The reconstructed complex of the agricultural enterprise “Prazhektar” in Slabada is one of those facilities referred to as landmark projects.

The reconstructed complex of the agricultural enterprise “Prazhektar” in Slabada is one of those facilities referred to as landmark projects. An asphalt road leads from Slabada to the farm. True, in one spot, due to a recent water pipeline accident, a large ice mound has formed, which can still be driven over even by a car, let alone a tractor. There is also a second road, from the repair and mechanical workshop, but it is in poor condition, with ruts in several places.
The reconstruction of the farm is nearing completion. In general, the work was done in a short period, literally in months. Alongside the final construction and commissioning works, the livestock breeding process is underway, and the herd has already been housed in the premises.
Young stock and heifers will eventually replace and replenish the dairy herd. 135 head are being raised there now. The housing method is free-stall.
Animal care is maximally mechanized. The premises for young stock were reconstructed first, two years ago. In fact, only the walls remained from the old building; they were raised higher, the calf house received a new roof, steel partitions, and iron doors. Any machinery can drive through the passages, even a large “Amkador,” which, by the way, is used to remove manure and regularly lay fresh straw. Feed is now distributed by one person on a tractor with a feeder. Half an hour is enough to provide feed for 135 head for the day; the calf house only needs to sprinkle compound feed on top.
By the way, Vladimir Mazgo was working on the feeder that day. His tractor is assigned to two farms – in Slabada and in Sviedzitsa. During the day, the man manages to load silage several times and make trips.
Viktor Tsiganov, on the “Amkador,” switched to cleaning the next premises. Heifers are kept there, which are expected to give birth around the end of February – beginning of March. By that time, commissioning work should be completed, and the farm will start producing.
Two buildings have been completely reconstructed according to the same scheme: “only the walls remained.” The new premises are convenient for both livestock and personnel. For example, water in hoses and drinkers did not freeze even in severe frosts. Moving heifers from one pen to another is a quick task.
The main news is the milking parlor. Last year, milk was milked into a can on the farm, noteven a milk pipeline. A new room was built for the milking parlor, equipped with the most modern equipment. Most of the units are of Belarusian production, from the enterprise "Pramtekhnika", however, the electronic components and technological units are imported, from the firm "AFI". The parlor can accommodate up to 24 cows at a time. In one of the rooms, the chief veterinarian of "Prazhektor", Oleg Atvalko, was giving instructions to the builders and installers. I asked him a question:
A lot has been done on the new farm in terms of personnel safety and work comfort. First of all, I noticed the warmth in the milking parlor and other service rooms. A new boiler room has been built for heating at the complex, where two boilers run on firewood, which was quite enough even in frosty weather. With the onset of warmth, one boiler is switched off. Four stokers work in shifts in the boiler room; on the day the correspondent visited, Ivan Klunduk was on duty there. Plastic double-glazed windows in the openings and plastic doors also contribute to heat conservation and maintaining optimal temperature. And one more detail – walking around the premises, I counted more than five washbasins – this means that hygiene and sanitary condition will be given paramount importance.
We must also mention the new refrigeration and compressor equipment. A backup diesel generator has been installed next to the milking parlor building, which will allow the production process to continue without interruption even in the event of an emergency power outage.
Approximately 50 billion Belarusian rubles have been invested in the facility, mainly from the investor, RUP "Vitsbakhlebprom", and loans. The launch of the renovated complex is scheduled for March, when the payback will begin as soon as milk starts arriving at the receiving point. Vasily MATYRKA