What will the construction of new dairy farms bring to the Vitebsk region?
Farm of JSC "Khotily-Agro" in the village of Volokhi Postavsky district
A new dairy complex for 1440 cows has been commissioned at JSC "Vitebskaya Broiler Poultry Farm". The total herd, including young stock, will reach almost 3 thousand heads. This is the first step in implementing the regional program for re-equipping the dairy industry. By the end of the year, 6 modern farms will be operational in different districts, and 2 more are under construction.
Last autumn, on the eve of the regional "Dazhynki" festival, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, stated:
— In the region, less than 20 percent of the total number of operating dairy farms are new or reconstructed. The rest are old, adapted facilities. We understand that young people will not come to work there. Therefore, in the next three years, it is necessary to re-equip the livestock industry... To revitalize the livestock sector and utilize dairy plants, at least 30 modern farms must be built. As a result, it will be possible to reduce production costs, lower selling prices, and increase competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets.
So, what is the essence of the industry renewal program in the region? In 2019-2024, it is planned to build 19 modern dairy complexes with a capacity of 30.2 thousand cattle places, costing 965 million rubles.
Viktor Shebalov, Head of the Department for Livestock Production and Industrial Construction of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee, explained:
— Currently, there are 184 farms in the region that are over 40 years old. The construction of 19 new dairy complexes will allow for the decommissioning of emergency and unusable facilities. Part of the herd will be transferred to modern farms, part will be used for beef cattle farming, and the rest will be culled due to low productivity and unsuitability for further reproduction. As a result: by the end of 2026, it is planned to produce 1 million 120 thousand tons of milk, of which 242 thousand will come from the full design capacity of the newly built dairy complexes, and 878 thousand will come from increasing the productivity of cows on existing farms to 5200 kilograms per year.
The main question is: who can afford to build such facilities? Naturally, inefficient and even medium-sized farms cannot handle this. Construction usually requires credit, and large sums will not be given to just anyone. Therefore, the focus must be on strong farms, investor enterprises, and processors. It is easier for them to get credit, and banks will always cooperate because they are confident in guaranteed repayment.
— But even for seemingly reliable borrowers, the requirements are strict, — adds Viktor Shebalov.
The new MTC plans to immediately reach a milk yield of 10,000 kilograms per year. How to achieve such a result? Livestock premises are equipped only with heifers. For this purpose, heifers were purchased from other farms according to a specially developed schedule, and also raised on their own farms. They were cared for, gained high weight gains, and were bred at the optimal age of 24 months from birth.
Personnel. The best machine milking operators were selected, proven in practice, who can truly implement all the management's ideas and obtain the maximum amount of high-quality milk. Those who did not make the cut will retire or be assigned to auxiliary work after the old farms are closed. At the modern MTCs built earlier, milkmaids receive 1.4–1.5 thousand rubles. Naturally, at the new complex, with high results, the salary will be no lower.
Feed was also taken care of in advance. The animals were not there yet, but silage and haylage were already waiting for them. The new complex has 14 trenches, which allow for a complete and balanced diet for the animals. The poultry farm has a powerful compound feed plant. It can produce enough concentrates not only for poultry but also for all cattle. There is enough of its own grain. This year, more than 40 thousand tons were threshed, including 2.6 thousand tons of peas. 3.5 thousand hectares are allocated for rapeseed. They process it themselves. The oil goes into compound feed for poultry, and the cake is for cattle.
The poultry farm is not stopping there. The design of another similar dairy farm complex is underway, and they plan to start construction next year.
— Milk is a profitable commodity, — adds Nadezhda Gribanova. — Profitability in the farm as a whole is 30 percent, and at the MTC — 50 percent. The latter figure is a clear confirmation of the effectiveness of modern technologies for its production.
As we can see, Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Farm has created a reliable feed base. What is the situation in the region as a whole? After all, the construction of new dairy farm complexes requires not only more haylage-silage but also an improvement in its nutritional properties, as well as preservation.t.
— The requirement is unequivocal — to abandon silage pits, — says Viktor Shebalov. — In 2019, it was planned to introduce 203 trenches, the task will be completed. But this is not enough yet to place all fodder in stationary storage facilities. If we build as many more next year, we will solve the problem.
The region needs approximately 4 million tons of forage crops per year. This is how much is harvested. But the quality is not always satisfactory. It is necessary not only to put fodder into trenches but also to harvest it at optimal times so that the grasses do not overgrow. It is also necessary to provide protein for the feed units.
