engleski

Grazing resources for dairy production in Croatia

Almost all EU countries are trying to respond to the changes that take place in the dairy sector. They do this by exploring new opportunities for survival of the existing production and even its increase. There is a noticeable increase in input costs both in primary and in manufacturing. Some countries (such as the Netherlands) have seen great potential in pastures, or grassy areas. This mode of action can be a good example for milk producers in the Republic of Croatia. The Republic of Croatia has about 3 million ha of agricultural land. Of this, approximately 33 % of the area (1.08 million ha) is suitable or moderately suitable for processing and agricultural production. In 2013, about 350, 000 ha were statistically run as permanent grasslands. However, in the ARKOD system for 2014 only 130, 000 ha of meadows and pastures have been entered, which represents only 37 % of permanent grassland areas. Although these surfaces were apparently sufficient for the current number of cows in milk production (about 170, 000 cows), we need to keep in mind that our current milk production capacity is only 50 %. One of the key agricultural policy measures for the stability of cattle production that would be recommended in terms of increasing milk production in the Republic of Croatia is certainly the involvement of grassland. This also includes a number of agrotechnical measures and interventions in the same, with the aim of raising the quality and fertility of the soil. Taking into account that the input costs of milk production on farms using the grasslands can be reduced by 50 %, we consider that we have great untapped potential to improve milk production in the Republic of Croatia.

milk ; production ; grassland ; pastures ; grassy areas

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