During the Soviet times, the land of the Ivanivske private agricultural enterprise was part of a collective farm. In the 1990s, Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi was offered the agronomist position there but declined because he preferred working with machinery.
After two years, the new management of the collective farm severely damaged its operations, ultimately leasing all the land and accumulating a debt of one and a half million.
“We currently have 60 dairy cows, which produce about 1 ton of high-quality milk daily. For us, milk represents stability and allows us to maintain the farm's profitability,” says the farm manager.
In addition to livestock farming, Ivanivske also generates income from crop production.
“Our company is built on three pillars: a family business, supportive partners and colleagues, and a dedicated team. However, all final decisions rest with me. Therefore, the farm's success directly depends on my ability to manage processes comprehensively,” the farmer explains.
When selecting crops for the farm, he considers crop rotation and profitability, viewing each crop as a potential fodder source for livestock. He acknowledges that last year, his crop profits dropped significantly—losing 2,000 UAH for every ton of wheat due to lower market prices. Last season, corn was the primary crop. Thanks to carefully chosen hybrids, the farm achieved good yields and harvested dry grain, saving drying costs.
Ivanivske has successfully grown profitable corn despite facing low market prices.
Year after year, the farm achieves high crop yields that provide ample fodder. According to Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi, the farm has stopped plowing and now utilizes a moisture-saving vertical tillage cultivator made in Ukraine. They grow winter rapeseed, wheat, and a small amount of winter barley to feed their cows. In the spring, they cultivate corn, sunflower, spring barley, and soybeans.
“Last season, the profitability of crop production decreased significantly. For many of our fellow farmers, previously high-margin crops like corn and sunflower became unprofitable. However, corn proved to be beneficial for us last year. Firstly, we select high-quality hybrids, which lead to good yields. Secondly, the dry summer allowed us to harvest dry grain, so we didn't incur any drying costs. This helped us reduce our growing expenses and ultimately benefited us. The same applies to sunflower,” he explains.
When choosing corn seed, the key characteristics of hybrids for Yurii Pyriatynskyi, based on previous years' experience, should be the ripening period and moisture yield. As for sunflower, he primarily considers the maturity group, yield, and oil content.
“I have observed that Ukrainian breeding can produce results as good as imported ones. My sunflower and corn seeds come exclusively from the Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Plant Breeding (VNIS). To select hybrids, I consult with the company's manager, and when new hybrids become available, we sow demonstration plots to evaluate their performance before making a decision. When I hear that an imported hybrid yielded 10 t/ha, I am often surprised, as my hybrids from VNIS yield up to 12 t/ha,” Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi states.
The choice of seeds directly influences the yield of corn and sunflowers.
While the yield potential of any field depends on cultivation technology, weather conditions, and other factors, seeds remain the most critical element. To gain insights into how to choose corn and sunflower hybrids, we spoke with Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi and discussed trends in the seed market with Viktor Parkhomchuk, Sales Manager at VNIS.
When did you first plant VNIS seeds?
Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi: We have been working with Viktor for five years. When he first came to us with the suggestion to plant VNIS seeds, I was skeptical because I had never heard of the company before. Viktor then proposed planting a small demonstration plot to assess its yield. We decided to try it, and after harvesting, we planted these seeds again. Since then, 70% of all fields on our farm have been sown with VNIS hybrids.
When selecting seeds, do you rely solely on your own opinion?
Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi: I value advice from others. Viktor is very knowledgeable about choosing hybrids that meet my farm's needs.
Viktor, can you provide more details about the hybrids grown in the fields of the Ivanivske agricultural enterprise?
Mr. Viktor Parkhomchuk: Our collaboration with Yurii has developed into a strong partnership. Last year, the farm planted Magnum sunflower and VN 6763 corn. The farm achieved an excellent yield despite challenging conditions—such as last spring's excessive rainfall.
Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi: We will plant the Magnum sunflower and the Tesla corn hybrid again this year. After considering Viktor's advice, we opted for a hybrid with a higher FAO and selected Tesla. It is a stable and robust hybrid with excellent resistance to stress factors and diseases.
At Ivanivske, farmers use seeds from local selection; however, many still prefer imported hybrids. Viktor, can VNIS seeds compete with foreign varieties?
Mr. Viktor Parkhomchuk: This is more of an outdated opinion than a reality. Today, reputable Ukrainian companies in the market with a strong breeding base and high-quality seeds compete effectively against foreign varieties. Each farm has its own demands, needs, and opportunities, and they select what works best for them.
Today's most essential qualities of corn hybrids are yield potential, quick moisture release, resistance to stress factors, and grain quality. For sunflowers, key qualities include high yields, adaptability to growing conditions, oil content, and resistance to new races of broomrape and diseases.
Does VNIS breeding meet these requirements? Absolutely. The company's wide range of hybrids allows farmers to choose the hybrid suitable for their conditions.
VNIS is constantly evolving. We are consistently setting up experiments and demonstration plots and providing farmers with products that are relevant and adapted to current conditions.
Mr. Pyriatynskyi, what other factors differentiate VNIS hybrids from other brands?
Mr. Yurii Pyriatynskyi: Another crucial point is the price. In times when farms are tightening their budgets and looking to save money, the cost of domestic seeds is significantly more favorable, while the results remain the same. So, why pay more? This year, the company also launched a deferred payment program, which I took advantage of and have already received my seeds.
Sunflower and corn account for a large portion of the crop rotation at Ivanivske. However, in recent seasons, the prices of these crops have dropped significantly, prompting farmers to seek alternative crops. Have you considered reducing the areas planted with sunflower and corn?
Mr. Yuriy Pyriatynskyi: No, we will grow all crops in the same volumes. Of course, traders have dramatically lowered prices this year, making it challenging for farmers. But I am hopeful that this situation will improve.
The example of Ivanivske farm and Mr. Yuriy Pyriatynskyi's management style demonstrates that with smart management and support from reliable partners, it is possible to operate successfully even in significant instability. This success is facilitated by the director's careful agronomic decisions, such as no-till practices, maintaining crop rotation, and selecting the most profitable hybrids for his farm.
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