— We are updating the species composition of perennial grasses, — said Yuri Romanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Land Cultivation, Crop Production, and Fodder Production of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. — This year, 100 thousand hectares of grasses have been sown on arable land, and more than 45 thousand hectares on improved pastures. The task is to sow only legumes in pure form on arable land. Currently, legumes and legume-cereal mixtures occupy 83 percent of the area — an increase of 4 percent compared to last year. Legumes in pure form account for more than 40 percent. In 2018, it was less than 35 percent. The progress is evident.
The region is gradually increasing the area of high-protein alfalfa. Last year, it was 6 thousand hectares, and this year another 200 hectares have been added. However, the northern region is more favorable for growing clover. Moreover, its seeds can be obtained domestically, while alfalfa seeds have to be purchased abroad. This is a considerable expense. This year, the area under corn has also been increased by 15 percent.
Although forage crops are the main food for cattle, concentrates are also essential. In recent years, the Vitebsk region has harvested approximately one million tons of grain. In gross weight, this amounts to 900 thousand tons. Subtracting the state order and seeds, 600 thousand tons remain. However, 850 thousand tons are required for fodder purposes alone. As a result, specialists have calculated that to fully supply all livestock farming, the region needs to thresh 300 thousand tons more.
How can this be achieved? By improving agricultural practices, applying more fertilizers, and using higher-yielding varieties.
— We should not forget about grain legumes either, — adds Yuri Romanov. —— Their areas in the region have stabilized at 60 thousand hectares with a gross harvest of 100 thousand tons. Now the main thing is to increase yields. It is no coincidence that a special nomination for the best result in the production of leguminous crops was introduced at the regional "Dazhynki". This is their own protein, which allows reducing imports and the cost of livestock products. There are many examples of high achievements in this sector. For example, SGTS "Zadneprovsky" of the Orsha district received 43 centners per hectare of peas this year. And RUP "Ustye" of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus" in the same district, even 60.
Another pleasant news for Vitebsk region. Recently, a new dairy complex was commissioned at the "Teplichny" branch of RUP "Vitebskenergo" in the Orsha district. It will house 460 dairy cows, and with young stock – 1210.
— The financing of the project was undertaken by the parent company, — said the branch director Pavel Fominov. — The total cost is 20.5 million rubles. 80 percent is a loan from the Development Bank, the rest is own funds.
The farm plans to milk more than 7 thousand kilograms of milk per cow this year. For the new complex, the task is higher – to start with 8.5 thousand. At the same time, in the next year, the gross milk production in the farm is planned to be increased by one and a half times. But the main thing is the efficiency of the industry. Currently, despite relatively high milk yields, the profitability of milk is 11 percent. With the help of the new dairy complex, they plan to increase it to 30.
Four more dairy complexes are nearing completion in the region. This means that in the near future, an increase in milk production, the most profitable commodity, can be expected.
— In the region, less than 20 percent of the total number of operating dairy farms are new or reconstructed. The rest are old, adapted facilities. We understand that young people will not come to work there. Therefore, in the next three years, it is necessary to re-equip the livestock industry... To revitalize the livestock sector and utilize dairy plants, at least 30 modern farms must be built. As a result, it will be possible to reduce production costs, lower selling prices, and increase competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets.
So, what is the essence of the industry renewal program in the region? In 2019-2024, it is planned to build 19 modern dairy complexes with a capacity of 30.2 thousand cattle places, costing 965 million rubles.
Viktor Shebalov, Head of the Department for Livestock Production and Industrial Construction of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee, explained:
— Currently, there are 184 farms in the region that are over 40 years old. The construction of 19 new dairy complexes will allow for the decommissioning of emergency and unusable facilities. Part of the herd will be transferred to modern farms, part will be used for beef cattle farming, and the rest will be culled due to low productivity and unsuitability for further reproduction. As a result: by the end of 2026, it is planned to produce 1 million 120 thousand tons of milk, of which 242 thousand will come from the full design capacity of the newly built dairy complexes, and 878 thousand will come from increasing the productivity of cows on existing farms to 5200 kilograms per year.
The main question is: who can afford to build such facilities? Naturally, inefficient and even medium-sized farms cannot handle this. Construction usually requires credit, and large sums will not be given to just anyone. Therefore, the focus must be on strong farms, investor enterprises, and processors. It is easier for them to get credit, and banks will always cooperate because they are confident in guaranteed repayment.
