February 2018 58 The corporate journal of EkoNiva Group Agriculture is a whole world in itself with its own philosophy Surprisingly, these words were said by a young girl who is just starting her career path in agriculture. It is hard to believe that only a few years ago farming was viewed as an outdated industry, a dead-end sector of the economy. To learn about the current vision for agriculture among those who have given their lives to its development or who are managing large agricultural holdings? See 3, 20, 21. The reliable and versatile Crop of the future John Deere1890 Lentils have taken their rightful never lets farmers down place in the market. How First-hand information on machine to grow this crop, read at quality. Page 12 Page 16 2 Contents Contents News !Hot topic Seed growing Russians are in Berlin again Organic farming – level up Rich crop guaranteed After a two-year break the Russian booth Government of the Russian Federation Top performance of EkoNiva’s is back at International Green Week....…4 has approved the Organic Production seeds.................................................19 bill......................................................11 We are expanding our boundaries! EkoNiva has started its operation in Ryazan…................................................. 4 Technical inspection Historic landmark Our specialists Milk production at EkoNiva dairies has A versatile seeding tool! Rich experience reached 1,200 tonnes per day…..............5 John Deere has introduced the 1890 air has been gained by students during Keeping pace with the times! seed drill for no-till..................................12 EkoNiva internship. Young specialists EkoNivaTekhnika-Holding launches an Top-selling products strive to take internship at EkoNiva What makes John Deere and JCB online customer support system..............5 dairies................................................20 attractive for clients?.........................13 Earth achievements and Haybuster shares experience cosmic plans Specialists of EkoNiva-Tekhnika have held EkoNivaAgro has put a new dairy into a demo show of Haybuster operation.....................................................6 machinery...............................................14 Our people Farm’s secret Customers of EkoNiva-Tekhnika on a tour ‘My destiny is in my village’ of a new dairy in Kaluga oblast.....…........7 Vladimir Frolov, a peasant by birth, First-hand experience speaks about his work and life..........21 Heavenly curds Products of the Academy of Dairy Crop of the future Let’s go skiing! Sciences have passed a quality test........7 Lentil production is expanding all over Enthusiasts of EkoNivaAgro have taken Russia. Professional advice from Willi part in a ski race................................22 Bridging the future Drews, PhD in Agronomy.......................16 EkoNiva is housing the winter session of the agrcultural student troop MOST.........9 Efficient fodder Our Academy preparation Livestock farming A warm welcome at farming enterprises of Cows don’t lie! Jackets for Siberian calves! Vladimir oblast............................................9 American veterinarian David Reid has A young designer from Novosibirsk A trend-setting event held a workshop for his Russian oblast saves calves AgroFarm Trade Show — a trendsetter...10 colleagues...............................................18 from frost...........................................23 р. 4 р. 14 р. 23 № 58 February 2018 From the first person A rollercoaster ride: shall we expect a rise after a sharp drop? he dairy industry seems to be to sell products containing vegetable fat I can see considerable potential in experiencing a rollercoaster ride. under the names of ‘cheese product’ or organic production in terms of both TThe increase in milk prices in the ‘sour cream product’. Why cannot we do export to the EU and domestic market previous year was followed by a dramatic the same in Russia? It would stabilise development. Russian consumers drop. It is remarkable that the prices milk prices and enhance sustainable have become more conscious of what have decreased in winter, when milk development of the dairy industry. they eat. However, the organic market production volumes are traditionally Currently, we are fighting a losing battle is still fairly small, and it is not easy to lower and the price is higher than in against palm oil and other butter fat find true organic meat, fruit of dairy summer. The purchase price of raw milk replacers. This battle can never be won by products on shop shelves. However, is decreasing against a rise in the market conscientious dairy producers! Thus, we Russian farmers, unlike their European price of dairy products and the overall feel as if we were having a