September 2016 51

The corporate journal of EkoNiva Group Small steps towards vertical integration

Within 10 years, EkoNiva has become the largest milk producer: our farms produce 650 tonnes of highest quality milk every day. And we do care what happens to our milk further, where it is supplied and what is produced from it. Therefore we are setting out on a new path — milk processing. Page 3, 4

Everything in one package Seeds from EkoNiva: John Deere Full Line concept presented from Tomsk to Crimea. by EkoNiva’s specialists. p. 11 р. 16-17 2 Contents

Contents

News Technical inspection Livestock farming In great dairy shape! Celebrating Knowledge Day Ten years of constant progress! Pedigree cows from EkoNiva demonstrate with the ‘Academic Milk’ perfect genetics ...... Voronezh Field Day trade show has 18 Aleksey Gordeyev, Governor of Voronezh Connecting to future oblast, visited EkoNiva’s dairy...... 4 celebrated its 10th anniversary ...... 10 Students of agricultural universities and Vladimir Yakushev, Governor In one package EkoNiva are bridging the future...... 19 of Tyumen oblast, visits John Deere machinery and EkoNiva’s Mezhdurechye...... 5 service ...... 11 In vast Russian fields Our guests A glass of milk to The most innovative pulled implements international friendship! The art of being a farmer from Fliegl ...... 12 A jubilee Russian-German Young Leaders defined by German milk processors.....20 Forum was held in Kaluga...... 6 Is it really a loader?! Green light to plant breeders! Limitless talents of JCB loaders...... 13 Guests from all over Russia came to the Moving forward Our people Field Day in Zashchitnoye...... 7 John Deere machines at Potato Field Day in Tula oblast ...... 14 Someone has to breed the cows Annual strategy and be the best in his trade!...... 21 Veniamin Borshchev, Director of Russkoe Happy Holiday! Pole farming enterprise, is telling about his operation...... 14 From Voronezh with love! Not a flight of fancy but In Russia Academy of Dairy Sciences wished a happy 430th birthday to Voronezh...... 8 a necessity Milky way around Volga At the regional Field Day, Kirov branch of region EkoNiva-Tekhnika equipped local farmers Give Way to Milk motor rally across Volga for the next season...... 14 region...... 22 Hot topic

Law on organic production: Our Academy impetus for development or Firsthand experience Agrisafari – a patriot’s way obstacle? to relax! Round table discussion at the Council of the Seeds from EkoNiva: Russian tourists choose the Federation...... 9 from Tomsk to Crimea...... 16 rural beauty ...... 23

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№ 51 September 2016 From the 3 first person

Small steps towards vertical integration

koNiva has gone through a number to be sure that neither palm oil nor traditional dedicated enterprises. I of different stages throughout the artificial additives will spoil the initially think in the future, the Russian dairy Etime of its existence. We started useful, high-quality product, which is industry can have a very high degree of our work from advisory services, then so essential to people. We believe that vertical integration. We are making the we engaged in organic production, we will add more value to our milk if first steps in this direction and process after that we started supplying farm we not only produce but also process a small part of our milk by ourselves. machinery, further, we commenced seed it ourselves. Being the largest milk We have a great number of ideas but we growing and crop and livestock farming. producer, we, of course, keep up with have not decided yet which way exactly to Since 2006, milk has become the key the latest trends in milk production. If we choose: manufacturing of cheese or dairy business of the company and the main look at other farming industries, we will products. Therefore, we are taking little driver for the development of all other see that pig farming is fully integrated: steps in order to gain more experience р. 21 areas of activity. from feeding to end-product sales and get a better understanding of the Within 10 years, EkoNiva has become (Miratorg, Agroeko, Cherkizovo). Large market. Two years ago, we launched a the largest milk producer: our farms sugar producing companies (Prodimex, small processing plant in Novosibirsk, produce 650 tonnes of highest quality Rusagro) grow a considerable part of and a month ago — a bigger plant in milk every day. And we do care what sugar beets themselves. On the dairy Voronezh. Currently, we are starting happens to our milk further, where market, many large milk producers build the construction of a pilot small-scale it is supplied and what is made from their own processing plants and vice cheese factory. We hope that this it. Therefore, we are currently setting versa, some large processors, such as experience will give us the confidence out on a completely new path for our Molvest, build their own dairy farms. and the insight necessary to choose the company — milk processing. The capacities of Russian farmers right area of large-scale production. We want to bring the high quality of are so huge that vertically integrated Stefan Duerr, our milk to the end consumer and structures have more advantages than president of EkoNiva Group

№ 51 September 2016 4 News

with the package reducing the volume to increase the profit. The price of our products is quite affordable, and the package is standard — 1,000 g.’ Aleksander Belyaev, Head of Processing Division of EkoNiva, also stated that all ‘Academic’ products have a short shelf life, 5-14 days, and they are produced in accordance with the National Standards or the industry standards in case of yoghurt. The products Celebrating Knowledge contain only fresh milk, berries and fruit. No emulsifiers, artificial additives, Day with ‘Academic Milk’ vegetable fats or dried milk. The Academy of Dairy Sciences is a natural and open production facility: the plant has a special viewing room where On the first of September, the new dairy plant everyone can see the production process in plain sight. The processing facility has of the Academy of Dairy Sciences welcomed already started receiving guests. important guests: Aleksey Gordeyev, Governor At the end of the tour, the guests tasted the ‘Academic Milk’ and other of Voronezh oblast, visited the plant in the ‘Academic’ products. Viktor Shevtsov, Head of Liski district, recommended framework of his business trip to Liski district. that the Governor should try the cottage cheese, which tastes ‘the same as it did in the Soviet times’. he visit fitted very well into the off the line, Aleksey Gordeyev asked a programme of the Governor’s few questions about the capacity of the Aleksey Gordeyev highly praised the taste Tbusiness trip. On the Day of plant and its equipment. ‘Preliminarily, we of all the products and drank one more Knowledge, he started his trip with a expect to start full capacity operation in the glass of the ‘Academic Milk’ with pleasure. tour of new schools of the district and first quarter of 2017’, says Andrey Pronin, ‘Opening of the company’s own continued it with the visit to the Academy Director of the plant. ‘We intend to produce processing facility is a logical step of Dairy Sciences. The dairy plant already 23 tonnes of ready products daily. The forward’, observed Aleksey Gordeyev. produces ‘Academic Milk’ from smart plant is fully equipped with domestically ‘I am happy that this plant is just the cows, cottage cheese and sour cream. produced equipment. It is cheaper, beginning because in the future, the The range of products of the Academy of however, in terms of quality, it is not in any company is planning to build a larger Dairy Sciences is growing every day. Very way inferior to its foreign equivalents.’ dairy plant and a cheese factory. It soon, the company will launch production In the process of the conversation, means that along with a larger amount of kefir, ryazhenka, yoghurt, snezhok and the guests touched upon the question of natural products manufactured in our milk shakes. All in all, 27 product items. of quality. Stefan Duerr stated region, we will also receive additional working places in the rural areas and, Students of Shchuchye comprehensive unequivocally that the Academy of Dairy considering the tours held by the school and kindergarten prepared a Sciences will always use only natural Academy of Dairy Sciences on a regular fascinating talent show for the guests. ingredients for its products. All products basis, an increased number of tourists. Children are the main consumers of the are made from milk delivered straight Academy’s products, which are currently from the dairy of EkoNivaAgro located After the tour, Aleksey Gordeyev had a supplied to 40 kindergartens and 30 five kilometres away from the plant. meeting with the local residents. They schools of Liski district. ‘Currently, EkoNivaAgro produces 450 thanked the government of the region and the district and the management After the talent show, the guests set tonnes of milk daily’, says Stefan Duerr. of EkoNiva for opening the production off for the tour of the ‘heart’ of the ‘There is no point in deceiving the facility in the village and unanimously plant accompanied by Stefan Duerr, buyer by replacing milk with vegetable named the dairy plant ‘the pearl of EkoNiva’s President, and the key fats. We are not going to spoil the Shchuchye village’. specialists of the company. Before quality of our own milk with artificial entering the facility, the guests had components. We also do not meddle By Yulia SALKOVA to put on overalls and go through the disinfection control room. The plant sets very strict hygienic requirements for everybody, without any exceptions! The guests saw all stages of milk production: from receiving raw milk to shipping ready goods to retail chains. By the way, the products are already delivered to Voronezh, Tambov and Lipetsk oblasts. The ‘Academic’ treats can be found on the shelves of large retail chains and small shops. Watching the colourful packages coming

