the Sino-U.S. Dairy Training Center conducts seminars several times a year, attracting as many as 35 participants per session. “Follow-up work is done to monitor students’ progress in the field after training,” Sifferath said. “If an operation is not utilizing the skills taught at the workshops, we don’t allow additional students from that operation to attend future courses. Usually we do see progress being made and former students are eager to demonstrate to us how they have improved their operations,” he said. Currently, HuaxiaDairy Farm has approximately 1,800 cows of which 802 are lactating, creating an average of 8.5 gallons per cow per day. Compared to the U.S. market,milk consumption in China is low due to overall poor quality with the exception of the milk produced at Hauxia Dairy Farm which is sold under the brand name of “Wonder Milk, ” said Charles Shao, CEO and vice chairman of Huaxia Dairy Farm. According to Shao, about 8 gallons per year per capita are consumed in China compared to nearly 80 gallons a year in the United States. “But there is potential for the dairy market to grow,” he said.
“With a population of 1.3 billion people, rising incomes and improving diets,the demand for fresh milk of high quality will increase in China.” For now,the industry is in the nascent stages of development, but due to early Council involvement, U.S.producers have a foot in the door of a market with exceptional potential. “If Huaxia Dairy Farm and the U.S. Grains Council can help Chinese dairy farmers, a lot of things will change in China,” Shao said. “Our work together will streamline the supply chain for raw materials such as corn and create strong demand.Other people need to learn from us and working together with the Council gives Chinese dairy farmers the necessary training,” he said.