We learned about the fascinating everyday life of future specialists in the field of animal husbandry

The layman chooses dairy products according to the label, and the future agricultural technologist chooses according to the results of his own laboratory research. Who said that being a zookeeper is not prestigious? Students of the specialty "animal engineering", "production of animal products" of the Vitebsk Veterinary Academy, their teacher, Candidate of agricultural Sciences, head of the Department of technology of production of mechanized livestock products Vitaly Podrez told the correspondent of "BB" about their fascinating everyday life.

To understand a cow by its eyes

Next to the mentor are three young men in white coats. Third-year student Ilona Silkevich from Rogachev entered the veterinary Academy after graduating from the Klimovichi Agricultural College. The girl decided to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother, a veterinarian.

"My grandmother instilled in me a love for animals, taught me to understand them without words," Ilona says. –A sick cow, for example, will be sedentary, sluggish, may refuse water and feed. Her eyes look hollow and her ears droop.

The student's favorite subjects are breeding, feeding and zoo hygiene. Contact with animals brings her joy. Ilona does not deny that at first it was scary to approach the cow, but safety knowledge and experience did not leave a trace of fear. The girl is sure that the animal feels the superiority of man and is much more afraid of him.

– Despite the natural strength, cattle need human help, – says the future animal technician. – For example, it is better to give birth to a cow in tandem, because a newborn calf weighs about 30 kg. As soon as his head and front legs appear, several men pull him out of the womb with the help of a special device and a rope.

It's hard to believe, but the fragile Ilona has already delivered cows more than once. As well as the sophomore Oleg Odintsovo from Vileika, Minsk region, who is sitting next to her. While studying at the Luzhesnyansky Agricultural and Technical College, he fell in love with Vitebsk, became seriously interested in animal breeding and decided to continue his studies at the veterinary academy.

– I gained invaluable experience during a five-month internship after college at the Minsk state farm as a livestock breeder, – Oleg notes. – Controlled the insemination of animals, the quality of products, kept their livestock and breeding records.

– The milkiest cow can be determined by the udder, and the best producer bull by the quality of the offspring, - says the sophomore. – And a pair for crossing needs to be selected according to a number of characteristics, the main one being the mass of animals.

The successor of the dynasty

Freshman Dmitry Pshonka listened with interest to the stories of his older comrades. His studies have just begun, and he is looking forward to diving into the world of new knowledge. The young man entered the target area, then he will return to his native Lepel region in the SOUP "Spotlight-Agro", where his parents and grandmother have been working for many years.

– My father heads the livestock production team on the farm. His responsibilities include milk accounting, control over feeding and milking, daily reports, documentation, and taking care of the diet of the cows," Dmitry emphasizes. – The mother is a calf breeder, has many certificates for conscientious work. In 2020, she became the "Person of the Year of Vitebsk region".

The Pshonka family has a large household, taking care of it is very difficult. Three children are happy to help their parents take care of the animals. Growing up in a friendly family of farmers, Dmitry did not doubt the choice of a future profession.

– At home, I learned how to feed cows and pigs, keep them clean and tried to weigh calves, – says the freshman. – I like village life and communication with animals. Now it is necessary to continue the dynasty with dignity.

Kefir has a minimum of additives

In modern laboratories, students master the mechanization of animal husbandry and the basics of energy conservation. The electronic complex at the Department of Production Technology of livestock mechanization has become an indispensable assistant in this matter. By connecting to it, future specialists learn to sort animals according to various characteristics. On the fragments of the domestic Maistar installations associated with the complex, boys and girls work out the milking technology and additionally study the primary processing of milk. In a nearby laboratory, they are learning how to determine the quality of milk using various analyzers and reagents.

– The bacterial contamination of the drinking product, the presence of antibiotics in it, the mass fraction of fat, protein, lactose are evaluated, – explains Vitaly Podrez. – Dairy products from the shelves are often the subject of study.

Students prefer classic kefir of any fat content from fermented milk drinks: it contains a minimum of unnecessary additives and preservatives.

– Dairy products are useful and rich in calcium and phosphorus, but there are names that it is better not to get carried away with, – said Oleg Odintsovo. – Yoghurts, for example, add a lot of starch to increase the mass. This ingredient is not good for digestion. And you can identify it with the help of a drop of iodine: it will partially turn the mass blue.

The heroes of the article are still far from graduating from the vet academy, but they are seriously interested in their future profession. The guys dream of continuing their studies at the master's degree in order to gain even more knowledge and, if possible, contribute to science.

Photo of the author.

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