№ 51 September 2016 News 5

worth one thousand words”. I have seen for myself that John Deere machines have the most reliable heart!’ At the facilities for manufacturing tractors and combines, the guests saw several stages of conveyor assembly. Everyone was mesmerised by the painting chamber which is also operated by robots. ‘It is very interesting to watch the assembly of a harvester similar to the one working in your fields’, says Reliable heart Aleksands Stebnyuk, Head of Stebnyuk farming enterprise (Voronezh region), ‘or follow the movements of the robot of John Deere which paints every millimeter of the machine with super-human precision, covering inaccessible areas and then scanning the paint layer. Watching this EkoNiva’s clients visited three manufacturing is as exciting as watching the harvesting facilities of John Deere, the leading producer of crops grown on your own farm.’ Our farmers also commented on the of farm machinery, in the USA. highest level of work organisation. ‘One can watch the conveyor for hours’, ussian farmers received a warm quality of John Deere farm machines.’ says Vyacheslav Kabanov, head of Pobeda CJSC (Ryazan oblast), smiling. welcome at the ‘backstage’ of John Indeed, speaking about the trip, all Deere manufacturing facilities ‘Each worker is responsible for his own R participants agree that the level of technical assembly part, all components are for tractors, combines and engines in sophistication is really impressive! Waterloo (Iowa) and East Moline (Illinois). at hand, the movements are precise ‘The most remarkable part of the trip and efficient. I think even if their eyes ‘Last time, we organised a similar trip for me was the visit to the engine were closed, the result of their work to these factories for our clients almost manufacturing facility’, shares Nikolay would not be the worse for it! As for nine years ago’, comments Gennady Lozhkin, Director General of Mukhinsky the factories themselves, I wish ours Nepomnyashchy, Regional Director stock breeding plant (Kirov oblast). ‘To be were as effective! Everything is clean of EkoNiva-Tekhnika. ‘Even at that more specific, I was impressed by the fact and in absolute order. The facilities time, they seemed to us unparalleled that the assembly is performed completely for production of high-power tractors masterpieces of technical perfection. without the participation of people. All the and harvesters are very compact, each However, time is not standing still! stages, from passing screws to putting working area is well-organised from Today, one would hardly recognize these together large sub-assemblies, are carried the point of view of working process factories! Ninety per cent of all working out by robots. The “human factor” is efficiency and time saving. Everything is processes are automated. I think, after completely excluded. I more than ever very concise, prompt and precise!’ this visit no one would question the agree with the expression “a picture is By Yulia SALKOVA Governor of Tyumen oblast visits Mezhdurechye Vladimir Yakushev, Governor of Tyumen oblast, visited Mezhdurechye, one of farming operations of EkoNiva. In the context of the working visit, the Head of the regional government was primarily interested in milk production and herd performance increase.

he guests arrived at the modern volume amounted to 1,160 million of the total milk produced in the region. dairy for 1,800 head in Plekhanovo rubles. The loan funds were provided by ‘We are looking forward to the time when Tvillage (Yarkovo district). The Rosselkhozbank OJSC. Mezhdurechye constructs another dairy’, operation has already commissioned Currently, the operation occupies the says Vladimir Yakushev. ‘We have all a barn for 200 head, a maternity barn, leading position in Yarkovo district in the necessary conditions for that: timely a small 16-stall herringbone milking terms of milk production. Mezhdurechye subsidies, governmental support of milk parlour and a young-stock facility for produces 18 tonnes per day, which is 3% production in the amount of 2.5 rub/litre 1,000 head of heifers and lack of milk on the market. I imported from the USA. think there is only one plan — to At the end of this year, increase production volumes!’ Mezhdurechye is Stefan Duerr thanked planning to launch a Vladimir Yakushev for creating large rotary and next beneficial conditions for spring, the dairy will the development of milk start operating at full production in the region. capacity. The investment By Yulia SALKOVA, IA EkoNiva-Media

№ 51 September 2016 6 News

investments into the economy of Kaluga oblast, providing one quarter of the total A glass of milk foreign trade turnover of the region. At the dairy, the German guests were welcomed by Vladimir Kavin, Executive to international Director of Kaluzhskaya Niva. He told the visitors about the benefits of working friendship! in the farming sector of the region. The participants of the forum were interested in the federal programmes aimed at the support of companies operating in the farming sector, opportunities for agricultural producers in Russia, measures of support for young specialists implemented by employers and the government, HR policy of the region and many other questions. After the tour, the participants of the forum raised glasses with milk produced by the Academy of Dairy Sciences to long-term cooperation and friendship not only between the countries taking part in the forum but in the whole world. By Ekaterina VORONKOVA A jubilee 45th German-Russian Young Leaders Forum has taken place in Kaluga oblast as agreed last year at the opening of the robotic dairy in Boldasovka. tefan Duerr invited the participants dedicated to the search of investment of the forum to visit Kaluzhskaya opportunities and implementation of SNiva and see the cutting-edge investment projects during the crisis. technologies operating in the Russian Aleksandr Avdeyev remarked that farming sector. The discussion was Germany is the leader in terms of foreign Farming the land is prestigious! The impressive potential of the farm machines of the region was demonstrated at Kaluga Field Day.

ifty-two companies, including Farmers value it for ease of operation, spreader will allow the enterprise to save EkoNiva-Tekhnika, displayed performance and affordability’, on fertiliser considerably. Ffarm machinery in the field of the enumerates the advantages Andrey ‘Since we operate a dairy farm, we, of Kaluga Agricultural Research Institute in Klemenko, Head of Sales Department of course, have excessive amounts of Peremyshl district. All in all, the exhibitors Kaluga branch of EkoNiva. manure’, says Stanislav Goryansky, showcased over 110 machinery units. The JCB 531-70 loader is the smallest Director of the enterprise. ‘We separate it EkoNiva brought the machines which have in its class. Its chassis is designed for into liquids and solids and then spread it in already gained the trust of the clients. stability and load bearing. And the Fliegl our fields easily and evenly with the help of ‘The John Deere 6170М tractor is 120 manure spreader made farmers the manure spreader.’ comparatively new on the Russian simply fall in love with it due to the ADS The farmer has been working with EkoNiva- market but it is already very popular. push-off system. The machine can operate Tekhnika for many years and he is 100% in the toughest conditions both in sure of the quality of the machines. the fields and in the forest. This is a high-capacity machine, very ‘Last year, we purchased a John Deere durable and requiring minimum 8 series tractor from EkoNiva. We had a maintenance. lot of offers but we chose EkoNiva since prompt servicing is top priority for us’, Detchinskoye farming enterprise says Stanislav Goryansky. ‘In farming, (Kaluga oblast) was very delay is tantamount to death. Currently, interested in the advantages EkoNiva is repairing our John Deere of the manure spreader. The 9670 STS grain harvester. Very soon, we company is engaged in dairy will need it to harvest winter wheat.’ farming. The current herd size is 2,000 head. The manure By Olga ATANOVA

№ 51 September 2016 News 7

repair them every other hour,’ complains Natalia Yershova, Director. ‘We gave up and decided to sell them. Instead, we bought two John Deere 6135В tractors, a cheaper alternative to constant repair works, besides the company sold them under leasing conditions. We have two more 6 Series tractors which have already operated over 2,000 engine Victorious hours each without any failures.’ EkoNiva and Natalia Yershova have a common reason for pride: a John Deere tractors 8430 operator from the enterprise became the runner-up at the tillage competition. And Sergey from Ilkino, (Melenkovskiy district) Vladimir branch office of EkoNiva-Tekhnika earned his well-deserved victory also driving the John Deere 8430. has taken part in the regional Field Day. As Svetlana Orlova, Governor of Vladimir usual, the company impressed the guests oblast, congratulated the contestants. ‘Thank you for your tremendous, laborious with superior machinery. work,’ said Svetlana Orlova with gratitude. ‘Together we will successfully implement eliability is what the John Deere Mikhail Muravenko. ‘For the display, all the plans for the development of the machinery is valued for’, says Enterprise n.a. Lenin, Sobinskiy district, agricultural sector.’ ‘RMikhail Muravenko, Director of kindly furnished us with one of the two Aleksandr Tkachev, the Minister of Vladimir Branch of EkoNiva-Tekhnika, ‘so we recently acquired machines.’ Agriculture of Russia, joined in her have brought the most dependable models.’ The enterprise loves and values their congratulations: The 7830 and the 6135В tractors, the John Deere equipment. It constitutes ‘The labour of a tractor operator is one of the 7250 combine harvester and the W110 the core of their machinery fleet. They most honourable and hardest in the rural self-propelled windrower aroused great were able to appreciate the benefits of area,’ continued the Head of the Ministry interest among the farmers. The highlight the 6135В model, when Belarus tractors of Agriculture, ‘grain growing requires of the display was the 6135В tractor. with similar specifications broke down. incessant and extremely high-precision work ‘Customers like the tractor for its ‘We bought four Belarusian tractors, but notwithstanding any bad weather.’ compact size and affordability’, says we practically didn’t use them, we had to By Olga ATANOVA Green light to plant breeders! Guests from all over Russia came to the Field Day arranged by Zashchitnoye seed-growing farm in Kursk oblast.

