Rules and anti-rules of a successful farmer!

22/ 10/ 2021

When farmers talk about their achievements, they most often pronounce the word experience. Economics is only half the success. For a farmer, what is called “straight hands are no less important: you need to be able to correctly select seed varieties, types of fertilizers, introduce new methods for managing agricultural resources, including water, soil and nutrients. How to make agriculture more productive and sustainable, Valery V. Beter, Director of DNEPRYANKA LLC, exclusively shared with G.R. Agro. G.R. Agro: Tell us about the farms that you manage? LLC Dnepryanka was founded in 1999. The company specializes in crop production. Over the years of the farms existence, we have grown or are growing cereals, legumes, oil seeds, and industrial crops. The main office is located in the village of Orlovo, Vysokopolsky district of the Kherson region. There is also a branch in the village of Lozovatka, Krivoy Rog district, Dnepropetrovsk region. The total sown area today is 3,300 hectares. 2,300 hectares in the Kherson region and 1,000 hectares in the Slogan in the Dnepropetrovsk region. Of these, 2000 hectares are occupied by a grain group. 60% - cereals, including 10% - peas. Sunflower occupies 30% of the cultivated areas, rapeseed occupies 10% G.R. Agro: The history of the acquisition of the farm. In what year? What was its condition? And what were your primary tasks? In 1999, we tried farming in the Apostolovsky district of the Dnepropetrovsk region, and faced the problem of the lack of a stationary technical base and warehouses. In 2000, we were offered to rent land in a collapsing collective farm located in the Kherson region. There we were attracted at that time by a dilapidated tractor crew and CURRENT in a dubious state, plus the opportunity to work in a closed cycle. The fact is that animal husbandry was preserved in the collective farm at that time. But while we were engaged in concluding lease agreements, metalworkers cut out cowsheds. Only crop production remains. The land in the village of Lozovatka began to be cultivated in 2013. We are gradually developing a base there. We got the lands in a deplorable state. Now we are working hard to raise their quality and fertility. Until 2015, the companys development was spasmodic. I had to work without an agronomist and other specialists. There were ups and downs. We have been working more or less steadily lately, gradually gaining momentum. LLC DNEPRYANKA took place in many ways, thanks to Don Leonid Mikhailovich, it was both a teacher and an agronomist and a manager in one person. Now the Kherson branch is managed by his closest associate Yasira Anatoly Petrovich. G.R. Agro: Which way did you go through farming? The path of trial and error. I decided to try myself in 1999 in agribusiness and stayed until today, despite the fact that there were hard times. At the moment, the main priorities are to achieve stable yields, adhere to crop rotation, and preserve land fertility for the future generation. G.R. Agro: What are your plans to expand farms? Most of the lands in Ukraine have already been distributed. The market is already divided. Therefore, there are no plans to expand globally. We try to work with what we have. We focus on saving technologies and quality, not quantity. G.R. Agro: How many people work at enterprises? There are 37 people in Orlovo, 11 in the Lozovatka. We have a close-knit team. It has been updated several times, but the backbone remains. Now this friendly team. And this is very important for making the right decisions. G.R. Agro: What crops are there now in the crop rotation of companies? Sunflower, peas, rapeseed, barley. We try to stick to crop rotation as much as possible. After sunflower, we sow peas, then rapeseed, then wheat or barley, sometimes millet and mustard. Niche crops require part-time work, and sometimes drying. We have a problem with this, so they occupy a small percentage in the crop rotation. G.R. Agro: What is the yield of early grain per hectare this year? The average yield of early grain is 42 quintals per hectare. G.R. Agro: What are the forecasts for sunflower yield? We hope to collect 25 quintets per hectare. The super task for me is not high yields, but stable ones. G.R. Agro: The last decade of July was accompanied by precipitation, what consequences did it have for your crops? We did not expect such precipitation. Therefore, we used non-intensive technologies this year. This year, early grain crops were more susceptible to diseases than ever. This is due to cold and rainy weather. And accordingly, septoria and other lesions developed. Fungicides were introduced, but they absolutely did not work due to low temperatures and heavy precipitation. G.R. Agro: What is the planned income per hectare for crops this season? I cant say. I dont like to get ahead of myself. Predictions sometimes turn out not in the best way. First you need to remove the sunflower, and then talk about something. The harvesting campaign will last approximately 2-3 weeks. It all depends on the weather. The problem of sunflower this year is that it is unevenly maturing, and already you need to think about sowing winter crops. G.R. Agro: Where do you buy the seed material? We try to work with direct certified dealers to avoid fakes. Otherwise, even the labels of major, well-known manufacturers do not guarantee the quality of products. We have demo plots where we check and test the seed material. To make final conclusions, it must take more than 1 year. G.R. Agro: What plant treatment products do you use? We use both originals of well-known companies and generics. The agronomist makes a decision according to the situation at the moment. G.R. Agro: What are the capacities for storing agricultural products at enterprises? The storage capacity at our enterprises is 5 thousand tons. This is in grain equivalent. If we are talking about a sunflower, then immediately minus a thousand and a half. We have the simplest option – warehouses for outdoor storage. It is planned to build a transshipment warehouse in Lozovatka. We will not expand in the Kherson region in the near future, we will restore what we have. First, it is necessary to repair the roofs: we will replace the old slate coverings with metal profiles. G.R. Agro: What are your plans for modernization and reconstruction of enterprises? We experiment a lot. In my opinion, in the current climatic conditions, it is necessary to introduce moisture-saving technologies. But for the introduction of this technology, it is necessary to update the fleet of vehicles. We are now moving towards this and striving for it. G.R. Agro: How do you feel about the introduction of innovative technologies in your enterprises? I believe that innovative technologies are the future. And this also applies 100% to agriculture. For example, monitoring the vegetation of plants, diagnostics, monitoring of agricultural work, automation, etc. G.R. Agro: How did the cooperation with G.R. Agro begin? Since meeting the purchasing manager at the Ingulets elevator of the company (Vadim Zhivitsky) about 4 years ago. You can discuss and resolve all the issues with him at any time. All decisions are made promptly and this is very important. G.R. Agro: What is the distance from the farm to the elevator? From Lazovatka – 70 km, from Orlovo - about 30 km. Its a long way to drive from Lazovatka, from Orlovo - just right. G.R. Agro: Do you use other elevator services besides storage? We are provided with a preferential storage service. We have delivered 3rd class wheat, feed wheat, peas and barley to your elevator. I am very satisfied. We use your transport. Part-time work at the elevator is also your task. Logistics is at a high level. G.R. Agro: What is the evaluation of the elevator service and procurement in general? I am very satisfied with the service. Such a seemingly small thing as a telegram at the reception, but it is very convenient. For each item, I definitely put a plus. Thats just the prices for services have been rising lately. This is the only negative. I would also like to have more accredited processing companies to sell goods directly from the elevator at good prices.