rollercoaster colleagues, possess the main resource undersupply of milk in Russia. ride: rushing downwards holding our required for organic production — land. This situation has been caused by breaths and fearing to think what will The development of new production adulterated dairy commodities and so- happen in summer. practices will help agricultural producers called ‘cheese products’, ‘sour cream Our colleagues from the grain industry are to reduce their risks and compensate for products’, etc., which compromise the also going through tough times: the low the market price decrease so that they dairy industry with their very name. grain prices caused by the record crop could move forward instead of riding up and down a rollercoaster. р. 23 Since 15th January, dairy product yield in 2017 are unlikely to rise, unless Stefan DUERR, manufacturers in Belarus are forbidden the ruble rate decreases. President of EkoNiva Group № 58 February 2018 4 News After a two-year break Russia is back to the largest agricultural trade fair in Berlin. Around 20 companies from 15 regions have presented achievements of the Russian agriculture at Green Week. Russia is in Berlin again. At International Green Week The Russian delegation headed by supply. Despite political challenges, the of German Federation of Rural Youth. He Evgeniy Gromyko, Deputy Minister deputy minister believes that Russia and shared experience with the beginning of Agriculture of Russia, familiarized Germany have more common ground than colleagues, elaborated on the specifics of themselves with the displays and took differences. Among promising avenues of doing business in Russia. The presentation part in the business program. cooperation between the two countries, was followed by an hour-long Q&A session. The German-Russian Forum focused he mentioned farming machinery, plant As a word of encouragement, Stefan on capabilities of the two countries in breeding, seed production, and genetics. Duerr urged the young farmers to be ensuring global food safety. The event Speaking about agri-business in Russia, guided by sound judgement, to be was attended by representatives of Stefan Duerr, President of EkoNiva Group, responsible for the decisions they take the ministries of agriculture of Russia pointed out the fact that good framework and to be daring in pursuing their dreams. and Germany, German Committee on conditions for work had been created in Mr Duerr also shared how he manages to Eastern European Economic Relations, Russia. And in case someone is considering combine work and family life. German-Russian Agricultural and Political working in Russia, now is the time to start Dialogue, and businessmen. while vacant land is still available. Another ‘Unfortunately, most of the time, I am away. I spend only two days a week Evgeniy Gromyko spoke about the point that Stefan Duerr made was that there had been a shift in public opinion with my family’, says Stefan Duerr. ‘But results of work of the Russian farming when I am at home, the entire family sector. An impressive harvest — 140 in how agricultural sector, overall, and farmers, in particular, are viewed. gets together in the evening, we turn the million tonnes of grain — was reaped phones off and talk to each other. And last year, thus solving the issue of food ‘My daughter used to be embarrassed to then it doesn’t matter, even if a governor safety in 10 types of products. admit that her dad was a farmer. Now she calls — the time is reserved exclusively ‘If in 2001 Russia was the largest is proud of my work.’ for the family.’ importer, then in 2017 export of farming The Russian farmer with German roots Wrapping the session up, Stefan Duerr products reached 20 million dollars. The also the gave a long-term outlook of the invited the young farmers to EkoNiva for a trend is going to continue.’ dairy industry. He believes that in five to visit, an internship or work. six years Russia is going to overproduce, According to Mr. Gromyko, production ‘We are glad to share experience and of biological products has good market so it is important to take action now and explore export markets. keen to recruit skilled specialists’, opportunities, since the demand in the summed up the businessman. global market is growing faster than the Stefan Duerr also took part in the congress By Svetlana WEBER We are expanding our boundaries EkoNiva has purchased OkaAgro, an agricultural holding in Ryazan oblast with a modern infrastructure and good prospects. he large agricultural area and region, a 50,000-tonne storage facility President of EkoNiva Group. ‘Provided that modern dairy farms of OkaAgro with railcar loading, 5,500 head of cattle, state support continues, EkoNiva plans to Timpressed EkoNiva, which was including 2,800 cows of Holstein