Somatotropin plays a crucial role in regulating growth, metabolism, and development in cattle. This hormone acts through a complex network of protein interactions known as the somatotropic axis, which coordinates metabolic and physiological processes in mammals.

The aim of this review is to systematize current data on the influence of somatotropic axis genes (GH, GHR, IGF-1, etc.) on cattle productivity (both dairy and beef traits) and assess their potential use in livestock breeding programs. Numerous allelic variants of genes associated with the somatotropic axis significantly impact key economic indicators, such as milk yield and composition, carcass characteristics, meat production levels, and reproductive performance. Genetic variants of the GH gene affect parameters including milk yield, fat and protein content, and lactation efficiency. For example, certain genotypes (e.g., GHLL) may increase milk production but reduce fat and protein content, while others (GHVL) can enhance milk fat while decreasing overall yield. Interactions between GH and other genes also play a key role in determining dairy productivity. Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBGH) is widely used to enhance productivity in dairy cattle, particularly during mid-to-late lactation, by activating mechanisms that improve milk and meat yields. Despite extensive existing research, studies on the genetic variability of the growth hormone gene across different cattle breeds remain relevant and in demand. In this context, the development of personalized rBGH administration protocols-tailored to the genetic profiles of animals-aims to maximize productivity while maintaining animal health and product quality. This necessitates comprehensive research to determine optimal dosages, administration regimens, and their effects on the physiological state of animals with different genotypes throughout their productive cycles.

Food security, particularly pork production, is largely driven by the need to enhance on-farm biosecurity and control the pathways of infectious diseases. Feed and ingredients were not initially considered significant factors in the spread of infections, but recent outbreaks of swine diseases have demonstrated their role in the introduction and spread of pathogens.

The purpose of this review is to consider the potential role of swine feed as a significant link in the pathogen transfer chain and to describe biosecurity measures that contribute to the epizootic welfare of swine populations. Potential methods for preventing pathogen contamination of pigs from feed are described, including prevention of entry into the feed system, mitigation of after-effects by heat treatment, or decontamination with chemicals. Strategies are proposed to reduce the risk of pathogen spread in the feed production environment, including potential batch-to-batch transfer, thereby reducing the risk of infection transmission.

The review presents information about shrubs of the genera Crataegus L., Ephedra L., Frangula L., Prunus L., Rhamnus L., Rubus L. of various families (Rosaceae, Ephedraceae, Rhamnaceae), traditionally growing in the European part of Russia. These plants have potential as promising sources of biologically active compounds of the classes of terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and anthracene derivatives. The analysis of 80 sources of scientific literature is aimed at finding new approaches to the prevention and treatment of diseases of farm animals, based on safe and effective principles, since the use of synthesized drugs is associated with the development of undesirable effects, and in the case of antibiotics - bacterial resistance. In this regard, the use of natural sources of biologically active substances has advantages over synthesized drugs in such aspects as minimization of side effects, efficiency and economic benefit. This review analyzes the importance of plants of the specified genera and families for animal husbandry. Information on the content of biologically active substances, pharmacological properties, practical application and potential for use in agriculture as an alternative to pharmaceuticals is presented, and the possibilities for future research in this aspect are discussed.

Study of the yield structure of winter rye cultivars in competitive variety testing makes it possible to evaluate the results of breeding and adjust the selection directions. In the conditions of the Kirov region (2022–2024), the yield structure of 13 zoned and promising cultivars of winter rye (Secale cereale L. var. vulgare Koern.) was studied in a field experiment. The analysis of the traits was carried out using the principal component analysis with biplot visualization. The principal component analysis based on the analysis of the correlation matrix reveals the causes of yield variability. The magnitude of the factor loadings showed an unequal contribution of traits to the increase in yield in different weather conditions. The traits “winter hardiness” and “plant height” had a positive effect on the productive potential of cultivars in both wet and dry conditions of the spring-summer vegetation period, “number of spikelets per ear” – only under favorable conditions and the absence of competition in the cenosis. The structure of factors changed with changing environmental conditions. The first factor (adaptability) explained 31.5–53.3 % of the yield variance due to winter hardiness with sufficient moisture during the summer growing season (2022, 2023) and due to plant height during drought in 2024 (factor loadings of 0.83–0.94 and 0.80, respectively). The second factor with an unstable structure explained 16.0–25.4 % of the yield variance due to the number of spikelets per ear and snow mold damage (factor loadings of 0.80 and 0.83, respectively). Reliably high yields in the experiment were obtained from the ‘Lika’ (4.97 t/ha), ‘Batist’ (4.92 t/ha), and ‘Grafinya’ (4.88 t/ha) cultivars, with the ‘Falenskaya 4’ standard indicator of 4.55 t/ha (LSD05 = 0.24). The traits “winter hardiness” and “plant height” made a significant contribution to the formation of the yield of the ‘Lika’ and ‘Batist’ cultivars and the “number of spikelets per ear” of the ‘Grafinya’ cultivars. High yields are formed with different contributions of adaptability and productivity traits. Breeding of winter rye in the conditions of the Kirov region should be aimed at increasing productivity.