— But even for seemingly reliable borrowers, the requirements are strict, — adds Viktor Shebalov.
bales. — Banks don't give money right away. They ask: what will cover the project's payback, will there be a decent feed base, will they be able to milk enough milk not only to repay the debt but also to pay salaries on time and cover other expenses? That is, on such farms, it is necessary to milk at least 8 thousand kilograms of milk per cow. Otherwise, there is no point in building. After all, even with high yields, the payback period for facilities sometimes exceeds 15 years.
Let's go back to where we started – the new MTC of OJSC "Vitebskaya Broiler Poultry Farm". The total construction cost is 35 million rubles. 63 percent of this is a loan at half the refinancing rate, issued by the Development Bank, the rest is own funds and money from other banks. The project payback period is 11 years.
Four cow sheds are planned, a large milking parlor where 50 heads can be accommodated simultaneously. There will also be a small one for 8 heads for the first lactation cows. Young stock facilities. Closed cycle. A heifer is born here and eventually becomes a dairy cow.
Why did the enterprise undertake the construction?
— The decision was conscious and well-thought-out, — explains Nadezhda Gribanova, Deputy General Director for Agriculture of OJSC "Vitebskaya Broiler Poultry Farm". — We have two modern MTCs with a total herd of 1600 cows. On one, the annual yield per cow is 8200 kilograms, on the second – 6500. We also have many small farms, morally and physically obsolete. For example, in the agro-complex "Yanovichy", where the new MTC is being built, there are 5 of them. Some are almost half a century old. The tethered animal keeping technology and milking into a milk pipeline do not allow for increasing production and improving quality. These farms have just over a thousand cows. One new facility allows not only to preserve but also to increase the herd. This aspect should also be considered. All old farms in this agro-complex have 18 milkmaids. The new MTC has only 6. As we can see, labor productivity significantly increases. Therefore, we will gradually close the old ones, leaving only one. Perhaps, over time, it will undergo reconstruction and conversion to new technology.
Let's go back to where we started – the new MTC of OJSC "Vitebskaya Broiler Poultry Farm". The total construction cost is 35 million rubles. 63 percent of this is a loan at half the refinancing rate, issued by the Development Bank, the rest is own funds and money from other banks. The project payback period is 11 years.
Four cow sheds are planned, a large milking parlor where 50 heads can be accommodated simultaneously. There will also be a small one for 8 heads for the first lactation cows. Young stock facilities. Closed cycle. A heifer is born here and eventually becomes a dairy cow.
Why did the enterprise undertake the construction?
— The decision was conscious and well-thought-out, — explains Nadezhda Gribanova, Deputy General Director for Agriculture of OJSC "Vitebskaya Broiler Poultry Farm". — We have two modern MTCs with a total herd of 1600 cows. On one, the annual yield per cow is 8200 kilograms, on the second – 6500. We also have many small farms, morally and physically obsolete. For example, in the agro-complex "Yanovichy", where the new MTC is being built, there are 5 of them. Some are almost half a century old. The tethered animal keeping technology and milking into a milk pipeline do not allow for increasing production and improving quality. These farms have just over a thousand cows. One new facility allows not only to preserve but also to increase the herd. This aspect should also be considered. All old farms in this agro-complex have 18 milkmaids. The new MTC has only 6. As we can see, labor productivity significantly increases. Therefore, we will gradually close the old ones, leaving only one. Perhaps, over time, it will undergo reconstruction and conversion to new technology.
The new MTC plans to immediately reach a milk yield of 10,000 kilograms per year. How to achieve such a result? Livestock premises are equipped only with heifers. For this purpose, heifers were purchased from other farms according to a specially developed schedule, and also raised on their own farms. They were cared for, gained high weight gains, and were bred at the optimal age of 24 months from birth.
Personnel. The best machine milking operators were selected, proven in practice, who can truly implement all the management's ideas and obtain the maximum amount of high-quality milk. Those who did not make the cut will retire or be assigned to auxiliary work after the old farms are closed. At the modern MTCs built earlier, milkmaids receive 1.4–1.5 thousand rubles. Naturally, at the new complex, with high results, the salary will be no lower.
