How are innovative projects implemented at RUE «Ustye» of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus?»
Innovative projects of RUP "Ustye" NAS of Belarus" yield excellent results not only in animal husbandry
The main provisions of the Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2021-2025 include a section on "Modern Innovation Ecosystem." The task for the upcoming five-year period is to reach the level of innovative development of Eastern European leader countries. It is planned to implement more than 70 projects in this area, including in the agro-industrial complex, and to increase the science intensity of GDP to at least 1 percent. There is a lot of work to be done. And there are already the first positive examples of the connection between science and production. The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus recently implemented two innovative projects at its agricultural enterprise "Ustye" in the Orsha district.
Director Dmitry BATYUKOV.
The enterprise became part of the Academy of Sciences in 2015. After analyzing the situation, scientists concluded that the cattle population was very small. There were only 10 cows per 100 hectares of agricultural land, which is 2 times less than the national average. Naturally, without sufficient gross milk production, the farm's economy left much to be desired.
Since there were no free premises for livestock, it was decided to build a dairy complex. And since this is a division of the National Academy of Sciences, the new facility had to be innovative. Of course, money was needed. They turned to the Head of State for support. Funds were allocated from the Republican Centralized Innovation Fund. At the end of last year, the "Ustenskiy" dairy complex of RUP "Ustye" NAS of Belarus" was commissioned. What does it represent?
The dairy complex premises are designed for 1000 milking and 200 dry cows. A six-stall "Herringbone" unit is used for milking, and a "Carousel" for the main herd. Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences Petr Kazakevich explained the innovation:
— There are many milking parlors with carousel milking units in the country, but this is the first robotic one, designed for 40 cows. There is no operator here. One person will monitor that all milking stations are working. A special mechanism automatically drives the cows to the milking parlor. It enters a free stall.for milking, the computer remembers the specific udder structure of each. The equipment massages the udder, processes it, milks the first streams, and sorts the milk into separate tanks.
A batch of animals has been imported — 280 red cattle heifers from Denmark. The potential is up to 12 thousand kilograms of milk per cow per year, but in real conditions, it is initially planned to obtain 9-9.5 thousand.
Of course, such productivity will boost the farm's economy. However, according to Petr Kazakevich, another task is more important: the farm must become a breeding farm. Scientific goals come to the forefront. One of them is to increase the productive period of the animals. Currently, the national average is 2.8 lactations per cow. The aim is to reach at least 3.5 initially. Consequently, the number of calves obtained from each cow will increase. For reproduction, special genetic material will be used, which allows for an increase in heifer output to 70-80 percent. The best bull calves are planned to be selected and sold to breeding enterprises. Heifers will be sent for herd replacement to other farms of the enterprise, where there are 950 more cows. This is to ensure that in the future, the entire enterprise switches to red cattle. Considering that such animals are also present at the "ZhоdinoAgroPlemElita" farm of the Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Animal Husbandry, the long-term plan is to create its own Belarusian breed of red cattle as a result of selection work. Incidentally, it once existed but, as they say, got lost.
Agronomist-seed grower Ksenia PULYANOVA.
Why did attention turn specifically to red cattle? Cows of this breed have higher milk fat content and contain protein AA (black-and-white cattle only have A). According to research by foreign specialists, milk containing this protein is better absorbed by the bodies of children and the elderly.
And another thing. At the end of last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food approved the Belarusian specialized dairy cattle breed, commonly called Belholstein. But they did not stop there. Based on Belholstein, they intend to create a breed under the working title "industrial cow." It should maintain productivity while having a strong constitution, able to withstand harsh conditions of keeping and milk production atin modern complexes, to increase the number of lactations from the current 2.8 to 4 and more. Red cattle will also be used for breeding work.
How is the adaptation of heifers in a new place?
— At first, we were worried about how the animals would adapt to the new conditions. But the adaptation went well. Sometimes it seems that they like it here more than at home, — says the director of the enterprise Dmitry Batyukov, both jokingly and seriously.
