The Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee summed up the results of the livestock industry for 2024
It should be noted that this will be another record in the entire history of the region. For reference, in 2023, the milk yield per cow was 4225 liters, and in 2024, it was 4504 liters.
Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, said that positive aspects were noted based on the results of work in 2024. However, there is still work to be done, room for growth, and areas to improve. Livestock farming generates the main income for the agricultural sector and forms the tax base, so it is necessary to address current problems and strategic prospects for the development of this sector.
As reported by the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee, Natalia Bortnik, the production of gross livestock products increased by 5.6% compared to last year. In 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 milking herd was in the Orsha district – 7085 liters per cow, Gorodok district – 6625 liters, and Vitebsk district – 6594 liters. Last year, 97 modern dairy complexes housed 60 thousand cows, or 36% of the herd. The average milk yield from these complexes was 5843 kg, which is 30% higher than the regional average. By the end of 2024, 11 new dairy complexes for 7 thousand heads were put into operation, and the construction of ten facilities has begun.
Pork production increased by 2.4% with an average daily weight gain of 640 g. There are reserves for increasing this indicator through new breeding farms and reconstructed fattening grounds.
Poultry farming increased by 14.6% (the best indicator in the country), with 450 million eggs produced (309 eggs per hen). These indicators are also the best in the entire history of the region.
The meeting discussed problematic aspects of livestock keeping technology, improving product quality, and work efficiency. In a conversation with journalists, the Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Food, Andrey Bulavkin, emphasized that farmers see the path forward in all areas of the industry.
The personnel issue was 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 the 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, they will have a guaranteed job placement with a five-year contract and material bonuses. The admission requirements can be found on the university's website, on their Telegram and Instagram pages.