Participants of the "Leader of the Year - 2023" award: IT in the fields and a scientific approach to milk

Belarus is an agricultural country. But it is also a country of high technologies and powerful scientific potential. How to combine these components in order to achieve greater efficiency in the agro-industrial complex, the nominees for the International Business Award "Leader of the Year - 2023" know. LLC "Skarb-bio" and LLC "Belintergen" showed the expert council what the future of the Belarusian agricultural sector might look like.

Scarb-bio LLC: the future of the agro-industrial complex is in digital solutions

Skarb-BIO is the first company in our country that has integrated in one place and uses innovative technologies in the agro-industrial sector in its activities. Two main areas of its activity are the same in the agro-industrial complex - animal husbandry and crop production. As a branch of the Department of Innovative Development of the AIC of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining of Personnel in the AIC of the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University, the company actively cooperates with the country's leading agricultural enterprises, research institutes, laboratories, feed mills. Among the clients of Skarb-bio LLC are agricultural enterprises whose leaders are businesslike: they want to increase MILK production, reducing its cost, or increase the yield on the fields without spending extra resources on it. With the first they are helped by the results of the spectral analysis of harvested grass fodder, as well as cattle rations from the feed table and mixed fodder. The Belarusian company is conducting this study in cooperation with the Dutch Eurofins Agro, which has been conducting practical and scientific work in the agricultural sector for almost 100 years.

Specialists of Skarb-bio LLC go to each farm upon request and take samples from the trench with grass fodder indicated by the customer. One day is enough to make a spectral analysis for more than 40 indicators. After 24 hours, the manager already has a full report on the table, which helps to assess the nutritional value of silage or haylage, the uniformity of mixing the components of the feed ration, and also to understand whether mistakes were made during harvesting, harvesting, laying feed.

- The main part of the costs (from 45 to 60%), which determine the cost and, as a result, the profitability of milk, is feed. If we get enough protein, SUGAR and starch from grasses and silage, then we won't have to use various types of additives, increasing the cost of milk, - explains Dmitry Shidlovsky, DIRECTOR of Skarb-bio LLC. - In the spectral analysis, we determine some types of indicators that no one else does in Belarus in this capacity. For example, NH3 fractions, digestibility of NDK and organic matter, transit fractions of starch and protein, balance of energy and protein in the feed.

Based on the results of the analysis, the specialists of Skarb-bio LLC help to adjust the process of forage harvesting, giving practical recommendations. They are enough to make the cow's diet more nutrient-rich and balanced.

The company also has a spectral soil laboratory. There, samples are examined for more than 40 indicators. As a result, specific recommendations are obtained for the differentiated application of fertilizer doses.

- We do not approach the field as an indivisible unit, because it is heterogeneous in terms of the type and composition of the soil, not to mention the level of nutrient content. Our task is to bring it to an optimal state in terms of the amount of effective organic matter. We give recommendations on the application of certain fertilizers in the active substance to each area of ​​the soil. This is one of the main elements of the so-called precision farming, - says the director.

The company offers agricultural enterprises to use the most advanced and effective technologies in the battle for the harvest, for example, the multifunctional Cropwise Operations program. It makes it possible to optimize all crop production activities, from soil preparation to harvesting .. Using Cropwise Operations, farmers receive real-time accurate data on the condition of the soil and crops, the mode of operation of equipment, and other important parameters. This allows you to make timely, informed decisions at every stage of production, optimize the use of resources, minimize losses and maximize output. Based on data from satellites, sensors, and weather stations, Cropwise Operation provides recommendations on best practices for tillage, fertilizer use, and other agricultural practices.

- Geographic information systems provide our client with complete information on all processes: whether the equipment is currently working and where exactly, which machine operator is driving, what agricultural operation is performing, how much fuel is consumed for this, and much more. The system is integrated with accounting and makes it possible to track all costs in real time, - Dmitry Shidlovsky clarifies.

The fields are under the full control of the HEAD of the farm. The program contains all the data about the plots: their area, crop rotation, sowing date, harvesting date, the name of the crop grown there. The satellite allows you to track the status of crops. During the day, it flies over the fields twice, transmits data on the vegetation index to the system, which allows you to determine the state of the crop and see problem areas. If there is a sharp change in the vegetation index, the system automatically sends an alert.