he Field Day has traditionally resistance, and fungal showcased new varieties. disease resistance. T‘We cooperate with various Russian, Duragold and Duranegra Ukrainian, European and American durum wheat varieties plant breeding schools’, says Yury show, among other benefits, Vasyukov, Executive Director of EkoNiva- high pasta quality traits. Semena. ‘We are constantly expanding Redcliff lentil also combines and renewing our variety range. Today, excellent commercial varieties of 24 plant breeding institutes and cooking qualities are being produced and tested.’ which exceed those of the reference variety. For several years, the company has seed handling facility.’ The guests paid a visit to the variety testing been developing its own winter wheat This group of guests of Zashchitnoye breeding programme. plot located on the territory of Zashchitnoye LLC. Around 800 variety trials of 14 crops included a number of current ‘The project is an excellent growth point are being carried out there. customers. For example, Bunyatino both for EkoNiva and for the entire Kursk Farming Company, the core enterprise oblast’, says Vitaly Voloshchenko, Chairman The guests took a keen interest in the of Dmitrovskie Ovoshchi Group of of the State Variety Testing Committee. grain farm. They visited the seed plant and Companies, Moscow oblast, has been the grain storage system. According to the buying spring crop seeds from EkoNiva All day long, the guests were touring the specialists, another seed plant with a rated commercial seed production fields getting for three years now. At the Field Day they capacity of 15 tonnes/h for cereals and looked into winter crops as well. to know the new varieties: spring wheat 12 tonnes/h for pulses is currently at the varieties Sonore, Licamero, Duragold stage of design development. ‘Every year, we try to close the contract and Duranegro and lentil variety Redcliff. for the purchase of basic seeds as early These varieties are currently undergoing ‘The technical system of the plant has as possible,’ says Vladimir Kopylov, the process of the state variety testing. already been approved’, says Vitaly Agronomist and Seed Grower of Bunyatino, The Sonore and Licamero soft wheat Polyakov, Process Engineer of the farm. ‘or they will sell out like hot cakes!’ demonstrate stable yields, lodging ‘We are also considering building a corn By Olga ATANOVA

№ 51 September 2016 8 Happy Holiday! From Voronezh with love! The Academy of Dairy Sciences celebrated another City Day with Voronezh residents as many times before. his year, Voronezh has celebrated car racing, cow construction and fast riddle ‘We all love the Academy, especially its 430th anniversary. On this solving made up the list of sport disciplines. Masha, our youngest daughter, the chief Tmilestone birthday, the city looked Adults were watching the little expert’, says Yelena Perepelkina, mother like a wonderful country abundant in gifts, ‘Olympians’ from the cozy cafe, where of a large famiy. ‘She didn’t use to drink games and delicious treats. they were tasting the ‘Academic Milk’, milk before. But now she drinks kefir, The booth of the Academy also generously cocktails, kefir, sour cream and yoghurts yoghurt and the ‘Academic Milk’ every offered all the above-mentioned and listening to the latest news from day! We first learned about the Academy entertainments. The children and their the Academy. The residents of Voronezh at one of similar events. Professor mothers took selfies with Cow Marta and were very happy when they heard about Zorkin treated everybody to kefir! The Zhu-Zhu Bee. Very often, the Academicians launching of the dairy plant, expansion of children played with the characters of the joined the family portraits. the product line and opening of new sales Academy with such joy! They are so cute points. Many people had already taken and kind! As for Cow Marta, we have all Professor Zorkin and Polya kept a strict eye simply fallen in love with her!’ on the Dairy Olympic Games. Ball throwing, a liking to the dairy products from the Academy of Dairy Sciences. By Yulia SALKOVA Quality is our top priority Farmers from different regions came to Field Day held at Pakhma farming enterprise (Yaroslavl oblast) to see the machines and ‘to be seen’ as they say.

level of promptness machines have been purchased from is achieved due EkoNiva, including two of the above- to the fact that mentioned John Deere 6170М tractors, a ostroma branch of EkoNiva- both John Deere and JCB have their John Deere 6150М also displayed at the Tekhnika displayed both novelties own production facilities in Russia. If show, a JCB 53170 loader, a John Deere Kand time-proven models. The a client calls before 12 pm, the parts 7480 harvester and other machines. JCB 536 can rightfully be called a will be delivered during the nearest ‘The machines are very reliable’, long-timer: it has been operating on night, and in the morning, a service shares Nikolay Shumilov, machine the farm hosting the exhibition for four engineer will come to the client and operator of Krasny Mayak. ‘They are years. The loader can turn around even solve the technical problem. All machines well worth the money.’ on the tiniest piece of land, it is a sort presented by EkoNiva arrived at the of farming ‘drifter’. It does not need a exhibition straight from the fields to return Poliekt Podgornov, Director General of clutch pedal: the gears can be switched back to work after the end of the show. Krasny Oktyabr, agrees with him. simply by pressing a button. The John Deere 6170М, a new-comer on ‘Let’s put it this way: John Deere offers ‘EkoNiva has a well-developed network the Russian market, has gained a very the best value for money.’ of servicing centres’, says Sergey Ivanov, good reputation. The tractor arrived at Machines offered by EkoNiva raised Director General of Pakhma. ‘They the show from the fleet of Krasny Mayak interest of many visitors. Aktivist have well-equipped repair shops and farming enterprise where it is used with farming enterprise started enthusiastic a professional team of engineers. They both corn and grain planters. The company negotiations of the purchase of a JCB always come at first call. In this respect, is planning a four-fold herd size increase, 536 loader, the John Deere 7180 also EkoNiva is unrivalled.’ therefore, it needs to increase the feed attracted several buyers. On the whole, Kirill Tagantsev, Head of Sales volumes as well. This year, Krasny Mayak EkoNiva’s representatives unanimously Department of Kostroma branch of has invested over 100 million rubles into agree that the Field Day is bearing its fruit. farm machinery. The major part of the EkoNiva-Tekhnika explains that this By Olga ATANOVA

№ 51 September 2016 ! ! Hot topic 9

Law on organic production: impetus for development or obstacle? Sergey Belousov, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Federation Committee for Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management, has held a round table dedicated to manufacture and turnover of organic products. he Senator noted that the draft version was still half-baked. ‘Currently, a lot of Russian organic Federal Law ‘On manufacture and ‘The Russian state GOST standard for farms are certified by European Tturnover of organic products’ has manufacture and processing of organic companies, and these enterprises been under development in the Ministry products has not been fully verified and mark their products by ‘Euro-leaf’ logo, of Agriculture for four years already. harmonised with international regulations which will become illegitimate in the According to the parliamentarian, it is on organic production, although the Russian Federation as soon as the law important for our and foreign legislations focus is on the opportunity to export has been passed’, continues Anatoly, to be on the same page in organic the products manufactured under such ‘but we don’t have our own organic product related matters to ensure the regulations to world markets without logo as it has not been designed yet. validity of the western certification on additional international certification’, It is apprehended that after the law is the territory of the Russian Federation, says Anatoly Nakaryakov, Executive enacted, with no Russian organic logo which will provide our farmers with Director of Savinskaya Niva organic farm. available, our farms will simply not be an opportunity to have their products ‘Now, it would be better to devote more able to mark their products.’ recognised in accordance with the time to meticulous preparation of the In addition, in accordance with the law, requirements set by the International main documents, which will form the organic operations will also have to Federation of Organic Agriculture foundation for the whole industry further go through the certification procedure Movements (IFOAM). Invited by the on, to avoid the necessity to correct our and another two-year transition period German-Russian Agrarian and Political own mistakes later.’ stipulated in the GOST standard, which Dialogue Project, Stefan Dresmann, Savinskaya Niva delivers organic products will cause Russian organic products Representative of the Ministry of not only to Russian, but also to European to hit the shop shelves with a two-year Food, Agriculture and Consumer Right markets, therefore they have firsthand delay. Development of organic industry Protection of Lower Saxony, joined knowledge of all the specifics of this issue. will be inevitably slowed down also the meeting. He talked about organic due to the unavailability of accredited farming in Germany which started to certifiers since registration and evolve rapidly in the 90’s. Currently, it is establishment of the certification system a significant and stringently regulated and production control requires time. part of the German economy. The terms ‘ecological’ and ‘biological’ are clearly Enactment of certain articles of the law defined by the law, and the products could be deferred, of course, until the recognised as such bear a special logo relevant tools have been designed, but unified for all the EU countries. the main question on everybody’s mind today is if the legislators will agree to such The round table was also joined by measures and how soon the whole system Russian manufacturers of organic will be established to ensure smooth work products. They shared their perspective of organic production and certification. on the situation and expressed the opinion that the draft law in its current By Olga ATANOVA