When farmers talk about their achievements, they most often pronounce the word “experience”. Economics is only half the success. For a farmer, what is called “straight hands” are no less important: you need to be able to correctly select seed varieties, types of fertilizers, introduce new methods for managing agricultural resources, including water, soil and nutrients.

How to make agriculture more productive and sustainable, Valery V. Beter, Director of DNEPRYANKA LLC, exclusively shared with G.R. Agro.

G.R. Agro: Tell us about the farms that you manage?

LLC “Dnepryanka” was founded in 1999. The company specializes in crop production. Over the years of the farm’s existence, we have grown or are growing cereals, legumes, oil seeds, and industrial crops.

The main office is located in the village of Orlovo, Vysokopolsky district of the Kherson region.

There is also a branch in the village of Lozovatka, Krivoy Rog district, Dnepropetrovsk region.

The total sown area today is 3,300 hectares. 2,300 hectares in the Kherson region and 1,000 hectares in the Slogan in the Dnepropetrovsk region. Of these, 2000 hectares are occupied by a grain group.

60% – cereals, including 10% – peas. Sunflower occupies 30% of the cultivated areas, rapeseed occupies 10%

G.R. Agro: The history of the acquisition of the farm. In what year? What was its condition? And what were your primary tasks?

In 1999, we tried farming in the Apostolovsky district of the Dnepropetrovsk region, and faced the problem of the lack of a stationary technical base and warehouses. In 2000, we were offered to rent land in a collapsing collective farm located in the Kherson region. There we were attracted at that time by a dilapidated tractor crew and CURRENT in a dubious state, plus the opportunity to work in a closed cycle. The fact is that animal husbandry was preserved in the collective farm at that time. But while we were engaged in concluding lease agreements, metalworkers cut out cowsheds. Only crop production remains.

The land in the village of Lozovatka began to be cultivated in 2013. We are gradually developing a base there.

We got the lands in a deplorable state. Now we are working hard to raise their quality and fertility. Until 2015, the company’s development was spasmodic. I had to work without an agronomist and other specialists. There were ups and downs. We have been working more or less steadily lately, gradually gaining momentum.

LLC “DNEPRYANKA” took place in many ways, thanks to Don Leonid Mikhailovich, it was both a teacher and an agronomist and a manager in one person. Now the Kherson branch is managed by his closest associate Yasira Anatoly Petrovich.

