Focus on productivity growth and advanced technologies. What has changed in dairy farming since the 90s?

21 February, Minsk . Since the 2000s, Belarus has radically revised its approaches to the development of dairy cattle breeding, focusing on increasing the efficiency of the dairy industry through intensive methods of improving breeding work, strengthening the forage base, and building and reconstructing dairy farms. First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Alexander Lomsky drew attention to this during the Dairy Farm forum in the capital, BELTA reports. It was noted that the state policy aimed at intensifying animal husbandry helps maintain food security in the country and ensure sustainable growth in the export of high-value-added products. In animal husbandry, dairy farming plays a special role in strengthening the agricultural economy. This industry is present in almost every agricultural organization in the country, and its products are the most stable source of financial resources for the farm today.
"In the 70-90s of the last century, dairy farming in agricultural organizations developed due to an increase in the number of cows and a slight increase in their productivity," recalled the first deputy minister. "Starting in 2000, the republic has significantly changed its approaches to the development of dairy farming. From now on, the efficiency of the dairy industry is increased by intensive methods of improving breeding work, strengthening the feed base, building and reconstructing dairy farms, introducing progressive technologies for milk production and raising replacement young animals."
Thanks to the upgrade of production capacities and the introduction of modern technologies, today Belarusian dairy farming is recognized as one of the most efficient and dynamically developing branches of animal husbandry, which is proven by the figures. In terms of production volumes of the main types of livestock products, Belarus is one of the leaders among the post-Soviet states. In our country, 908 kg of milk, 139 kg of meat, 375 eggs are produced per capita. In terms of milk production per capita, Belarusians are even ahead of their fellow livestock breeders from such European countries as the Netherlands, Germany , France , and Great Britain .

The International Forum "Dairy Farm" is considered the leading event of this format for specialists in dairy farming in Belarus. On its platform, the forum brings together heads of farms, veterinarians, livestock specialists and agronomists from different parts of the country. For the convenience of participants and speakers, the organizers this year divided the most relevant topics for the industry into three specialized streams by interest: animal husbandry and reproduction, veterinary science, digitalization and agronomy.