MINSK, 29 January (BelTA) – This year we are having a cold winter, the kind Belarus should have every year, Agriculture and Food Minister Yuri Gorlov told journalists following the meeting with the Belarusian president, BelTA has learned.
“It has a very positive impact on crops. Of course, we must be prepared to ensure livestock preservation at all times. In 2025 we reduced the mortality rate of cattle. It may be a slight decrease, but this is a downward trend,” Yuri Gorlov stated. “We learned lessons from the first severe frosts. Another drop in temperature is expected soon. We have conducted work to address shortcomings in all regions of the country.”
The minister noted that compared to last year there has been an increase in livestock mortality in Minsk Oblast, Vitebsk Oblast and Grodno Oblast, with minor losses also reported in other regions. “I am confident that we will rectify this situation within the year. However, this requires time. Time is needed for the entire country to transition to the new method of calf management,” he emphasized.
The minister provided the following example: while in autumn, 70,000 calves were housed in individual outdoor pens, currently almost all livestock have been moved indoors, as required by the head of state. “There is a small portion of young stock that could not be moved indoors. We have insulated these calf pens and created comfortable conditions for the young animals," he emphasized.
Corresponding conditions have also been created for workers. “We see that during this period, the workload for each operator caring for calves is high. Therefore, we are additionally hiring workers specifically for watering the calves, in order to minimize any negative consequences in such cold weather," Yuri Gorlov noted.
He assured that every person understands the responsibility they bear and the results that must be achieved: "Even if we might achieve slightly less in terms of average daily weight gain, preserving the animals is our absolute responsibility.”
At the same time, Yuri Gorlov acknowledged that there are certain shortcomings. “This is why we have specialists, including in the system of the Agriculture and Food Ministry. We monitor these agricultural enterprises every week and promptly implement necessary adjustments," the minister emphasized.
“It has a very positive impact on crops. Of course, we must be prepared to ensure livestock preservation at all times. In 2025 we reduced the mortality rate of cattle. It may be a slight decrease, but this is a downward trend,” Yuri Gorlov stated. “We learned lessons from the first severe frosts. Another drop in temperature is expected soon. We have conducted work to address shortcomings in all regions of the country.”
The minister noted that compared to last year there has been an increase in livestock mortality in Minsk Oblast, Vitebsk Oblast and Grodno Oblast, with minor losses also reported in other regions. “I am confident that we will rectify this situation within the year. However, this requires time. Time is needed for the entire country to transition to the new method of calf management,” he emphasized.
The minister provided the following example: while in autumn, 70,000 calves were housed in individual outdoor pens, currently almost all livestock have been moved indoors, as required by the head of state. “There is a small portion of young stock that could not be moved indoors. We have insulated these calf pens and created comfortable conditions for the young animals," he emphasized.
Corresponding conditions have also been created for workers. “We see that during this period, the workload for each operator caring for calves is high. Therefore, we are additionally hiring workers specifically for watering the calves, in order to minimize any negative consequences in such cold weather," Yuri Gorlov noted.
He assured that every person understands the responsibility they bear and the results that must be achieved: "Even if we might achieve slightly less in terms of average daily weight gain, preserving the animals is our absolute responsibility.”
At the same time, Yuri Gorlov acknowledged that there are certain shortcomings. “This is why we have specialists, including in the system of the Agriculture and Food Ministry. We monitor these agricultural enterprises every week and promptly implement necessary adjustments," the minister emphasized.
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