The article, based on the archival materials, reveals previously unknown facts about the former landowners’ manors of Saratov and Tsaritsyn provinces in 1917–1924. The Soviet government’s policy, in which the lands of the former landowners were transformed into the Soviet model farms – sovkhozes is analyzed. The true state of these agrarian structures is shown, as well as reduction of acreage and livestock population is noted. The article draws conclusions concerning low profitability and a significant decline of labour productivity in the former landowners’ estates.