OAO Za mir is one of the smallest farms in the Brest district by area. It has only 2,943 hectares of agricultural land, of which 1,763 hectares are arable land. However, thanks to the professionalism of its workers, the farm demonstrates good results in all areas, matching larger agricultural enterprises.

The recent harvest campaign confirmed this. The farm took first place in the district for rapeseed yield. "It reached 42.5 centners per hectare, and this is a serious leap compared to last year. Then we managed to harvest 34 centners of oilseeds per hectare. An important factor was that we sowed rapeseed on heavier, loamy soils. And the crop managed to absorb winter moisture," explains Alexander Ivanets, deputy director of the agricultural enterprise.

Grain crops also showed a decent yield – 40.3 centners per hectare. On some fields, wheat reached 70 centners per hectare. Conclusions for the next season have already been drawn: the farm will increase the area under winter wheat and reduce the area under spring crops. As Alexander Ivanets explains, the focus is on the winter crop wedge, which will amount to 695 hectares. Winter rapeseed has already been sown on 250 hectares.

During our visit, work on the farm was in full swing. In the field, experienced machine operator Andrei Skokov was sowing winter rye for green fodder. "I have been working at the agricultural enterprise for 26 years. As they say, I know the fields like the back of my hand. I am busy all year round – plowing, cultivating, sowing... There is no time to rest; we need to work for the common good," Andrei Vladimirovich is convinced.

By the way, OAO Za mir grows potatoes: they occupy an area of 45 hectares. In the spring, specialists decided to plant the "second bread" in low-lying areas and were not mistaken. Now they can count on a decent harvest.

However, the Stradech farmers demonstrate success not only in crop production. The livestock sector is also in top shape. The total herd is small – 1,781 head, of which 770 are dairy cows. But the numbers speak for themselves: the average daily milk yield is 30 kilograms, and marketability is 95 percent. By the end of the year, the milk yield per cow should exceed 10,000 kilograms. By the way, all the milk produced by the agricultural enterprise is supplied for processing as "extra" grade. A solid fodder base has also been created: after three cuttings, a year-and-a-half supply of haylage has been stored. Currently, corn is being harvested for silage.

The farmers of Stradech are devoted to their profession and make every effort to develop their native farm. Their work does not go unnoticed. Thus, at the regional Dozhinki festival, a letter of gratitude from the Head of the Presidential Administration was presented to tractor driver Petr Guchko. About such people they say: where you are born, there you are useful. The machine operator has been working at the enterprise since 1995. His parents also worked on the farm, so Petr Guchko continued the family business. He easily operates a Belarus-82 tractor and a KZS-1218 combine harvester.

“The harvest this season went well for me; I threshed more than 1,200 tons of grain, including rapeseed. Overall, rapeseed and wheat were a delight – harvesting these crops was a pure pleasure. The combine didn’t let me down, so I finished the harvest quickly. As for the award, of course, I feel proud to have been recognized at such a high level. Work in agriculture is not easy, but the results cannot but please,” said Petr Guchko.

Materials prepared by Nikolai Yarmoshuk,

Photo by Alexander Shulgach