Today’s Events Meaning Present. Dairy Olympics Guiding into Future!
Mr Sergey Bluma, OOO Agromilk General Manager (Vologda Oblast, Russia). Head of GK Kontinental to the DairyNews on his experience of being a regular Dairy Olympics conference-goer and the potential of the event to transform international dairy industry markets.
Mr Bluma, the upcoming Olympics will become your number what, also with you as a speaker in? What have you addressed in your presentations?
– For the last six or seven years I have been a part of the Olympics, the previous three years – as a speaker. My main agenda comprises genetics and digitalization. My take on them is that they are the niches facilitating the shifts in our industry strategically.
We see a series of various dairy shows and events nowadays. What makes the Dairy Olympics the event one should attend, in your opinion?
– What makes the Dairy Olympics stand out for me: it is a platform for milk producers, processors, officials, and equipment suppliers, who provide technical solutions for the industry. Thus, we find ourselves in front of a widest horizon for communication with professionals in all the segments. Let’s say, I am a milk producer who looks to maintain a stable and high price for the raw material, and I happen to not understand processors’ concerns. Of those they can relate during the Dairy Olympics making them clear, which accordingly simplifies mutual understanding, for example, while signing a contract. Besides, the Dairy Olympics brings the new trends to the table whereas others are focused on the present, on where it ‘hurts’. Unlike them, the Dairy Olympics makes the expert opinions on the trends loud, it matters.
What are your expectations of the visit to Uzbekistan?
– Honestly, even the opportunity to go and visit those places I have heard so much about, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, and have never been to is what I am looking forward to doing. It will be interesting to see how animal breeders work there in the local climate so different from the climate in Russia. We do have hot months in Russia, though, even to the north of the country. We had the temperature in cow barns up to 30 degrees Celsius in summer in our Kirov region! How animals are kept and taken care of during heat in Uzbekistan and how the approach is applicable in our farms is what I would like to learn.
What can Russian milk producers and dairy market professionals share with their fellow colleagues in Uzbekistan?
– I am not sure I know the answer since I have not been to Uzbekistan. In Kazakhstan during the Dairy Olympics I visited the farms so I can share my impressions: Russian milk production technology is significantly advanced and maintains a very high level. Our leading dairy farms, both large and middle-sized, run the complexes with state-of-the-art management tools. The professionals have a profound understanding of animal physiology which enabled us to outperform many European farms. In Kazakhstan I noticed they still need to draw level with us. It might be due to smaller numbers of cows, lower competition, fewer experts. On the other hand, 10 years back who had any idea about livestock farming in Udmurtia (Russia)? It is now a flagship region in animal farming, investment flowing in and professionals coming to stay! I believe events like the Dairy Olympics can help Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan make a difference in dairy.
A shot in the arm from you for those who still are in doubts about whether they should visit the Dairy Olympics in Uzbekistan
– Think three years ago; who might have imagined the pandemic, the travel restrictions, worldwide included? Think one year back; who could have possibly imagined the Russians would struggle to go to places? As long as we have the opportunity to visit Uzbekistan we need to use it, to witness things, talk to colleagues, this is first. Second, the Dairy Olympics brings together so many experts like no other event. It is beyond precious to be able to see those people in person, learn their opinions, and expertise. And last but not least I mentioned the opportunity to see Uzbekistan, its cities, cultural and historical heritage.