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Lukashenko unhappy about high mortality rates among calves

BERESTOVITSA DISTRICT, 3 August (BelTA) – On-farm livestock mortality should be eradicated; calves from negligent farms should be transferred to farms where they will be taken good care of, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a visit to the Olekshitsy agricultural enterprise in Berestovitsa District on 3 August, BelTA has learned.

Unfortunately, a high livestock mortality rate is still reported in a number of farms.

“Livestock should not be lost. Only in exceptional cases. Livestock must be taken away [from negligent farms] until they fix their livestock management technology,” the head of state said. “Why not bring here livestock from negligent farms?! This enterprise would take it. We should take away baby calves from those farms that are unable to take good care of them,” he added.

He stressed that this issue should be promptly resolved. Aleksandr Lukashenko will no longer raise this topic with the leadership of the Agriculture and Food Ministry or with the governors.

The head of state recalled his instruction to transfer dairy herd to modern dairy complexes within five years. The president urged to create good conditions for livestock maintenance and fattening.

“It is not about adopting some uniform technological process, but rather about making up our mind on this matter,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko inspected the new cowsheds and the milking and dairy block in Olekshitsy. These facilities were built within a year. The cost of the construction project was estimated at Br13.7 million. However, the actual cost might be Br12.3 million.

The president reiterated his instruction to come up with the most optimal construction scheme in terms of functionality and cost. There should be neither cheaping out, nor unnecessary spending

“Our cowsheds cost like palaces, because we are not cost-conscious,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state emphasized that everything needs to be well calculated, because at the moment the cost varies significantly depending on a region. For example, as the president was recently informed, the construction of a dairy complex in Minsk Oblast costs Br10 million.

Speaking about the state of the dairy industry in the region, Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Karanik noted that the livestock head increased significantly over the year, and milk yield per cow is growing.

All in all, 15 dairy complexes are to be put into operation in the region this year (two have already been commissioned).

“That’s what needs to be done. An old farm. Install a milking unit and two cowsheds. And adapt the rest for calves,” the president said.

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