Good afternoon!
Today the editorial board of Omsky Biocluster opens a new section called 'Opinion'. The purpose of the section is to have an open discussion on the issues related to business in Omsk region and the whole country. Our first guest is Professor Vladimir KRASNITSKY, the Honored Agronomist of Russia, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences and the Director of Omsky Agrochemical Service Center Federal Government Budgetary Institution.
- Mr. KRASNITSKY, first of all, I would like to welcome you to the new section of our site www.agrobiocluster.ru. This is the first interview within the section.
- Good afternoon!
- My first question is very simple. Why did Agrochemical Service Center Omsky decide to join Omsky Biocluster?
- I guess the answer is very simple too. For more than 50 years the Center has been dealing with the qualitative assessment of feed for farm animals. The accredited testing center, established on the basis of our institution, carries out all types of research necessary for the declaration and certification of products. We see cluster as a possibility for cooperation and maintaining sustainable economic relations. As a participant of Omsky Biocluster, our center provides research services on agricultural raw materials, derived products and other foodstuff.
Our situation is unique as in fact we have legally registered the already established relations with our colleagues.
- Omsk residents have recently become more critical in examining the food they eat. Before making a purchase, we carefully study product labels; check the amount of food additives, preservatives and dyes...
- But very few people realize that the quality of dairy and meat products directly depends on the quality of feed and feed additives consumed by animals. The golden rule of nutrition which says 'we are what we eat' can be applied not only to a man, the supreme creation of nature. When animal consumes high-quality feeds, the quality of agricultural products will be high as well. But when the quality of feed leaves much to be desired, there is no wonder that yields and productivity decrease and health problems appear...
The task set by the President of the country is the development of the livestock sector, and this goal cannot be achieved without studying animal feeds prepared by farms. All the agricultural producers should necessarily check the quality and nutritional value of the entire amount of unconcentrated feed they prepare. Otherwise, farmers or businesses that expect to make profit from this segment may incur losses, while not ensuring the required level of profitability of the livestock sector.
- So the problem of farm animals feed research is very complicated, isn’t it?
- I would rather say it differently. This problem can be solved only by experienced and competent specialists familiar with the technology of feed procurement, its chemical composition and the quality standards. A particular approach is required. We do not carry out research for the sake of research. We want to see the results of our work, so as to bring maximum benefit to goods producers.
In fact, experts of our centre take part in ensuring food security in Omsk region and other ones. After all, it is the laboratory results which are the basis of balanced diet composition for animals feeding made by agricultural goods producers. The first-class feeds have to conform to the requirements of GOST (state standard). For example, physical and chemical parameters of hay such as protein, fiber, ash and dry matter which are rated usually do not meet these requirements according to the laboratory of feed analysis. Haylage doesn’t often conform to GOST due to high content in oleic acid, ammonia nitrogen and moisture. There are different reasons for such discrepancy. Basically, they are violations of production technology, time delays, inadequate use or even absence of fertilizers. All these lead to low nutrients contain in feed.
- Mr. KRASNITSKY, is it true that feed additives may be dangerous to people’s health?
- No, it’s not. Firstly, only state-certified supplements are to be used. Secondly, I believe that animals’ diet is controlled even stricter than humans’ one. Before giving any compound feed to animals, specialists check the quality and usefulness of its components. Feed additives used are also examined in terms of their conformance to the approved state standards. Unfortunately, according to the latest data almost half of the feed additives in Omsk region do not meet the required regulations. These are oil cakes and seed meals, various protein feed supplements, mixed fodders. Therefore, farmers should have an additional incentive to check the purchased additives, in order to understand how high the quality of feeds their animals consume is. It affects directly the quality of food.
- On the basis of your institution a testing center has been established within the cluster. What are its functions?
- One of the strategic directions of Agrochemical Service Center Omsky is the certification and declaration of food products. An accredited testing center was created on the basis of the enterprise. It has been included in the Customs Union (CU) register, which gives it the right to examine goods conformity to the CU technical regulations. Declarations are registered and certificates of conformity are issued based on the conclusions of the specialists of the testing center.
Any product from grain to cakes can be tested. The testing center has all the necessary equipment, which allows it to carry out tests at high quality level and in due time.
- Am I correct in assuming that any person interested can address to testing center, which carries out test and gives the conclusion?
- Our task is not just to issue a document, but also to adjust the production technology, improve its consumer properties. Low-quality products are not to be declared. This means that agricultural commodity producers should rectify shortcomings in quality and safety of their products. And we can point out their mistakes. Our experts have worked in the industry for many years, they know all the details of the process. Therefore, the approach to each client and to each process is highly individual.
Supposing that flour has a lot of indicators, according to which it can be rejected by specialists. But at the same time, some of them such as grinding size, moisture, ash content are adjustable. Our experts can give advice on how to improve these indicators, adjust the process and production technology. In accordance with these recommendations producers correct the errors and then bring samples for analysis again. Only as follows, by joint efforts, the desired result can be achieved. Consequently, everyone wins. Participants of the cluster get a competitive product, and consumers can be sure about the quality of the purchased goods.
- Mr. KRASNITSKY, thank you for the interview! Let our food always be of high quality!
- Thank you.
Omsky Biocluster Press Secretary Ravshana Balloyeva
