Dália Alimentos Sparks Debate on Future of Dairy Farming

Dália Alimentos, a cooperative based in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has initiated a significant discussion concerning the future of dairy farming. This comes amidst a trend where small-scale producers are exiting the industry. The cooperative’s executive president, Carlos Alberto de Figueiredo Freitas, highlighted several challenges affecting the sector, including elevated tax burdens, high interest rates, rising production costs, and limited technology adoption.

In response to these challenges, Dália Alimentos organized the Dália +100 event, which was open to both cooperative members and the general public. The event aimed to broaden the discussion on dairy farming’s sustainability. It included a series of talks focusing on income generation and ensuring the continuity of dairy production.

The event featured a keynote by agronomist Wagner Beskow titled “Knowledge and Actions for Income, Growth, and Continuity in Dairy Farming.” This was followed by a presentation on family succession by Cilotér Borges Iribarrem, a director and consultant in governance and family succession, emphasizing the importance of generational continuity in farming.

The afternoon sessions dealt with market prospects, with Marcelo Pereira de Carvalho, CEO of AgriPoint, discussing “The Future of the Dairy Market.” The event concluded with a presentation by agronomist Diego Langwinski on “The Future Resides in the Countryside – Dairy of the Future.”

The series of discussions underscored the importance of addressing income, succession, market, and future perspectives in the dairy sector. These topics are critical as they influence decisions on continuing or exiting dairy production.

The Dália +100 event took place on July 8 at the Sicredi Região dos Vales auditorium in Encantado, offering a platform for industry professionals to discuss the cooperative’s approach to these challenges and its priorities for the sector’s future.