№ 51 September 2016 10 Technical inspection

Ten years of constant progress! Voronezh Field Day, the largest farming trade show of the Black Soil Region is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. For EkoNiva, it is also an outstanding event: the trade show has taken place on the territory of EkoNivaAgro for the first time. n the opening speech, Viktor Logvinov, Anticipating a rich harvest, the guests Sciences. It is the name of the brand under Deputy Head of Voronezh Government, demonstrated a keen interest in grain which EkoNiva produces its dairy products. Idwelled on the significant progress the harvesters. The gorgeous-looking John The guests were able to taste the dairy trade show had made throughout the Deere S660 combine (365 hp) impressed treats at the booth of the Academy, while time of its existence. the farmers so much that they wanted to the children, which are becoming frequent ‘Ten years of constant progress is a take it straight from the exhibition. guests of farming trade shows, were considerable achievement!’ asserted ‘All machines are in demand’, says Ivan driving John Deere toy models. Viktor Logvinov. ‘Within this time, the Vorobyev, Executive Director of EkoNiva- During the sowing demonstrations, trade show has been building up power Chernozemie. ‘Farmers opt for reliable EkoNiva presented 18 varieties of cereal and demonstrating the most innovative machinery, reliable supplier and high- and pulse crops. Among them were both developments. The first show had only quality service. We can offer all of that. well-known varieties and new genetic 23 exhibitors, now there are over 160 of Besides, in order to alleviate the severe developments – the varieties which are them. Each company presented a wide currency exchange effects, John Deere in the process of state variety testing. range of solutions for modern farming. provides special financial programmes Varieties Sonore, Kalipso and Licamero Thanks to these solutions, our region is and EkoNiva-Chernozemie offers are the result of joint cooperation of one of the top five in terms of farming discounts and sales.’ EkoNiva and Secobra, a German seed production growth rate!’ Fliegl trailers were a unique treat among growing company. The varieties show EkoNiva-Chernozemie also remembered the exquisite technical novelties displayed stable results in terms of crop yields (about its first participation in the exhibition: at the Voronezh Field Day. The Fliegl 6 tonnes/ ha), adaptivity and quality. in 2006, it brought four machines to ASW 261 two-axle push-off trailer, the Clients of EkoNiva-Tekhnika from the trade show. This time, the company versatile Fliegl ASW 4101 four-axle defferent regions of the country visited showcased over 30 John Deere trailer with the FWS weighing system the trade show. machines for all types of field work. and the lifting capacity of 30 tonnes, the ‘EkoNiva organises regular visits to Among the innovations was the John Fliegl ULW 20 FOX transfer trailer and the international trade shows’, says Valery Deere 8400i self-propelled forage Fliegl DK 100 two-axle three-side tipper Tsaregorodtsev, Director General of harvester (540 hp) with an updated were very popular with the guests. Bogoroditskoye Agricultural Holding ‘appearance’ and a new cab developed by Over eight thousand visitors of the Field Day (Kirov oblast). ‘After visiting Voronezh Porsche designers. Engineers of EkoNiva enjoyed the performance of JCB loaders. Field Day, I am not sure that foreign observed that the new design had made At the end of the day, EkoNiva solemnly exhibitions can surprise us any more. the sub-assemblies easier accessible. transferred a JCB 535-95 to Molvest, its The Field Day has demonstrated an The combine is equipped with intelligent long-time client. This is the 1000th machine extremely high professional level.’ systems that automatically adjust the sold by EkoNiva in Russia. EkoNiva’s clients also visited several cutting height on the go. The machines The loader will undoubtedly hit it off with dairies of EkoNivaAgro. Among them, have a lower fuel consumption: 15-18% the cows living on the farms on Molvest: a modern facility in Verkhny Ikorets for less compared to the previous generation. the machine was painted to resemble a 2,800 head. The visitors saw the best The John Deere 6170M (170 hp) Montbeliarde cow. Svetlana Petrova, Deputy genetic achievements of the farm and tractor was demonstrated at the Field Director General at JCB Russia, observed the daughters of the best breeding bulls Day for the first time. This machine that the machine would boost not only the offered by Alta Genetics. is ideal for working with small and quality of service but the milk yields as well! By Yulia SALKOVA and Olga ATANOVA medium-cut implements. The new owner received the keys to ‘The John Deere 6170M is a fascinating the machine from Cow Marta, one of machine’, says Aleksandr Vyazovsky, Head the characters of the Academy of Dairy of Vyazovsky farming enterprise (Anna district). ‘We have both large and small implements. The large ones are handled by the John Deere 8 Series tractor, and the small implements are pulled by the 6 Series machine so that the 8 Series would not have to go unladen!’

№ 51 September 2016 Technical inspection 11

Everything in one package John Deere produces a full line of machines for all types of fieldwork. We have discussed the Full Line strategy with those who promote it and those who use it in practice.

ohn Deere Full Line implies to benefit from John Deere Financial purchase of pulled equipment programme allowing to purchase the Jalong with the farm machines. It is machines on favourable conditions. a comprehensive solution comprising John Deere Full Line can be called a not only machines but also a wide ‘one-desk’ system. There is no need range of services. to go to different suppliers for service, ‘The John Deere Full Line concept is very spare parts, machinery or anything else. convenient for our clients’, says Ivan John Deere Full Line comprises it all. Vorobyev, Executive Director of EkoNiva- Maksim Trineyev, Head of Chernozem farming enterprise (Voronezh oblast) and a long-term client of EkoNiva-Chernozemie, considers the John Deere Full Line concept very interesting and, in a way, unique on the farm machinery market. ‘It is very convenient to purchase machinery and service at the same place’, says Maksim Trineyev. ‘It 8370RT track tractor (370 hp). The facilitates both service and spare parts tractor will be delivered to the enterprise delivery and ensures well-coordinated straight from the conveyor at the work of the intelligent systems. On the beginning of next year. Three tractors of other hand, the choice of machines this series already operate in the fields and equipment is a matter of taste for of Chernozem. The company is happy each farmer. Many factors influence with the quality of the machines and this choice: cost, test-drives, special their technical parameters. Now, the new offers, etc. I hope that in the nearest track tractor will join the existing fleet. future, John Deere will take that into The specialists of the company observe account while working on their new Full Chernozemie. The farmers receive that it is the best solution for soil tillage Line concept. Then the competitors will machines, servicing, maintenance, and sowing in the shortest time, besides, have no chance.’ spare parts delivery, installation and the John Deere 8370RT has better integration of precision farming and By the way, this year, Chernozem towing capacity and moves on moist soil machinery control systems in one farming enterprise has purchased an easier without damaging it. package. They also have an opportunity innovative machine — a John Deere By Yulia SALKOVA * John Deere Full Line — John Deere concept — production of full line of machinery and equipment. № 51 September 2016 12 Technical inspection

Fliegl in vast Russian fields

Fliegl is the long-established European leader in trailed farming machinery manufacturing, but the company has no time to rest on its laurels, it is moving on and expanding its product lineup every year.

high- capacity is needed in the field during forage spreader with a harvesting, besides we use it for milling tool made loading silage corn, which enables us of 400 HB steel, a to optimise transportation and cut the protective grille to costs significantly.’ prevent ingress of One of EkoNiva’s farms is also foreign bodies and thrilled with its newly acquired a high-performance VFW 18000 Tandem manure tanker gearbox and equipped with a high-power vacuum cylinder. pump, as it removes liquid manure The ASW 373 on the farm in no time. The slurry is was debuted at moved to the centre by side wings of Fliegl Field Day the hydraulic scraper and sucked up in Germany last by the vacuum tank. Two top gates, year. Since then, one of which is pressurised, ensure the machine has convenient and quick discharge to a shown excellent storage lagoon. his summer, Fliegl machinery was performance when tested at a number ‘For several months already, we have showcased at Russian farming of Russian operations and has attracted been removing manure only with this Ttrade shows by EkoNiva-Tekhnika. great attention of Russian farmers. vacuum tanker and it is a fast, low- The latest developments in trailed The ULW 30 chaser bin with a weighing cost and quality equipment’, says machinery manufacturing could be seen system and transfer auger is also Pavel Ashikhmin, Engineer of Verkhny at Field Days in Oryol, Voronezh, Tula, impressive. The chaser bin came in Ikorets Dairy. ‘Besides, with a higher- Kaluga and Ryazan oblasts. very handy at Vyshgorodsky farming performing compressor, the Fliegl ‘We always have something to show operation in Ryazan oblast, which tanker is not nearly as expensive as and bring only novelties’, says Dmitry acquired three machines at once. the equivalent model of a Canadian Kostev, Head of Sales Department of ‘Without a chaser bin, one can’t do brand. A vacuum-tanker is simply EkoNiva-Tekhnika. much on the farm,’ says Nikolay indispensable at large farming This year, the team presented the ASW Mitrokhin, Head of Vyshgorodsky operations for fast, thorough and 373 Tiger push-off trailer for spreading Farming Enterprise. ‘A chaser bin efficient cleaning of facilities.’ filter cake of different structure and By Olga ATANOVA transferring sugar beets. The advantage of this trailer is its robust Fliegl push-off system. The system pushes the cargo to the backboard evenly. The heavy-duty structure is ideal for transportation of heavy goods such as filter cake. The 4-mm thick side panels are made of wear-resistant 400 HB steel, the floor is 6 mm thick. The trailer features a

№ 51 September 2016 Technical inspection 13 Is it really a loader?! This question immediately comes to your mind when you see the endless possibilities of JCB loaders. The huge variety of mounted implements it can be used with make these loaders infinitely versatile.

veryone is well aware of the reliability, efficiency and high Equality of machines manufactured by JCB. However, few people realise that these yellow ‘farm hands’ have lots of functions beyond loading and transportation. Miniloader with maximum functions These quick and compact machines successfully operate in poultry housing systems, cow barns, grain storages and other facilities with limited space; they are also used for removal of manure and feed push-outs and transportation of bales and rolls. However, over three dozen attachable implements expand the conventional concept of functions performed by loaders. The list of implements includes hydraulic hammers, tree planters, vibrating rollers and screw conveyors. 1’ buckets. In response to the increasing The forks are supplied with a kit of the All these implements are currently responsibilities of loaders on livestock required hydraulic hoses and quick available in Russia. farms, the range of implements has been couplings, so they are ready to use Stump cutters, mulching heads, brush expanded to include manure forks and straight after delivery. breakers and landscape rakes easily turn silage cutters. Many livestock farmers will be a mini loader into a field development and interested in the folding silage forks levelling machine. JCB also provides a The others are keeping up specially designed for the JCB 434S set of brushes and sweeping equipment. The range of mounted implements for front loader. Their side panels can be For example, a mini-loader operating on a telescopic and front loaders has also been hydraulically folded, which is not only livestock farm can also clean the territory completely upgraded. The new products very convenient for road transportation between manure removals. are made of Domex700MC steel, which is but also very efficient for ensiling feed In winter, the compact ‘farm hand’ is 50% more durable than the steel used by along the bunker walls. indispensable for snow removal. The other manufacturers and stands out for its The sweeping brush installed right on the loader has everything necessary for increased corrosion protection. standard bucket is another interesting that: dumps, snow pushers, ploughs Agricultural buckets (for grain, potatoes and convenient solution. The heavy-duty and buckets. By the way, the range of and other loads) became 17% stronger brush is used for sweeping and cleaning buckets offered by JCB can suit any than the previous generation. They are the surfaces from mud, grain residues, taste. The company offers buckets for lighter and have a higher wear tolerance. wastes and manure. handling lightweight materials, buckets The design of top clamp forks has also for landscape design, soil diggers, multi- ‘Due to the diversified range of been improved: their capacity has purpose buckets and the versatile ‘6 in mounted implements, JCB machines been increased from 1.3 cm to 2.5 cm. have already gone beyond the functions of a simple loader’, says Evgeny Manzhurin, Head of Order Department of EkoNiva-Tekhnika. ‘It is a reliable and versatile machine, which will help you in every step you take. The loader can transform into the tool you need in a second, no matter what you specialise in: crop farming, livestock farming or both. This machine will find something to do at any farming operation.’ By Yulia SALKOVA

