Best ploughmen

At the VIII Regional Professional Skills Competition for Young Machine Operators, held in the Orsha District at the base of the Vyssoki Professional Agricultural Lyceum, the honor of Lepel region was defended by tractor drivers Raman Ladzik and Dzmitry Pamaleyka.

After studying at the Horadok Agro-Technical College, Raman came to work at OAO “Ladasna”. He was entrusted with a powerful MTZ-3022. The young machine operator was noticed and, in his very first year of work, was selected for the representative competition.

Dzmitry is a more experienced tractor driver, having worked at the wheel of an MTZ-1221 for over six years. In 2002, he graduated from the Lepel State Professional Lyceum and now works in his specialty in the flax factory's tractor brigade.
Representatives from 21 districts of the Vitebsk region gathered in Vyssoki – the best of the best young machine operators.

Knowledge of agricultural production theory and machine operation formed the basis of the first competitive task, which was a test of one hundred questions. For two hours, the tractor drivers, more accustomed to sitting at the wheel and levers in tractor cabs, sat in a classroom at writing desks, working with pens. Above all, they relied on their own knowledge. Following questions on drawing were questions on materials science, agronomy, labor protection, traffic rules, and other disciplines.

In the theoretical task, the machine operator from “Ladasna” won second place in the individual standings. As Raman said afterwards, he had only recently finished his studies, so most of the theoretical knowledge was still fresh in his memory.

In the evening, a concert was given for the guests by local amateur art groups.

The next day, practical tasks were assigned for the aggregation and adjustment of the tractor and ploughs, and ploughing a designated plot. In these competitions, work experience and practical skills honed over years of work were more important.

Another significant advantage is having their own tractors. Based on the experience of previous competitions, organizers and participants knew how important this detail was. It's one thing to be allocated new, well-maintained, and adjusted equipment. It's entirely another to compete with your own, where all levers, screws, hydraulics, and pedals are adjusted to your preferences. Mechanizers have been working with their own tractors for months, even years, and during this time, they have learned the equipment in the most challenging situations. Dmitry took second place in aggregation, and Roman finished in the top five.
During plowing, the weather deteriorated, and rain mixed with wet snow began. Our mechanizers were assigned plots with hollows, and their tractors spun their wheels, disrupting the furrow. Dmitry even experienced a significant setback, but the tractor driver tried to rectify the situation during subsequent passes. In short, although the Lepel participants did not secure prize-winning places in plowing, they were among the best. This, along with a good start in the previous competition tasks, secured our contestants second place in the overall team standings. Dmitry and Roman were awarded electric irons and DVD players by the Department for Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee.
In addition, by a decision of the Regional Committee of the Trade Union of Agricultural Workers, two tractor drivers were particularly recognized – Lipsky, a representative of the Sharkovshchyna district, and Dmitry Pomaleiko, a representative of Lepel. The mechanizers were each gifted a cordless screwdriver.

Vasily MATYRKA