The Vitebsk Zonal Institute experimentally determined the optimal sowing dates for winter barley in the north of Belarus
While the heavens are on the side of the farmers, every fine moment must be used. However, high yields and a rich fodder base cannot be achieved without a thoughtful, responsible approach. Science and technology are of assistance, a fact clearly understood by Sergey Ignatiev, a tractor driver at the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, whom we found in the field sowing the last hectares of galega. Ignatiev has been at the institute for almost 20 years, and his wife also works here – as the head of the fodder production department. Sergey Ignatiev.
— You could say it's a family business, — laughs Sergey Nikolaevich. — I am a hereditary agronomist myself; I invariably spent my summer school holidays as a combine harvester assistant. Perhaps that's when I fell in love with this profession, its romance. Even now, when I look at a green, and then golden field that I myself have sown, my soul brightens just as it did in my youth.
The zonal institute has been engaged in winter barley for several years, the potential of which was once noted by the President. Production crops here occupy more than 40 hectares, says Ivan Chekalov, head of the grain and leguminous crops department:
— For the second year, we have been conducting an experiment to study the sowing times and rates of winter barley in the conditions of the Vitebsk region. This crop is heat-loving and quite capricious. To obtain a decent harvest in the north of the country, all nuances must be taken into account. Experiments with the first variety of domestic selection "buslik", which is most adapted to our fields, and the imported "ZU midnight" helped to determine the best sowing times for our region. This is not the end of August, as previously thought, but September 10-15, with an optimal density of 3-4.5 million seeds per hectare.The main task of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute, according to its directorof Sergey Kolotkov, which consists precisely in testing varieties of various agricultural crops, propagating them, and transferring improved planting material to farms, taking into account the local climate:
— You could say we have become a kind of trendsetter in agriculture in our native region.
The institute, which rightfully boasts the largest collection of grain and leguminous crops in the region, definitely has something to offer. The collection covers about three hectares and includes 99 varieties of domestic and foreign selection, Sergey Kolotkov clarifies:
— Experiments on plots specifically allocated for them allow us to determine which crops and varieties are best suited for the Vitebsk region.
This year, for the first time, the institute has planted the soybean variety "Sussex," which has been zoned for the Vitebsk region. They have also focused on such a promising crop as *Galega orientalis*, increasing its acreage to 6.5 hectares. In terms of protein content, this perennial leguminous grass surpasses even *Silphium*, which is called the new queen of the fields.
IN THE NEWS
Currently, in the Vitebsk region, as throughout the country, fodder harvesting is in full swing, notes Vitaly Vorobyov, head of the department of land management, crop production, and fodder production of the Vitebsk Regional Agricultural Production Department. Work in the region began a week earlier than last year. The total area of first-cut grasses is 210,000 hectares, of which over 20 percent have already been harvested as of June 4. Over 0.8 centners of fodder units have been harvested per conventional head of livestock. The sowing of corn for silage is nearing completion in the Vitebsk region. This season, 106,000 hectares have been allocated for it, which is 20,000 more than last year. Farms in the region have already completed planting vegetables on 250 hectares.
— You could say it's a family business, — laughs Sergey Nikolaevich. — I am a hereditary agronomist myself; I invariably spent my summer school holidays as a combine harvester assistant. Perhaps that's when I fell in love with this profession, its romance. Even now, when I look at a green, and then golden field that I myself have sown, my soul brightens just as it did in my youth.
I've been working with this energy-intensive "Belarus-3522" for the third year. Work is progressing well, and we have everything necessary for this: reliable equipment, experience, and also, importantly, a working attitude. How could it not be, when you see how much has been and is being done for the development of our agriculture with the constant support of the Head of State. I am far from a novice in the agro-industrial complex, so I have something to compare it with.Most of the areas of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, which is almost 1550 hectares, including 1350 hectares of arable land, are sown by the versatile tractor driver Sergey Ignatiev. Before you know it, he will switch to a combine harvester: the harvesting of winter barley is planned to begin here at the end of June – beginning of July.
The zonal institute has been engaged in winter barley for several years, the potential of which was once noted by the President. Production crops here occupy more than 40 hectares, says Ivan Chekalov, head of the grain and leguminous crops department:
— For the second year, we have been conducting an experiment to study the sowing times and rates of winter barley in the conditions of the Vitebsk region. This crop is heat-loving and quite capricious. To obtain a decent harvest in the north of the country, all nuances must be taken into account. Experiments with the first variety of domestic selection "buslik", which is most adapted to our fields, and the imported "ZU midnight" helped to determine the best sowing times for our region. This is not the end of August, as previously thought, but September 10-15, with an optimal density of 3-4.5 million seeds per hectare.The main task of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute, according to its directorof Sergey Kolotkov, which consists precisely in testing varieties of various agricultural crops, propagating them, and transferring improved planting material to farms, taking into account the local climate:
— You could say we have become a kind of trendsetter in agriculture in our native region.
The institute, which rightfully boasts the largest collection of grain and leguminous crops in the region, definitely has something to offer. The collection covers about three hectares and includes 99 varieties of domestic and foreign selection, Sergey Kolotkov clarifies:
— Experiments on plots specifically allocated for them allow us to determine which crops and varieties are best suited for the Vitebsk region.
For example, we are working with *Silphium perfoliatum*, which yields 750 to 1,000 centners of green mass per hectare in several cuttings. This is a real find and a basis for a reliable fodder table. The plant has enormous potential. At the same time, last year only four farms purchased seeds from us. We hope this is just the beginning.Sergey Kolotkov also notes the significant economic effect of cultivating *Silphium*, which grows successfully in one place for up to 30 (!) years. This means that funds and resources can be saved on spring field work. Another advantage is that even small, irregularly shaped plots are suitable for this crop, which is relevant for the Vitebsk region.
This year, for the first time, the institute has planted the soybean variety "Sussex," which has been zoned for the Vitebsk region. They have also focused on such a promising crop as *Galega orientalis*, increasing its acreage to 6.5 hectares. In terms of protein content, this perennial leguminous grass surpasses even *Silphium*, which is called the new queen of the fields.
IN THE NEWS
Currently, in the Vitebsk region, as throughout the country, fodder harvesting is in full swing, notes Vitaly Vorobyov, head of the department of land management, crop production, and fodder production of the Vitebsk Regional Agricultural Production Department. Work in the region began a week earlier than last year. The total area of first-cut grasses is 210,000 hectares, of which over 20 percent have already been harvested as of June 4. Over 0.8 centners of fodder units have been harvested per conventional head of livestock. The sowing of corn for silage is nearing completion in the Vitebsk region. This season, 106,000 hectares have been allocated for it, which is 20,000 more than last year. Farms in the region have already completed planting vegetables on 250 hectares.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by