The purpose of the research is to study the degree of resistance of winter bread wheat cultivars to osmotic, salt and anaerobic stresses at the initial stages of plant growth for the selection of breeding valuable forms, to analyze the degree of resistance of cultivars to biotic stresses (development of diseases on seeds and vegetative plants) and to evaluate the relationship of growth parameters and adaptability with yield and productivity elements. The objects of the research were 11 cultivars and lines of winter soft wheat bred by the Federal Research Center “Nemchinovka”. The studies were carried out in laboratory conditions on the backgrounds of artificially simulated abiotic stresses on the 7-day-old seedlings using the roll culture method and in field experiments. The cultivars with the widest possible response rate to the toxic effects of the studied stressors, with the highest activation of growth processes and resistance to diseases were identified. The quantitative and qualitative composition of pathogens and patterns of changes in the phytosanitary status of seeds and germination depending on environmental conditions for the period of 1998–2023 have been determined. The level of correlation between the studied traits was investigated, the degree of influence of growth processes and adaptivity to stress on yield, weight of 1000 seeds and productivity elements was determined, and the important role of root system activation in the formation of these indicators was shown (r = 0.45–0.71). It was noted that in the initial period of plant growth, the relationship between stress resistance (drought and salt resistance index) and productivity elements (1000 seeds, grain weight per ear and the number of grains per ear) was negative (r = -0.41...-0.63). According to the totality of the studied characteristics there have been identified the culltivars ‘Moskovskaya 74’, ‘Moskovskaya 39’, ‘Moskovskaya 40’, ‘Moskovskaya 56’ and ‘Vasilyevna’ which occupy the 1st to 5th place in the rating of competitive advantage and are able to withstand stressful abiotic and biotic environmental factors both in laboratory simulated conditions and in the field.

In modern conditions of development of the agro-industrial complex, high-yielding, high-tech, agroecologically stable cultivars are needed to increase gross harvests of wheat grain. The article presents the results of studying economically valuable traits and adaptive properties of ‘Temp’ new mid-season cultivar of soft spring wheat, bred by the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N. V. Rudnitsky, (Kirov) in comparison with the standard cultivar ‘Kamenka’. The studies were conducted in 2018−2024 in the competitive variety testing nursery according to the state variety testing methods. The average grain yield of the ‘Temp’ cultivar in the competitive variety testing nursery was 3.01±0.35 t/ha, the standard − 2.80±0.29 t/ha; the variability of the trait in the new cultivar was noted at the level of 4.0...24.0 %, in the standard – 3.8...26.2 %. On three variety test plots in the Kirov region, the average grain yield of the ‘Temp’ cultivar during the testing years (2023-2024) was 3.70±0.28 t/ha, the ‘Kamenka’ standard had 3.49±0.29 t/ha. The new cultivar exceeds the standard in plant height (by 14.4 %), while demonstrating resistance to lodging (8 points). The advantages of the ‘Temp’ cultivar are plasticity (genetic flexibility index is 3.0, while the standard has 2.7), responsiveness to favorable growing conditions (Kp is 2.7, while the standard has 2.4), high grain quality (valuable wheat), complex resistance to leaf and spike diseases, and tolerance to thickening.

