Experiments are being conducted on a cornfield in the Orsha district
Vitebsk region is actively adopting a new silage harvesting technology.
Corn harvesting for grain has begun in the Vitebsk region, where it is grown on 8,000 hectares. According to Valery Nerozya, head of the department of agriculture, crop production, and fodder production of the regional agricultural committee, the main area, about 5,000 hectares, is in the Orsha agro-industrial association.
— Compare this to last year, when this was the total for the entire region, and almost 30 thousand tons of grain were obtained. This year promises to be more generous, but there is a snag: in our conditions, the corn has not yet reached the appropriate maturity. The grain moisture is still high — over 30 percent, so now the harvest is mainly providing work for crushers, — comments Valery Nerozya.
Last year, by this time, farmers had managed to harvest over 450 hectares. However, the average yield this year is higher: 92 centners per hectare compared to 84. Timely sowing, strict adherence to technology, the use of protective agents, and top dressing contributed to the good result.
Does the capricious weather affect the harvesting? Our interlocutor is determined:
— There is no time to blame the rain. The main thing is that there is enough equipment. The agro-industrial associations have 27 combines re-equipped for harvesting corn for grain. And in the region, there are more than 60 attachments that can be easily deployed at the right moment.
This year, the Orsha agro-industrial association has planted a special corn field. Konstantin Savin, deputy general director of the Orsha meat-canning plant, explains the feature:
— 60 corn hybrids have been sown here on 10 hectares. Practically the entire line-up is new. If at the start, the selection and hybrid center "Zadneprovsky" worked with eight hybrids, then last year it was with 20, and this year — three times more. Among them are varieties not only of popular German but also Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Belarusian selection. For example, the domestic "Ladoga" and "Polesye" are an excellent option for silage harvesting. It is too early to say that they are suitable for grain.
"Zadneprovsky" is the only one in the structure of the Orsha agro-industrial associationagriculture, which is engaged in corn on such a scale. They allocated 3200 hectares for it, including 1.5 thousand hectares for grain – here they get more than 120 centners per round.
Is this crop promising for the fields of Orsha in terms of grain? Konstantin Savin, an agronomist with many years of experience, answers:
— The combine will show. Now we have selected three hybrids for ourselves that delight with consistently good grain yields: "Corifei", "Kolizei", and "Talisman". Moldovans, Ukrainians, and Belgians approached us with their offers. The choice is rich – we will work.
Weather is a serious issue for farmers. If we consider the cumulative temperatures, then 2020 is colder than 2019, notes Konstantin Savin:
— Because of this, the corn did not form, did not ripen on time. We are two weeks behind last year's schedule. It is no secret that when it rains, the equipment literally gets bogged down in the field, and excess moisture interferes with harvesting for grain. However, with 30% moisture, it is good for crimping.
There are about 30 crimpers in the farms of the region, including 17 in agro-industrial associations. Crimping corn grain is a well-known advanced technology that began to be actively used here three to four years ago. It makes sense for farms to use corn grain for livestock feed if it is used reasonably and in the appropriate form.
In our case, the advantages are as follows. Firstly, crimped grain will easily fit into the animal's diet, explains Valery Nerozya:
— Secondly, such a rather budget-friendly feed is rich in energy, sugars – and this is the best solution for highly productive cows. An important point: compared to drying, fuel costs and equipment depreciation are significantly reduced during crimping. A simpler, stretched harvesting system for such targeted processing is also important. Finally, crimped grain is easy to store – there is no need for special and expensive facilities. Most of the harvested in Vitebsk region will be stored in trenches, but polymer sleeves are also in use.
In the village of Churylovo, Orsha district, a new dairy farm complex is growing before our eyes. It is planned to house up to 2000 head of cattle. They are already thinking about how to feed themtoday. In the silage trench, which will later be carefully sealed with film like an envelope, a new roller is humming. A valuable acquisition from last year. In an hour, it can easily handle 60 tons of grain.
Together with Konstantin Savin, we inspect the currently relatively free area. In the sun, tons of rolled corn grain shimmer like precious stones. This nutritional supplement for feed will help ensure good milk yields and weight gain, Konstantin Ivanovich is confident:
— The first heifers are expected to be delivered to the farm in a few months. We have prepared about 3000 tons of silage for them. We will also put corn silage in these trenches. In general, we will have enough feed.
On the "Zadneprovsky" field in the Markovichi tract, 90 hectares of corn are being harvested. The team of combine operators is assembled as if by order – all front-rankers. For example, machinist Sergey Grekov, whose crew was the first in the history of the Vitebsk region to exceed the 4000-ton mark in grain harvesting in 2017, and last year set a new record – 7000 tons. At the forefront of events are combine operators Vladislav Laptinsky and Vladimir Polyachinsky. We also find Alexander Komarov in the field, whose family crew has become the leader of the current regional harvest. The experienced machinist has worked in the combine cabin for 25 seasons. He quickly switched from grain to harvesting the queen of the fields. The start of the corn season is hindered by rains, Alexander Andreevich worries:
— We have to catch every fine moment. But there's nothing to be done – for us, agrarians, this is not news. Under favorable conditions, I can thresh more than 200 tons of grain per day. The yield is good, and when the sky is clear, you work with special enthusiasm and mood.
