As a result of monitoring, it was found that on the average throughout Russia for 5 years, the milk yield of Ayrshire cows has grown to 1004 kg, which is 185 kg more than in the previous five years. The average increase as for breeding farms amounted to 969 kg and as for breed reproducers to 558 kg of milk. In calculating the yield by the data for 2005 to 2015, the quadratic polynomial regression equations predict the growth of productivity for all farm categories by 2.4 %, for breeding plants by +3.4% for breed reproducers by -1,3 % in 2016. When calculating the genetic trend for heifer cow productivity, the breed's population, by comparing bulls with different birth years, was revealed to have absolutely superior offspring of the bulls born in 2008. When using the daughters of these bulls, the trend ranged from +27 kg if compared with the daughters from stud bulls born in 2003, and to +403 kg from bulls born in 2007. Among the options for genetic shift calculation by the breeding value in the group of the same breeders estimated in 2013 - 2016, the most potential is a "c"-variant with the milk yield trend depending on the time interval from +19.7 to +81,0 kg. The constant and variable factors, as introduced in the calculation algorithm of the selection program, predict obtaining the Ayrshire genetic milk yield progress of +69 kg on average in the Russian Federation, and +78 kg in the Northwestern Federal District. The effect of male parents on genetic progress is 64.9 and 57.9 % in Russia and NWFD, which is consistent with the literature data. Economic performance due to the genotype was calculated using the genetic trend as per the selection program. The increase as derived from the genotype was 63194,34 thousand roubles for all livestock in the Russian Federation and 39279,24 thousand roubles in the NWFD.

In 2016 after a long break, AO PZ Novoladozhsky resumed the importation of Ayrshire heifers from Finland in connection with the planned livestock increase. The article gives a detailed description of the breeding qualities of heifers, their offspring brought in the womb, stud bulls which are both fathers of above mentioned groups of animals and their ancestors in their pedigrees. The imported heifers’ mothers gave 8955 kg of milk with fat content of 4.43 % and protein content of 3.55 % during the 1st lactation, and 9590 kg, 4.44 % and 3,56 %, during their maximum lactation. Mothers showed the correlation of milk yield and fat content to be -0,377, milk yield and protein content correlation to be -0,298, fat and protein to be +0,372 for the 1st lactation. In the most highly productive animal group (11,000 kg and over), mothers have the worst reproductive qualities (95 points) and the cows’ mothers of up to 8000 kg milk-yield grade have the best rating for udder (100 points) and duration of use (99points). The analysis of certificates for the imported heifers showed that most of animals are the daughters of bulls with NTM from 11 to 15 (41.5 %); the fathers of 18.4 % have the Nordic index values of 20 and up. It is revealed that the Nordic NTM index can serve as a criterion for selection of the next import batches. According to the research, it is revealed that those imported heifers which fathers had a high NTM index (20 and over) were more productive. The difference in milk yield ranged from 94 to 337 kg if compared to the group of daughters from bulls with low breeding value.

We carried out within- and inter-herd assessment of 24 Ayrshire bulls on 28 farms in ten regions of Russia, along with the calculation of their testing reliability depending on different factors. It is revealed that the highest number of bulls was tested in the Leningrad region and the Republic of Karelia (14 and 7 bulls, respectively), which daughters lactated on the greatest number of farms (8 and 4, respectively). It is established that the reliability of stud bull assessment depends on the number of their daughters which can lactate in one or several regions or on a large number of farms of the same region. Using the comparative analysis, we identified the methods for breeding and the productivity of 3077 daughters of bulls. The most commonly used breeding method is cross line, which is 83.1% of the total livestock, including cross combined with inbreeding - 81.2% livestock was bred using it. By applying the intra-linear method, they produced 16.9% of heifers (498 livestock units) of the total livestock. With both breeding methods, more than half of the daughters were produced using remote inbreeding (54.4 and 52.8%). In the group of bulls with positive breeding value, the moderate inbreeding heifers surpass their cross-line peers (+37 vs +16 kg of milk), and in case of intra-linear method, the remote inbreeding heifers enjoy superiority (+68 vs +25 kg of milk) while in the group with negative breeding value, the situation is reverse. To achieve the superiority over peers, we identified the preferred methods of breeding their daughters.

