Biological, selectional and technological factors of innovations’ usage in dairy cattle breeding

Scientific and applied problems of innovations’ employment in dairy cattle breeding are not sufficiently studied. The purpose of the work was to investigate the main factors of the use and possible improvement of innovations utilized by Karelian breeding farms in milk production. The structure of innovations is also studied. Scientific interpretation of the innovation concept is presented, identification signs by which the innovations in focus differ from other innovations are considered. The analysis of options and types of the existing and applied innovations is given. In addition, it is offered to differentiate selection innovations, which are directed at the modernization and development of the subject of breeding production - the animals (cows, bulls, young growth) because they have fundamental value for the successful realization of other types of innovations. The structure of selection innovations, including 11 elements and modern methods of improvement of dairy animals and herds, is offered. The experience of innovative development of dairy animal breeding in the Republic of Karelia, the use of Ayrshire cattle breed as a reliable carrier of selection innovations and their competitiveness are considered. Characteristic features of the created innovative product are provided: a type of Karelian Ayrshire breed characterized by high milk productivity from the first lactation - 7379 kg of milk with the total production of fat and protein of 537,2 kg, and from the third lactation - 8703 kg and 625,9 kg respectively. For the period of 10 years (2004-2014) the milk yield in Karelian Ayrshire population increased from 4202 kg to 6779 kg of milk. Therefore, the introduction of breeding innovations in the herds of Ayrshire cattle as well as breeding of the new types of dairy cattle are instrumental in the enhancement of the level of cows’ productivity, modernization, and increase of the dairy husbandry efficiency.