Corn harvesting for grain has begun in the Vitebsk region, where it is grown on 8,000 hectares. According to Valery Nerozya, head of the department of agriculture, crop production, and fodder production of the regional agricultural committee, the main area, about 5,000 hectares, is in the Orsha agro-industrial association.
Corn crushing.
— Compare this to last year, when this was the total for the entire region, and almost 30 thousand tons of grain were obtained. This year promises to be more generous, but there is a snag: in our conditions, the corn has not yet reached the appropriate maturity. The grain moisture is still high — over 30 percent, so now the harvest is mainly providing work for crushers, — comments Valery Nerozya.
Last year, by this time, farmers had managed to harvest over 450 hectares. However, the average yield this year is higher: 92 centners per hectare compared to 84. Timely sowing, strict adherence to technology, the use of protective agents, and top dressing contributed to the good result.
Does the capricious weather affect the harvesting? Our interlocutor is determined:
— There is no time to blame the rain. The main thing is that there is enough equipment. The agro-industrial associations have 27 combines re-equipped for harvesting corn for grain. And in the region, there are more than 60 attachments that can be easily deployed at the right moment.
This year, the Orsha agro-industrial association has planted a special corn field. Konstantin Savin, deputy general director of the Orsha meat-canning plant, explains the feature:
— 60 corn hybrids have been sown here on 10 hectares. Practically the entire line-up is new. If at the start, the selection and hybrid center "Zadneprovsky" worked with eight hybrids, then last year it was with 20, and this year — three times more. Among them are varieties not only of popular German but also Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Belarusian selection. For example, the domestic "Ladoga" and "Polesye" are an excellent option for silage harvesting. It is too early to say that they are suitable for grain.
"Zadneprovsky" is the only one in the structure of the Orsha agro-industrial associationagriculture, which is engaged in corn on such a scale. They allocated 3200 hectares for it, including 1.5 thousand hectares for grain – here they get more than 120 centners per round.
Is this crop promising for the fields of Orsha in terms of grain? Konstantin Savin, an agronomist with many years of experience, answers:
— The combine will show. Now we have selected three hybrids for ourselves that delight with consistently good grain yields: "Corifei", "Kolizei", and "Talisman". Moldovans, Ukrainians, and Belgians approached us with their offers. The choice is rich – we will work.
Weather is a serious issue for farmers. If we consider the cumulative temperatures, then 2020 is colder than 2019, notes Konstantin Savin:
— Because of this, the corn did not form, did not ripen on time. We are two weeks behind last year's schedule. It is no secret that when it rains, the equipment literally gets bogged down in the field, and excess moisture interferes with harvesting for grain. However, with 30% moisture, it is good for crimping.
There are about 30 crimpers in the farms of the region, including 17 in agro-industrial associations. Crimping corn grain is a well-known advanced technology that began to be actively used here three to four years ago. It makes sense for farms to use corn grain for livestock feed if it is used reasonably and in the appropriate form.
In our case, the advantages are as follows. Firstly, crimped grain will easily fit into the animal's diet, explains Valery Nerozya:
— Secondly, such a rather budget-friendly feed is rich in energy, sugars – and this is the best solution for highly productive cows. An important point: compared to drying, fuel costs and equipment depreciation are significantly reduced during crimping. A simpler, stretched harvesting system for such targeted processing is also important. Finally, crimped grain is easy to store – there is no need for special and expensive facilities. Most of the harvested in Vitebsk region will be stored in trenches, but polymer sleeves are also in use.
In the village of Churylovo, Orsha district, a new dairy farm complex is growing before our eyes. It is planned to house up to 2000 head of cattle. They are already thinking about how to feed themtoday. In the silage trench, which will later be carefully sealed with film like an envelope, a new roller is humming. A valuable acquisition from last year. In an hour, it can easily handle 60 tons of grain.
Together with Konstantin Savin, we inspect the currently relatively free area. In the sun, tons of rolled corn grain shimmer like precious stones. This nutritional supplement for feed will help ensure good milk yields and weight gain, Konstantin Ivanovich is confident:
— The first heifers are expected to be delivered to the farm in a few months. We have prepared about 3000 tons of silage for them. We will also put corn silage in these trenches. In general, we will have enough feed.
Machinist Vladimir Polyachinsky.
On the "Zadneprovsky" field in the Markovichi tract, 90 hectares of corn are being harvested. The team of combine operators is assembled as if by order – all front-rankers. For example, machinist Sergey Grekov, whose crew was the first in the history of the Vitebsk region to exceed the 4000-ton mark in grain harvesting in 2017, and last year set a new record – 7000 tons. At the forefront of events are combine operators Vladislav Laptinsky and Vladimir Polyachinsky. We also find Alexander Komarov in the field, whose family crew has become the leader of the current regional harvest. The experienced machinist has worked in the combine cabin for 25 seasons. He quickly switched from grain to harvesting the queen of the fields. The start of the corn season is hindered by rains, Alexander Andreevich worries:
— We have to catch every fine moment. But there's nothing to be done – for us, agrarians, this is not news. Under favorable conditions, I can thresh more than 200 tons of grain per day. The yield is good, and when the sky is clear, you work with special enthusiasm and mood.
Machinist Vladislav Laptinsky.