Have you ever heard the story of VikingRed and Thai-Denmark Milk? Started in 1962, this remarkable partnership originated from a shared interest in dairy between Danish King Frederik IX and Thai King Bhumibol (Rama IX).
DPO Thai-Denmark Milk began as a shared dairy enterprise to share dairy knowledge and solidify ties between the two countries. That same year, 39 Danish red dairy cows and “Ole” the bull arrived in Thailand, and a strong international collaboration was born.
Now, decades later, a new chapter unfolds. On January 31, 2022, the Department of Livestock Development of Thailand and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The aim was clear: to strengthen international academic cooperation in dairy science.
This collaboration took a tangible step forward on September 28, 2023, when red Dane cattle embryos and semen were formally handed over from Denmark to Thailand. These precious genetic materials were entrusted to the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO), with the goal of reintroducing the Danish Red dairy cattle — a breed that once disappeared from the Thai landscape.
During the visit of the Danish Livestock and Food Processing Business Delegation to Thailand, VikingGenetics CEO Louise Helmer presented a donation of VikingRed genetics to Thai-Denmark Milk that embodies the spirit of 1962. 19 VikingRed embryos and 20 doses of VR Umega P sexed semen marked the return of VikingRed cows to Thailand and empowered the country’s dairy sector.
“Red Cow Diplomacy’ captures what VikingGenetics stands for: collaborating to sustainably feed the world’s growing population by breeding healthy, productive cows,” says Louise Helmer.
“It reflects our commitment to fostering connections, endorsing future-friendly practices, and honouring the tenacity of farmers across borders,” she adds.