Russia’s livestock farmers currently seeking ways to increase productive efficiency

Within the scope of an AgroFarm Workshop in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on 2 December 2008, the DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft - German Agricultural Society) met with experts from agriculture and industry to discuss the development of animal production in Russia. At the heart of the event, which was attended by some 50 companies, associations and organisations from the animal husbandry and breeding sector, were various issues such as the current situation and trade in breeding animals along with management issues and empirical experience of the Russian market.

As Alexander Djagilev from IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH sees it, Russia’s animal production facilities have substantial development potential. Djagilev, who together with his colleagues advises some 20 farms in Russia, believes that developing existing potential presents the best way forward, especially in view of the fact that, in many cases, ongoing production capacity is only being exploited to 50 or 60 percent. Rolf Neelsen, Managing Director of NecoFarm Agriculture GmbH, pointed out that Russian partners are not only in need of modern techniques and technologies but, above all, require intensive exchanges of experience and knowledge. Neelsen, whose organisation exports breeding cattle to 32 countries round the world, attaches considerable urgency to the provision of organisational and production-specific consultancy. Magnus Westerkamp, Mangaging Director of Big Dutchman Pig Equipment GmbH, regards customer relations as a key foundation for successful business dealings in Russia and recommended that investors stay in the Russian market, in spite of the present difficulties, so as to demonstrate their close support for their customers. This strategy already proved beneficial to his company during the crisis at the end of the ‘90s, helping him secure a substantial share of the market.