BIOTESLAB took part in the XVIII International Dairy Congress — one of the key industry events for representatives of dairy farming and the expert community in Ukraine.
This year's theme of the congress — “Ukraine as a reserve for the shrinking world dairy market” — brought together discussions on the role of the dairy sector in the context of global changes, increasing requirements for the well-being of cows and calves, as well as the need to increase herd productivity and farm sustainability.
Dairy industry: challenges, strategy and search for solutions
The first part of the congress was devoted to the state and prospects of the Ukrainian dairy industry, its challenges and development opportunities. The discussion focused on the dynamics of the milk market; the economic sustainability of production amid rising energy prices; adaptation to new market conditions; and state and international support for milk producers.
During the discussions, it was emphasised that the future of the industry depends not only on animal productivity but also on farms' ability to work systematically: to monitor herd health, minimise production risks, implement modern management approaches, and make data-driven decisions.
The European integration process will also have a significant impact on the dairy industry. Therefore, one of the key tasks of the negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU should be to establish mechanisms to support the agricultural sector during the transition, particularly the modernisation of milk production and processing.
According to participants in the event, processing remains the weakest link in Ukraine's dairy sector. Therefore, market participants should now identify partners, develop project solutions, and explore cooperation models. After the war, those who are ready to offer the market not just raw materials but a high-added-value product will win.
Veterinary Forum: Herd Health as the Basis of Productivity
A Veterinary Forum was held as part of the congress. Veterinary support is a key factor in the efficiency of dairy production. Disease prevention, infection pressure control, timely diagnostics, and productivity support directly affect dairy farm stability.
BIOTESTLAB presented its own expertise in the field of veterinary support for dairy farming. The company is actively developing a portfolio of medicines and vaccine solutions for cattle, focused on the practical needs of farms.
One of such solutions is KETOBALANCE — a new dietary feed based on propylene glycol, designed for use during periods of increased metabolic load on cows, in particular before calving and at the beginning of lactation. It is during this period that the body of a highly productive cow has an increased need for available energy sources, and the risk of developing ketosis and related production losses increases.
The key feature of the product is its complex composition. In addition to propylene glycol, Ketobalance contains potassium iodide and cobalt sulfate — trace elements important for supporting the metabolism of ruminants. This composition allows us to consider the product not only as a source of energy support but also as a comprehensive solution for the transition period.
During the presentation of the new product, attention was focused on the role of ketosis control in the veterinary management system of a dairy farm. Preventing metabolic disorders and providing timely support for animals during the transition period helps reduce production risks and maintain feed consumption, milk productivity, and farm stability.
Autogenic vaccines: an individual approach to infection control
Another important area presented by BIOTESTLAB experts during the Veterinary Forum was autogenic vaccines as a tool for an individualised approach to controlling bacterial infections on farms.
“This is especially relevant for farms that face recurring or complex bacterial problems, when standard preventive approaches do not always take into account the specifics of a particular herd,” Nataliya Pinchuk, Head of the Immunobiological Products Development Department at BIOTESTLAB, emphasised during the presentation.
Key points of the presentation
- Autogenous vaccines have ceased to be an experiment and have become a working tool for controlling bacterial infections in production conditions. This is a strategic tool for increasing biosafety, economic efficiency and competitiveness of livestock farming.
- To obtain the finished product, proven technologies for preparing vaccine suspensions and mixing antigens with adjuvants are used, which ensure the homogeneity of the emulsion, the vaccine's stability during shelf life, its safety, and proper immunogenicity. All stages of production — from acceptance and identification of the isolate to the release of the finished vaccine — are performed in accordance with GMP requirements.
- BIOTESTLAB has been developing and producing autogenous vaccines since 2015. For cattle, these are vaccines to prevent mastitis, respiratory syndrome, neonatal diarrhoea, enteritis, etc. The company's specialists provide support to clients at all stages: from sampling animals to the introduction of the vaccine on the farm and subsequent monitoring of the effectiveness and safety of immunoprophylaxis of dairy and meat cattle.
A separate block at the company's booth was dedicated to Minitube's solutions for reproductive management in livestock. The BIOTESTLAB TRADE HOUSE is the official distributor of the German company Minitube products in Ukraine and offers farms access to high-quality technological solutions for artificial insemination, work with reproductive material and increase the efficiency of herd reproduction.
The presentation of the Minitube direction complemented the BIOTESTLAB exposition and emphasised a comprehensive approach to the needs of dairy farming — from the prevention and treatment of animal health issues to modern reproductive management tools.
BIOTESTLAB's participation in the XVIII International Dairy Congress emphasises the company's strategic focus on developing solutions for the dairy sector. Modern dairy production requires not just individual products but an integrated approach: from the prevention of infectious diseases and the control of metabolic status to the maintenance of productivity, milk quality, and the farm's economic efficiency.
BIOTESTLAB combines scientific expertise, production capabilities, and a practical understanding of livestock farms' needs to develop solutions that help veterinary specialists and milk producers work systematically and efficiently.
The company thanks the organisers of the XVIII International Dairy Congress, partners, and farm representatives for professional dialogue, openness to the exchange of experience, and joint work on the development of the Ukrainian dairy industry.