The goal of the study was to identify red currant cultivars bred by the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding having small-sized seeds and a small number of seeds for industrial use and as sources of these traits for breeding. The work was carried out in 2020–2023 in the Orel region. Twenty-one red currant cultivars were studied according to the following indicators: the number of seeds in a berry; the weight of 1000 seeds and the proportion of seeds in the berry weight. As a result of the study, no samples combining small-sized seeds and small amounts of seeds in one genotype were found among the studied red currant cultivars. ‘Podarok Pobeditelyam’, ‘Orlovchanka’, ‘Podarok Leta’ and ‘Valentinovka’ red currants are the sources of small amounts of seeds (3…4 seed pcs in the berry) with low proportion (3.8…4.1 %) in the berry weight. ‘Premiera’ is characterized by small-sized seeds (1000 seeds weighing up to 5 g) and a low proportion of seeds in the berry weight; this cultivar can be used in breeding as a source of these characteristics. ‘Аsоrа’ and ‘Аsya’ with an average seed weight and an average number of seeds have a low specific gravity of seeds to the berry weight, which is an important indicator for processing. A positive correlation has been determined between the number of seeds and the berry weight. ‘Niva’, ‘Оrlovskaya Zvezda’, ‘Аsya’ and ‘Dana’ have a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.999…0.997). A weak degree of correlation (r = 0.480) between these characteristics is noted in ‘Osipovskaya’. The samples with a moderate correlation between the number of seeds and the weight of the berry are of interest in breeding for large-fruited seedlings with a small number of seeds.

The article presents the results of a three-year study of eight new honeysuckle hybrids in the southern taiga of the Middle Urals in comparison with the control cultivar ‘Polyanka Kotova’. The aim of the research is to describe the phenological features of flowering and fruiting, to conduct a comparative study of the morphobiological characteristics for new selected honeysuckle hybrids bred by the Sverdlovsk Horticultural Breeding Station. Weather conditions during the observation period (2022–2024) reflected the continental climate in the Middle Urals (extreme daily temperature fluctuations, cold snap, snowfalls in May, drought, steady rains), and it was possible to evaluate the fruiting and yield of samples in contrastive conditions. The sum of average daily positive active temperatures required for the beginning of honeysuckle hybrids flowering was in the range from 237 to 281 °C, for the beginning of heavy bearing it was in the range from 883 to 933 °C. The cultivars 1-18-11, 1-18- 23, 2-18-5, 2-18-6, 3-18-14, 3-18-26 statistically significantly exceeded the control cultivar in maximum and average fruit weight under observation conditions. Additional complex analysis of morphobiological characteristics (abundance of flowering and fruiting; shedding; taste) in 2024 made it possible to select samples with high tasting qualities 1-18-23, 2-18-5, 2-18-6. Among them, the best fruiting and the weakest fruit shedding were observed for the hybrid 1-18-23. It is necessary to continue longterm observation of selected hybrids in order to obtain the most promising material for further breeding.

The comparative resistance of 23 potato cultivars to the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) was studied in 2019–2024 in the agro-climatic conditions of the centre of Leningrad Region, where this pest has been steadily found since 1998. The research was carried out in field experiments by two methods: 1) using the artificial colonization of the studied potato samples by larvae in the I age; 2) on the natural background of pest colonization of the experimental site. In the first case, the longevity of larval development and the whole preimaginal development of individuals and also the percentage of survived larvae in the IV age and the percentage of winged imagoes in relation to the number of colonized larvae in I age were determined. In the second case, the pest-resistant potato cultivars were screened by criterions of the level of pest abundance in all phases and the degree (point) of damage to the tops. According to the data of 2019–2024, the most pest-resistant potato cultivars were ‘Nayada’, ‘Sirenevy Tuman’ (Russia), ‘Red Fantasy’, ‘Fidelia’ (Germany). In experiments with artificial colonization of plants, the larval survival on these cultivars was usually observed at the level of 39–55 %, and the winged imagoes– at the level of 5–38 %. The same results were received on the cultivars ‘Gulliver’, ‘Pioner’, ‘Konkurent’ (Russia), ‘Grenader’ (Germany) and ‘Berkut’ (Kazakhstan), which were studied in 2024 for the first time. During the development, 19–54 % of larvae survived and 1.3–15.1 % of imagoes were winged, while 65–96 % of larvae and 34–69 % of imagoes survived on the non-resistant (most favorable for the pests) cultivars ‘Nevsky’, ‘Forward’, ‘Sarma’, ‘Alfa’, ‘Sadon’ and ‘Ariel’ (Russia). In 2024 against the natural background of insect colonization of plants on resistant cultivars 10–30 overwintered beetles and 250–440 larvae were found per 100 bushes, while on non-resistant cultivars, 35–87 beetles and 500–1600 larvae were found. These differences between resistant and non-resistant cultivars are significant at p<0.01. The identified resistant cultivars may be used as the basis of integrated potato protection systems that meet environmental safety requirements. The use of two field methods allows for a more objective screening of samples resistant to the Colorado potato beetle and for the characterization of the various effects of the fodder plant on the phytophage. 