Thanks to weather stations, the system always has up-to-date data on air temperature, accumulated precipitation and soil moisture. The program stores all the information on the inspection of the field, photo reports, attached documents. If the local agronomist is unable to understand the problem, the program provides for a free consultation of experts - scientists and more experienced colleagues from the agro-industrial complex. If necessary, they will inspect the fields to suggest the best course of action. The customer sees all the recommendations in his personal account. In the same place, the system gives the figure of the planned harvest. It is calculated based on the data entered and changes throughout the season.

Dmitry Shidlovsky states with regret that so far in our country the digitization of the field and related technologies in the agricultural system have not received proper development. In RUSSIA, this segment is much more in demand. Although it is digital solutions in crop production that make it possible to move to a completely different level of management.

- Nevertheless, I am sure that no more than two years will pass, and the digitization of the field and work in the system will become very popular. While in our country about 200 thousand hectares of fields have been digitized in the system, in Russia - already 15 million. I think that the integration of the two states will spur the interest of Belarusian farmers in modern solutions in the agro-industrial complex, - says the director. - When in a few years everyone in Belarus wants to switch to these technologies, we want to be ready for this. We are expanding the IT department , we are constantly familiarizing farm specialists with the possibilities of digital technologies at advanced training courses. Indeed, in order to use precision farming technologies, farm employees must have certain knowledge.

Expert of the Council "Leader of the Year - 2023" Director of the Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining of Agro-Industrial Complex of the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University, member of the expert council of the International Business Award "Leader of the Year - 2023", DOCTOR of Agricultural Sciences Nikolai Yakovchik largely agrees with Dmitry Shidlovsky. Firstly, in the fact that within a few years digitalization will firmly enter the sphere of the agro-industrial complex and even become commonplace. Secondly, Nikolai Stepanovich has no doubts: the future of farmers lies precisely in IT technologies.

- My colleagues and representatives of some Belarusian agricultural enterprises and I saw the digitalization in the field of agro-industrial complex in Novosibirsk in action - it's just fantastic! All areas where agricultural managers use such technologies are consistently ranked among the top 10 regions of Russia. Through companies such as Skarb-bio LLC, we are also showing Belarusian farmers how efficiently they can work if they start using digital solutions. Yes, it requires costs - both material and time. After all, to introduce precision farming, you will have to purchase equipment and train specialists in new knowledge, but it's worth it. We are so confident that IT solutions in the agricultural sector are the future that we plan to open a center for the transfer of digital technologies in the agro-industrial complex at our university this year. We want to train all our students there, about 3 thousand people. Specialists should be able to use the latest technologies that will become available to them in the near future.

Nikolai Yakovchik calls the relationship between the Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining of Personnel of the Agro-Industrial Complex of BSATU and the company a public-private partnership. Indeed, over the 4 years of work under the agreement, they have already held many joint events, including international ones. Together with their Russian colleagues, they expect to receive a Russian-Belarusian grant for digitalization in crop and livestock production.

- I think that Skarb-bio LLC deserves to participate in the "Leader of the Year - 2023" award and become one of the winners, - summed up Nikolai Stepanovich.

OOO "Belintergen": a scientific approach to milk

Belarus is one of the world's largest suppliers of dairy products. According to various estimates, our country annually exports milk, cheese, and butter worth billions of dollars. That is why the development of agricultural enterprises is a priority. The scientific component plays an important role in this process. An example of the application of modern practices is Belintergen LLC. The company has been operating on the Belarusian market since 2003 and specializes in breeding breeding animals and providing advisory services.

Is it possible to milk 50 liters of milk per day from one cow? The company knows the answer not in theory but in practice. Today Belintergen LLC successfully applies scientific developments in the real agricultural sector, being one of the flagships of reproductive biotechnologies in Belarus. The company itself produces milk on an industrial scale.

