Workshop on improved forage strategies for high yield dairy cows in Vietnam

HCMC – One of the major limitations to increasing milk production on Vietnamese dairy farms is the quantity as well as the quality of roughage. Using good quality forage and grass in the feed ration, a higher milk production per cow can be realized and a more sustainable and competitive dairy farming sector can be created.

Fresh Studio, together with Wageningen UR – Livestock Research and Nong Lam University (Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry) co-organized a two-day workshop to identify the best forage/feeding systems on small and medium dairy farms in Vietnam. Emphasis was placed on options to improve the quantity and quality of the dairy cow’s rations that lead to increased milk production per cow.

The workshop was organized on January 17 and 18, 2013 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and was part of the project “Sustainable Grass and Forage Production for Dairy Development in Vietnam” of Wageningen UR. The workshop consisted of presentations, working group sessions and a field excursion to two dairy farms to learn from practice. Over sixty participants from various organizations (government, processors, feed companies, research institutes, etc.) exchanged knowledge of improved forage strategies, set priorities, and evaluated the most promising systems. In addition, action plans to introduce and promote the most promising options were made.Also interesting to read:

Knapen: Dutch investment boosts fresh milk production in Vietnam

HANOI – ‘I am impressed to see how FrieslandCampina has worked successfully with local farmers to increase the production of fresh milk in Vietnam.’

Locally produced fresh milk now makes up 19% of national milk production,’ international cooperation minister Ben Knapen said yesterday after visiting a model farm and a milk processing plant in southern Vietnam. Both are owned and managed by FrieslandCampina.

Dairy communities
FrieslandCampina aims not only to boost production, but to develop ‘dairy communities’, Mr Knapen was told. Through education and training, the company has already helped 3,000 small farmers meet quality and sustainability standards, and collaborate with arable farmers who produce animal feed. FrieslandCampina organises the collection, processing and distribution of milk throughout Vietnam: from grass to glass – no mean feat in such a large country.

Fresh milk
The average farmer in Vietnam has 10 cows. Farms are generally many hours drive from the nearest milk factory, which supplies some 120,000 shops. Fresh milk is not easy to come by in Vietnam. Three-fourths of all milk products are made from imported raw materials, like milk powder. Demand for fresh milk products far exceeds supply. So FrieslandCampina is working with Heus, Wageningen University and Fresh Studios to increase fresh milk production by setting up ‘dairy development zones’.

From aid to trade
Mr Knapen’s visit to FrieslandCampina concluded his visit to Vietnam. He was interested in how the shift from aid to trade is being made. The Netherlands will end its bilateral development relationship with Vietnam at the end of this year (which year?), in favor of an economic relationship built on the knowledge and experience gained from development co-operation, and the expertise of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

At the end of his visit, Mr Knapen flew to Tokyo where he will attend the World Bank Group’s annual meeting.

Source: www.rijksoverheid.nlAlso interesting to read:

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