Technological aspects of beef cattle breeding in the OOO “Sputnik-Agro” breeding plant in the Leningrad oblast

Beef cattle breeding in Russia is an actively developing industry, but its development is uneven. The aim of the work is to study the features of production of pedigree young Aberdeen-Angus breed in the breeding plant OOO “Sputnik-Agro” of the Leningrad Oblast. The material for the research is the data of zootechnical records, breeding plans and database on beef cattle. We have noted that the region falls into the zone of risky farming with unfavorable weather features characterized by temperature and humidity variations in different periods of the year. Analysis of the dynamics of changes in the livestock for 2017-2021 showed that the number of breeding cows remains stable (n = 701). During the same period, the number of bulls used fluctuated from a maximum (n = 42) observed in 2017 to a minimum (n = 20) observed in 2019. The calf yield per 100 cows in the farm during 2017-2021 was at 81-84%. The organization offeeding in the breeding plant OOO “Sputnik-Agro” is set up in such a way that allows active and rational use of pastures, and concentrates are added only when growing young animals in the winter period. As of the beginning of 2022, the farm had 39 daughters of bull no. 17707279, as well as a significant number ofprogeny (37 daughters and 5 sons) of sire no. 17257301, which were obtained through artificial insemination of cows with semen imported from the USA. Seven daughters were obtained from natural tupping with bull no. 299 and are still kept on the farm. Thus, despite unstable climatic conditions, the breeding farm OOO “Sputnik-Agro” is a major producer of breeding products in the North-West of the Russian Federation. The successful operation of the farm for more than 15 years allows concluding that over these years, the Aberdeen-Angus cattle have adapted well to the local climate.