Visiting Polish cattle breeders and dairy farmers

The Lithuanian delegation – Director of the Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture Sigitas Dimaitis, Director of the Lithuanian Cattle Breeders' Association dr. Edvardas Gedgaudas, Director General of UAB „Litgenas“ Gintaras Kascėnas, Manager of UAB „Litgenas“ Gabrielė Eigirdaitė, Manager of UAB „Pieno tyrimai“ Dr. Laima Urbšienė, Gintarė Pieškienė, Project Manager of UAB „Pieno tyrimai“ and Barbara Novikova, member of the Association of Farmers of Šalčininkai District, owner of a dairy farm, visited Poland.

During the trip, the delegation visited the Dairy Laboratory, the Federation of Cattle Breeders and Milk Producers, the Agrocentrum group and the Polish Chamber of Agriculture. The visit was very productive – Lithuanian representatives brought back new knowledge, technological insights and valuable contacts.

Federation of Polish Cattle Breeders and Milk Producers – a leader in modern livestock farming

Federation of Polish Cattle Breeders and Milk Producers (PFHBiPM) – the largest and only full-fledged self-governing organisation of dairy and beef cattle breeders in Poland, with more than 8,000 members from 21 regional and breed associations. It is an independent organisation that has been shaping the country's dairy sector policy, breeding directions and innovation strategies for over thirty years.

The Federation operates as many as four milk testing laboratories, two feed analysis centres, a bovine genetics laboratory and a modern genetic centre infrastructure, as well as one of the most advanced data management platforms in Europe. PFHBiPM actively participates in ICAR, INTERBULL, EuroGenomics, Copa-Cogeca and other international organisations, contributing to the development of pan-European livestock standards.

Federation's Vice President Andrzej Steckiewicz emphasised the mission of the organisation during the meeting. We work to provide farmers with reliable data, state-of-the-art technology and real benefits from genetics and innovation. Our aim is not only to assess and advise, but also to build the dairy farm of the future, based on science and sustainability.

Group AGROCENTRUM – innovation for livestock and strong partnership with producers

The Lithuanian delegation also visited the feed production, raw material supply and consulting group „Agrocentrum“. This company supplies modern feed for cattle, pigs and poultry, as well as consultancy services to help farmers optimise their nutritional processes and adopt sustainable and efficient technologies.

The company is distinguished by its strategic approach – it aims not only to supply products, but also to share knowledge, strengthen growers' competences, and help them to adapt innovations to their farms. Piotr Szybiński, Head of Livestock at Agrocentrum, said: „Our goal – is not only to produce and supply feed, but to become a true partner of producers: to share knowledge, introduce technology and grow the sector together.

Polish Chamber of Agriculture – one of the strongest farmer voices in Europe

During the delegation's visit, special attention was paid to the activities of the Polish Chamber of Agriculture. This institution is considered to be one of the strongest and most influential models of farmers' self-government in Europe. It brings together 16 regional chambers and ensures that farmers' voices are heard at both national and European level.

The chambers carry out their statutory functions: they are involved in legislation, formulate land policy, advise public authorities, issue opinions and proposals, administer some public functions and are active on the international scene, including Copa-Cogeca.

The Polish model demonstrates that strong farmer self-government is essential for an effective agricultural policy, for the protection of farmers' interests and for the stability of the sector.

Summarising the results of the visit, Sigitas Dimaitis, Director of the Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture, underlined the importance of the Polish experience for Lithuania: "Poland demonstrates what strong self-government of farmers and close cooperation in the sector can achieve. This visit provided a wealth of valuable knowledge and ideas that we can apply in Lithuania to strengthen our institutions, innovation and competitiveness of farmers.