In November 2025, a highly specialized team of experts, including representatives from public and private veterinary diagnostic labs, genetics organizations, Wisconsin trade officials, and animal health experts, participated in a U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc.- (USLGE) and Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports-funded outbound genetics trade mission to Qatar and Ethiopia.
While in Qatar, the Wisconsin team met with leaders from Baladna Farms and toured the Baladna processing plants outside Doha. Balada provides 95% of the fresh milk in Qatar and has plans on expanding operations into Algeria. The objective of this trade mission was to strengthen relationships, technical collaboration on animal health, and to share Wisconsin’s expertise across agricultural sectors.
After transitioning to Ethiopia, the team met with officials from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alfa Farms (largest commercial dairy farm in Ethiopia), Animal Health Institute (AHI), Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA), and State Minister for Livestock, all focusing on Ethiopia’s livestock development strategies, dairy production goals, disease surveillance, and opportunities for collaboration in animal health and productivity.
Ethiopia aims for a 400% increase in dairy production by 2031, but faces significant challenges, including limitations in the cold chain, infectious disease control, loss of genetic diversity, and shortages of trained personnel. These engagements with IRLI, Alfa Farms, AHI, and regulatory authorities highlighted the need for integrated solutions across genetics, feed, disease management, and supply chain infrastructure.