We present the results of research for application of multiple-factor IPK2 and IPK6 indices to Ayrshire cows which were taken into account such criteria as milk yield, milk quality (fat, protein), conformation, udder form and structure, limb quality, age of the first calving and a calving interval. The absolute index values of the cows were highly variable and ranged widely. A high variability of absolute index values provides more effective assessment and selection of cows by a range of criteria. The research showed that cows with positive complex index values differ from those with negative indices for increased milk yield, fat and protein yield, higher conformation assessment during ranking, better udder and limb structure, as well as better reproductive qualities. If based on the proposed indices, the cow selection allows creating the groups of animals with high selection differential for milk production, conformation, as well as improving the fertility of animals.

AO Zarya, the breeding plant, is a leading agricultural enterprise in Tula region for Ayrshire cattle breeding. Constant growth of milk yield, both in particular age groups of cows and within the herd as a whole, is achieved through the cow culling system and the introduction of a large number of heifers into the herd (from 44.2 % in 2014 to 30.0 % in 2016). According to the valuation over a period of 2013 - 2016, 32,7; 2,3; 18.6 and 23,0% per each year accordingly, were ranked with respect to low productivity. To ensure a significant introduction of heifers into the herd, it is necessary to produce a large number of calves which must be kept safe during ontogenesis. The farm applies a so-called cold method for calf growing. The gist of it is that almost from the moment of birth, or rather, three hours after the birth in the individual cage on the farm, a calf is placed in the environment as close to natural, that is an outdoor plastic house, regardless of the season of the year. Cold method of calf growing has its undeniable advantages. They are high survival rate of young cattle, up to 100 %, its high-level immunity, as well as further easy maintenance of adult stock. The calf growing method adopted by AO Zarya supports a uniform distribution according to the superiority over peers as to live weight of heifers aged 10 and 12 months old (Breeding Value of live weight aged 10 months old, Breeding Value of live weight aged 12 month old). So, 54.8 % of animals in the first group, and 52.9 % in the second, fall behind in weight gain as compared to peers, in a range of -0.1 to -60,0 kg. The curves of absolute milk yield and breeding value for milk yield indicate that 10-month-old heifers with a higher live weight gain have the advantage for milk yield against their peers. For example, 12 cows which lack more than 60 kg in weight gave 5895 kg of milk, and those which outweigh 60 kg or more (n = 16) gave 6312 kg, that is 417 kg more. Compared to peers, the difference was -10 and +140 kg of milk. On average, the offspring of bulls from OAO PP Cherepovetskoye show the best developmental indicators. In addition, the children of such bulls as Volan 505 (OAO GCV), Ivanhoe 491 (OAO Nevskoye), 10653489, Solero, 10707843 Eugene, 107344428 Chakid, 2184 Oligarch, 268 Visit and 556 Marmelad (OAO PP Cherepovetskoye") may be noted individually.

At the present stage of dairy farming development, both worldwide and in the Russian Federation, the problem of foot diseases is among the three main reasons for culling. The multifactorial nature of the causes of these diseases does not allow solving this problem by taking any selective measures. Since the main symptom of an extremity disease is claudication, the review provides the locomotion assessment system, as developed by Sprecher. We considered the basic factors of influence on disease rate and suggested control measures. The causes of extremity diseases are classified into external and internal ones. The external causes include chemical, microbiological, physical. The inner include genetic, nutritional. Among nutritional causes, we examined the combination of individual minerals and vitamins in the feed. We also noted the importance of quality and mineral composition of drinkable water for cows. To reduce the extremity disease rate, it is necessary to develop a prevention schedule by starting with the analysis of the current situation, i.e. history taking. Struggling with an extremity disease is a great multi-factor operation which involves the whole team. Regular medical examination, early detection of sick animals and timely decisions provide a high level of preventive measures and preservation of productive livestock.

The article provides the classification of misrepresentations of data in pedigree records. The genesis of misrepresentations has been described. Examples of information collisions have been given according to the data from official sources: databases and export certificates. The paper shows the necessity of developing the National pedigree database of federal significance. The arbitration function of the database has been substantiated. The article explains a range of new terms. Tabl. - 2. Fig. - 5.

