Agrokoncernas Group and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the field of animal husbandry.
The main goal of this partnership is to create a unique dairy production model in Europe, encompassing the entire chain – from feed to the final product. In Bebrujai village, Radviliškis district, a 53-hectare dairy complex will soon open its doors. The facility will house around 10,000 cattle, including approximately 4,000 dairy cows. The “Farm of the Future” project developed by Agrokoncernas Group stands out not only for its scale but also for its scientific integration and innovative approach. The agreement with LSMU highlights four main areas of cooperation: animal welfare, genetics, feed production, and emission reduction.
According to Ramūnas Karbauskis, owner of Agrokoncernas Group, the partnership between science and business will help create a livestock model with no equivalent in Europe:
“Our goal is to establish a livestock science base that ensures high productivity, milk quality, and reduced environmental impact. University scientists will engage in research to develop data-driven solutions, provide recommendations for farmers, and deliver top-level services related to feed preparation, animal breeding, and herd productivity improvement,” said Karbauskis.
Professor Rimantas Benetis, Rector of LSMU, emphasized that one of the university’s priorities is closer collaboration between science and business, enabling knowledge commercialization and expanding research opportunities.
“We are proud that our cooperation with business has shown tangible results. Algorithms developed by our veterinary specialists and integrated into herd management software – supported by artificial intelligence – help analyze cattle health, nutrition, and reproduction data. These tools allow for the identification and prediction of health risks and evaluation of disease prevention and treatment effectiveness.
Such research, when integrated into business, not only improves farm efficiency but also helps reduce antibiotic use, increases sustainability, and attracts young professionals to the veterinary and livestock sectors. Collaboration with industry leads to new technologies and products, driving progress across the entire field,” noted Prof. Benetis.
One of Agrokoncernas Group’s strategic goals is to achieve genetic independence by 2027–2028, ensuring the supply of heifers from its own herd and enabling livestock sales to other farms – thus strengthening Lithuania’s dairy base.
“Genetic independence will allow us to manage herd quality internally and responsibly. This will create added value not only for our farms but for the entire national livestock sector. We will be able to guarantee herd origin, productivity results, and provide expert consultations,” said Karbauskis.
While Agrokoncernas Group is transforming its operations towards livestock farming, crop production remains equally important. The farms will continue growing feed crops, and the Group has invested in a feed plant in Kretinga, ensuring balanced animal nutrition.
This year, Agrokoncernas Group began cooperation with Corteva Agriscience, a global leader in the crop science sector. The partner will supply seeds for corn silage and grain production, as well as silage preservatives for corn and grass. These products will be marketed under the “Agroplius+” brand owned by Agrokoncernas.
Karbauskis emphasizes that the livestock model being developed is not competition for farmers, but a partnership and collaboration opportunity for the entire sector:
“Lithuania currently faces a milk deficit – about 30% is imported. The country produces only around 1% of the European Union’s total milk output, so the need for domestic production is significant. Our goal is to be a reliable partner – the stronger Lithuania’s dairy farms, the stronger the entire sector. Only together can we remain competitive in European and global markets,” said Karbauskis.
The largest dairy complex in Europe is expected to welcome its first heifers in November, and milk production is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Once the dairy herd is fully established, the Farm of the Future will produce about 150 tons of natural milk per day.
In 2027, a biomethane power plant will begin operating next to the farm complex, converting organic manure into high-quality biomethane gas for injection into the natural gas network – contributing to sustainable energy development and reduced gas imports.
More than €80 million has been invested in the Farm of the Future project.
