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Lukashenko wants new efficient cattle reproduction technology in Belarus
SOLIGORSK, 22 September (BelTA) – Farmers and scientists are called to team up in order to develop an effective cattle reproduction technology, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the plenary session of the nationwide seminar-conference held on 22 September to discuss the development of the country’s cattle breeding industry.
Returning to the cattle issue, Aleksandr Lukashenko said that there was a problem with herd reproduction in the country. “Good productivity should be ensured, among other things, by well-managed selection and breeding work. Scientists believe that effective reproduction is the birth of 95 calves per 100 cows. In 1990 Belarus held this figure at 90 calves. In recent years, however, we have got only 72-75 calves per 100 cows. Moreover, we fail to even keep all the calves we get. That means that the cattle numbers are decreasing,” the president emphasized.
“I do not know what our governors lack. Are these reproduction technologies? The country has a whole network of breeding services under the patronage of the Agriculture and Food Ministry. I believe the new minister should cooperate with the Academy of Sciences, develop and implement an effective and affordable technology. The task is to increase the breeding herd. It is inadmissible that the farms that have been built or reconstructed, are still lacking livestock. Some of them have already been in such a state for more than five years,” the head of state said. “We have built complexes and have been unable to provide livestock there for five years. How is it possible?”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also pointed out that no animal can show good productivity and genetics without high-quality fodder, even with all the necessary conditions available. “Last year we failed with fodder procurement. This year the situation is even worse,” he said.
As of 1 September, about 7 million tonnes of fodder units were procured, which is less than 90% of last year's volumes. Fodder supply per head amounted to slightly more than 16 centners against almost 19 centners last year. Vitebsk Oblast, Gomel Oblast and Mogilev Oblast are doing the worst.
“Winter is around the corner. In October we are highly unlikely to have this year's September great weather conditions. The current pace of fodder procurement will lead to a complete lack of fodder on some farms,” the president said. “A full and balanced diet plays the central part in profitable production. Scientists together with the Agriculture and Food Ministry have developed more than 50 regulations for all kinds of livestock products. But for some reason we have neither regulations, nor fodder, or balanced diet used in practice. As a result, we are missing out on benefits in the meat and dairy sector.”
The head of state wants every Belarusian region to adhere to the developed crop system and observe fodder harvesting terms and technologies. “Only systematic work and joint efforts can ensure their high nutritional value,” he said. “Let everyone - from an agronomist to a responsible official – make their best to secure a year and a half supply of fodder for each farm. All farms need to be provided with a full balanced diet with sufficient nutritional supplements. We have everything for that. We have built the most advanced national biotechnology corporation (BNBC) to produce the best amino acids and fodder. Only four states can boast such a complex. Then use its products. You just have to balance the diet. Concentrates cannot be handed out by eye. Otherwise, we will face losses in livestock, reduced productivity, and overuse of expensive premixes.
The president's strict demand is to sort things out in the industry. “If you lack workers, involve students of agricultural universities, specialized classes. This is a good practice, and at the same time a good example of what to improve in our country,” he added.
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