In Bebrujai village, Radviliškis district, the Agrokoncernas Group is building one of the largest and most modern cow farm complexes in Europe. The project has now reached its halfway point, which was marked by a symbolic “Topping Out” ceremony.
The main building structures of the complex have already been completed, and the installation of a state-of-the-art 100-cow DeLaval rotary milking parlour is underway. This advanced equipment will ensure greater milking efficiency, enabling fast, precise, and animal-friendly milking operations.
Automated processes will help optimize staffing needs, while real-time data analysis during milking will enable efficient decisions regarding cow feeding, treatment, and breeding. Compared to standard Lithuanian farms, each milking cycle will ensure better hygiene and higher milk quality. In addition, optimized use of electricity, water, and cleaning agents will contribute to more sustainable farming. The installation of the rotary milking platform is expected to be completed by the end of May.
The first heifers are expected to arrive at the 53-hectare complex in early November. In total, the farm will house around 10,000 cattle, including 4,000 milking cows. The complex will employ around 50 staff members.
Ramūnas Karbauskis, owner of the Agrokoncernas Group, says that this is one of the most ambitious projects, significantly transforming the country’s entire agricultural sector.
“In crop farming, we have successfully applied a model of cooperation with science, and we intend to follow the same path in livestock farming. The barns will be equipped with solutions that allow real-time monitoring of each cow’s condition. Precision feeding, laser milk analyzers, automated equipment, and feed prepared in our own farms will help ensure milk quality and animal health,” says R. Karbauskis.
According to him, this project helps address a long-standing issue in the sector – the declining number of dairy farms. According to statistics, there are currently just over 12,000 dairy farms operating in Lithuania, compared to over 28,000 in 2016. Around 30% of raw milk is still imported from Latvia, Estonia, and Poland.
“We expect that once the complex is completed, it will produce around 140 tons of milk per day, with annual output exceeding 51,000 tons. This will help reduce import dependency and significantly increase the amount of raw milk produced in Lithuania,” says R. Karbauskis.
Kęstutis Vanagas, CEO of the sustainable urban development and construction company YIT Lietuva, which is building the cow farm complex, notes that this is one of the largest projects they have ever undertaken, with concrete works alone amounting to 53,000 cubic meters. Currently, the frameworks of 8 out of 9 farm buildings have been erected, 5 out of 12 reservoirs have been concreted, feed trenches are nearing completion, half of the internal infrastructure roads have been laid, and the entire area has been enclosed with a segmental fence.
“Among the more technologically complex tasks is the specialized installation of flooring, and unique technical solutions were required due to the high groundwater level. Despite certain project specifics requiring additional attention, the work is progressing intensively, thanks to the coordinated and professional efforts of the entire project team,” comments K. Vanagas.
Deividas Medžiuolis, Deputy Director for Livestock at the Agricultural Innovation Center – a member of the Agrokoncernas Group – discussed the key design decisions. The barns are planned with high ceilings, wide passageways, and cows will spend a lot of time feeding independently, with continuous movement ensured. All of these factors are designed to create animal-friendly conditions, which are directly linked to milk quality and productivity.
The project is being developed in close cooperation with the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU). University researchers plan to conduct applied research at the complex, and students will have the opportunity to complete internships there.
“Our goal is to strengthen the country’s dairy sector by promoting the adoption of technology and the practical application of scientific knowledge. We aim for this complex to become not only a center for milk production but also a hub for livestock innovation in Lithuania,” says D. Medžiuolis.
According to him, the project is progressing according to plan, and milk production processes are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Full completion of the complex is scheduled for the summer of next year.
By the end of 2027, a biomethane power plant will be installed next to the farm complex, where livestock manure will be processed into biogas and biofertilizers. This will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Based on preliminary estimates, the project is expected to avoid more than 7,200 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually thanks to its sustainable manure management system and centralized milk collection processes.
