Experts discuss farming risks, opportunities and growth points

As part of the AGROS 2024 EXPO, VIC Group organized a panel discussion called “Modern approaches to farm management: risks, opportunities, potential growth points”. Industry experts addressed topical issues.

Alexey Voronin, Director of the Analytical Department of Soyuzmoloko, delivered an analytical report “Development of the dairy industry, new challenges”. He said dairy market development was mainly driven by growing consumption of dairy products – up 1.5 million tonnes or +5% compared to 2022. This growth was prompted by an increase in household incomes and the fairly moderate dynamics of dairy product final prices. The second driver was an increase in exports, which were up 18%.

“The main contribution to the increase in export supplies was made by dry dairy products, with supplies going up six-fold owing to the sale of company stocks. The main consumers of Russian dairy products are not only CIS but also other countries”, Voronin stressed. The growth trend in these two areas is set to continue in 2024. An important challenge for producers will be the need to maintain the volume and pace of raw milk production, which is essential for meeting domestic demand and boosting exports.

Ilnur Khalitov, Deputy Head of Ashkadarsky JV, spoke about his strategy for attracting staff to the farm and the conditions for retaining employees. Thanks to a comprehensive approach, the staff issue at the farm has been more than 90% resolved.

Mikhail Aksenchik, Head of the Technological Department of VET Union, talked about the company’s creation and development, the importance of outsourcing and quick diagnostics in two hours. VET Union is a division of Invitro, which focuses on small domestic and farm animals.

Maria Alyavdina, Head of Veterinary Service, Livestock Distribution Development Department, VIC Group, presented the Group’s partnership programmes, elaborating on specific aspects of technical support and support for farmers.

Alexey Semenov, Director of the Nadezhdinsky dairy complex, shared the secrets of how to develop an enterprise with the biggest number of small ruminants in Russia. The two farms now have more than 5,000 head, with plans to increase the number to 8,400. Nadezhdinsky is also the country’s biggest reproducer, with its state-of-the-art equipment and efficient breeding technologies. There are plans to start building a milk-to-dry processing plant soon. According to the expert, the quality of livestock and the reputation of the enterprise depend primarily on veterinary care.