Feed was also taken care of in advance. The animals were not there yet, but silage and haylage were already waiting for them. The new complex has 14 trenches, which allow for a complete and balanced diet for the animals. The poultry farm has a powerful compound feed plant. It can produce enough concentrates not only for poultry but also for all cattle. There is enough of its own grain. This year, more than 40 thousand tons were threshed, including 2.6 thousand tons of peas. 3.5 thousand hectares are allocated for rapeseed. They process it themselves. The oil goes into compound feed for poultry, and the cake is for cattle.
The poultry farm is not stopping there. The design of another similar dairy farm complex is underway, and they plan to start construction next year.
— Milk is a profitable commodity, — adds Nadezhda Gribanova. — Profitability in the farm as a whole is 30 percent, and at the MTC — 50 percent. The latter figure is a clear confirmation of the effectiveness of modern technologies for its production.
As we can see, Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Farm has created a reliable feed base. What is the situation in the region as a whole? After all, the construction of new dairy farm complexes requires not only more haylage-silage but also an improvement in its nutritional properties, as well as preservation.t.
— The requirement is unequivocal — to abandon silage pits, — says Viktor Shebalov. — In 2019, it was planned to introduce 203 trenches, the task will be completed. But this is not enough yet to place all fodder in stationary storage facilities. If we build as many more next year, we will solve the problem.
The region needs approximately 4 million tons of forage crops per year. This is how much is harvested. But the quality is not always satisfactory. It is necessary not only to put fodder into trenches but also to harvest it at optimal times so that the grasses do not overgrow. It is also necessary to provide protein for the feed units.
— We are updating the species composition of perennial grasses, — said Yuri Romanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Land Cultivation, Crop Production, and Fodder Production of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. — This year, 100 thousand hectares of grasses have been sown on arable land, and more than 45 thousand hectares on improved pastures. The task is to sow only legumes in pure form on arable land. Currently, legumes and legume-cereal mixtures occupy 83 percent of the area — an increase of 4 percent compared to last year. Legumes in pure form account for more than 40 percent. In 2018, it was less than 35 percent. The progress is evident.
The region is gradually increasing the area of high-protein alfalfa. Last year, it was 6 thousand hectares, and this year another 200 hectares have been added. However, the northern region is more favorable for growing clover. Moreover, its seeds can be obtained domestically, while alfalfa seeds have to be purchased abroad. This is a considerable expense. This year, the area under corn has also been increased by 15 percent.
Although forage crops are the main food for cattle, concentrates are also essential. In recent years, the Vitebsk region has harvested approximately one million tons of grain. In gross weight, this amounts to 900 thousand tons. Subtracting the state order and seeds, 600 thousand tons remain. However, 850 thousand tons are required for fodder purposes alone. As a result, specialists have calculated that to fully supply all livestock farming, the region needs to thresh 300 thousand tons more.
How can this be achieved? By improving agricultural practices, applying more fertilizers, and using higher-yielding varieties.
— We should not forget about grain legumes either, — adds Yuri Romanov. —— Their areas in the region have stabilized at 60 thousand hectares with a gross harvest of 100 thousand tons. Now the main thing is to increase yields. It is no coincidence that a special nomination for the best result in the production of leguminous crops was introduced at the regional "Dazhynki". This is their own protein, which allows reducing imports and the cost of livestock products. There are many examples of high achievements in this sector. For example, SGTS "Zadneprovsky" of the Orsha district received 43 centners per hectare of peas this year. And RUP "Ustye" of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus" in the same district, even 60.
Another pleasant news for Vitebsk region. Recently, a new dairy complex was commissioned at the "Teplichny" branch of RUP "Vitebskenergo" in the Orsha district. It will house 460 dairy cows, and with young stock – 1210.
— The financing of the project was undertaken by the parent company, — said the branch director Pavel Fominov. — The total cost is 20.5 million rubles. 80 percent is a loan from the Development Bank, the rest is own funds.
The farm plans to milk more than 7 thousand kilograms of milk per cow this year. For the new complex, the task is higher – to start with 8.5 thousand. At the same time, in the next year, the gross milk production in the farm is planned to be increased by one and a half times. But the main thing is the efficiency of the industry. Currently, despite relatively high milk yields, the profitability of milk is 11 percent. With the help of the new dairy complex, they plan to increase it to 30.
Four more dairy complexes are nearing completion in the region. This means that in the near future, an increase in milk production, the most profitable commodity, can be expected.