Vitebsk honored the region's best livestock breeders
The solemn meeting, to which front-rank workers gather, has been held for the fourth consecutive year on the initiative of the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev. The main goal is to thank people and set teams up for solving new tasks. Currently, about 14 thousand people are employed in livestock breeding in the Vitebsk region.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, the deputy chairman of the regional executive committee, Boris Efremov, expressed sincere gratitude to the workers of the livestock industry. They not only ensure the food security of our country but also increase its export potential. The work of livestock breeders, despite the widespread introduction of modern technologies, remains difficult, requiring special knowledge, experience, and discipline. Therefore, it is not surprising that the industry employs people who are sincerely devoted to their work.
In 2020, Vitebsk region farmers achieved a growth rate of agricultural production at 105.2%, and qualitative indicators also improved. The average milk yield per cow was 4030 kg. In Beshenkovichi, Verkhnedvinsk, Gorodok, and Orsha districts, it exceeded the five-thousand mark. In Vitebsk district, the indicator was 6245 kg. A total of 41 farms, or 21% of the total number of agricultural enterprises engaged in milk production, reached the 5,000 kg result. Traditional leaders achieved over 7.5 thousand kg: SPK "Larinovka" of Orsha district with 11,422 kg, SHP "MazolovoGaz" of Vitebsk with 9208 kg, OAO "Shaiterovo" of Verkhnedvinsk with 8720 kg. OAO "Agrokombinat "Yubileiny" of Orsha district with 7845 kg, OAO "Vitebskaya Broiler Poultry Farm" with 7720 kg.
Behind all these indicators are the cow milking machine operators. High achievements belong to Elena Kukharenko and Yulia Gerasimenok (SPK "Larinovka", milk yield per cow 11,422 kg), Natalia Shkinder (OAO "Shaiterovo", 9235 kg), Galina Shishkina (OAO "Agrokombinat "Yubileiny", 8848 kg), Inna Milenko and Olga Varkulevich (SHP "ASB Agro-Novator" of Beshenkovichi district, 8503 kg and 8637 kg respectively), Tatyana Gulay and Anzhela Prudnikova (OAO "Mayak Vysokoye" of Orsha district, 8771 kg and 8739 kg), Alla Paliyachuk and Galina Ryabtseva (SHF named after Yu. Smirnov of Dubrovno district, 8781 kg and 8721 kg).
In farms with high herd productivity, inseminator technicians are highly valued; without exaggeration, they determine the success of milk production. The regular increase in livestock and the growth in production volumes directly depend on the successful performance of their work. Among the best are Sergey Khromoy (UP "Mnyuto" of Glubokoye district, 109 calves per hundred cows), Lyudmila Shilko (OAO "Barsuchanka" of Dokshitsy district, 107 calves), Leonid Murashko (OAO "Novye Goryany" of Polotsk district, 134).
There are 15 cattle fattening complexes operating in the Vitebsk region. Among the best operators are Lyudmila Zaitseva (SUP "Vyaderovo" of Beshenkovichi district), Olga Shpets (OAO "Mayak Braslavsky" of Braslav district), Anzhelika Zueva (SHF "Klyastitsy" of Rossony district).
Year after year, CJSC "Vitebskagroproduct" makes a significant contribution to the development of the region's pig farming. At the complexes belonging to it, average daily weight gains do not fall below 840 g.
Every year, livestock facilities are being built in the Vitebsk region. Last year, eight dairy farms with a total dairy herd of 8,000 head were commissioned. Also, 53 cattle housing facilities were reconstructed. Investment projects are ongoing – the construction of dairy farms for 2,000 head in the Orsha district, and pig breeding complexes for 5,000 head in the Liozno and Orsha districts.
To enhance the prestige of livestock professions, targeted efforts are underway to staff the agricultural sector and retain personnel in rural areas. Last year, 135 targeted agreements were signed for higher education specialist training. Students receive monthly financial support ranging from 3 to 5 base amounts. Petitions are sent to draft commissions regarding young specialists for conscription into reserve service. This option was utilized by 35 individuals last year. 69 specialized classes with an agricultural focus have been established in schools. Students are introduced to modern processes of livestock and crop production at leading farms. To address the shortage of specialists in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, a regional executive committee decision is in effect, allowing the salary level for this category to reach up to 3.8 thousand rubles, provided that technical regulations, standards are met, and livestock production increases. Furthermore, since March 1, 2021, as additional social support for young specialists (graduates of 2020 and subsequent years in the specialties "Veterinary Medicine" and "Animal Science") who have signed five-year contracts, a monthly payment of 1 thousand rubles from the budget has been established for three years.
Boris Efremov once again thanked the livestock breeders and reminded them that weight gains, milk yields, the well-being of teams, and the entire agricultural sector of Vitebsk region depend on their labor.
Igor Brylo, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus, noted that the work of a livestock breeder is the brightest link in the agro-industrial complex. Last year, the agricultural sector of our country increased milk production by 5.6% and meat production by 2.6%. The times when it was necessary to provide the population with agricultural products are almost forgotten. Now the task is completely different – to sell all volumes and diversify exports. Over the past three years, supplies to Russia have decreased by 20% and account for 76% of the total volume. In general, our products are shipped to 116 countries. Igor Brylo emphasized that the Belarusian agro-industrial complex earned 5.8 billion dollars from exports, ranking first among all sectors. The farmers of Pridvinye also contributed to this successful work.