Determining the optimal harvest time for potato plantings is one of the main problems of potato growing. An essential task in this case is to study the dynamics of the development of massive soil-dwelling pests and phytopathogens during the pre-harvest period in order to reduce the loss of tuber quality against the background of an increase in crop yield. The research was carried out in 2022–2024 in the grain–and–grass crop rotation of the agroecological study area (Leningrad region) in the planting of the early-ripening Meteor potato cultivar (the predecessor is rapeseed). Observations of phytosanitary parameters, the number and weight of tubers were carried out according to generally accepted methods in dynamics – on the 70th, 80th, 90th day after planting. According to the research results, during the pre-harvest period, the number of tubers damaged by the larvae of click beetles increased from 20.7 to 38.3 %, the incidence of scab and rhizoctoniosis increased from 17.3 to 30.5 % and from 16.7 to 38.0 %, respectively. The maximum intensity of these processes was observed from the 80th to the 90th day after planting: damage to tubers by larvae of click beetles increased 1.4 times, the degree of development of scab – 1.3 times, rhizoctoniosis – 2.5 times. It was found that in the conditions of the Leningrad region, harvesting an early Meteor cultivar 70 days after planting is not justified due to the low mass of tubers from the plant (72 % compared with harvesting on the 90th day). High rates of increase in potato productivity are observed in the period from the 70th to the 80th day after planting, with an average of 88.1 % of the maximum possible yield. The expediency of longer cultivation of the crop was seen only in one year out of three. Thus, the optimal solution for cultivating the Meteor cultivar in the research region is harvesting 80 days after planting, which significantly reduces the loss of marketability of the tubers of the crop with a high final level of productivity.

The paper presents the results of sea buckthorn fruit processing, at the first stage of which there have been extracted water-soluble components of the berry (juice), at the second stage – fat-soluble components (oil). Two successive methods of oil extraction from the fruit part of sea buckthorn are considered: pressing and extraction of raw materials. Cold-pressed oils from flesh and seeds and pressed plates of flesh and seed pulp were obtained by pressing. Extraction of residual oil from the pressed plates was carried out by extraction with hexane. In the process of extraction kinetic dependences of sea buckthorn oil concentration in flesh and seed pulp were obtained. By analogy with the method of regular mode for the study of thermal processes, a method of determining the mass-conductivity coefficient was proposed, which was tested by mathematical and physical modeling. The mass conductivity coefficients were determined from the kinetic dependences of sea buckthorn oil concentration in pulp by the method of regular mass transfer rate: at extraction of pressed pulp plates with hexane – 1.09·10^-8 m²/s and seed pulp – 5.65·10^-9 m²/s. The highest value of the mass conductivity coefficient is observed in the flesh pulp of sea buckthorn, characterized by high porosity. The results of mathematical modeling were obtained using the Python programming language environment. The calculated values of kinetic curves of sea buckthorn oil concentration in the pulp were determined. By solving the differential equations of heat and mass transfer under the given boundary conditions, dynamic curves were constructed. Statistical processing of modelling results using Fisher’s criterion testified the adequacy of the mathematical model of the process of sea buckthorn oil extraction from sea buckthorn products. The obtained data can be used for further mathematical modeling and optimization of regime parameters of the extraction process of sea buckthorn fruit part.

