The districts of Beshenkovichi, Vitebsk, Dubrovno, Orsha, Sharkovshchina, and Shumilino have already started harvesting the first cut of grass in the region. The remaining districts are preparing for mass fodder harvesting, which will begin in the northern region on June 1. The first cut will cover 197 thousand hectares of grass, with the aim of harvesting 381 thousand tons of fodder units of grass fodder, or at least 10 centners of fodder units per conventional head of cattle.

— What will be harvested in the first cut is one-third of the required amount. The task is to harvest 30 centners of fodder units per conventional head, taking into account a one-and-a-half-year supply of fodder. This will include the second cut, annual crops, and corn. The minimum we need to store to get through the winter with good productivity is 25 centners per cow, — said Yuri Romanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Land Cultivation, Crop Production, and Fodder Production of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee.

Currently, there is dry weather in the north of the country, while spring crops and grasses desperately need moisture to grow. Forecasters predict warm nights, and farmers are also hoping for rain, which would encourage vigorous growth of greenery. For now, those who have started mowing are testing their equipment and harvesting only 10-20 hectares – exclusively for supplementary feed.

In the structure of perennial grasses on arable land, legumes and legume-cereal grass mixtures account for 81 percent. Red clover alone occupies 42 thousand hectares, and alfalfa – 4.7 thousand hectares. Grass undersowing is also predominantly done with legume and legume-cereal mixtures.

— Science suggests harvesting the first cut of grass within 14-18 days, but reality shows it takes longer. It could be due to rain, equipment breakdowns, or fuel supply issues, — noted Yuri Romanov.

For now, farmers are optimistic about the mowing season: the equipment is better prepared than last year. Approximately 150 units are involved in this process daily.

The region's farms have 462 fodder harvesting combines, 883 tractor mowers, 520 tractor rakes, 508 balers for hay and straw, and 75 combined balers with stretch film wrapping.

— Our equipment is mainly domestic, but all the combined balers are of foreign manufacture. For known reasons, spare part prices have skyrocketed, and there are issues with delivery times. Contracts are signed, everything is paid for, and we are waiting. This is what spoils the overall picture for us, — emphasized