MEANWHILE, there are grounds to say so. In Denmark, the heifers were kept tied up in a room with low ceilings. Here, at the new farm, they have freedom and full comfort.
The head of the complex, Lyudmila Skakun, also adds with humor:
— Heifers of our usual black-and-white breed sometimes experience "hazing": if you bring an animal into a group that did not grow up here, the "old-timers" can chase it, push it. But when moving red cattle from one group to another, there are no conflicts. They are very peaceful and kind animals.
Seed production plant.
Many years ago, the farm was called an experimental base and was engaged in seed production. Over time, the equipment for seed preparation wore out, new equipment was not purchased, and the farm lost its status. Therefore, after joining the National Academy of Sciences, it was decided to return to seed production to improve the financial situation. Thus, the idea of creating a plant for the production of agricultural crop seeds arose. Funds for its construction were also allocated from the Republican centralized innovation fund. The plant began operating during the past harvest.
One of the features of this enterprise is the use of the most modern methods for evaluating and preparing seeds. Traditionally, large and dense grain is selected for seeds. Here, microcracks that negatively affect future yields are also identified. Grain with their presence is immediately sent for feed.
— The innovativeness of the plant is that, — explains director Dmitry Batyukov, — only four people work here now. Automation controls all processes. Initially, 10 thousand tons of grain are loaded into the storage tanks, from which approximately7 thousand tons of seeds, the rest goes for animal feed.
By the way, the plant not only processes its own grain but also provides services to other enterprises that bring their grain here and receive seeds as a result. Payment can be made in cash or in grain.
THANKS to the financial, organizational, and scientific support of the National Academy of Sciences, the farm has improved its crop production. Last year's harvest was completed with excellent results. Gross grain production was about 12 thousand tons with a yield of 51 centners per hectare. This means there will be enough for fodder and for the plant's capacity. The Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Agriculture also provided support by allocating various seeds for reproduction. Thus, through the farm, a system is being formed for supplying the most modern seed varieties from breeders to agricultural enterprises in the Vitebsk and Mogilev regions. The issue of exporting Belarusian seeds to Russia is also being considered. Now the main task is to restore the enterprise's former glory and seriously engage in the production of elite seeds.
The main provisions of the Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2021-2025 include a section on "Modern Innovation Ecosystem." The task for the upcoming five-year period is to reach the level of innovative development of Eastern European leader countries. It is planned to implement more than 70 projects in this area, including in the agro-industrial complex, and to increase the science intensity of GDP to at least 1 percent. There is a lot of work to be done. And there are already the first positive examples of the connection between science and production. The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus recently implemented two innovative projects at its agricultural enterprise "Ustye" in the Orsha district.
Director Dmitry BATYUKOV.
The enterprise became part of the Academy of Sciences in 2015. After analyzing the situation, scientists concluded that the cattle population was very small. There were only 10 cows per 100 hectares of agricultural land, which is 2 times less than the national average. Naturally, without sufficient gross milk production, the farm's economy left much to be desired.
Since there were no free premises for livestock, it was decided to build a dairy complex. And since this is a division of the National Academy of Sciences, the new facility had to be innovative. Of course, money was needed. They turned to the Head of State for support. Funds were allocated from the Republican Centralized Innovation Fund. At the end of last year, the "Ustenskiy" dairy complex of RUP "Ustye" NAS of Belarus" was commissioned. What does it represent?
The dairy complex premises are designed for 1000 milking and 200 dry cows. A six-stall "Herringbone" unit is used for milking, and a "Carousel" for the main herd. Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences Petr Kazakevich explained the innovation:
— There are many milking parlors with carousel milking units in the country, but this is the first robotic one, designed for 40 cows. There is no operator here. One person will monitor that all milking stations are working. A special mechanism automatically drives the cows to the milking parlor. It enters a free stall.for milking, the computer remembers the specific udder structure of each. The equipment massages the udder, processes it, milks the first streams, and sorts the milk into separate tanks.
A batch of animals has been imported — 280 red cattle heifers from Denmark. The potential is up to 12 thousand kilograms of milk per cow per year, but in real conditions, it is initially planned to obtain 9-9.5 thousand.