Within the framework of the research the process of optimization of craft beer production was carried out, the composition of the mash, the dosage of enzyme preparation introduction were established, the approach to the selection of the optimal ratio of the technical component was developed on the basis of the obtained physical and mathematical parameters of the wort. The optimal parameters of the analyzed process of craft beer production were determined using the universal mathematical computer system Table Curve 3d.v4.0, which builds three-factor mathematical models, evaluates the adequacy and significance of the obtained model, calculates the correlation coefficients, model determination, the value of standard error on the available data. At the first stage of experimental data processing and development of mathematical models there was checked the reliability of differences between control and experimental indicators. The belonging of control and experimental samples to different general populations was determined. Reliability of differences between two samples was evaluated using Student's criterion. The following hypothesis was accepted as null hypothesis: the difference between control and experimental data is due to sampling randomness. The obtained results show that the calculated value of Student's criterion in the indicators is greater than the tabular value of the criterion, from which it follows that the alternative hypothesis is accepted: the differences in the mean of control and experimental samples are significant and are not due to random causes, which makes it possible to conclude: the two samples (control and experimental) belong to two different general populations. The high level of reliability of the difference is explained by the introduction of the enzyme preparation Amylosubtilin into the beer wort. In the course of experimental studies it was found that the use of the enzyme preparation Amylosubtilin allows to increase the level of fermentation, accelerate the fermentation process and improve the quality of beer, while reducing the cost of the final product. All developed models were characterized by a high level of adequacy, the value of correlation coefficients of models was not less than 0.99, and the relative error of mathematical models was not more than 0.5 %, according to the results of the application of the program Table Curve 3d.v4.0.

Тhe purpose of the study is to improve the management of systemic water use, ensuring an increase in the effectiveness of control actions, which is especially critical in conditions of limited natural resources and financing of operational measures. The research materials were publications, stock materials; information on the operation of inter-farm irrigation systems, technologies for their purpose and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of management decisions; rules for water distribution and other materials necessary to achieve the purpose of the study. In the course of the research, mathematical modeling and forecasting methods based on probabilistic approaches, as well as methods of mathematical and genetic programming, neural network modeling, machine learning and big data processing were used to optimize technological processes of water use. An intelligent information and advisory computer decision support system for managing systemic water use has been developed, combining multi-criteria optimization modeling with artificial intelligence methods and modern geoinformation technologies. It combines several key subsystems: Water distribution management, Technical operation, GIS integration, Forecasting, Digital twin of water management organization, Administration. Automated planning of water distribution in conditions of water scarcity is carried out on the basis of economic and mathematical modeling. The process uses a multi-criteria function and a genetic optimization algorithm, which allows for maximum efficiency. A discrete mathematical model is used to optimize the planning procedures for technical operation, which is a special case of the general transport task of mathematical optimization. The results of testing automated control systems on the materials of the meliorative water management complex operation service showed a significant increase in water use efficiency and reliability of irrigation system structures. This became possible due to the development of information and technological support for management decisions of water management organizations. Thus, the efficiency of water distribution planning in difficult meteorological conditions, when there is a shortage of water, increases by 10 % compared to the traditional method, which involves reducing water supply depending on the level of water availability of the irrigation system. The implementation of multi-criteria economic and mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence in the selection of priority repair and restoration facilities reduced possible damage by 10–15 % compared to singlecriteria solutions that are based on maximizing the area of irrigated land, profitability of a water management organization or reducing irrigation water losses.

