Minsk Oblast develops method to reduce cattle losses, plans to extend it nationwide
Minsk Oblast has identified technologies that can help ensure the preservation of young cattle. One of the approaches involves building modern calf-care facilities. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited one such model facility at the Nestanovichi Agro dairy complex on 28 February, BelTA has learned.
“A great deal of attention is being paid to livestock preservation in Minsk Oblast. Weather conditions, particularly the low temperatures at the beginning of the year, exposed a number of problem areas, especially in the care of young animals. Some of this young stock is kept directly outdoors. We saw the need to take decisive measures,” Minsk Oblast Governor Aleksei Kushnarenko told journalists.
The experience of Nestanovichi Agro was examined precisely for this purpose: the farm built its calf-care facility two years ago, and it has proven highly effective in practice. “It has been operating successfully. Since the beginning of this year, there has been virtually no mortality here, just two calves in two months, and even those for objective health-related reasons,” the governor noted.
He added that this facility was chosen as a model for several other reasons as well. “It is quick to build, inexpensive, and uses materials such as wood, which we have in sufficient supply. That is why a decision was made to construct 111 such facilities across Minsk Oblast this year in order to relocate 20,000 calves there,” Aleksei Kushnarenko said. “We have worked out step by step who must do what and within what timeframe to complete this task. As early as next week, we plan to bring all district executive committee chairpersons here so they can see firsthand how this works.”
The governor stressed that discipline must be at the core of the system, and the so-called human factor must be minimized. For this reason, the facility at Nestanovichi Agro has introduced a video-monitoring system, along with modern equipment.
He added that such innovations create comfortable working conditions for staff, not only for the animals.
As BelTA previously reported, the Belarusian president generally approved the project, although he noted that this particular version is not the most budget-friendly: “I must say, this is quite expensive. I’ve seen other calf barns and calf-care units. If there is money, fine. But this isn’t possible everywhere.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded everyone of his instruction to transfer calves from neighboring farms to such facilities when necessary, if those farms are unable to ensure proper conditions for their preservation.
“A good calf-care facility. One month [that’s how fast it can be built]. You order the structures, then you come, assemble, pour the concrete. Nothing complicated. And supervisors [can help as well]. It’s very technological, nothing needs to be invented,” the president said. “A good facility for calves. It should be replicated.”
