The Vitebsk Zonal Institute has experimentally determined the optimal sowing dates for winter barley in the north of Belarus.

While the heavens are on the side of the agrarians, every fine moment must be used. However, high yields and a rich fodder base cannot be achieved without a well-thought-out, responsible approach. Science and technology are of assistance, a fact clearly understood by Sergey Ignatiev, a machine operator at the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, whom we found in the field sowing the last hectares of galega. Ignatiev has been at the institute for almost 20 years, and his wife also works here as the head of the fodder production department.

— You could say it's a family business, — smiles Sergey Nikolaevich. — I am a hereditary agronomist myself; I invariably spent my summer school holidays as a combine harvester assistant. Perhaps it was then that I became imbued with a love for this profession, its romance. To this day, when I look at a green, and then golden field that I myself have sown, my soul feels just as bright as it did in my youth.
I have been operating this power-intensive "Belarus-3522" for the third year. Work is progressing well, and everything necessary is available for this: reliable machinery, experience, and also, importantly, a working attitude. How could it not be, when you see how much has already been done and is being done for the development of our agriculture with the constant support of the Head of State. I am far from a novice in the agro-industrial complex, so I have something to compare with.Most of the areas of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, which is almost 1550 hectares, including 1350 hectares of arable land, are sown by the universal machine operator Sergey Ignatiev. Before you know it, he will switch to a combine harvester: the harvesting of winter barley is planned to begin here at the end of June – beginning of July.

The zonal institute has been engaged in winter barley for several years, the potential of which was noted by the President at the time. Production sowings here occupy more than 40 hectares, says Ivan Chekalov, head of the department of grain and leguminous crops:

— For the second year, we have been conducting an experiment to study the timing and rates of sowing winter barley in the conditions of the Vitebsk region. This crop is thermophilic and quite capricious. To obtain a decent harvest in the north of the country, all nuances must be taken into account. Experiments with the first variety of domestic selection "Buslik", which is most adapted to our fields, and the imported "ZU Midnight" helped to determine the best sowing times for our region. This is not the end of August, as previously thought, but September 10-15, with an optimal density of 3-4.5 million seeds per hectare.

The main task of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute, according to its director Sergey Kolotkov, is precisely this – to test varieties of various agricultural crops, taking into account the local climate, propagate them, and transfer improved planting material to farms:

— You could say we have become a kind of trendsetter in agriculture in our native region.

The institute, which rightly prides itself on having the largest collection of grain and leguminous crops in the region, certainly has something to offer. The collection covers about three hectares and features 99 varieties of domestic and foreign selection, Sergey Kolotkov clarifies:

— Experiments on specially allocated plots allow us to determine which crops and varieties are best suited for the Vitebsk region.
For example, we are working with *Silphium perfoliatum*, which yields from 750 to 1,000 centners of green mass per hectare in several cuttings. This is a real find and a basis for a reliable fodder table. The plant has enormous potential. At the same time, last year only four farms purchased seeds from us. We hope this is just the beginning. Sergey Kolotkov also notes the significant economic effect of cultivating *Silphium*, which grows successfully in one place for up to 30 (!) years. This means that funds and resources can be saved on spring field work. Another advantage is that even small, irregularly shaped plots are suitable for this crop, which is relevant for the Vitebsk region.

This year, for the first time, the institute has planted the soybean variety "Sussex," zoned for the Vitebsk region. They have also focused on such a promising crop as *Galega orientalis*, increasing its acreage to 6.5 hectares. In terms of protein content, this perennial leguminous grass surpasses even *Silphium*, which is called the new queen of the fields.

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Currently, in the Vitebsk region, as throughout the country, fodder harvesting is in full swing, notes Vitaly Vorobyov, Head of the Department of Land Management, Crop Production, and Fodder Production of the Vitebsk Regional Agricultural Production Department. Work in the region began a week earlier than last year. The total area of first-cut grasses is 210 thousand hectares, of which over 20 percent has already been harvested as of June 4. Over 0.8 centners of fodder units have been prepared per conventional head of cattle. Corn sowing for silage is nearing completion in the Vitebsk region. This season, 106 thousand hectares have been allocated for it – 20 thousand more than last year. Farms in the region have already completed planting vegetables on 250 hectares.

vitebsk-region.gov.by