Of course, such productivity will boost the farm's economy. However, according to Petr Kazakevich, another task is more important: the farm must become a breeding farm. Scientific goals come to the forefront. One of them is to increase the productive period of the animals. Currently, the national average is 2.8 lactations per cow. The aim is to reach at least 3.5 initially. Consequently, the number of calves obtained from each cow will increase. For reproduction, special genetic material will be used, which allows for an increase in heifer output to 70-80 percent. The best bull calves are planned to be selected and sold to breeding enterprises. Heifers will be sent for herd replacement to other farms of the enterprise, where there are 950 more cows. This is to ensure that in the future, the entire enterprise switches to red cattle. Considering that such animals are also present at the "ZhоdinoAgroPlemElita" farm of the Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Animal Husbandry, the long-term plan is to create its own Belarusian breed of red cattle as a result of selection work. Incidentally, it once existed but, as they say, got lost.
Agronomist-seed grower Ksenia PULYANOVA.
Why did attention turn specifically to red cattle? Cows of this breed have higher milk fat content and contain protein AA (black-and-white cattle only have A). According to research by foreign specialists, milk containing this protein is better absorbed by the bodies of children and the elderly.
And another thing. At the end of last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food approved the Belarusian specialized dairy cattle breed, commonly called Belholstein. But they did not stop there. Based on Belholstein, they intend to create a breed under the working title "industrial cow." It should maintain productivity while having a strong constitution, able to withstand harsh conditions of keeping and milk production atin modern complexes, to increase the number of lactations from the current 2.8 to 4 and more. Red cattle will also be used for breeding work.
How is the adaptation of heifers in a new place?
— At first, we were worried about how the animals would adapt to the new conditions. But the adaptation went well. Sometimes it seems that they like it here more than at home, — says the director of the enterprise Dmitry Batyukov, both jokingly and seriously.
MEANWHILE, there are grounds to say so. In Denmark, the heifers were kept tied up in a room with low ceilings. Here, at the new farm, they have freedom and full comfort.
The head of the complex, Lyudmila Skakun, also adds with humor:
— Heifers of our usual black-and-white breed sometimes experience "hazing": if you bring an animal into a group that did not grow up here, the "old-timers" can chase it, push it. But when moving red cattle from one group to another, there are no conflicts. They are very peaceful and kind animals.
Seed production plant.
Many years ago, the farm was called an experimental base and was engaged in seed production. Over time, the equipment for seed preparation wore out, new equipment was not purchased, and the farm lost its status. Therefore, after joining the National Academy of Sciences, it was decided to return to seed production to improve the financial situation. Thus, the idea of creating a plant for the production of agricultural crop seeds arose. Funds for its construction were also allocated from the Republican centralized innovation fund. The plant began operating during the past harvest.
One of the features of this enterprise is the use of the most modern methods for evaluating and preparing seeds. Traditionally, large and dense grain is selected for seeds. Here, microcracks that negatively affect future yields are also identified. Grain with their presence is immediately sent for feed.
— The innovativeness of the plant is that, — explains director Dmitry Batyukov, — only four people work here now. Automation controls all processes. Initially, 10 thousand tons of grain are loaded into the storage tanks, from which approximately7 thousand tons of seeds, the rest goes for animal feed.
By the way, the plant not only processes its own grain but also provides services to other enterprises that bring their grain here and receive seeds as a result. Payment can be made in cash or in grain.
THANKS to the financial, organizational, and scientific support of the National Academy of Sciences, the farm has improved its crop production. Last year's harvest was completed with excellent results. Gross grain production was about 12 thousand tons with a yield of 51 centners per hectare. This means there will be enough for fodder and for the plant's capacity. The Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Agriculture also provided support by allocating various seeds for reproduction. Thus, through the farm, a system is being formed for supplying the most modern seed varieties from breeders to agricultural enterprises in the Vitebsk and Mogilev regions. The issue of exporting Belarusian seeds to Russia is also being considered. Now the main task is to restore the enterprise's former glory and seriously engage in the production of elite seeds.