~ Dr. Roula Shaaban, the first Emirati female veterinarian, revealed the winners of the first-ever cow milking contest in the UAE at Al Ain Farms ~
Al Ain Farms, UAE’s first and largest local dairy brand, has announced the winners of the seven-day local dairy farmers contest, First in Region Bovine Competition, that gathered the representatives from all local farmers and dairy industries competing in a challenge of highest milk production per a cow. The winner of the contest was Al Rawabi Dairy, who clinched the title and a cash prize of AED 20,000. Marmum Dairy took second place, with an AED 19,000 cash prize, and Al Ain Farms took third place and AED18,000. 7 more winners were announced from Al Rawabi Dairy, Zakher Dairy Farm, Al Ain Farms, Al Dahra Dairy Company and Emirates Dairy Farm who all took the title of the winners of the bovine show, first in region. Other participating farms included MTKMN, Marai Farms and Hilli Farms.
As an active supporter and advocate of local dairy farming, Al Ain Farms instituted the event as a platform to bring local farmers and large-scale dairy producers together, who jointly play a key role in providing fresh, healthy, and nutritious produce for residents of the UAE and by their combined efforts play a major role in the food security of the country. The event also emphasizes Al Ain Farms’ commitment to animal welfare, and the exceptional standards of animal care adopted by each participant in and throughout the event, as the cows were hosted by Al Ain Farms veterinary teams and handlers, and were taken care with all needs of food, water, milking and care 24/7 on Al Ain Farms site.
The judging of the competition entries was under the expert guidance of Dr. Roula Shaaban, the first Emirati female veterinarian and counselor for the Middle East and North Africa region of the World Veterinary Association, supported by two more Emirati female veterinarians. This was the first all-female vet jury recorded in the Middle East.
CEO of Al Ain Farms Willem van Walt Meijer said; “The event has been a true celebration of local food production scale, showcasing the excellence and integrity of the UAE’s local farming community. As a proud host of this competition, Al Ain Farms will continue to work closely with the local authorities, and colleagues from the farming sector to bring new information and opportunities that support this vital community in the UAE”.
Dr. Roula Shaaban said; “While we congratulate the winners, it must be said that all the participants from the local farms have exceeded our expectations, and truly deserve the recognition in the Al Ain Farms Bovine Competition. It has been a privilege for me to judge this contest, and to work with Al Ain Farms as we support the local farmers of the UAE”.
About Al Ain Farms:
Founded in 1981 by the Father of the Nation, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan, Al Ain Farms was the first dairy company in the UAE to start the dairy operations, and provide fresh milk to the nation. Continuing the heritage for close to 40 years now, Al Ain Farms has grown to be the largest integrated local dairy company in the UAE, running four farms under its brand – the dairy business, the juice business, the camel milk production, and the poultry section with fresh chicken and eggs.
As being the first dairy company in the UAE, Al Ain Farms has always had a pivotal role for securing the food for all the nation in the country. Made with love locally, products are produced in Al Ain, the heart of the UAE, and delivered to the all regions on a daily basis, serving more than 12, 000 outlets nation – wide and delivering close to 20 million units of fresh and long life dairy and poultry products monthly to the United Arab Emirates.
The company has invested significantly into the state of the art production lines, to enable faster go to market; has launched several new product categories; has doubled the efficiency in the poultry business.
Having in mind the strategic initiatives, the company has ambitious plan to grow, and to become a unique symbol of the UAE, following the legacy and values of the Father of Nation, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan. The company has always had and will continue to have a pivotal role for enabling the food security of the country.