№ 51 September 2016 14 Technical inspection Moving forward Tula branch. ‘The machines are famous for their unsurpassed reliability, time- The International Potato Field Day in Tula proven transmission and extremely oblast gathered a great number of guests. The powerful 9-litre engine.’ The 4940 self-propelled sprayer simply exhibitors displayed a wide range of innovative took everyone’s breath away! It is the largest model in the world, the boom farm machines, including John Deere units length approximates 36 metres. The working speed can reach 35 km/h. provided by Tula branch of EkoNiva-Tekhnika. Besides, it is a completely automated machine. The operator just controls the possesses 25 John Deere work and turns the machine around. machinery units. Pavel The sprayer can apply from 10 to 1,000 Avetisyan, Engineer of the litres of chemicals per hectare. The enterprise, told us what performance can reach 800 ha/day. he values about John The new John Deere 8400i forage Deere machines. harvester displayed at EkoNiva’s booth ‘Our company was was just what was needed for the established in 2004, and harvesting campaign. The harvester has we purchased a John a wider crop channel and an adjustable Deere 6 Series tractor cutting length: from 7 to 52 mm. straightaway’, says ‘This range of cutting length is Pavel. ‘Twelve years have necessary’, says Aleksey, ‘since the passed, but the tractor is length has to be adjusted depending on still as good as new.’ the moisture content.’ Two John Deere beauties, Stefan Duerr, President of EkoNiva Group, an 8 Series tractor and a congratulated the farmers on the ‘potato 4940 sprayer, displayed field holiday’. at EkoNiva’s booth ‘In these challenging times, the weak were provided by ZHAK players leave the market, and only the farming enterprise. HAK farming enterprise, a long-term strong ones persist’, stated Stefan partner of EkoNiva, was hosting ‘The 8 Series tractor is the most popular Duerr. ‘Despite the relatively low market Zthe event. It is one of the largest model in all farming enterprises in the prices, I wish all of you a good year and potato producers in the regions. The world’, says Aleksey Priskoko, Head of a good yield.’ enterprise farms 11,000 ha of land and After-Sales Service Department of the By Olga ATANOVA The one-man show Farmers from all over Siberia came to visit the Field Day in Tatar district. Farm machinery dealers demonstrated machines specially for them. koNivaSibir presented the Dubrovinskoye farming JCB 531-70 loader. enterprise is coping with the E‘It is one of the most help of two dozers so far. compact loaders’, says ‘I have seen this loader in Aleksey Burkhovetsky, Senior action on other farms and Sales Manager of the Sales I like it very much’, says Department. ‘However, despite Anatoly Klain, Director of its small size, the loader Dubrovinskoye. ‘It is very stands out due to its versatility, reliable and removes the functionality and unique manure very well.’ telematics system.’ Anatoly also has an The chassis of this series experience of working ensures stability even on with EkoNiva: a John unstable ground. Additional Deere 9420 has been advantages include an increased ground says Aleksey Sukhanosov, Director of operating in his fields since 2007. Until clearance, a four-wheel drive option and Agro-Flora farming enterprise, ‘but I now, replacement of the rear axle and maintenance and servicing ease. Two would like to try it for myself. Certainly, general maintenance have been the only enterprises in Novosibirsk oblast are the final decision on the purchase will repair works performed on the tractor. already looking forward to the demo-show be based on the results of the current The tractor operates almost 24 hours per at their operations. harvesting campaign, so we will come day performing sowing and fallow land ‘I have seen the JCB 531-70 at work’, back to this question after it is finished.’ preparation every spring and summer. By Olga ATANOVA № 51 September 2016 Technical inspection 15

minimum electronics and maximum reliability — makes it affordable. The unit displayed at the trade show belongs to Mechta Farm (Kostroma oblast). As the enterprise grows potatoes and open-ground vegetables, versatility was the decisive factor for Versatile assistant acquiring the John Deere 6135B’, shared Stepan Lazutin, Chief Engineer of the farm. ‘We opted for this machine Manufacturers of farming machinery, because John Deere and EkoNiva are always a better choice. In EkoNiva, equipment and food products and livestock specialists at all levels are very breeders presented their best goods and competent, and the company always has attractive offers.’ developments at a large agricultural industry Another local farmer, Vadim Kurbanov, trade fair in Kostroma oblast. is also satisfied with the work of Kostroma branch office which ostroma Branch of EkoNiva- market, each available in Standard and cooperates with his Agroproduct Farm. Tekhnika unveiled the versatile Premium configurations.’ ‘The guys are on duty twenty-four KJohn Deere 6135B tractor. The machine is designed for harvesting seven’, notes Vadim Kurbanov. ‘We ‘The John Deere lineup used to lack vegetables and industrial crops. can call them at any time day or night tractors of 1.4 -2 pull classes’, said Kirill Mounted, semi-mounted or pulled and they invariably provide us with Tagantsev, Head of Kirov Branch Sales implements enable it to plough, harrow, the most detailed advice, then, a Department. ‘Thus, we could not offer cultivate, plant, sow, harvest forage, till service engineer arrives in the shortest any product within 80-130 horsepower inter-row, haul loads, spread fertiliser and possible time and fixes the problem. range. After a thorough examination of serve as a source of power for stationary Understandably, I am not the only one farmers’ needs, John Deere released units. Moreover, its utter simplicity — who values such attitude.’ three 6B tractor models on the Russian By Olga ATANOVA At the regional Field Day, Kirov branch Annual strategy office of EkoNiva- Tekhnika equipped local farmers for the next season.

