Hamra 3D: New dimensions in dairy development
One hundred years ago, DeLaval hosted an exhibition for thousands of dairy farmers from all over Scandinavia. This year, from June 11th-13th, we took it a step further – and hosted a conference or dairy experts from all over the world.
The flags of 35 nations were flying at Hamra Farm in Tumba, Sweden, as 250 delegates arrived at the main barn. They included farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, advisors, politicians, animal welfare specialists, UN officials, and media representatives from around the world – all of them ready to discuss the whole chain, from milk production to consumption.
To open the conference, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was present to unveil a commemorative stone that officially inaugurated Hamra’s new barn for voluntary milking – an innovation that is as revolutionary today as Gustav de Laval’s original barn.
The delegates were then ushered inside the original barn, where CEO Joakim Rosengren welcomed them to DeLaval and to Hamra 3D. “The three ‘D’s in Hamra 3D stand for new Dimensions in Dairy Development,” he explained in his speech. “One important dimension is knowledge sharing – across businesses, across borders and along the whole value chain. We are all here to stimulate each other into improving conditions and quality, all the way from cow to consumer.”
Dr. Jacques Diouf, Director-General of FAO, spoke after Joakim Rosengren and emphasised that Hamra 3D is an opportunity for the dairy industry to fight world hunger. “Let us seize this chance to make the world better for everyone,” he said.
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As a foundation for discussion, we had prepared five films about milk production in the USA, Brazil, New Zealand, France and Russia. These revealed local differences and global similarities in milking processes, technology and consumer attitudes. The delegates watched the films in the main barn and, since the farmers featured in them were brought onstage, they were able to explore and compare many of these issues.
Following this, the participants were split into groups, so they could attend smaller workshops and panel discussions led by experts in everything from milk production and rural development, to antibiotics, farm conditions, growth, and consumers’ views on animal welfare. They asked questions and received answers – or started animated discussions that continued well into the coffee breaks and lunches.
One of the major highlights at Hamra 3D was the newly inaugurated VMS barn. Participants saw it as the way of the future for family farms, and were able to tour it and watch as the cows milked themselves. A new step in dairy technology, it was carefully studied and admired and, with its focus on productivity, animal welfare and freedom for the farmer, the VMS was a popular topic of conversation throughout the entire three days of the conference.
What impact will Hamra 3D have on the dairy industry? As participants left, there was a lot of praise for DeLaval’s initiative in organising such an event. The hope is that we inspired closer co-operation between all levels of the dairy industry, an achievement that could improve food production and food safety – and open the door to new ideas from all sides. In a changing industry, we need to work together to find better ways of increasing productivity and sales, with a strong focus on animal welfare and consumer needs.
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