Genotyping data for 11 microsatellite loci (STR) of the Jersey (JER, n = 10), Red Scandinavian (RED, n = 29) and Holstein (HOL, n = 45) breeds were used to calculate polymorphism information content (𝑷𝑰𝑪). For the JER-sample, the estimates of 𝑷𝑰𝑪 loci were in the range of [0.222; 0.680], for the RED-sample – [0.448; 0.802], for the HOL-sample – [0.466; 0.825]; averages were 0.470, 0.650 and 0.682, respectively. The differences between the average of the JER-sample and the average of the RED- and HOL-samples were statistically significant (p_value < 0.005). Highly informative loci (𝑷𝑰𝑪> 0.6) in the JER-, RED- and HOL-samples were 36.4, 63.6 and 72.7 %, respectively. In the 2D projection of the analysis of the correspondence of bull samples with four 𝑷𝑰𝑪 categories, the first dimension explained 94.5 % of the extracted inversion, the second – 4.5 %. The ordination revealed the proximity of the RED- and HOL-samples and their contrast with the JER-sample. There was also a proximity of 2 (𝑷𝑰𝑪 = 0.4-0.6) and 3 (𝑷𝑰𝑪 = 0.61-0.8) categories, their contrast with category 4 (𝑷𝑰𝑪> 0.8) and a stronger contrast with category 1 (𝑷𝑰𝑪< 0.4). To identify animals with an error of 0.0001, five loci with high 𝑷𝑰𝑪 scores were sufficient in the JER-sample, four in the RED-sample, and three in the HOL-sample. When verifying the origin, when the genotypes of both parents are known, the 99.9 % probability exclusion was achieved in the HOL-sample at 8 loci, in the RED-sample at 10, and in the JER-sample more than 11 loci were required. In the case where the genotype of one parent is known, all 11 loci in the JER-, RED- and HOL-samples could provide probability exclusion of 88.2, 98.3, and 99.1 %, respectively. The indicators of individual heterozygosity of the same bulls, calculated from highly and low-informative loci, were statistically independent (𝒓^𝟐 = 0.07). Estimates of fixation indices (𝑮_𝑺𝑻, 𝑮′_{𝑺𝑻(𝑵)}), their modifications (𝑮′_{𝑺𝑻(𝑯)}, 𝑮′′_𝑺𝑻 ) and interbreed differentiation (𝑫_𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝑫′ ) the RED- and HOL-samples were: for 11 loci – 0.056 and 0.105, 0.331 and 0.366, 0.292 and 0.343, respectively; for five low–information loci (𝑷𝑰𝑪_𝒎𝒊𝒏) - 0.07 and 0.13, 0.292 and 0.338, 0.238 and 0.269; for five high-information loci (𝑷𝑰𝑪_𝒎𝒂𝒙) – 0.034 and 0.066, 0.319 and 0.342, 0.295 and 0.355. When planning large-scale population-genetic studies, the choice of highly informative DNA markers will at least not reduce the accuracy of genetic assessments and tests, but will cut back the cost of genotyping and analysis of fewer loci.

A comparative intergroup analysis of fattening pigs of different breed and age groups according to biochemical and amino acid parameters of blood serum was carried out. When forming groups based on the principle of analogues, n = 10 heads of animals were selected in each group: 1 – Landrace 60-65 days of fattening; 2 – Landrace x Large White 60-65 days of fattening; 3 – Landrace 100-110 days of fattening; 4 – Landrace x Large White 100–110 days of fattening. Pairwise intergroup comparisons were performed after checking the distribution of data according to the Shapiro-Wilk criterion and evaluating the uniformity of variance using the Levene’s test. Univariate variance analysis and the Tukey-Kramer test were used for data where the distribution corresponded to normal, and the condition of uniformity of variance in groups was confirmed. If one of the two conditions is not met, the comparative analysis is performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the Bonferroni correction, in combination with the Mann-Whitney test. No statistically significant differences were found in groups 1 and 2. With age, for groups 3 and 4, significant differences were found only for amino acids – methionine and valine. in Landrace breed (group 3) on the 100-110^th day of fattering the content of the following amino acids in the blood was significantly higher: aspartic acid (p = 0.014), glutamic acid (p = 0.042), isoleucine (p = 0.035), cysteine (p = 0.003), alanine (p = 0.035), serine (p = 0.013), valine (p = 0.006), arginine (p = 0.001) in comparison with the animals of the 1 group; whereas the average values for the methionine index were lower (p = 0.008). In Landrace x Large White hybrids (group 4) on the 100-110th day of fattering the content of total protein (p = 0.015), albumins (p<0.001), urea (p = 0.008), aspartic acid (p><0.001), alanine (p><0.001), isoleucine (p = 0.003), lysine (p = 0.001), cysteine (p = 0.002), valine (p><0.001), arginine (p><0.001) was higher while the content of proline (p = 0.028) and methionine (p><0.001), serine (p><0.001), glycine (p = 0.003) was lower in comparison with the animals of the 2 group. Thus, the change in biochemical parameters and amino acid composition of pig blood is mostly influenced by age dynamics that is more vividly manifested in hybrids compared with the pure breed. Thus, the change in biochemical parameters and amino acid composition of pig blood is mostly influenced by age dynamics that is more vividly manifested in hybrids compared with the pure breed.

