A large-scale modernization of the livestock industry is planned in the Vitebsk region
Five-Year Plan Target
According to Vladimir Mashero, First Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee, there are currently 130 dairy farms equipped with milking parlors and robotic systems in the Vitebsk region, accounting for 17.6% of the total number. Last year, an average of about 4,000 kg of milk was obtained per cow. On dairy farms with milking parlors, this figure was 20% higher, and on robotic farms, it approached 7,000 kg (currently, they receive at least 20 kg per cow per day). Therefore, modernizing livestock farming is urgently needed.
This year, nine dairy farms will be commissioned, two of which have already been built: a robotic one and one with a milking parlor. Construction has begun on three more modern farms, which are planned to house from 1,200 to 2,000 cows. By 2024, a total of nineteen similar facilities for 30.5 thousand heads are planned to be built. Due attention is also paid to the reconstruction of old farms; over 30 livestock facilities were renovated this year.
Despite the consequences of the 2018 crop failure, the shortage of feed grain and protein raw materials during the stall period and in the spring of 2019, a positive trend in milk production was achieved in the autumn months. Currently, an average of 3321 kg of milk has been milked per cow, which is 15 kg more than in the same period last year.
Over the years, milk production has been increasing at the modern dairy complex in SPC "Larinovka" of the Orsha region. In 2018, 10,835 kg of milk per cow was obtained here, and this year the farm will exceed the mark of 11,000 kg. This indicator is not only one of the highest in the country but also corresponds to the world level. In OJSC "Shaiterovo" of the Verkhnedvinsk region, at dairy farms equipped with conventional milking pipelines, 8,482 kg of milk per cow were milked in 2018, an increase of 568 kg compared to 2017. At similar equipment in OJSC "Novye Goryany" of the Polotsk region, 7,434 kg were obtained during the same period (an increase of 355 kg compared to 2017). Robotic farms have proven themselves well. Among the best are those in SHP "Mazolovo-gaz" of the Vitebsk region, UP "Koroli" of the Gluboksky region, the branch "Vesna-Energo" of the Polotsk region, and OJSC "Khotily-Agro" of the Postavsky region. For 10 months of this year, the milk yield per cow here ranges from 7,000 to 9,000 kg.
Pig breeding is reaching a new level
The unfavorable epizootic situation that arose in 2013 has been overcome. Despite a slight decrease in the number of animals of this species, due to increased industry efficiency, the 2012 level of pork production has been surpassed. Average daily weight gains meet the requirements of the technological regulations and for 10 months of 2019 amounted to 630 g, which is 3.4% higher than last year. In the Braslav, Verkhnedvinsk, and Tolochin regions, the indicator approached 700 g, and in the Lepel and Chashnik regions, it exceeded 900 g.
For the development of pig breeding, in cooperation with an Israeli company, the construction of a new breeding farm for 5,000 sows has begun in the Liozno region. The development of design documentation for the construction of a similar facility in the Orsha region is being completed. This will significantly increase the efficiency of obtaining piglets for pig fattening complexes and increase meat production.
In-demand turkey
Despite serious competition from neighboring countries, primarily Russia, the poultry population in the Vitebsk region is increasing (as of November 1, there were over 6.5 million heads). This includes turkeys (average monthly number of 36.4 thousand). The profitability of turkey meat at OJSC "Ptitsesfabrika Gorodok" is 15%, and it is in demand on domestic and foreign markets, as it is dietary and very healthy.
This year, 332.6 million eggs were produced, which is 20.8 million more than last year. Since the beginning of 2019, the egg-laying rate of laying hens has increased by 13% to 235 eggs per hen.
Honor for Labor
It has become a good tradition to honor the industry leaders at the regional level annually. Based on the results of 2018, 148 workers were recognized as the best in their professions, including 52 milking machine operators. Among them are Larisa Isakovich from SPF "Zaozerie" of Lepel district (milked 9531 kg per cow), Valentina Khadkevich from OJSC "Shaiterovo" of Verkhnedvinsk district (9178 kg), a mother of many children Tatyana Svitko from KUSKhP named after Chernyakhovsky of Dubrovno district (6651 kg), and many others. Similar celebrations are also held at the district level.
Welcome to the Young
Three years ago, the regional executive committee's order changed the remuneration system for agricultural specialists. The new scheme encourages increased labor and production efficiency. For example, farm managers, livestock specialists, and veterinarians, upon meeting and exceeding set targets (calf output, average daily weight gain, increased milk production, etc.), have the opportunity to earn 2,000 rubles or more. This also applies to young specialists, whose retention rate has increased by two percentage points over the last year, reaching 53%. In 2019, the number of managers and specialists in agricultural organizations under the age of 31 was 1,740, or a quarter of the total number. As an example, we can cite Ekaterina Antanovich, chief livestock specialist, and Vladimir Mikhailov, chief agronomist from the agricultural production cooperative "Olgovskoye" in the Vitebsk region. Largely thanks to their work, the annual milk yield per cow in the farm exceeds 6,000 kg, and the cabbage yield in 2019 surpassed 800 centners per hectare.
Systematic work is underway to select professionally oriented applicants familiar with rural life and production for admission to agricultural educational institutions, and to conclude targeted contracts (their number has increased by 15.4% over six years). During their studies, pupils and students undergo practical training at base, efficiently operating agricultural enterprises with advanced experience (99 farms are on the list). Currently, there are 30 agricultural classes operating in the schools of the Vitebsk region, with the first graduation scheduled for 2020.
Vladimir Mashero noted that, given the importance of qualified personnel for the agricultural sector, the authorities maintain constant control over their qualitative composition, the retention of young specialists and provision of housing, as well as the improvement of professional levels and material incentives.