European milk production has entered a phase of stabilization, with differences between farms increasingly linked to technical performance indicators. EU-level aggregated data shows an average yield of approximately 7,500–7,800 liters/cow/year, while Romania remains in the lower range, with values between 3,600 and 4,200 liters, depending on farm structure and investment levels. Nevertheless, developments in 2024 indicate a slight increase, driven by feed optimization and the reduction of technological losses.

A decisive factor is the quality of forage and the formulations used. European technical analyses show that cows fed balanced rations based on corn, alfalfa and plant proteins achieve an optimal ratio between intake and production, with feed conversion rates 8–12% higher than farms that do not monitor ration composition. Somatic cell count control remains a key indicator: lowering values below the threshold of 250,000 cells/ml is associated with a 3–5% increase in deliverable milk production.

At European level, the decline of dairy cow numbers by approximately 2.5% places pressure on processors, who have become more selective regarding the quality of raw milk. Romania faces the same dynamic, with farms that adopt digital milking monitoring, efficient cooling systems and mastitis detection programs achieving the most stable results. For 2025, competitive farmers will be those who optimize specific consumption, reduce losses and maintain milk parameters at European standards.

(Photo: Freepik)