Initial success in the research and demonstration of integrated technical models for improving dairy cow quality and efficiency

??? On September 12, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences held a project promotion meeting in Jimo City, Qingdao, for the "Research and Demonstration of Integrated Technical Models for Improving Dairy Cow Quality and Efficiency." Participants observed on site the results of the integrated technology application at the Qingdao Aote Dairy Farm and held discussions and exchanges on the next steps of research and demonstration work. Chen Mengshan, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Academy, and others attended and spoke. Vice President Li Jinxiang chaired the meeting.

At the Qingdao Aote Dairy Farm, project experts introduced one by one the application of five key technologies: efficient dairy cow reproduction management, early weaning of calves, application and evaluation of total mixed ration, comprehensive prevention and treatment of mastitis, and manure treatment and recycling. Statistical results showed that after half a year of applying the new technologies, the dairy farm's milk production increased by 4.6% year on year, and milk quality improved significantly; the incidence of dairy cow mastitis decreased by more than 8%, and the cure rate was above 85%.

Chen Mengshan fully affirmed the preliminary results achieved since the implementation of the "Research and Demonstration of Technical Models for Improving Dairy Cow Quality and Efficiency" project. He said that the layout of the dairy cow quality and efficiency improvement project reflects the urgent needs of the national industry and embodies the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' innovation orientation of "standing tall and rooted in the ground." The overall technical route conforms to national conditions, and the selection of main promoted technologies focuses on solving problems, is replicable and promotable, and has achieved encouraging progress.

Chen Mengshan pointed out that the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the development of the dairy industry and quality and safety work. China's dairy industry is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading. Vigorously advancing the construction of a modern dairy industry and promoting the improvement of dairy cow quality and efficiency is a major issue before us under the new normal. Chen Mengshan required that the project team persist in the long-term research and demonstration of integrated technical models for improving dairy cow quality and efficiency and make practical contributions to the sustained and healthy development of China's dairy industry. First, leadership must be strengthened and responsibilities implemented. The lead unit should improve the responsibility mechanism under which the institute director is the "first responsible person," the institute director in charge of business is the "specific responsible person," and the chief expert is "responsible for implementation." Participating units should perform their respective duties, work together around the central goal, and make the project effective and full of highlights. Second, technological innovation and integration must be increased. Demonstration bases should be treated as research bases and innovation bases, and efforts should be strengthened to tackle key problems around the technological needs of the dairy industry. Integrated technologies should be "modularized" to form a replicable and easy-to-learn integrated dairy farming model. There should be broad-mindedness, with a focus on absorbing first-class advanced technologies from within and outside the institute, within and outside the academy, and at home and abroad. Third, connections and coordination must be strengthened. Connections with the government should be strengthened, and vigorous support from local governments should be sought. Coordination with relevant research institutions and farming enterprises should be strengthened to jointly overcome major scientific and technological challenges. Fourth, demonstration and promotion must be carried out well. Demonstrativeness should be enhanced, demonstration sites should be well arranged so that key nodes can be displayed, and technical manuals should be compiled to facilitate observation and learning by farmers and fully give play to the project's demonstration and driving role. Fifth, management and assessment must be strengthened. With a view to long-term planning, openness and advanced nature should be reflected, and fixed demonstration sites should be established. Standardized assessment standards should be established, work progress should be scientifically evaluated, and good experience and good practices should be summarized to provide guidance and services for deepening various tasks.