he company presented about twenty machines designed for Tdifferent farming works and the most efficient technological strategies. sowing and does not require any other They just complained jokingly tilling, which considerably saves costs!’ that thereon the forages would be The John Deere 2720 Disc Ripper harvested too rapidly. (working width — 5.3 m) aroused great The display of forage harvesting interest among the farmers. This model machinery also attracted quite a The John Deere 7350 forage harvester and its predecessor — John Deere 512 number of farmers. Willi Drews, with a 4-metre baler ran alongside the are very popular with the agricultural Professor of Agronomy and EkoNiva’s John Deere A400 windrower at the event. enterprises of the region, where mini-till consultant, talked about principal rules This machine also proved to do an practices are quite common. of forage harvesting. excellent job of maize and grass The John Deere 2720 sizes and ‘The most important thing is not to extend harvesting. The harvester produces high- manages residue, penetrates and the cutting period too much, especially with quality forage thanks to optimised speed shatters soil, buries and mixes residue grasses’, advises Willi Drews. ‘Ten days and length of cut, great performance of and levels soil profile with excellence – is the maximum period recommended the cutting unit and automatic control of everything in one pass. for cutting, the nutrition value will be the main operation parameters. decreasing every day further on.’ ‘The unit is very robust and efficient’, Operating on farms in the region for says Sergey Gulin, Sales Manager of The company’s specialists demonstrated several years, the John Deere 7350 EkoNiva-Tekhnika Kirov Branch Sales fast cutting speed of the John Deere harvester has earned great feedback. Department, ‘It operates at 10-17 km/h A400 self-propelled windrower coupled The farmers note that the machine with the working depth of up to 40 cm. with a 9-metre harvester. The machine produces over 800 tonnes of forage per It actually substitutes a plough. After the was literally flashing across the field at shift, which exceeds the performance of John Deere 2720, the soil is prepared for 32 km/h allaying any doubts the farmers the competitors by 1.5-2 times. could have had about its performance. By Yulia SALKOVA № 51 September 2016 16 First-hand experience Seeds from EkoNiva: from Tomsk to Crimea EkoNiva sells approximately 30,000 tonnes of seeds of field crops per year. After selling the seeds, the company always asks its clients to give their feedback on the performance of the varieties in different climatic conditions. Beregovoye Farming Enterprise, ‘We purchased three varieties of winter Semena for the past three seasons and Kemerovo oblast wheat at the same time: Astet, Rozkishna intend to continue our cooperation. This and MV Nador. The preceding crop was year, we sowed Margret barley and Triso also wheat. The crops emerged well and wheat after rapeseed. We performed produced a good yield. As to MV NADOR, the same field operations on both crops: it even exceeded 7 tonnes/ha. And that one herbicide treatment followed by one in spite of the weather. The grain was fertiliser application. The barley produced filling during the drought, and it rained an excellent crop of 3.8 tonnes/ha despite incessantly during the harvest. We hope to the drought! The regional average was be favoured with good weather next year.’ 2 tonnes/ha. Now that it has started Rassvet Farming Operation, raining, and we have around 10 ha of barley Saratov oblast still unharvested in the field, we can see a beautiful stand - not a single ear shattered Jackpot peas, Max oats - waiting to be reaped. The wheat crop yield Alexey Leukhin, Director: turned out to be around 2.5 tonnes/ha. ‘The farm possesses 6,000 ha of Again, keep in mind that it has been a dry land. We planted 280 kg of peas and year, usually the yield is higher.’ Jackpot peas 140 kg of oats. Before blooming, we Zemledelets-2002 LLC, Saratov Leonid Polikov, Deputy Director: sprayed the oats with insecticide, and oblast treated the oats with herbicide. We are ‘We planted the peas after oats. quite happy with the result: the yield Skipetr soft winter wheat The variety demonstrated very good of peas was 3 tonnes/ha and the oats Aleksey Yegorov, Director: performance: it emerged excellently and produced 3.4 tonnes/ha. Next year, we were able to harvest 3.6 tonnes/ha. we are planning to grow more peas. As We farm 10,000 ha of land. Alongside The weather caused no inconvenience: it for the oats, currently, we have made wheat, we also grow barley and was somewhat hot in June but then the a decision to stop growing oats on our sunflower. The weather was very hot rains in July softened the effect.’ farm. We might replace this crop with this year but it did not have a significant Letyazhye Farming Enterprise, winter wheat. The peas were preceded impact on the yields. The wheat yielded 6 tonnes/ha. We performed fungicidal Tomsk oblast top-dressing three times. The preceding Rocket peas, Skipetr soft winter crop was oats.’ wheat Zemledelets LLC, Tambov oblast Vladimir Selikhov, Head of Letyazhye Rocket peas Farming Enterprise: Valery Yerofeev, Director: ‘We’ve been growing Rocket peas for years and we have no doubt that it is ‘I bought seeds of Rocket peas from a great variety. As for Skipetr wheat, EkoNiva, and I simply love this variety! we are still sizing it up since we have We reaped 4.9 tonnes/ha. All in all, I only been growing it for two years. This planted 3 varieties of peas after spring season, we sowed 300 ha. Since the wheat this season. The first two lodged, weather was favourable, we reaped a whereas Rocket stood beautifully until the good crop — as much as 5.3 tonnes/ ha. harvesting time.’ In autumn, we pretreated the seeds. In by flax, the oats — by sunflower.’ Malashin Farming Enterprise, spring, we applied 2 l/ha of nitrogen and Orel oblast performed some weed control, after that Slobodskoye Farming Enterprise, we applied fungicides. The preceding Kirov oblast Biryuza and MV NADOR soft crop was peas.’ Triso soft spring wheat, Margret winter wheat varieties Gubin Farming Enterprise, spring barley Sergey Malashin, Director: Volgograd oblast Tamara Sitnikova, Head of ‘We sowed winter wheat after peas. Astet and Rozkishna soft winter Slobodskoye Farming Enterprise: The harvested crop was great: Biryuza produced 6 tonnes/ha, and MV NADOR ‘Our company is a part of Zarechye Holding. wheat — 8 tonnes/ha. We’ll sow these Andrey Gubin, Head of the Enterprise: The cultivated area is 10,000 ha. We have been cooperating with EkoNiva- varieties again!’

№ 51 September 2016 First-hand experience 17

Nazaryevskaya Sloboda LLC, and after that — the second one. We Perstkov Individual Enterprise, Ryazan oblast have been working with EkoNiva for a Krasnodar area long time. Wheat is not the only crop our MV NADOR soft winter wheat farm grows, so every year, we come back MV NADOR and MV 37-14 soft Evgeny Nikulshin, Chief Agronomist: for one crop or another. This year, we winter wheat ‘We grow cereals, pulses and potatoes. bought basic seeds of Jackpot peas. The Vitaly Perstkov, Director: yield exceeded 4 tones/ha.’ The overall sown area exceeds 7,400 ha. ‘We purchased two varieties of winter Our company has been developing a Nagolenskoye Farming wheat: MV NADOR and MV 37-14. The dairy project for two years. Currently, Enterprise, Belgorod oblast preceding crop was sunflower. Both we have 200 head of cattle and we varieties emerged well, without lodging. are planning to increase the herd up Rocket and Belmondo peas The difference in yield was insignificant: to 1,200 head. We planted 400 ha Gennadiy Kuznetsov, Director: 6.6 tonnes/ha — MV NADOR, and with MV NADOR winter wheat after ‘The enterprise farms around 4,000 6.7 tonnes/ha — MV 37-14. Frankly annual grasses. It produced a fair yield ha of land, we grow oats and soybeans speaking, MV 37-14 was more pleasing to of 5.7 tonnes/ha. The cold resistance and we have also resumed growing the eye: it emerged uniformly, all the ears peas. Some time ago, we bought variety well-matched. We are going to sow this Phoenix from EkoNiva-Semena, this year we purchased Rocket and Belmondo varieties. The preceding crop was oats. We are happy with the varieties. The yield of Rocket averaged 3.2 tonnes/ ha, the yield of Belmondo — 2.8 tonnes/ ha. Out of the 5 tonnes sown, we have harvested 79 tonnes of Rocket and 50 tonnes of Belmondo. We carried out four treatments of the crops: one herbicide was good although the temperature in treatment, one fungicide treatment and winter sometimes approached –30 °C. two insecticide applications.’ During the vegetation season, we Yudanovskie Prostory CJSC, performed two fungicidal treatments.’ Voronezh oblast Ovoshch-Prod-Holding, Voronezh Margret spring barley oblast Aleksandr Bezotosny, Chief Odisseo durum spring wheat Agronomist: variety again to make sure that this yield Vasiliy Filimonov, Investor: ‘The company’s farmland area amounts was not just just random luck. We treated ‘The wheat is awesome, we have to 10,000 ha, 8,000 ha of which the crops with herbicides and fungicides. harvested 7 tonnes/ha, with 86% is arable land. We are engaged in First we applied Granstar and Impact, then vitreosity and 25% gluten content. The livestock farming and crop production. sprayed Falcon against diseases, and then wheat was planted after potatoes.’ We operate our own dairy processing added mineral fertilisers.’ Bogomaz Individual Enterprise, facility. We have been working with Andrey Zvyagin, Head of Variety EkoNiva-Semena LLC for many years. Bryansk oblast Trial and Early Generation Seed We have been buying alfalfa, oats Production Department: Rocket, Belmondo, and Jackpot and peas, and we have always been ‘The varieties of farm crops offered pea varieties satisfied with the result. We will come back for more peas and for Margret by EkoNiva-Semena are successfully Nikolay Kotlyarov, Chief Agronomist: barley, which we have tried out this grown in virtually all agricultural regions ‘The enterprise operates on an area year. The yield was 5 tonnes/ha. A fair of Russia: from the Republic of Crimea of 16,000 ha. We grow soy beans, amount, considering that the grain was to Western Siberia, enabling farmers winter wheat and maize. This year, we filling during a severe drought followed across the country to achieve high and planted a total of 120 ha of peas, 40 ha by rain. We had another barley variety stable yields. What provides the means for each variety. On average, we have planted nearby — its heads fell off, for achieving such results? First and reaped a good crop of 3.5 tonnes/ha. whereas Margret remained intact. The foremost, it is the genetics of the variety: Belmondo was the last to harvest, so barley was preceded by sugar beets.’ the set of the best economic traits in the genotype of the variety that provides a it lodged somewhat and produced a Niva Agro LLC, The Republic of slightly lower result, 2.8 tonnes/ ha. The consistently high performance every year. preceding crop was potatoes.’ Crimea The company works closely with more Belmondo and Jackpot peas than 20 leading global plant breeding Rassvet LLC, Tula oblast institutes to find the best genetics and Andrey Komarov, Director General: Astet soft winter wheat, Jackpot pass it on to Russian farmers. As a result, the company not only sells premium class peas ‘We planted Belmondo and Jackpot peas. Both varieties were sown after winter seeds to the customers but also offers Tamara Gorshkova, Agronomist: wheat and both performed excellently. varieties with the best genetics available ‘It is an excellent wheat variety. Despite The peas emerged in a very beautiful, across the globe, which ensures their the rain, we have harvested a good crop, uniform manner. The weather this year let successful growth in various regions of almost 5 tonnes/ha. We sowed 26 ha us down, many farmers lost as much as the country. The positive feedback of our after fallow. The crops were treated 30% of the crops, whereas we managed new and long-time customers despite this three times. At first, we pretreated the to avoid losses. The yield of Belmondo year’s challenging weather conditions are seeds with fungicides and insecticides, amounted to 3.4 tonnes/ha and the yield yet another testament to that.’ then performed the first herbicide and of Jackpot was 3.8 tonnes/ha.’ By Olga ATANOVA fungicide treatment of the sown crops, № 51 September 2016 18 Livestock farming

In great dairy shape! For a day, EkoNivaAgro dairy in Verkhny Ikorets, Liski district, turned into a showcase of the latest genetic achievements — Alta Showcase.

