The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF), a global non-profit organization founded to improve cross-manufacturer compatibility in agricultural equipment, will hold its annual Spring Plugest at the Westin in Milwaukee, March 16-18. The event brings together technical teams from competing manufacturers to test, validate and prove industry-wide interoperability across machines and platforms.
The AEF Plugfest provides an opportunity for precision ag software engineers to temporarily put aside competition and test the cross-brand interoperability of their ISOBUS products. The event has grown from attendance by a handful of engineers in 2001, to today where hundreds of the leading interoperability experts meet twice a year to test and correct ISOBUS compatibility between their devices.
As the agricultural industry becomes increasingly data driven and connected, interoperability is extending beyond tractors and implements to include cloud-based platforms and shared operating environments.
“The agriculture industry is evolving into a connected digital ecosystem, where interoperability and interconnectedness involves not only machines, but also platforms and data,” said Norbert Schlingmann, General Manager, AEF. “The Plugfest event helps the industry to prove interoperability in practice so equipment works reliably in the field, while also coordinating a shared digital ecosystem for future innovation.”
Over the course of three days, engineers will test their ISOBUS products for compatibility with those from their competitors in a speed-dating like fashion, performing up to dozens of different tests in 45-60 minute timeslots to see what works the first time, and sometimes where improvements are needed to ensure compatibility on the ISOBUS.
“Side-by-side testing allows companies to identify inconsistencies and resolve compatibility issues,” said Schlingmann. “There are also opportunities to engage with emerging technologies like High Speed ISOBUS, digital camera communication, and other advanced in-machine capabilities.”
In addition to ISOBUS compatibility testing, the spring Plugfest will feature a “High Speed ISOBUS (HSI) Discovery Station,” where displays, electronic control units and switches from multiple manufacturers will be connected as software engineers test whether their components are discoverable on the new HSI architecture. Led by HSI project lead and John Deere Fellow David Smart, the hands-on opportunity will allow for the exploration of higher-bandwidth communication architecture designed to support future applications where performance and reliability are crucial, such as platform coordination, autonomy and wireless infield communication.
AEF Plugfests have grown to be biannual events held in the United States and Europe, attracting hundreds of attendees and participants, including AEF member companies AGCO, CNH, CLAAS, John Deere, Kubota, KUHN, and SAME DEUTZ-FAHR, among others.
Participants who plan to test their ISOBUS equipment must register before March 1st. AEF membership is required for participant registration and applies to anyone who is directly or indirectly involved with testing activities. Visitor registration is available to those who are observing the AEF activities and are not involved in testing activities. Visitor registrations will be accepted through March 18th. To register for the event, please visit: Spring Plugfest 2026 - AEF Online.
