By the end of the current year, the average milk yield per cow in the Vitebsk region is expected to reach at least 4.7 thousand litres. This target has been set for agricultural producers at a meeting of the regional executive committee, where the results of the livestock sector's performance in 2024 were discussed.
It should be noted that this will be another record in the region's history. For reference, in 2023, the milk yield per cow was 4225 litres, and in 2024, it was 4504 litres.
Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, stated that positive aspects were noted in the results of the 2024 performance. However, there is still work to be done, room for growth, and areas for improvement. Livestock farming generates the primary revenue for the agricultural sector and forms the basis for taxation; therefore, to develop this sector, current issues must be addressed, and strategic prospects must be considered.
As reported by Natalia Bortnik, First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee, the gross output of livestock production increased by 5.6% compared to the previous year. Within its structure, milk accounts for 46.9%, cattle breeding for 12.1%, pork for 16.3%, poultry for 19%, and egg production for 5.7%.
The highest productivity of the dairy herd was recorded in the Orsha district – 7085 litres per cow, Gorodok district – 6625 litres, and Vitebsk district – 6594 litres. Last year, 97 modern dairy farms housed 60 thousand cows, representing 36% of the total herd. The average milk yield from these farms was 5843 kg, which is 30% higher than the regional average. By the end of 2024, 11 new dairy farms for 7 thousand head were commissioned, and the construction of ten facilities has commenced.
Pork production increased by 2.4% with an average daily weight gain of 640 g. There are reserves for improving this indicator through new breeding farms and reconstructed fattening grounds.
Poultry farming increased by 14.6% (the best performance in the country), with 450 million eggs produced (309 eggs per hen). These figures also represent the best in the region's history.
The meeting addressed problematic aspects of livestock management technology, improving product quality, and operational efficiency. In a conversation with journalists, the Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Food, Andrei Bulavkin, emphasised that agricultural producers see a clear path forward in all areas of the sector.
Personnel matters were also discussed. The Rector of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, **Olga Gorlova**, addressed the participants of the meeting. She asked the heads of regions, agro-industrial associations, and agricultural enterprises to intensify career guidance work with school graduates to form a personnel potential in the farms. In particular, Olga Gorlova announced that under the terms of targeted training, young people can become students of the veterinary academy without exams as early as the beginning of July. During their studies, they will receive additional scholarship payments, and after graduation, a guaranteed place of employment with a five-year contract and material bonuses. The admission requirements can be found on the university's website, on the pages in Telegram and Instagram.