The harvesting of corn for silage has begun in 14 districts of the Vitebsk region

14 districts of the Vitebsk region have started harvesting corn for silage. This was announced by Vitaly Vorobyov, Head of the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Feed Production of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, during a press conference, as reported by BelTA.

In the Vitebsk region, approximately 93% of the winter grain and leguminous crop areas have been harvested, excluding millet, buckwheat, and corn. This amounts to about 264 thousand hectares. Slightly over 600 thousand tons of grain have been threshed with an average yield of 23 centners per hectare, which is comparable to last year's level. The harvest of winter rapeseed has been completed.

"Today, all districts and farms in the region are actively involved in harvesting spring rapeseed. Approximately 17% has already been harvested with an average yield of 17 centners per hectare," shared Vitaly Vorobyov. "Flax pulling is nearing completion, with only a few hectares left. I believe we should finish this type of work today and move on to preparing flax straw – turning, lifting, and transporting it."

In 2024, 11 districts of the Vitebsk region exceeded last year's gross grain harvest. Five farms in the region surpassed the mark of 55 centners per hectare in total yield. This applies to farms in the Beshenkovichi, Orsha, Postavy, and Tolochin districts.

According to the head of the department, the region continues to deliver grain and rapeseed oilseeds under state orders. Vitaly Vorobyov noted that family crews are among the leaders. A total of eight crews in the region threshed over 2 thousand tons of grain, and 136 crews (including four family crews) threshed over 1 thousand tons. More than ten crews, including two young ones, transported over 3 thousand tons of grain.

Feed harvesting operations in the region have not ceased. Approximately 14.5 feed units per conventional head of livestock have already been harvested. 14 districts of the region have begun harvesting corn for silage. As emphasized by the representative of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the areas for sowing corn for silage were significantly increased this year – by approximately 30%.

"By the end of the week, I believe all districts will be involved in harvesting operations according to plan," suggested Vitaly Vorobyov. "The sowing of winter rapeseed and winter cruciferous crops in general has reached the final stage. We have already sown about 80% of the planned areas, which is 47 thousand hectares. We are preparing for the mass potato harvest. Some farms have begun harvesting vegetables."

The harvesting campaign is an important and concludingis a crucial stage of the entire complex of technological operations for crop cultivation. The harvesting tasks were set at the end of 2023, during the planning phase and the determination of winter sowing for the 2024 harvest. The objective was set to obtain 11 million tons of grain, including rapeseed. As of August 20, Belarus has already harvested 7.629 million tons of grain (including rapeseed), of which 6.555 million tons are cereals and legumes, and 1.074 million tons are rapeseed.