Specific characteristics of Russian and Lithuanian heavy draft mares’ milk productivity

We studied the variability of milk productivity of Russian and Lithuanian heavy draftmares of different age and foaling season. It was established that Lithuanian heavy draft mares have the higher level of productivity, but Russian heavy draft mares have the greatest opportunity to prolongate the lactation duration, which is reflected in the patterns of their lactation curves during the late lactation. There were some differences in the patterns of lactation of mares of different breeds, age and foaling season that must be considered when breeding.