Belarus, Russia to step up cooperation in space, microelectronics, software development
The Beshenkovichi, Vitebsk, Dubrovno, Orsha, Sharkovshchina, and Shumilino districts have already begun harvesting the first mowing of grasses in the region. The rest are preparing for mass fodder harvesting, which will begin in the northern region on June 1. The first mowing will cover 197 thousand hectares of grasses, with the aim of harvesting 381 thousand tons of fodder units of grass fodder, or at least 10 centners of fodder units per conventional head of cattle.
— The first mowing will provide one-third of the required amount. The task is to procure 30 centners of fodder units per conventional head, taking into account a one-and-a-half-year supply of fodder. This will include the second mowing, annual crops, and corn. The minimum we need to store to get through the winter with good productivity is 25 centners per cow, — said Yuri Romanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Land Management, Crop Production, and Fodder Production of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee.
Currently, dry weather prevails in the north of the country, while spring crops and grasses desperately need moisture to grow. Forecasters predict warm nights, and farmers are also hoping for rain, which would lead to vigorous growth of greenery. For now, those who have started mowing are testing their equipment and harvesting only 10-20 hectares for supplementary feeding.
In the structure of perennial grasses on arable land, legumes and legume-cereal grass mixtures account for 81 percent. Red clover alone occupies 42 thousand hectares, and alfalfa — 4.7 thousand hectares. Grass undersowing is also predominantly done with legume and legume-cereal mixtures.
— Science recommends harvesting the first mowing of grasses within 14-18 days, but experience shows it takes longer. Sometimes it's due to rain, sometimes equipment breakdowns, or fuel supply issues, — noted Yuri Romanov.
For now, farmers are optimistic about the mowing process: the equipment is better prepared than last year. Approximately 150 units are involved in this process daily.
The region's farms have 462 fodder harvesting combines, 883 tractor mowers, 520 tractor rakes, 508 balers for hay and straw, and 75 combined balers with stretch film wrapping.
— Mostly, our equipment is domestically produced, but all the combined balers are foreign-made. For known reasons, spare part prices have skyrocketed, and there are issues with delivery times. Contracts are signed, everything is paid for, and we are waiting. This is what spoils the overall picture for us, — emphasized the deputy chairmaof the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Committee for Agriculture and Food, Nikolai Korotkevich.
Some farms purchase spare parts with their own or borrowed funds, while others acquire them with the help of subsidies from the district or regional budgets. The situation with fuel is almost the same. Everything comes down to money.
About 5,000 people are needed for uninterrupted work in the fields of the region. By order of the regional executive committee, an additional 350 machine operators will be involved to assist agricultural workers from external organizations, including those with vehicles and tractors for hauling and tamping silage.
— We hope nothing will prevent us from preparing the fodder harvesting equipment for the start of the mass mowing and beginning work in the fields, — said Nikolai Korotkevich.