The pace of fodder harvesting in the farms of the Vitebsk region exceeds last year's level by 15%

June 7, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. The pace of first-cut fodder harvesting in the Vitebsk region's farms is 15% higher than in 2009, the Agriculture and Food Committee of the Regional Executive Committee told BELTA correspondent. As of the morning of June 7, the region's farms had harvested first-cut perennial grasses on an area of over 52 thousand hectares, which is about 20% of the plan. The most active work is being carried out by agricultural enterprises in the Orsha district, where about 40% of the area has been mowed, as well as in the Dubrovno (32%), Dokshitsy, and Braslav (25% each) districts. In total, over 63 thousand tons of fodder units have been harvested in the region, or 1.4 centners of fodder units per conventional head. Taking into account weather conditions, fodder harvesters are focusing on harvesting haylage and silage; 215 thousand tons of haylage (13% of the target) and 13.7 thousand tons of silage (about 1%) have already been harvested. This year, the region is to harvest at least 1,250 thousand tons of fodder units of grass fodder, which is 10% higher than last year's figure. For example, silage harvesting is planned at a level of at least 2.2 million tons, and haylage at 2 million tons. Per one conventional head of the public herd, it is necessary to harvest at least 26 centners of fodder units, which will allow for optimal wintering and ensure the fulfillment of forecast indicators for the growth of major types of livestock products. -0-