How is the corn harvest going in the Orshansky district?
In the fields of the Orsha district, the engines of agricultural machinery do not quiet down after the hot harvest. Farmers are tackling new tasks: conducting autumn sowing of winter crops, harvesting corn, preparing feed for cattle, and plowing the fallow land.
As of October 15, the soil has been plowed and prepared for winter grains, and the sowing is practically completed. More than 24,000 hectares sown with winter crops is a reliable bet on a quality harvest for the coming year, say Orsha farmers.
A corn area of more than 6,000 hectares (53.2% of the plan) has been harvested for silage and green feed. The average yield in the district is 262 centners per hectare.
A journalist from the "Arshanskaya Gazeta" visited OAO "Mayak Vysokoye" and observed the corn harvesting process. The sowing of winter crops has been completed. Six units of machinery are working on plowing the fallow land, making 100 hectares a day, with a total of 1,600 hectares to be plowed. On the agenda is the harvesting of corn for cattle feed. Two forage harvesters are involved in the preparation of green mass, operated by experienced machinists Alexander Rudkovsky and Vyacheslav Baranov. They are set to harvest 1,105 hectares, having already mowed more than half of the corn fields to the root. As of October 15, the farm has prepared 18,563 tons of silage, with a yield of 295 centners per hectare.
– We have also started harvesting corn for grain. The leading combine operator on this job is Vasily Valtz. In the first four days, he threshed 200 tons. He works accurately, confidently, and with expertise. In total, we will harvest corn for grain from an area of 700 hectares. The current yield is 91 centners per hectare. And this is just the beginning. Last year, the yield reached 101 centners per hectare. I hope it will be no less this year, – says the chief agronomist Irina Vasilieva.
The corn harvest at OAO "Mayak Vysokoye" is not only an excellent result but also a confirmation of the high skill and capabilities of the farmers. Here, they know how to manage the fields wisely. The grain is crushed and sealed in special sleeves, the raw material is brought to the required conditions, and after 21 days, they begin to feed it to the cattle.
– Crushed grain is an essential part of the complete and balanced rations for the milking herd and fattening animals. It is better digested and has a positive effect – it contributes to increased milk yields and weight gains, – says the deputy director for production of OAO "Mayak Vysokoye" Vladimir Minkyov.
Vladimir Ivanovich mentioned that they started crushing grain in the farm two years ago. Last year, they prepared 500 tons. They fed it to the animals and saw good results. This year, livestock breeders intend to prepare even more crushed corn.
To date, 23 feed units have been prepared, which is 2.5 feed units more than last year's level. The livestock density in the farm is the highest in the district: about 115 heads of cattle per 100 hectares of agricultural land. As a result of the work carried out, it is evident that the livestock farms of the agricultural enterprise will have a plentiful wintering. They plan to prepare a one-and-a-half-year supply of feed, which will ensure a transitional fund of feed until the new season of 2026.
Ludmila MARSHALOVICH.
Photo by the author.