The aim of the study was to identify the most promising genotypes of the Simmental breed for its genetic improvement. Between 2019 and 2022, groups of analog pairs were formed from first-calf heifers of three genotypes at a Simmental breeding farm in the Kursk region, based on the proportion of Simmental (SIM), Montbéliarde (MB), and Holstein (HOL) breeds (genotypes: 25%SIM75%HOL; 50%SIM50%HOL; and 50%MB25%SIM25%HOL). Each genotype group consisted of 140 animals milked with robotic systems and 70 animals milked using a linear milking system (LMS). Body condition was assessed during weighing (n = 20). The animals’ response to a stimulus was measured (n = 20) with five repetitions. The insemination index was calculated based on zootechnical records as the ratio of total inseminations to successful ones. It was found that live weight and body condition were higher in the daughters of MB bulls: by 15 kg (p<0.05) and 0.68 points (p><0.01) during robotic milking, and by 8 kg (p><0.05) and 0.75 points (p><0.01) on the LMS, compared to peers of the 25%SIM75%HOL genotype. The insemination indices of daughters of MB bulls and first-calf heifers with 50%HOL blood were better than those of animals with 25%SIM75%HOL by 0.17 (p><0.001) and 0.13 (p><0.001) during robotic milking, and by 0.34 (p><0.001) and 0.31 > < 0.05) and 0.68 points (p < 0.01) during robotic milking, and by 8 kg (p < 0.05) and 0.75 points (p < 0.01) on the LMS, compared to peers of the 25%SIM75%HOL genotype. The insemination indices of daughters of MB bulls and first-calf heifers with 50%HOL blood were better than those of animals with 25%SIM75%HOL by 0.17 (p < 0.001) and 0.13 (p < 0.001) during robotic milking, and by 0.34 (p < 0.001) and 0.31 (p < 0.001) on the LMS. In terms of combined milk fat and protein yield, the daughters of MB bulls outperformed peers of the 25%SIM75%HOL and 50%SIM50%HOL genotypes by 31.3 and 55.6 kg, respectively, during robotic milking, and by 39.9 and 54.8 kg, respectively, on the LMS. Animals with 75%HOL blood showed a stronger reaction to stimuli – 22 and 16 % higher during robotic milking, and 23 and 16 % higher on the LMS—compared to peers with 50%SIM50%HOL and 50%MB25%SIM25%HOL genotypes. Culling rates after the first lactation under robotic milking were 8 % for cows with 50 and 75%HOL blood (5 % for daughters of MB bulls), and under LMS: 21 % for 75%HOL, 15 % for 50%SIM50%HOL, and 16% for 50%MB25%SIM25%HOL genotypes. Therefore, the 50%MB25%SIM25%HOL genotype is considered the most promising for improving the Simmental breed, compared to 25%SIM75%HOL and 50%SIM50%HOL genotypes, due to superior results in: combined milk fat and protein yield (robotic milking: +31.3 and +55.6 kg; LMS: +39.9 and +54.8 kg), insemination index (-0.17 and -0.04; -0.34 and +0.03), body condition (+0.75 and +0.21; +0.68 and +0.18 points), reaction to stimuli (-23 and -16 %; -22 and -7 %), and lower culling rates after the first lactation (-3 and -3 %; -5 and +1 %, respectively).

The spread of bluetongue in the countries of north-western part of Europe in 2023-2024, caused by a highly virulent virus of serotype 3, has updated the study of the biological properties of the Gil-Gil strain of the bluetongue virus, deposited more than 50 years ago in the pathogen collection of the Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology. The aim of the research was to find the most permissive cell systems for the reproduction of the Gil-Gil strain of bluetongue virus of serotype 3, to characterize the strain genetically and to serotype it. The virus was found to cause cytopathic effect (CPE) in cells of three sublines of VNK-21/13 (newborn Syrian hamster kidney) transplanted cultures, in PSGC-60 (Siberian ibex kidney) and PS (saiga kidney) transplanted cell lines. The monolayer suspension culture of VNK-21/13 cells and the PSGC-60 transplanted cell line were identified as promising cell systems for the biotechnology of vaccine preparations. In these substrates, the Gil-Gil strain of bluetongue virus accumulated up to 7.25-7.50 lg TCD₅₀/cm³. The neutralization test with reference serum confirmed that the Gil-Gil strain belonged to bluetongue virus of serotype 3, and according to the results of molecular genetic studies, the strain was included in the group of bluetongue viruses of serotype 3 of the western topotype. The obtained results are considered to be fundamental for the development of a vaccine preparation from the characterized strain of the bluetongue virus in a short period of time in case of introduction of this disease into the territory of the Russian Federation.

