Estonia Achieves Record-Breaking Milk Production, Second Only to Denmark in EU
Source: The DairyNews
According to a recent report by the European Commission, Estonia's dairy cattle production indicators are among the highest in the European Union, with milk quantity per cow second only to Denmark. In 2023, Estonian milk production increased by 5% compared to the previous year, setting a 31-year record. The highest yields were reported fr om farms in Põlva County and Järva County, wh ere performance-tested herds exceeded 11,000 kilograms per cow annually.
Tanel-Taavi Bulitko, head of the Estonian Breeding Association, attributed this success to the long-term efforts of dairy producers and farmers, as well as advancements in breeding, high-quality feed, modern farms, and new technologies. "Estonia has all the prerequisites for producing milk because we have excellent grasslands, and if feed production succeeds, this can be achieved. Today, we can indeed say that most Estonian dairy producers and herds are at the absolute top in Europe," said Bulitko.
Kaska-Luiga Farm in Põlgase, Põlva County, is home to some of the highest milk-producing cows in Estonia. Avo Kruusla, the farm's manager, emphasized the importance of good living conditions for cows and a continued focus on breeding. "I have always said that our breeding is centuries-long; it was started by our ancestors, maintaining pedigree books and collecting data. With joining the European Union and interacting with the outside world, we have significantly improved the genetic potential of our herds, and this is purely due to breeding," Kruusla explained.
This remarkable achievement underscores Estonia's commitment to excellence in dairy production and highlights the country's potential to compete at the highest levels within the European Union.
Kaska-Luiga Farm in Põlgase, Põlva County, is home to some of the highest milk-producing cows in Estonia. Avo Kruusla, the farm's manager, emphasized the importance of good living conditions for cows and a continued focus on breeding. "I have always said that our breeding is centuries-long; it was started by our ancestors, maintaining pedigree books and collecting data. With joining the European Union and interacting with the outside world, we have significantly improved the genetic potential of our herds, and this is purely due to breeding," Kruusla explained.
This remarkable achievement underscores Estonia's commitment to excellence in dairy production and highlights the country's potential to compete at the highest levels within the European Union.