ver 100 record keepers, dairy cows EkoNiva and Alta Genetics. main topics of the workshop was creating of Holstein, Simmental and Red The guests accompanied by Ramon a uniform herd in terms of body condition Oand White breeds, whose yields Schenk, Deputy Director General for and dairy performance. It facilitates exceed 30 litres per day, demonstrated Livestock Production, headed straight for milking, feeding and housing processes golden standards of milk performance the backside of the stalls where they had management. at the showcase. Some of the ‘exhibits’ a better opportunity to assess the cows’ The participants of the workshop also produce as much as 50 litres per day. exterior type and genetic potential. made a tour of the dairy farm together Seventy-two of the cows demonstrated Mikhail Shcheglov, Genetics Specialist of with Ramon Schenk who told them at the event are daughters of Alta Alta Genetics, told the guests about each about milk production and genetic Genetics breeding bulls. contestant of the showcase. achievements of the company. The showcase has been held in The clearly defined dairy characteristics ‘Milk yields exceeding 650 tonnes per Russia for the first time. The elite cows of the first-calf cows — daughters of Alta day speak for themselves’, says Ramon underwent serious preparation before Genetics bulls, the cup-shaped udder, the Schenk. ‘It would be impossible to the event: specialists of EkoNivaAgro balanced body and the straight set of legs, reach this level of yields without highly washed them with shampoo, trimmed made a strong impression on the guests. productive cows and professional and brushed them and cleaned their The showcase participants specifically breeding work. EkoNiva has been engaged udders with baby oil. paid attention to the parameters in pedigree cattle breeding for over 10 The preparation efforts were well demonstrated by the local Red and White years. Currently, we sell pedigree cattle rewarded: the event aroused great cows: their yields and exterior type were all across Russia and abroad. Our cattle interest among Russian cattle breeders almost on par with those of the high- meet all requirements necessary for and brought a lot of positive feedback. producing Holstein cows. commercial milk production. Due to the More than 120 guests from 30 regions use of semen from the same bulls, we The guests studied the major herd attended the showcase to see the results get a uniform herd in terms of exterior management protocols implemented at the of the genetics research performed by type and milk production, which makes herd management easier. We are happy that today our joint efforts have attracted attention of the participants and become a reason for further cooperation.’ All cows taking part in the contest were perfect dairy queens; however, the guests selected those which had the best dairy shape. They were two Holstein cows named 1906 and Kolba dairy, with annual milk yields of 12,300 and learned about young 9,300 kg respectively. Experienced stock raising technologies cattle breeders made a special point of and saw a mobile AI unit. their exterior characteristics: a massive cup-shaped udder, strong parallel legs When the dairy record-keepers and a well-balanced body. AltaDONNIE, left for the milking parlour, the the father of Kolba, was named the participants set-off for the study best bull for semen quality. room to take part in the genetics and reproduction workshop. One of the By Yulia SALKOVA

№ 51 September 2016 Livestock farming 19

Connecting to future

A lot of us remember tales of the older generation about their trips to Soviet collective farms across our vast Motherland where they helped rural toilers. Russian Youth Public Organisation ‘Russian Student Troops’ (RST) carries on this tradition nowadays.

he RSTs work in most different thanked the troopers for their willingness ‘I am positive that our students areas. The troops total 240 to work in such a difficult industry and will provide a real support to your Tthousand young people from 72 wished them luck. production’, says Irina, ‘and they regions of our country. This summer, ‘The troop is called ‘MOST’ (which is will gain good experience which will the Russian Student Agricultural Troop translated as a bridge from Russian) for definitely prove to be very useful in their ‘MOST’ (‘milk standard’ abbreviated a reason’, comments Ramon Schenk, future careers.’ in Russian) has ‘disembarked’ at Deputy Director General for Livestock After the formal opening of the working EkoNivaAgro (Voronezh oblast). Production of EkoNiva-APK Holding. ‘This shift, the MOST troopers admitted Twenty-seven students of agricultural bridge connects both us and the troopers EkoNiva’s representatives to their ranks universities from 15 country regions — prospective livestock specialists — to by putting green RST overalls on them are working at the company’s modern the future. Perhaps, some of them will and sang their hymn to the guitar. dairies now. Before the commencement come back for work later, inspired by the We will ask the RST troopers to share of the working shift, the students were romantic appeal of dairy production. We their impressions at the end of the shift, welcomed by Stefan Duerr, President of are looking forward to it.’ but judging by the enthusiastic sparkle in EkoNiva, and leading livestock specialists Irina Shcherbakova, Chairperson of RST the eyes all the difficulties of the working of the company, which were also joined Kostroma Branch Board, who came to life will be overcome triumphantly. by representatives of DMK, one of the entrust the young toilers to EkoNiva’s By Yulia SALKOVA largest German milk processors. They reliable hands, thanked the company.

№ 51 September 2016 20 Our guests

The art of being a farmer

‘Being a farmer is an art of producing food while keeping your own wallet full’. Representatives of DMK (Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH), the largest milk processor in Germany, remembered this old Bavarian saying while visiting EkoNivaAgro (Voronezh oblast).

he most important thing is that tanker. Thomas Sturtz, Chairman of with the agronomists of the enterprise. EkoNiva has mastered this art the Management Board of DMK, tried After that, the group visited one more ‘Tperfectly’, says Otto Lattwasen, milking cows on a rotary and even ‘baby’ of EkoNivaAgro — the milk Chairman of DMK Supervisory Board. earned the approval of the milkers. processing plant in Shchuchye (Liski ‘The enterprise we have visited today is By the way, the dairy farm in Verkhny district) launched just one month ago. In not only a model of cutting-edge farming Ikorets delivers 50 tonnes of milk to the future, the plant will produce over two production but also a company providing Bobrov cheese factory every day. Just dozen types of natural dairy products on a before the visit, Deutsches Milchkontor daily basis. The visit to the milk processing GmbH successfully completed the plant finished on a delicious ‘note’: the negotiations on purchasing this factory. key milk processors of Germany gave an Continuing the milk topic, the German unchallengeable A to the products for their guests visited the construction site of taste and highly praised the state-of-the- the seventh dairy farm of EkoNivaAgro art production facilities of the plant. in Vysokoye (Liski district) with the ‘It is not the first time that I have capacity of 2,800 cows. The company is visited EkoNivaAgro, and each time planning to launch the first phase of the I can see the increase in production dairy at the end of 2016. volumes and technical sophistication’, On the way to the dairy objects, the says Thomas Sturtz. ‘Year by year, the guests had an opportunity to watch enterprise is becoming more and more forage harvesting, which was in full advanced and high-tech. Currently, swing in the fields. The visitors were it has reached the level of the most also interested in looking at sugar cutting-edge entities in Europe. No matter what is said in the world, we can over two thousand working places to the beet fields since there were some see that farming business in Russia residents of the rural areas. In this case, representatives of crop-growing farms is developing and receiving a strong not only the farmer is keeping his wallet full in the group. The crop specialists support from the government.’ but the whole community is well-provided.’ shared some advice on soil moisture conservation and fodder harvesting By Yulia SALKOVA The guests were primarily interested in milk production. The first destination on the itinerary was the largest dairy farm of the holding with a capacity of 2,800 head in Verkhny Ikorets (Bobrov district). Currently, the daily output of this farm exceeds 80 tonnes of milk. Ramon Schenk, Deputy Director General for Livestock Production, told the visitors about the production technologies and the management protocols. The guests were especially interested in the mobile breeding unit and manure removal by means of a liquid vacuum

№ 51 September 2016 Our people 21

Someone has to breed cows

Young age may be associated with lack of experience, but enthusiasm and desire to learn and develop professional skills can bring quite considerable results very soon.

