In this publication

COVER STORY

Kolkhoz Smelling

Some farmers are at a loss when asked if their farm has an ecological certificate or an ecologist on the staff. How one can think about environmental problems during all-embracing economic crisis, they wonder. So, those farmers continue bringing unprepared dung to the fields, cutting down expenses on purifying systems and dumping untreated sewage into ponds and rivers, using chemical fertilizers or pesticides thoughtlessly.

Plant Growing

TEST DRIVE

Fastrac 8250 p. 20

According to JCB representatives, Fastrac tractors opened a new area in engineering by bringing production of high-speed tractors with high technical characteristics. Thus, 8250 model is good in cultivation of land in hard conditions and farm work as well as in transportation of a loaded trailer at highway at a speed of 70 kilometres per hour, producers claim. To make sure, we decided to ask farmers who operate Fastrac 8250 tractors and independent experts.

MACHINERY

Strange aggregates p. 24

Tinned food production in Russia increases every year, specialists claim. The same is with wine making which saw quite strong inflow of investments. However, farmers still run into significant difficulties while trying to purchase or operate machinery for growing such specific cultures as sweet corn, green peas and vine.

TECHNOLOGIES

Unprofitable Flax p. 30

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2008 79,000 hectares of land were planted with long-stalked flax. In 2009, the ministerial programme of the flax complex development in Russia envisages expansion of area under flax crops by 30,000 hectares. However, most specialists doubt this culture profitability while farmers constantly lack reliable market for selling flax.

Equipment

Stingy Man

Doesn't Pay Twice p. 35

Trickle irrigation is spreading in Russia. Domestic producers for several years have been trying to develop the manufacture of these economical sprinkling systems to match growing demand. But, as is the case with any technology, trickle irrigation is not a panacea. As it turned out, in this country saving water does not always mean saving money.

Cattle Breeding

TECHNOLOGIES

Untraditional

Cattle Breeding p. 42

We have become so accustomed to a specific range of products that associate meat mainly with beef, pork and chicken, adding maybe lamb and turkey. However, there are also such kinds of meat as deer and horse. Also, not only cows and goats can be milked.

Equipment

Cooling of Standards p. 50

Currently in Russia, about 75% of poultry carcasses are cooled by being poured into baths with chlorine-containing substances, experts say. However, the percentage can fall by the end of the year if the farmers are demanded to decrease the amount of chlorine or substitute it with expensive alternative preparations. Another way out is to change cooling technology. But in this case poultry farmers will have to invest significant funds not only in purchase of modern technology but in construction of new premises as well. If farmers follow the way of re-equipment, the cost of production will increase and prices may go up.

Point of View

Squared Skies p. 54

European Union bans from 2012 construction of new capacities where poultry is kept in closed coop batteries. Farmers will have to switch over to floor keeping or transfer chickens into the so called alternative open batteries.

Point of View

Pursuing a Course of Ecology p. 58

According to its dictionary definition, ecology is the study dealing with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. Thus, animals and their environment are inseparably linked. But in constant influence to one another organisms can produce waste. That is why environmental issues are becoming of greater importance today and require solutions.

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