Farmers of the agricultural enterprise "Rudakovo" of the Vitebsk region expect to harvest a rich crop
Combine operators Aliaksandr SADOUSKI and Uladzimir JEUDKIMAU with team leader Ivan JASHCHANKA.
Outsmarting Nature
— In the morning, such a downpour hit us that it was scary to go outside: water poured over the asphalt in waves, — says the Deputy Director for Production, Andrei Bienko, whom we meet on the territory of the drying complex. — We thought that all field work would stop altogether, but the breeze helped: now our combine operators are already starting on higher sections of the fields. It's only five in the evening. Yesterday, the grain growers turned off their engines somewhere around ten-thirty...Deputy Director for Production Andrei BIENKO.
Trucks loaded with grain (their total capacity is 400 tons per day) are driving away from the dryers from time to time. Rudakova is completing the state order for rapeseed: 2.2 thousand tons of seeds will be sent to the oil extraction plant. By the way, this agricultural enterprise was the first in the district to harvest all rapeseed plantations in a short period. Now they have been able to focus all their efforts on harvesting grain crops.
— We will have to harvest about 5,000 hectares in total, — shares the plans, brigade leader Ivan Yashchenko. — The initial yield is pleasing: some fields yield up to 50 centners per hectare.
We are heading to the site where the shock detachment of machine operators is currently working. On the way, my guides turn to the livestock complex and share a secret: while the grain moisture content was high, it was rolled into special sleeves. This way, they slightly outsmarted nature: they continued harvesting and did not have to spend extra money on drying the grain.
And here they are – long white snakes lined up between the farms. More than 600 tons of excellent nutritious feed are packed in these sleeves. They say that if you open the sleeve a little (which is strictly forbidden by technology now, to avoid air getting into the sealed container), you will be surprised by the strong smell of bread – as if a loaf is ripening in the oven.
— Feed is the foundation of everything for us, — explains Andrey Aleksandrovich. — We have almost 8,000 head of cattle. Can you imagine how much grain feed, hay, and silage is needed? Rudakova is among the three largest in the Vitebsk region in terms of area. This year we have increased the sown areas of barley. It, by the way, is pleasing with its yield. There are also good prospects for winter wheat and other crops.
Experience and Mastery
The farm's area of operation is 50-55 kilometers. Imagine, from Beshenkovichi to Liozno. So, to get to the current location of the combines, one has to travel a considerable distance. Along the way, we repeatedly receive signals from "headquarters": it's raining in different parts of the agricultural enterprise. But, fortunately, where the mechanized unit began its work after the morning downpour, it's calm for now.— All our combine operators are locals – experienced, reliable people, tested many times. Many have decades of experience behind the wheel, — I am already being introduced to the heroes of the future material in absentia. — And their surnames are well-known: our grain growers constantly take prize-winning places in labor competitions, and are permanent participants in district and regional "Dazhynki".And here they are – they have occupied a small hill with winter wheat in a tight circle. They admit: it's not only the farm specialists who diligently scroll through various websites these days in search of the "right" weather forecast, but the combine operators themselves. The forecasts are varied and not always accurate. Right now, it's raining in the nearest village, but it's still dry here. Yesterday was lucky: meteorologists promised bad weather, but it bypassed "Rudakovo". Today, the rain, unfortunately, has been excellent: you can't even walk to the neighboring field on foot, let alone on a heavy combine. So, we need to hurry.
— In the last harvest season, we took second place in the district for rapeseed, and third for grain. We had 5 thousanders, — Andrei Benko informs me. — Two were just a little short of time. I think they'll catch up this season. The farm has 11 combines. Over the last four years, we have purchased three new "Polesie" combines. But practice shows that not everything always depends on the newness of the equipment. Look, you see Nikolai Shushkevich working on a "Lida"? The machine is almost 20 years old, but it runs like clockwork. Mikhail Frichkov's "Mega" is the same age. These two machine operators have already harvested almost 150 hectares of grasses for the harvest!
From childhood, it seems, they have participated in the harvest rush, first as assistants, and for the last 15-20 years as leading combine operators, Alexander Sadovsky and Vladimir Evdokimov. While we were taking photos, Alexander
The combine operator with 20 years of experience, Viktor Avchinnikov, is also counting on a good harvest today. Only, he says, one must cherish the sunny minutes...
Combine operator Viktor AVCHYNNIKOV has been at the helm for almost 20 years.
As I understand it, this is a subtle hint that the conversation is over. Especially since a "mikrik" is visible in the distance: the machine operators are being brought their "afternoon snack". No one wastes time on dry rations here – with its help, you can satisfy hunger in the cabin, without interrupting work. They feed their farmers well in "Rudakovo". Full lunches and dinners are completely free this year for all trade union members. They also promise good wages – people should have an incentive. And the combine operators, relying on the experience of past years, are confident that they, as always, will not be disappointed. In a leading farm, they know how to appreciate quality work.