- Our production is rather atypical for Belarus, - says the founder of "Belintergen" LLC, Doctor of Biological Sciences Ivan Kyssa. - In our work, we primarily focus on the scientific component - genetics, biotechnology. After all, about 40% of the future milk yield depends on it. One of the fundamental tasks that we solve every day is the receipt and cryopreservation of embryos.

Breeding is one of the primary activities of the enterprise. Depending on the cow and its breed, the company can receive up to 10 calves per year. High-potential animals can boast of such offspring. The enterprise contains different breeds, but the main part falls on the Holstein breed. There are also animals of the Jersey, Simmental, Ayshire, Aberdeen Angus, Belgian blue and white, Highland and other breeds.

- On average, our cows give about 30 liters of milk, which is more than 10,950 liters on an average annual basis. This is a good result. There are many agricultural enterprises of the country among the company's clients. In addition, we provide specialists with constant consultations. Still, the technologies are quite capacious, - Ivan Kyssa added.

The scientific branch of the enterprise allows you to track and, if necessary, correct future offspring.

- First of all, we are talking about the ease of calving, the strength of the limbs, productivity, the genetic value of animals, their immunity and much more. It is hard to imagine that science has come so far. However, by our own example in practice we show that this is possible. Of course, in order to achieve the existing results, we have been working painstakingly for a long time, - says Ivan Kyssa.

100 cows per 100 hectares, 100 calves per 100 cows - this, according to research, should be the density of animals for high efficiency and increase the profitability of milk production. So far, the company has not been able to achieve this figure. Nevertheless, the daily efforts of the team are aimed at achieving this goal.

- I am sure that such an indicator is within our reach. Thanks to many years of work, we have managed to create our own model for the development of the agricultural business. Compliance with technology is equally important in our work. Each animal is provided with individual sensors, thanks to which a lot of indicators can be tracked, which gives veterinarians and other specialists a more complete picture. As for reproduction, animal HEALTH, quality indicators of milk, we scrupulously examine these characteristics every day, conduct ultrasound diagnostics. However, many enterprises do not pay enough attention to this and conduct more rare inspections, - Ivan Kyssa notes.

Now the construction of a modern milking and milking unit is underway on the territory of the enterprise. The capacities, as planned by the management, should be launched from day to day.

- Remained cosmetic moments. All equipment is installed and practically ready for work, - Ivan Kyssa briefly added.

The bet on increasing the number of dairy herds will solve many problems. First of all, increase the quantity and improve the profitability of milk production. As a result, there will be more revenue .

- This will allow us to invest even more money in our own development. In general, we have quite serious plans for the future. We want to increase the number of dairy herds several times. There is a lot of hard work to be done. However, we are ready to do a lot to achieve the desired result, - concluded Ivan Kyssa.

- The farms of the enterprise are a model for Belarus, - considers the deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, chairman of the expert council of the International Business Award "Leader of the Year - 2023" Piotr Vabishchevich and notes the scientific component of the enterprise. - On duty and in my life, I have had a lot of visits to agricultural enterprises. Including those that specialize in the production of dairy products. What we saw today is really impressive. In fact, this is an example of what an agricultural enterprise should be like today. I was especially surprised by the scientific approach. Here, knowledge is not accumulated exclusively in theory, but is applied in practice. And, what is admirable, they are applied extremely effectively.

The representative of the expert council drew attention to the conditions for keeping animals, the quality of feed and working conditions for ordinary employees of the enterprise.

- We saw how, with proper attitude to your own business, you can achieve excellent results. In addition, the enterprise provides the Belarusian economy with high-tech jobs. Many specialists come to work not only from neighboring settlements, but also from MINSK and other large cities. The economic model that was created at Belintergen LLC shows results that are worthy even by world standards, - Piotr Vabishchevich concluded.

Director of the Institute for advanced training and retraining of personnel of the agro-industrial complex of the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University, member of the expert council of the International Business Award "Leader of the Year - 2023" Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Nikolai Yakovchik noted the high level of organization of production.

- I will be brief, but succinct: the future of agriculture lies behind science. And today we have seen this future with our own eyes. Indeed, this is a modern, high-tech and efficient production. I am sure that in the future the enterprise will be able to achieve its goals and reach a new level of development, - said Nikolai Yakovchik.