“ROSTOK-HOLDING” — leader of the Slobozhanshchyna fields
The spring sowing campaign—one of the most important tasks for farmers—has already been completed by the “ROSTOK-HOLDING” group. On May 16, 2014, the group completed fieldwork for sowing agricultural crops. This year, sowing began significantly earlier compared to the previous year, giving the group’s agronomists hope for a good harvest. The early start and smooth sowing campaign make it possible to expect an increase in gross crop output to 300,000 tons.
This year, the cultivated area increased to 47,000 hectares from nearly 40,000 hectares last year. This growth is due to the phased development of a new land cluster in the Sumy region, which the company acquired back in 2013. As a result, the area sown with corn increased: instead of 20.4 thousand hectares last year, 24.0 thousand hectares were sown. The same applies to other crops: sunflower was sown on 14.5 thousand hectares (14.2 thousand hectares in 2013), and soybeans—on 3.5 thousand hectares (0.7 thousand hectares in 2013). Approximately 1.0 thousand hectares were sown with perennial grasses for the needs of the agroholding’s dairy livestock sector and other crops. Areas and volumes of winter crops also increased: in autumn 2013, 4.2 thousand hectares were sown with winter wheat for the 2014 harvest. The company plans to increase winter crop sowing to 15–20% of the total cultivated land.
Each year, the “ROSTOK-HOLDING” group reaches a qualitatively new stage of development, and yield indicators place it among the leaders of the Ukrainian agricultural market. In just a few years, the company has managed to expand its land bank, improve yields of key crops (wheat, corn, and sunflower), and increase gross harvest volumes.
The creation of grain drying and unloading capacities requires significant investment. The “ROSTOK-HOLDING” group is actively addressing this issue by investing in modern high-tech elevator complexes in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
By the end of 2013, the group’s total one-time storage capacity exceeded 80,000 tons, thanks to the completion of construction and commissioning of the second stage of elevator complexes in the city of Ichnia, Chernihiv region, and in the city of Hlukhiv, Sumy region. In 2013, investments in the development of the group’s elevators amounted to more than UAH 52 million.
Automation of the elevators allows compliance with global grain quality standards and ensures maximum control over adherence to all environmental norms. The complex in Hlukhiv is a high-tech facility featuring equipment from leading global manufacturers: grain handling equipment and storage bins by SPS (Spain), dryers by Mega (Argentina), grain cleaning equipment by Damas (Denmark), sampling devices by Rakoraf (Germany), two truck scales (80 tons) and railway scales of domestic production. At the complex in Ichnia, alongside Ukrainian equipment, foreign equipment is also used: Brock Meyer 2400 S grain dryers (USA) and SPS grain storage bins (Spain).
Today, technologies do not stand still, and new agricultural machinery appears worldwide, enabling farmers to use land more efficiently. During 2013, the group purchased 80 units of machinery, 65 of which were from leading global manufacturers. The company’s fleet was replenished primarily with John Deere tractors with a capacity of over 300 hp, as well as equipment for soil cultivation and mineral fertilizer application. Seeders for winter crops by John Deere and row-crop planters by Kinze and Great Plains were also acquired. At the same time, given the doubling of the land bank, a decision was made to purchase additional LEXION-770 grain harvesters by CLAAS.
The company also seeks to develop its dairy segment: the team is improving the production base, working on increasing milk yields, and reconstructing dairy farms. The total cattle population during 2013 amounted to 2,680 head, of which 1,250 were dairy cows. Milk production in 2013 reached 6.8 thousand tons, or 5,500 kg per head.
At the heart of the agroholding’s stable success, in addition to a well-balanced investment policy, is a strong social component.
One of the holding’s priority areas of activity in the regions is providing assistance to local communities in addressing social issues. Thanks to the group’s funding in 2013, a church was reconstructed in the city of Hlukhiv in the Sumy region, a mobile electrocardiograph and an ultrasound device were purchased, and a passenger car was provided for use by the Municipal Institution “Primary Health Care Center.” Financial assistance is provided on an ongoing basis to the local school, kindergarten, and hospital in the village of Shalyhyne.
Communal issues are also not overlooked: funds have been allocated for road repairs in the city of Ichnia, reconstruction of temples and churches, and treatment of the sick. The “ROSTOK-HOLDING” group has taken patronage over the regional children’s home “Nadiia” in the city of Pryluky, the regional children’s hospital, and the veterans’ home in the village of Krupychpole, Ichnia district.
Plans for 2014 include the development of a new land cluster (in 2013, only 40,000 hectares out of 60,000 hectares under management were cultivated), the additional purchase of the necessary amount of agricultural machinery, and further modernization of the group’s elevator facilities.
Elevator complex based on LLC “Shalyhynske”: 41470, Sumy region, city of Hlukhiv, Rylskyi Shliakh Street, 1A
Website: http://www.rostokholding.com
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