leksandr Demyanov, a twenty-two- ‘My friend gave me the phone number of interested in farm animals.’ year-old AI technician of EkoNivaAgro the Director for Livestock Production of Aleksandr is planning to keep on A(Voronezh oblast), is a vivid example the enterprise’, relates Aleksandr. ‘I called working and gaining experience. As he of what enthusiasm and will to improve can and then came for an interview and told says himself, jokingly, he is not afraid of achieve. This summer, he won the first prize about my skills and experience. The next the hardships of livestock farming. His in the regional contest of AI technicians day, I was already working on the farm! Of physical condition is very good thanks despite the fact that he is just 22 years old! course, I am not a genius, but they must to the army. Even now, Aleksandr goes Sixty AI ‘gurus’ took part in the 5-step have seen some potential in me!’ to the gym whenever he has free time, contest. At first, the young specialist started although his work allows to keep the ‘I did not expect to take the first prize working as an assistant vet on muscles in a good shape even without in this contest’, says Aleksandr. ‘The Shchuchye farm. His supervisors additional exercise! most I hoped for was the second or the noticed his professional intuition and ‘Yes, someone has to breed the cows’, third place. And here I am - the winner! the willingness to work even though says Aleksandr, smiling. ‘Someone also However, even a greater surprise for the working conditions were far from has to treat, milk and feed them! It is me was that my more experienced comfortable. Several months later, very important to do what you enjoy colleagues believed in me and sent me to Aleksandr was transferred to a larger doing and not just what is prestigious the contest! I am very grateful to them for operation — a dairy for 1,400 head. or fashionable! Then you come to work their help and support!’ ‘He immersed himself into work with a smile. I smile when Aleksandr noted that this parental with the enthusiasm one can only I come to work, do you?’ protection of all young ‘troopers’ is very find in young people, and not even At the All-Russia AI Contest characteristic of EkoNivaAgro. There is all young people, unfortunately’, Aleksandr Demyanov was none of that ‘my way or the highway’ commented Mikhail Gurnov, Director awarded as the youngest attitude. Yes, you can get a telling-off — or for Livestock Production of EkoNivaAgro AI technician. As Aleksandr a praise — but only if you really deserve it!’ Right- Bank Operation. ‘I am happy that and his older colleagues his enthusiasm has not faded with It has been a year since Aleksandr started comment, he became time. Now he has shown himself well in the victim of his own working for EkoNiva. Before that, he studied breeding! And this requires talent!’ at a veterinary college and served in the age. The jury just did army. He confesses that the army divided Any talent needs development. not take such a young his life into ‘before’ and ‘after’. Having Aleksandr combines work with studying contestant seriously. completed the service, Aleksandr had a at the Veterinary Department of the Well, being one of hard time finding a job: there is very limited Volgograd State Agricultural Academy. the seventy-five opportunity for inexperienced candidates. Further professional development was participants of an his own decision. Aleksandr enjoys all-Russia contest ‘Some companies do not employ young working with animals. specialists, some take only ‘well- is a victory in itself! connected’ people, others give you a ‘I have been dreaming to become a vet We congratulate job but treat you scornfully as if you will since the first form at school. I thought Aleksandr and wish never be equal to them’, says the young I would treat cats, dogs and guinea him success on his specialist sadly. pigs’, recalls Aleksandr happily. ‘The path of constant cows, frankly speaking, did not impress development! The period of uncertainty ended when me much although we had thirty of By Yulia SALKOVA Aleksandr met his university friend, who them on our small family farm! But as already worked in EkoNivaAgro. I was growing up, I got more and more

№ 51 September 2016 22 In Russia Milky way around Volga region

This year, the annual Give Way to Milk motor rally covered Samara, Saratov and Volgograd oblasts — all in all 1,506 km. Representatives of EkoNiva also took part in the event. The participants of the rally visited large dairy farms and processing plants and held workshops on milk quality improvement.

amara oblast was the first to Uvarkina, Head of the Agricultural coordinator, ‘it strikes you as soon as welcome the guests. Committee of the Civic Chamber of the you enter the factory.’ S‘We want to show our best Russian Federation. Saratov Dairy Factory also treated the enterprises operating in the dairy sector After the meeting with the local government, guests to dairy products. The specialists of the region’, says Alexey Popov, Minister the rallyists had a tour of Radna farming of the factory are currently installing of Agriculture and Food Supply of Samara enterprise in Bogatoye district. It is the modern equipment, and improving oblast, ‘share our experience and only robotic dairy in Samara oblast. The production technologies. achievements in dairy cattle farming and guests learned about the peculiarities of ‘This is the only way for those who want discuss the problems we face.’ robotic milking and the specifics of breeding to keep the competitors out on the Indeed, the region has a lot of Ayrshire and Holstein cows. dairy market and produce high-quality achievements to share. For example, The participants of the rally also visited natural products’, comments Vyacheslav Samara oblast is implementing a a small private cheese factory. The Prostyakov, Head of Quality and Processing governmental programme aimed at factory currently produces about 280 kg Department of EkoNiva-APK Holding. support of cattle breeding farms. All of hard cheese per day and is planning The rallyists finished their trip with the in all, in 2016, the regional budget to expand its product range. tour of the two largest milk processors provided over 1.18 million rubles under Further, the rallyists headed for Saratov in Volgograd: Mikhaylovsky and Elansky the programme, and the funds granted oblast. The first destination point there cheese factories. by the federal budget exceeded 2.7 was Engelssky Dairy Factory. The factory ‘We hope to introduce some of the million. Besides, the farmers of the region demonstrated the complete production technologies on our farms’, says Irina established an association of Holstein cycle: from milk receiving to packaging Kolgunova, Milk Quality Manager of cattle breeders, which is already included of finished goods. The guests were Sibirskaya Niva. ‘I loved the idea of into the European Holstein Association. impressed with the innovative cottage installing a shower for cows to keep them ‘The region has established a local cheese production facility launched just cool in hot weather.’ Holstein Association based on the right this year and the fresh dairy products. The participants have a whole year to bring principles, pursuing the right aims and ‘We can see how well the teamwork these ideas to life. In 2017, they will set off headed by the people aspiring to develop is organised here’, says Mikhail for Altai in search of new impressions. dairy cattle breeding’, observed Evgenia Mishchenko, motor rally project By Olga ATANOVA

№ 51 September 2016 Our Academy 23

A group of explorers from AgriEcoTourism of Russia has ‘disembarked’ in EkoNivaAgro (Voronezh oblast) for the second time. The explorers were Agrisafari — driven by the growing demand of Russian a patriot’s way tourists desiring to spend holidays in to relax! their native country. he number of the people who prefer cream and milk packaging process meadows and steep ravines permeated non-traditional leisure activities is through the glass wall of the viewing room with marvellous pre-fall scents of the Talso growing day by day, as well as and tasted the fresh products straight off steppe. At the end of the visit, the guests the demand for one or two-day outings. the conveyor line. enjoyed an exceptionally beautiful The creative group of AgriEcoTour Andrey Pronin, Diary Plant Director, said sunset over the Don. The members of developed Agrisafari project specifically to that the production technology absolutely satisfy this growing demand. excludes any use of artificial components. First of all, the participants of the For example, sour cream recipe does not ‘expedition’ headed for the Academy of contain any emulsifying, stabilising or Dairy Sciences. By the way, this project has preservative agents, which have become been successfully operating for four years. so common in our days. The milk used Over 13,000 children and adults have for EkoNiva’s dairy products is supplied visited the dairy facility within this period. fresh from nearby farms. The guests The guests had a tour of EkoNivaAgro also learned that in the nearest time, the dairy farm in Zaluzhnoye village. During company is planning to launch new lines the tour, they had a little chat with smiling for production of cottage cheese, kefir milkers, met the manager of the facility and 11 types of yoghurt. and visited the calves. Further, the agritourists toured some The cuteness of the little tenants of the of the local historic places. They farm made the guests’ hearts melt. visited the Shchuchye Bridgehead, the Victory Park and the Mass Grave in However, they were surprised even more the ‘expedition’ confided that they were Shchuchye. The visitors were listening when they learnt that each calf is placed a little tired, but it was the most pleasant about the honourable milestones of the into its own hutch during the first hours of fatigue they had ever felt! life and that the ‘earrings’ in the calves’ Great Patriotic War with hearts full of ‘This is the first time a large farming ears are not just simple tags: in a way, sadness and patriotic pride. The guests holding is taking part in the development they are the animals’ biometric passports commented on the great benefit of of a tourist product’, says Ekaterina containing all information about the calf, including important historic landmarks Shapovalova, Head of AgriEcoTourism which can be read by means of herd into the itinerary along with modern of Russia Project. ‘EkoNiva is an open management software. farming facilities. It will undoubtedly boost the patriotic feeling of Russian people. company, which has a huge number This time, the Agrisafari schedule of fascinating areas of activity. I am The final destination of the tour was included a new destination point - convinced that our compatriots will be EkoNiva’s cow-calf project. The road to EkoNiva’s milk processing plant in happy to visit it!’ Shchuchye. The guests watched sour the feedlot ran through the picturesque By Yulia SALKOVA

№ 51 September 2016 Announcements

19-22 October Golden Autumn. Harvest 2016 To download the Interregional Agricultural Trade electronic version of the journal scan Show the QR code Venue: Palace of Sport and Entertainment, Tomsk Organisers: Agricultural Centre of Tomsk oblast

9-11 November Agrosib 2016 Venue: Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Exhibition Centre Organisers: ITE Siberia under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture of Novosibirsk oblast

14-18 November Eurotier 2016 Vanue: Hannover, Germany Organisers: DLG (German Agricultural Society)

16-17 November VORONEZHAGRO 2016 Agricultural Forum of the Black Soil Region Venue: Voronezh, Exhibition Centre 12+ of the Voronezh State Agricultural University Organisers: Exhibition Centre of the Voronezh State Agricultural 14-18 November University EkoNiva is inviting you to visit Eurotier 2016, world’s leading animal farming trade show. We will be happy to see our clients and partners at our booth Е59 in hall 13.

EditorinChief: The journal «ЭкоНива-Вести/EkoNiva-News» is registered Translated by the International Projects Department Ms. Svetlana Ivanovna Weber by the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Com- of EkoNiva-APK Holding, LLC Address of the editorial office, munication and Mass Communications. Registered Certificate publisher: st for Mass Media ПИ № ФС77 - 34820 of 23 December 2008. Printed by VIP Publishing House LLC, 51 Mokovsky Publisher and founder: IA EkoNiva-Media LLC 79A Radishchev Street, 305004, Kursk, Signed for printing lane, 305007, Kursk tel. +7 (4712) 39 26 60 The circulation of the issue: 700 copies. Order № Registered office: According to the schedule: 26.10.2016 at 11 am, 79A Radishchev Street, 305004, Kursk www.ekoniva-apk.ru Distributed free of charge [email protected] In fact: 26.10.2016 at 11 am. Issue date: 03.11.2016 № 51 September 2016