Nikolai Sherstnev discussed with heads of districts and regional structures issues of clear management during the harvest campaign
No one guarantees that sunny weather will accompany the current harvest. Therefore, it is more important than ever in every district and in every farm to mobilize all forces to fulfill the set tasks.
Statistics show that in many districts, the performance of farmers is not impressive. Only five districts showed a positive result for the first half of the year compared to 2014 (the first half of 2015 is not taken for comparison due to negative dynamics): Beshenkovichi, Braslav, Dubrovno, Orsha, and Ushachi. What aspects did the chairman emphasize?
Livestock population. The heads will bear personal responsibility for this indicator. It is necessary to increase it consistently every month! Special attention should be paid to the cow herd.
Nikolai Sherstnev also characterized the average daily weight gain of livestock and the number of offspring as low. This cannot be tolerated. It is necessary to increase milk yield from each cow. In this indicator, Vitebsk region is behind other regions, only Mogilev region is lower.
It is noteworthy that our region is now the leader in the republic in terms of fodder procurement. For example, we have procured twice as much fodder as in Gomel region. However, even here there are districts that need to catch up. Fodder is a strategic reserve for the farm, and it can be successfully sold to other regions in the coming winter. There is an abundance of second-cut grass in the region, which needs to be harvested.
Rainy weather has led to waterlogging of the land, and this has caused rampant weed growth in grain fields. In some places, they are overgrown with weeds by a quarter. The day before, the chairman inspected the Poludetki – Vymno – Shmyreva zone (Vitebsk district). The impression is negative. Obviously, the 2016 harvest will require individual solutions for each field.
It is recommended to harvest straw simultaneously with grain. Fields with no crops should be cleared to prevent further weed overgrowth.
Mechanized units, equipped with at least three shredders, should be established everywhere. Strict adherence to technological regulations is especially important. A disc harrow should follow the grain harvester in the field.
A thorough discussion on rapeseed cultivation took place at the meeting. This profitable crop does not tolerate the slightest deviation from technology. However, in terms of price, rapeseed can outperform wheat threefold. The transition of the Vitebsk Oil Extraction Plant to regional communal ownership opens new prospects for the region, which undoubtedly increases the responsibility for supplying it with raw materials.
- The soil for rapeseed must be prepared, - is confident Nikolai Nikolaevich Sherstnev. - This beneficial crop needs conditions, and then it will pay off handsomely. It is advisable to sow rapeseed using seeders from the Vitebsk Motor Repair Plant, where they are available, and to roll with special rollers. Orders for them have already been placed.
The efforts of townspeople will be involved in organizing the harvest campaign.
Rural executive committees also need to mobilize the efforts of rural residents.
Some yards are overgrown with weeds, and dachas too. Services should be created in each household to mow the verges of rural roads.
- Do not expect help from outside, - summarized Nikolai Sherstnev. - Only initiative, calculation, and interest will lead us to the desired result.
Svetlana Dedinkina,
Chief Specialist of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee.