Lukashenko told at "Yubileiny" about an unprecedented harvest and why they are not afraid to maintain large complexes

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the "Yubileiny" agro-combine in Orsha district to familiarise himself with the progress of the harvesting campaign, the results, and the future prospects of the farm's operations.

"Today we are harvesting wheat. Unfortunately, the weather is a bit challenging," said Alexander Firsin, the director of the agro-combine, commencing his report on the matter. "The weather is ideal," the Head of State immediately countered.

"We are not complaining. We have harvested 55% (of the area. - BELTA's note). The average yield is 58.6 centners per hectare. Wheat is yielding 72-75 centners per hectare today. We have harvested winter barley – it yielded 48 centners per hectare. Spring barley is yielding around 48-50 centners per hectare. Triticale is yielding about 60. I think we will get around 38,000 tonnes of grain this year," the director explained. Alexander Lukashenko inquired whether this was sufficient for the livestock population. "I am already thinking about how to sell it," replied Alexander Firsin.

Issues concerning the processing of rapeseed were also discussed – whether to process it in-house or outsource. "Do you press it yourself or give it away?" the President asked. "I give it away," the director replied. "But is it profitable for you to sell it?" the Head of State clarified. "It is currently profitable to sell and not engage in processing. We have already fulfilled the state order of 1,000 tonnes. What remains is for our own fodder," reported Alexander Firsin. He mentioned that the farm has 5,000 head of cattle, and milk yields are increasing: "I think we will reach 10,000 kg per cow this year. We will sell about 40,000 tonnes of milk annually." The fodder situation at the farm is also excellent this year. "We could have started grain harvesting earlier. But we had to harvest sown grasses. They were just ready," the head of the farm explained. They try to ensile all fodder using modern technology, but sometimes surplus is stored in mounds. "It is better to build silos after all," Alexander Lukashenko advised. "Silos are being built. This year, honestly, I did not expect such abundant grasses. Alfalfa – this is the third cutting. I think there will be a fourth one too," Alexander Firsin clarified.

Returning to the topic of livestock breeding, the development of modern dairy farms and herd reproduction was discussed – what to build premises from, how to solve certain technological and other issues. "Even if you build it out of gold," noted Alexander Lukashenko, emphasizing that the main thing is efficiency and the final financial result. "We will raise heifers for reproduction here. We expect about 2300 heads here. I think we can sell 600 heifers per year," the farm director shared specific plans. Alexander Lukashenko asked in general if "Yubileiny" is afraid of maintaining large complexes with a high number of heads. This primarily concerns sanitary conditions and the risk of disease spread, which can inevitably lead to livestock losses. But Alexander Firsin assured that everything is strict in this regard: "Everything is fenced off. A strict sanitary checkpoint. Today, our clothes are washed three times. We have our own laundry." In other words, the secret, as the President said, lies in technology and discipline.

Source: belta.by