On October 17-18, the 17th International Dairy Congress took place in Uman. The event gathered over 200 industry representatives to discuss current issues, share experiences, and showcase the latest solutions. The official partners of the event were the Ukrainian veterinary biopharmaceutical company BIOTESTLAB and the vaccine brand BOVIMUN.
Andrey Dykun, President of the Milk Producers Association, highlighted at the opening of the congress that, despite numerous challenges, the industry continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. He noted that production of extra-grade milk is on the rise, export potential to the EU is expanding, and new opportunities for collaboration and joint development are emerging.
“Ukraine is progressing towards EU membership, and the possibility of joining by 2030 is becoming more realistic. This development requires the entire Ukrainian agricultural sector to adapt to new regulations”, — he noted, and emphasized that the future of the dairy industry lies in the establishment of cooperatives and clusters. These entities will enable producers and processors to come together, attract investments, and collectively access global markets.
The congress discussions were divided into two sections: "The Ukrainian Dairy Industry: Challenges and Strategies" and "Milk Farm Management and Milk Production Technology," as well as a session during the Veterinary Forum. The first section concentrated on the current state and prospects of both the Ukrainian and global dairy industries. Topics included European integration and upcoming regulatory changes affecting producers, particularly those related to animal welfare and government oversight of raw milk quality.
The highlight of the second section was the demonstration tours of dairy farms, which included large, medium, and small-scale farms. One notable example was the Naporivske farm located in the Chernihiv region, just 70 km from the Russian border. After the area was liberated, the farm, having lost a significant portion of its livestock, not only resumed production but also launched its own cheese factory.
The central panel at the Veterinary Forum was devoted to the topic "Herd Health Starts with Calves." Taras Natalenko, technical consultant for the livestock division of TH BIOTESTLAB, spoke about the importance of ultrasound diagnostics of calf lungs and shared practical experience. This method allows for the detection of both early and latent forms of respiratory diseases that have a long-term impact on the health and productivity of animals. It allows for differentiation between pneumonia and upper respiratory tract infections, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and vaccination.
"Implementing ultrasound diagnostics for respiratory diseases in animals does not require extensive training, significant investment, or a lot of time. Standard equipment and sensors are sufficient for this purpose. With these tools, veterinarians can quickly gather information about the condition of animals' lungs, leading to accurate diagnoses and timely treatments. The systematic use of this method should become an important aspect of herd management," – emphasized Taras Natalenko
During the congress, the winners of the "Dairy Records of Ukraine 2025" rating were awarded. A specialized exhibition showcasing machinery, equipment, feed, and veterinary drugs was also conducted.
At a separate booth, BIOTESTLAB showcased a variety of solutions for cow health:
- Bovimun 4 and Bovimun Neo vaccines are designed to prevent bovine respiratory and reproductive disease complex (BRRDC), as well as neonatal diarrhea in calves, respectively;
- Bovimun Mast vaccine and the autogenous vaccine Bovimun Autovac Mast as important elements of the mastitis control program;
- New injectable drugs: Tulaxan (tulathromycin 10%) and Doran (doramectin 1%);
- Amoxan Premium, an injectable antimicrobial drug based on micronized amoxicillin substance 15%;
- Ketafur, an injectable antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug (ceftiofur 5% + ketoprofen 15%);
- Disinfectant Virosan Max with a high concentration of glutaraldehyde in its composition, effective against the foot-and-mouth disease virus.
The International Dairy Congress is an annual event organized by the Ukrainian Milk Producers Association. This event brings together producers and processors of dairy products, suppliers of technological and other solutions for the industry, representatives of government agencies and scientific institutions. The event is the largest platform in Ukraine for exchanging experiences, presenting modern solutions, and discussing milk market development trends
