Strategies for successful forage harvesting were discussed in the Novgorod region.

A seminar entitled "Forage Procurement 2025: Strategies for Success in Current Conditions" was held in the Khvoyninsky District. The event brought together representatives of government agencies , the agro-industrial complex, agricultural organizations, and farms.
A welcoming address was given during the plenary session byNovgorod Region Minister of Agriculture
Viktor Vitvitsky: "As of today, the forage procurement plan has been 78% fulfilled, with over 75,000 tons of coarse and succulent forage harvested. The plan has already been exceeded in the Batetsky, Borovichsky, Moshensky, and Chudovsky districts."
The Minister also noted that, under the current circumstances, ensuring food security is a priority. Therefore, it is essential to take all measures to ensure timely and complete harvesting of agricultural crops and forage procurement. The established target indicators must not be lowered.
"It is also necessary to organize timely quality control of forage harvested to formulate adequate feeding rations and to rationally use available forage lands," said Viktor Vitvitsky. Maria Morgunova,
DIRECTOR of the Department of Livestock and Breeding at the Novgorod Region Ministry of Agriculture, presented preliminary results of the industry's performance for the first half of 2025 and outlined the objectives for the upcoming winter-shelter period.
The Novgorod Region continues to maintain its position and is among the top three in the Northwestern Federal District in terms of livestock and poultry production for slaughter.
"In the first half of the year, farms of all categories produced 71,000 tons of livestock and poultry for slaughter, representing 115.4% of the same period last year," said Maria Morgunova.
Dairy farming remains one of the leading sub-sectors of animal husbandry today, and its development is of significant social significance.
Alexander Fedorovsky, Chairman of the Board of the Levochsky Agricultural Production Cooperative, shared the farm's experience over the past five years.
Levochsky Agricultural Production Cooperative is one of the region's leading dairy farms and holds federal status as a breeding farm for Ayrshire cattle. The farm houses 860 HEAD of cattle , including 410 cows. Thanks to genetics, herd renewal, and proper, balanced feeding, MILK yields have increased annually.
The seminar also addressed feed quality and its impact on herd milk production, corn silage cultivation technologies in the Northwest, as well as agrochemical monitoring and effective feed quality management systems.
Seminar participants emphasized the importance of timely and high-quality forage procurement to ensure the stable development of livestock farming in the region. Particular attention was paid to improving staff qualifications and attracting young professionals to agriculture .
The practical part of the event included a tour of the fields and production sites of the Levochsky Agricultural Cooperative. Alexander Fedorovsky, Chairman of the Board of the Levochsky Agricultural Cooperative, demonstrated the operation of a new crusher for crushed grain, which he recently acquired, and discussed the farm's development plans, the proper formulation of cattle feed rations, and increasing milk yields.