After the introduction of the ASF virus to Georgia in 2007, the disease spread to many countries in Europe and Asia. In present time, ASF has been registered in 42 countries of the Eurasian continent. Strict anti-epizootic measures are used to eradicate the disease, including stamping out policies, bans on import and export of all types of animals, trade bans, etc. In order to prevent the disease, different vaccine candidates have been developed, such as inactivated, live attenuated, subunit, vector and DNA vaccines. Unfortunately, in many cases, trials of these vaccine candidates have been unsuccessful. The aim of the work was to study the immunobiological and protective properties of the attenuated ASF virus strain “Volgograd/14c” against infection with the homologous virulent strain “Stavropol 01/08” in vivo. A single intramuscular inoculation of the attenuated strain “Volgograd/14s” at a dose of 10^3,0HAU₅₀см³ to six pigs caused 1–4 day hyperthermia (40.0-40.8^oC) without the development of other clinical signs. Viremia in the blood of inoculated pigs was detected from day 3–7 in titers of 2.0-3.0 lg HAU₅₀см³, with a maximum accumulation of 3.75 lg HAU₅₀см³ on day 10, a decrease on days 14–21 to 1.75–2.75 lg HAU₅₀см³ and loss of infectivity by day 28. Virus-specific antibodies to the ASF virus were detected in the serum of vaccinated animals from day 10. Challenge with the homologous virulent strain “Stavropol 01/08” caused the development of clinical signs and the growth of viremia in the blood to 6.0–7.5 lg HAU₅₀см³ in all pigs of the experimental and control groups. The course of the disease was hyperacute, acute, subacute and chronic with the death of all control animals and 5 of 6 experimental pigs with clinical signs and pathological changes characteristic to ASF.

The aim of the study was to determine and calculate the required operating range of the suspension of the platform wheel modules for breeding and seed production by studying its operating characteristics considering the aggregated machines and operating conditions. Based on the developed mathematical model of the platform suspension for breeding and seed production and its design characteristics, a simulation model of the platform suspension operation under the operating conditions of a given technological process was compiled. The simulation model contains the parameters of road surface unevenness, as well as the specified speed and longitudinal acceleration of the platform. The objects of research were the elastic-damping characteristics of the suspension elements of the platform for breeding and seed production. Based on the results of the research, the ranges of force adjustment, spring stiffness and shock absorber damping coefficient were determined. Thus, the range of adjustment of the force on the elastic element of each technological module of the chassis should be 5886–25715 N, the range of adjustment of the spring stiffness 34220–136883 N/m, the range of change of the damping coefficient of the shock absorber 9043–18086. Based on the obtained values of the suspension operating ranges, layout solutions for the design of the platform suspension for breeding and seed production work were given: a change in the stiffness parameters can be ensured by using two- or multi-stage stiffness change systems, and a change in the damping coefficient - by means of a controlled regulator of the hydraulic fluid flow.

In modern agriculture, optimization of threshing of leguminous crop seeds is becoming an increasingly important topic. The question is how to improve the threshing process to increase yields and improve seed quality. Legumes such as peas and soybeans play an important role, as they not only provide food security, but also improve soil structure due to their ability to accumulate nitrogen. Optimization of threshing implies the use of modern technologies and methods that allow for the most efficient extraction of seeds from beans. This includes the selection of threshing times, the use of specialized equipment and compliance with technologies that minimize seed losses. This paper provides a rationale for the design parameters of a threshing and separating device for differentiated threshing of leguminous crops and also defines some rational operating modes of the axial rotor when separating pea and soybean seeds that meet agrotechnical requirements. Based on the results of theoretical and experimental studies using the principle of reverse motion, rational ratios of the rotation frequencies of the rotor and its planetary rollers of the threshing and separating device have been determined, which corresponds to the optimal speed of threshing seeds with the least damage, in the range of 13.1...20.0 m/s for peas, 13.5...21.5 m/s for soybeans. The use of the proposed device allows for differentiated threshing and separation of leguminous crop seeds (peas and soybeans), ensuring a reduction in crushing to 0.68 % when threshing peas and 1.29% when threshing soybeans, with a simultaneous reduction in seed damage, respectively, that is, threshing seeds with increased sowing and yield qualities. The improvement of the quality indicators of the seeds released during threshing is also accompanied by a decrease in the specific energy intensity of the technological process, equal to 4.86 and 6.09 kJ/kg for peas and soybeans, respectively.