomist—will provide an overview of the Pampas region, its history, and its critical role in global food production, setting the stage for the week ahead.

  Lunch (1:00 PM): We will stop in the town of Alberti for a traditional lunch at “La Embajada,” a classic roadside restaurant known for its authentic local cuisine. This is our first opportunity sample the flavors of the Argentinian Pampas.

  Afternoon (2:30 PM): Our first technical visit takes us to a progressive mixed-production farm near Coronel Seguí. Here, we will see the practical integration of crop and cattle operations, a hallmark of the Pampas system. This visit is designed to provide a foundational understanding of the production environment, land management strategies, and the business mindset of local producers.

  Evening (6:00 PM): We arrive in the city of Trenque Lauquen, our operational base for the next four nights. We will check into the Howard Johnson Hotel, ensuring a comfortable stay without the need for daily packing and unpacking. The evening is capped off with a group welcome dinner at the hotel, providing a relaxed atmosphere for networking and discussing the day’s insights.

• Tuesday, February 17th 2026

  The Technology Frontier

  

  Morning (9:00 AM): Today’s headline visit takes us to the Establecimiento San Silvestre, a state-of-the-art robotic dairy farm. This is a prime example of “Empowering the Future of Agriculture” in action. We will see how automated milking systems, data-driven herd management, and a focus on animal comfort and welfare (a key component of compassionate farming) are revolutionizing efficiency and productivity. This visit will be invaluable for producers considering automation, researchers interested in agricultural data, and advisors focused on sustainable intensification. We will be joined by a representative from INTA (National Agricultural Technology Institute) to discuss the public-private research collaboration at the facility.

  Lunch (1:00 PM): We will enjoy lunch hosted at a local farm, providing an opportunity for informal conversation with our hosts.

  Afternoon (3:00 PM): We shift our focus to the critical ecosystem of agricultural services with a visit to Argentinagro SRL, a leading local contractor. We will explore their fleet of modern machinery and discuss the business model of agricultural contracting, a vital component of the Argentine system. A highlight will be a demonstration of their drone technology for crop monitoring and application, showcasing how precision agriculture is being implemented at the field level.

  Evening: Free evening in Trenque Lauquen to relax or explore the town at your leisure.

• Wednesday, February 18th 2026

  The Beef Value Chain

  

  Morning (9:00 AM): We travel approximately 70km to the town of América to visit the Agricultural Innovation Center. This stop will provide insights into local research and extension services, connecting the dots between scientific advancement and on-farm application. It’s a perfect opportunity for the educators and advisors in our group to engage with their local counterparts.

  Lunch (12:30 PM): Lunch will be held in a restaurant near América.

  Afternoon (2:30 PM): We delve into the heart of the beef industry with a visit to a large-scale feedlot near San Mauricio. Here, we will discuss animal nutrition, health protocols, market logistics, and the economic drivers of the finishing stage of beef production. This visit will offer a comprehensive view of the scale and sophistication of the sector, providing valuable context for understanding Argentina’s role as a major global beef exporter.

  Evening (6:00 PM): We return to the Howard Johnson in Trenque Lauquen. We will host a special group dinner, inviting our hosts from the week’s visits to join us for a final evening of conversation and networking.

• Thursday, February 19th 2026

  Value-Adding and Natural Wonders

  

  Morning (8:30 AM): We depart for a day trip, first traveling to 30 de Agosto to visit a family-run dairy farm that focuses on cheese production, demonstrating a clear example of on-farm value-adding.

  Lunch (1:00 PM): Lunch in the town of Carhué.

  Afternoon (2:30 PM): We visit a local flour mill in Carhué, tracing the path of wheat from the field to a key food ingredient. This provides a crucial perspective on the agro-industrial chain. Following the technical visit, we will take a short trip to the remarkable ruins of Lago Epecuén, a former tourist town submerged by a flood and now re-emerged as a surreal, salt-encrusted landscape. This unique stop offers a memorable cultural and historical experience.

  Evening: We return to Trenque Lauquen for our fourth and final overnight stay at the Howard Johnson Hotel. This extended stay at our central base ensures maximum comfort and minimizes travel fatigue.

• Friday, February 20th 2026

  The Journey to the Grain Capital

  

  Morning (9:00 AM): We check out of our hotel in Trenque Lauquen and begin our travel day towards Rosario. The journey itself is an educational experience, as our onboard expert will provide commentary on the changing landscapes, cropping systems, and the vast logistical network of silos and transport that defines the region.

  Afternoon (1:00 PM): We will break our journey with a visit to a large agricultural machinery dealership and service center. This stop will highlight the technology and capital investment required to operate at scale in the Pampas and will be of high interest to producers and agribusiness professionals. We will have lunch here and a tour of the facilities.

  Evening: We arrive in the city of Venado Tuerto for our final overnight stay before Rosario. Group dinner at the hotel.

• Saturday, February 21st 2026

  Arrival in Rosario

  

  Morning (9:00 AM): We complete the final leg of our journey to Rosario, the hub of Argentina’s grain export industry and the host city for IFMA25.

  Afternoon (12:00 PM): We arrive at the designated congress hotels in Rosario. The formal tour concludes upon arrival, giving you the afternoon to check in, relax, and explore the city at your own pace. Your tour guide will be on hand to provide recommendations for sightseeing and dining.

• Sunday, February 22nd 2026

  Congress Commences

  

  This day is yours to enjoy. You can explore the historic riverfront of Rosario, visit its famous monuments, or simply relax before the week ahead. In the afternoon, you will proceed with the official IFMA25 registration, followed by the Evening Welcome Reception, where we will reconnect with fellow tour participants and meet delegates from around the world.

  The main sessions of the 25th International Farm Management Congress begin on the morning of Monday, February 23rd.