On the eve of the Day of Workers in Agriculture and the Processing Industry of the Agro-Industrial Complex, which is celebrated this Sunday, the First Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Food of the District Executive Committee, Alexey Ermolenko, in an interview with Gorodskoy Vestnik, spoke about the results with which the industry is celebrating its professional holiday, named the best agricultural enterprises, and noted the drivers of growth.

• Alexey Igorevich, with what results are the Gorodok agrarians meeting their professional holiday?
• This year, like the previous ones, has been complex and tense for rural workers in its own way. It is daily labor, and if everyone works together, one can count on significant results. In the agricultural sector of the district, the production of gross output in comparable prices for January-October 2026 amounted to 106.1% of the level of the previous year, with a target of 104.7%. Products worth 211.6 million rubles have been produced. The fulfillment of the assigned task for the rate of growth of gross output for January-September 2026 was ensured by 6 agricultural organizations: KSUP Ovsyanka named after I.I. Melnik (109.6%), SZAO Gory (114.1%), OAO Koptevskaya Niva (110.4%), RUP Uchhoz BGSHA (106.4%), OAO Plemzavod Lenino (106.6%), and OAO Goretskoe (105.7%).
• What has been achieved in crop production and animal husbandry that causes particular pride?
• The crown of the agricultural year and the symbol of well-being is a significant grain harvest. In 2026, agricultural organizations in the district collected over 110 thousand tons of grain and rapeseed. The largest contribution to the common cause was made by RUP Uchhoz BGSHA (16,752 tons), SZAO Gory (16,094 tons), and OAO Agrokombinat Gorodok (15,963 tons).

As of November 1, there are 37,329 head of cattle in the district's farms, including 12,446 dairy cows. Their productivity from January to October increased by 640 kg and reached 4,654 kg. The highest milk yield per cow was achieved in SZAO Gory (6,587 kg).

The sale of milk in the district for 10 months increased by 12.1%. With a commodity output of 91.2%, 52.6 thousand tons were sold.

• Did corn justify the farmers' hopes for an increase in grain and replenishment of feed reserves?
• The harvesting of corn for grain was carried out on 1,708 hectares. The total grain harvest will increase by more than 11.6 thousand tons of grain at an average yield of 68 centners per hectare. In 2025, the yield was 51.6 centners per hectare.

Silage corn was harvested from 8098 hectares, yielding 237,000 tons of green mass. The average yield increased from 208 centners per hectare last year to 292.7 centners per hectare this year. Among the farms, the highest productivity of corn was achieved by RUP "Uchhoz BGSHA" (362 centners per hectare), OAO "Maslaki" (323 centners per hectare), and SZAO "Gory" (291 centners per hectare).

How satisfied are you with the feed production in the district?

This year, 6.3 thousand tons of hay, 154.7 thousand tons of silage, and 224.2 thousand tons of silage were harvested. In total, 98.1 thousand tons of feed were harvested from grass (in terms of feed units). Per conditional head of cattle, this is 35.5 centners of feed units, which fully allows for a sufficiently strong feed base for wintering cattle.

The leaders in feed harvesting per conditional head of cattle are the farmers of SZAO "Gory" (43.6 centners of feed units), OAO "Maslaki" (41.6 centners of feed units), and KSUP "Ovsyanka named after I.I. Melnik" (37.9 centners of feed units).

What are the prospects for sugar beets?

Sugar beets are rightly considered one of the most complex, technological, and at the same time highly profitable strategic crops of our agro-industrial complex. And in the current season, thanks to the perseverance of our agrarians, professionalism, and strict adherence to the technology of cultivation, the yield of this crop was 450 centners per hectare.

This year, the district became the best in the region for flax. What is the secret to success in cultivating this crop in the district?

Flax is not just a crop, but a strategic raw material, the production of which is under the control of the Head of State.

The harvesting area of long-flax in the current year was 2150 hectares, 10,170 tons of flax straw were harvested, the yield reached 47.3 centners per hectare, and the average grade was 1.

What is notable about the year in terms of milk and meat production?

Every year, the farms in the district increase the production of livestock products and improve their quality. Over the 10 months of the current year, the total milk yield in the district was 57.7 thousand tons, which is 11.5% more than in 2025. 4.6 thousand tons of beef were produced, or 116.0% compared to the same period last year. The average daily weight gain of cattle also increased in the farms. On average, across the district, it was 610 grams, and in SZAO "Gory" it was 714 grams, and in OAO "Goretskoe" it was 648 grams.

What is the strategy for cooperation between the district's agricultural enterprises and the UO "BGSHA"?

Young specialists are the future of our district. Agricultural organizations actively use the mechanism of concluding targeted agreements with the UO "BGSHA". Students of the academy regularly help agrarians, participating in seasonal work (for example, in harvesting and feed preparation, repairing agricultural equipment) as part of student teams.

Scientists and teachers of the academy provide consulting services and offer practical assistance to the district's farms on matters related to agronomy, animal feeding, mechanization, land reclamation, and economics.

What are the drivers of growth for the near future in the agro-industrial complex?

The main task is to exceed the level of 2026, that is, to increase yields, milk production, and weight gain. Currently, autumn tillage of the land is underway, mineral fertilizers are being applied, and in animal husbandry, the construction of new livestock facilities is planned, with modern health centers for young animals and facilities for animals already being put into operation. There is currently an accumulation of fertilizers, which will allow for an increase in yields next year. To achieve the set goals and objectives, the district has everything necessary.

What are your wishes to the workers of the agro-industrial complex on the eve of their professional holiday?

From the heart, I congratulate the leaders and labor collectives of the district's farms and processing industry enterprises on their professional holiday.

Thanks to your diligent and hard work, our residents always have fresh and high-quality food on their tables, and the light industry produces clothing, shoes, and other useful items. Bread is the foundation of everything, and you are the basis of stability and well-being for people.

I extend special congratulations to the veterans of the industry, whose selfless labor has formed the glorious history of agriculture and the processing industry in the district's agro-industrial complex.

I wish you good health, family well-being, success in all endeavors, and confidence in the future! Huge gratitude for your work!