Rethinking High-Yield Dairy Goals: The Yalama Agropark Experience in Azerbaijan

Mr. Mailov, in June the participants of the DairyRally will visit your farm. What do you expect from this meeting?

— It is a great honor for Yalama Agropark to host the DairyRally participants. This is a wonderful opportunity not only to showcase the daily life of a modern agricultural enterprise in Azerbaijan, but also to establish valuable connections with colleagues from different countries. We look forward to open dialogue, knowledge exchange, and possibly even the beginning of new joint projects.

Rauf, you are originally from Azerbaijan, but spent a significant part of your life abroad?

— That’s right. I spent the first 20 years of my life in Azerbaijan, and then another 20 in Germany. I studied at the Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences, worked as a research associate in Munich, and later consulted dairy farms in 16 countries. But about a year and a half ago, I made the decision to return. The holding company I had been working with since 2016 offered me the opportunity to lead their livestock cluster. It didn’t take me long to accept.

Was it difficult to come back?

— Emotionally, it wasn’t easy. At first, my family stayed in Germany. But now we are all here. For me, it’s truly a return home. I know this country, I know the industry, and I understand how to apply the international experience I’ve gained.

What is the structure of your livestock cluster?

— We operate four agricultural enterprises. Two of them work with Holstein cattle — focused solely on milk production. One facility houses Simmental cows — producing both milk and beef. The fourth is a heifer rearing center. We raise heifers centrally and return them to the production farms about two months before calving.

Was the Yalama complex the very first one?

— Yes, it was the first agropark built in Azerbaijan. It houses 3,500 head of cattle, including 1,200 milking cows. Today, it is operating at 97% capacity. There’s no room for physical expansion at this site — on one side we border Russia, on the other, the Caspian Sea. But we are planning to expand in other regions.

How has productivity changed over the past nine years?

— We started with imported heifers from Germany and Austria. They were not of the best quality. But now we’re on the third generation — animals bred and raised locally. And we’re seeing excellent results: our Simmentals are producing 8,500 liters per cow, which is even higher than the averages in Germany.

Have you imported any cattle since then?

— Not a single animal since 2016. Everything is from our own reproduction program. In fact, we’ve sold as many heifers as we currently have in the herd. That’s a significant part of our profits.

What factors have allowed you to achieve such efficiency?

— We don’t chase volume for the sake of volume. We measure lifetime efficiency: how many liters a cow produces per day of life — not just during lactation. For Simmentals, it’s 14 liters; for Holsteins, 16. We’re not aiming for 40 liters per day — that path leads to rapid culling.

Do you produce your own feed?

— Almost everything. Azerbaijan has a unique climate — 9 out of the world's 11 climate zones. We grow corn (two harvests per year), alfalfa (up to seven cuts), barley, and soybeans — all under irrigation. We don’t chase tonnage; instead, we calculate megajoules per hectare. For example, we harvest corn higher up the stalk to avoid contaminated parts. The only things we buy are rapeseed and sunflower meal, vitamins, and minerals.

What type of feeding system do you use?

— Group feeding, either twice or three times a day. Fresh feed is always provided immediately after milking. Feed is pushed up 10–12 times per day. Yalama employs 265 staff members — that’s a lot, but we see it as part of our social responsibility. We are one of the largest employers in the region.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the industry?

— Young people don’t want to move to rural areas. This is not just a local issue — it’s global. That’s why we work with universities to train specialists. Our chief veterinarian is only 24 years old. For us, experience is not the most important thing — it’s the quality of the person. We can teach someone how to feed cows. But you can’t teach honesty.

Do you have many foreign specialists on your team?

— No. We have made a deliberate choice not to bring in foreign staff. Everyone is local — even those who studied and lived abroad, like myself. We make mistakes, we learn — and we get better. We are a real training ground. Many of our former employees now work in government ministries.

How do you assess the development of the dairy sector in Azerbaijan?

— The progress is clear. New farms are being built, and modern technologies are being adopted. For example, we use top-tier global genetics — only sexed semen, with 97% of calves born being heifers. We want to support the industry, which is why we actively share our experience and remain open to dialogue.

Azerbaijan’s dairy market still doesn’t fully meet domestic demand, and the share of imports remains high.
— True. But 97% of dairy imports are butter. Azerbaijan is one of the world’s leading importers of butter from New Zealand. That’s because our cuisine is based on butter — not vegetable oil.

What are your goals moving forward?

— Not more milk. We’re happy with 11,000 liters. Our goal is for cows to live longer and remain profitable. We think like economists. Less culling means more heifers to sell. That’s more profitable than pushing for 40 liters per day and losing animals.

Rauf, what are your expectations for the upcoming DairyRally visit in June?

— We’re happy to welcome our guests. The grill, samovar, and tandoor are ready. We love sharing our experience and hosting workshops. And if anyone wants to join our team — our doors are always open.

The DairyRally roadshow will kick off on June 17, 2025, and will focus on strengthening cooperation with Azerbaijan's dairy sector.

DairyRally is an important platform for dialogue among farmers, processors, experts, and government representatives. Participants will gain first-hand insight into the practical development of the dairy industry — from pastures to modern processing facilities. They will have the opportunity to engage directly with agricultural professionals and discuss prospects for localization, modernization, and expansion of production.

This dynamic interaction creates unique opportunities to highlight both the challenges and achievements of the sector, foster knowledge exchange, and help shape an effective model for the future growth of Azerbaijan’s dairy industry.

Overview of Azerbaijan’s dairy sector: key statistics and trends.

Details about participation in the Dairy Rally across Azerbaijan are available website.

For all inquiries and proposals, as well as to receive the preliminary program, please contact us via email: ads@dairynews.today