There is not much land. JSC "Selevtsy" is preparing to enlarge the area

This year will be a landmark year for the farmers of the Molodechno region. In the near future JSC "Selevtsy" will significantly increase the area as a result of consolidation. Vladimir Karas, who has been heading the enterprise for almost 22 years, sees only positive aspects in such a step. And in Selevtsy they are actively preparing for an early sowing campaign and the start of seasonal work.

Among more than a dozen farms in the Molodechno region, JSC "Selevtsy" is considered one of the most successful. As in many other agricultural organizations, they specialize in animal husbandry and crop production. In addition to the usual wedge of cereals, the farm relies on malting barley and SUGAR beets.

“Last year was quite successful for us,” says Vladimir Karas, DIRECTOR of OAO Selevtsy. - Gathered a good harvest. On average, over 60 centners of grain were obtained per circle. A worthy result and a good benchmark for future achievements. Ugly and rapeseed, made several high-quality mowing grasses. And we have no equal in sugar beet in the region.

- This is a good increase, although the profitability of milk is lower, for example, than that of rapeseed. The bulk of the products are delivered to the capital's "Gormolzavod No. 1". We also grow bulls, which we hand over for processing to the Gorodeya farm and the Snov agricultural complex.

In domestic agriculture, there has been a steady trend towards the consolidation of sectoral enterprises. JSC "Selevtsy" is no exception. Already in April, legal procedures for the accession of new lands will be completed. The total amount of arable land will increase to 8,000 hectares, and the dairy herd will be over 2,000 heads.

“After the final merger, the enterprise will consist of several clusters,” Vladimir Karas introduces. - The fact is that the soils in our area are quite diverse. This is also seen in our example. Directly in Selevtsy, the lands are more clayey, which makes it possible to efficiently grow certain crops, such as wheat. We will be able to grow corn and other crops on the annexed lands. That is, in the end we will get several strong areas that will have a narrow specialization. This approach is very relevant today.

Vladimir Karas is sure that consolidation is the right trend in the modern agrarian sector. Now is the time when the farm should have a large amount of land resources.

– The top leadership of the country, the HEAD of state, speaks about this. If the farm is small, say, three or five thousand hectares of arable land, this is very limiting, and the costs are higher. On large areas, agricultural work can be carried out much more efficiently and better with fewer people.

In fact, as Vladimir Karas explains, the farm will consist of three parts. Each will be assigned a person responsible for the results of the work.

- You will get several strong points on which the general structure of the enterprise will be built. We believe that this approach is the most effective in our conditions,” says Vladimir Karas.

Now, in addition to the hassle of enlargement of the area, the employees of JSC "Selevtsy" are faced with a no less serious task - spring field work. The weather does not allow us to go to the field yet. However, in the coming weeks, a steady plus outside the window will enable farmers to sow the necessary crops.

We have had a productive winter months. We prepared and repaired all the equipment, made the necessary stock of seed, fertilizers - in a word, we approached the start of the season fully armed. This pleases, since spring sowing is one of the most important elements of the future harvest.

By the way, the equipment at the enterprise is serviced only by dealers. Vladimir Karas is sure that expensive energy-saturated tractors, combines, seeders need high-quality maintenance.

In this case, they will last much longer. Here you can draw a simple but very understandable analogy with the human body. The quality of our life directly depends on food, HEALTH, microclimate. This order of things is quite natural for complex equipment. Expensive equipment needs to be given decent service. This approach works.

Speaking about the new season, the head of the farm notes: each sowing and harvesting season is not alike.

- You need to treat your work conscientiously and with soul. Then the end result will please both quantity and quality. All in our hands. We hope that 2023 will be a successful and fruitful year for our enterprise,” concluded Vladimir Karas.

Recently, the construction of the first stage of a new dairy complex has started at the enterprise. Despite the initial stage of work, the contours of future buildings are already clearly emerging. The whole complex is designed for 800 animals.

– The first stage of construction will be completed by January 2024. At this stage, 400 heads will be kept, a milking unit will start working. Increasing the amount of milk production will allow us to receive additional funds that can be used for further development.

As a result of consolidation, more than 250 people will work on the farm. Vladimir Karas is sure that the most important thing is employee motivation. Then there will be a result, and a decent salary.

“A few years ago, we used the old and proven method - something like a socialist competition, so that our people could see their results against each other. This approach worked. The indicators began to grow not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. Of course, if a person works better, then wages also grow, - says Vladimir Karas.

The personnel issue, the head of the farm believes, is one of the most serious in agriculture. In Selevtsy, the selection of people is approached especially carefully. – However, in addition to high requirements, we provide good working conditions and decent wages. It is very important for a rural worker to feel secure and comfortable, - said Vladimir Karas.

Last year, a new dispensary for calves was built on the farm. The building was erected entirely at their own expense and on their own. The room is equipped with everything necessary for the care of animals.

The farm has a grain drying complex ZSK-40. Its capacities allow to process about 500 tons of raw materials daily. There is a beet harvester, which makes it possible to grow sugar beets. This year it is planned to sow 420 hectares of root crops.

Alexander NOVOKHROST, photo by the author