G.R. Agro: Which way did you go through farming?

The path of trial and error. I decided to try myself in 1999 in agribusiness and stayed until today, despite the fact that there were hard times. At the moment, the main priorities are to achieve stable yields, adhere to crop rotation, and preserve land fertility for the future generation.

G.R. Agro: What are your plans to expand farms?

Most of the lands in Ukraine have already been distributed. The market is already divided. Therefore, there are no plans to expand globally. We try to work with what we have. We focus on saving technologies and quality, not quantity.

G.R. Agro: How many people work at enterprises?

There are 37 people in Orlovo, 11 in the Lozovatka. We have a close-knit team. It has been updated several times, but the backbone remains. Now this friendly team. And this is very important for making the right decisions.

G.R. Agro: What crops are there now in the crop rotation of companies?

Sunflower, peas, rapeseed, barley. We try to stick to crop rotation as much as possible. After sunflower, we sow peas, then rapeseed, then wheat or barley, sometimes millet and mustard.

Niche crops require part-time work, and sometimes drying. We have a problem with this, so they occupy a small percentage in the crop rotation.

G.R. Agro: What is the yield of early grain per hectare this year?

The average yield of early grain is 42 quintals per hectare.

G.R. Agro: What are the forecasts for sunflower yield?

We hope to collect 25 quintets per hectare.

The super task for me is not high yields, but stable ones.

G.R. Agro: The last decade of July was accompanied by precipitation, what consequences did it have for your crops?

We did not expect such precipitation. Therefore, we used non-intensive technologies this year.

This year, early grain crops were more susceptible to diseases than ever. This is due to cold and rainy weather. And accordingly, septoria and other lesions developed. Fungicides were introduced, but they absolutely did not work due to low temperatures and heavy precipitation.

G.R. Agro: What is the planned income per hectare for crops this season?

I can’t say. I don’t like to get ahead of myself. Predictions sometimes turn out not in the best way. First you need to remove the sunflower, and then talk about something. The harvesting campaign will last approximately 2-3 weeks. It all depends on the weather.

The problem of sunflower this year is that it is unevenly maturing, and already you need to think about sowing winter crops.

G.R. Agro: Where do you buy the seed material?

We try to work with direct certified dealers to avoid fakes. Otherwise, even the labels of major, well-known manufacturers do not guarantee the quality of products.

We have demo plots where we check and test the seed material. To make final conclusions, it must take more than 1 year.

G.R. Agro: What plant treatment products do you use?

We use both originals of well-known companies and generics. The agronomist makes a decision according to the situation at the moment.

G.R. Agro: What are the capacities for storing agricultural products at enterprises?

The storage capacity at our enterprises is 5 thousand tons. This is in grain equivalent. If we are talking about a sunflower, then immediately minus a thousand and a half.

We have the simplest option – warehouses for outdoor storage. It is planned to build a transshipment warehouse in Lozovatka. We will not expand in the Kherson region in the near future, we will restore what we have. First, it is necessary to repair the roofs: we will replace the old slate coverings with metal profiles.

G.R. Agro: What are your plans for modernization and reconstruction of enterprises?

We experiment a lot. In my opinion, in the current climatic conditions, it is necessary to introduce moisture-saving technologies. But for the introduction of this technology, it is necessary to update the fleet of vehicles. We are now moving towards this and striving for it.

G.R. Agro: How do you feel about the introduction of innovative technologies in your enterprises?

I believe that innovative technologies are the future. And this also applies 100% to agriculture. For example, monitoring the vegetation of plants, diagnostics, monitoring of agricultural work, automation, etc.

G.R. Agro: How did the cooperation with G.R. Agro begin?

Since meeting the purchasing manager at the Ingulets elevator of the company (Vadim Zhivitsky) about 4 years ago. You can discuss and resolve all the issues with him at any time. All decisions are made promptly and this is very important.

G.R. Agro: What is the distance from the farm to the elevator?

From Lazovatka – 70 km, from Orlovo – about 30 km. It’s a long way to drive from Lazovatka, from Orlovo – just right.

G.R. Agro: Do you use other elevator services besides storage?

We are provided with a preferential storage service. We have delivered 3rd class wheat, feed wheat, peas and barley to your elevator. I am very satisfied. We use your transport. Part-time work at the elevator is also your task. Logistics is at a high level.

G.R. Agro: What is the evaluation of the elevator service and procurement in general?

I am very satisfied with the service. Such a seemingly small thing as a telegram at the reception, but it is very convenient. For each item, I definitely put a plus. That’s just the prices for services have been rising lately. This is the only negative. I would also like to have more accredited processing companies to sell goods directly from the elevator at good prices.