The plant families in the tribal herd of the intra-breed type of Ayrshire cattle OJSC «Pedigree farming«Ilinskoye» were evaluated, genetic monitoring of the inheritance of alleles of the B-locus of the blood groups of the ancestor in generations, genetic characteristics of the families was given. When selecting the Karelian type of Ayrshire cattle, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the uterine families and, on its basis, to determine the most promising ones for further work, while breeding families, use the genetic marking method for the EAV-locus of the blood groups.

A linear estimation of the external appearance of cows of dairy cattle breed in farms of Kirovskaya region was carried out. Obtained results of the linear estimation of first-calf heifers show that with increasing category of cows their productivity increases, and the difference in milk yield between animals with an estimate "satisfactory" and "excellent" amounted to 1911 kg. It is revealed that the external appearance of the animals of the Ayrshire breed differ significantly from the first-calf heifers of the black-motley and Holstein breeds. They are inferior to the daughters of the bulls of these breeds in such characteristics as the height and depth of the body (5.07 and 5.52 compared to 6.35 and 6.77, 7.95 and 7.16 respectively). The Ayrshire animals have almost the same estimate as the Holstein first-calf heifers according to the dairy type, the difference between them is only 0.5 points. The daughters of bulls of Canadian breeding stand out among the Ayrshire cows: they are tall, deep, stretched, dairy, with a flat, well-inclined rib, a dry light head, a beautiful udder, so they look like the descendants of Holstein bulls. It is found that the scale of estimation developed and tested on animals of Holstein breed, generally underestimates the majority of characteristics of the external appearance of small breeds. In this connection, it becomes necessary to introduce correction factors for the Ayrshire and Russian indigenous breeds.

In comparatively small territory of Dagestan livestock breeders rear different breeds of milk and milk - meat directions (red and steppe, Angler, black and motley, Caucasian and brown, Simmental and others), which are inferior to such breeds as Ayrshire and Holstein for many economic traits. The modern Ayrshire breed is one of the best specialized dairy breeds. It has received general appreciation for its good acclimatization abilities, high milk productivity and butter - fat. The main index characterizing the efficiency of crossbreeding in the dairy cattle breeding is the milk productivity of crossbreeds in comparison with animals of improved and improving breeds. The level of milk productivity and quality of the crossbred red steppe and Ayrshire cows of the first and third lactation has been compared with the purebred herdmates of the red steppe and Ayrshire breeds.

Due to the accurate keeping of both zootechnical and veterinary records in a common database, a huge body of information on animal health accumulated over several decades has allowed for local populations of all dairy breeds to become by now the absolute leaders in terms of the genetic indicators of cows’ health. Calculated on the basis of unique information on the first three lactations of the cows, a new hoof health index which appeared within the NTM system for the first time in the world, describes the genetic resistance of the daughters of the bulls to 10 hoof disorders. In the countries of VikingGenetics, information on the state of hooves of 400,000 cows is collected each year, which is almost half of the total dairy population. Analysis of the data since the indices were introduced into the overall NTM evaluation shows that the gradual increase in the genetic level of hoof health in the population occurs simultaneously with a significant increase in productivity. So, selection by this important concept is not due to a decrease in productivity, but it is carried out together with its increase. In calculating indices the degree of heritability shall be considered as resistance to hoof disorders is low, which hampers rapid genetic progress and requires evaluation of large groups of animals. Within the NTM index system, for example, the correlation of the hoof health index with the productive longevity index - +0.38, with the fertility index - +0.23 and with the udder health index - +0.11 has positive relation. Thus, genetic improvement of hoof health provides a simultaneous overall increase in the value of the animal taking into account other economically important features. According to the NTM system the hoof health index is currently not only the most reliable and complete, but also the only one in the world for red dairy and Jersey breeds.

Major aim of the research studies was practicing and adaptation of BLUP Animal Mode (Repeatability Model Variant) utilization for evaluation of population’s genetic parameters, predicting breeding values and estimation of environmental effects simultaneously, by common model. Results of using method BLUP Animal Model for breeding value evaluation in Ayrshire breed from Leningrad region are shown. The experience of using the statistical model estimating bulls and cows using the BLUP method is considered and suggested. Due to the wide spread of genomic selection in countries with developed dairy cattle breeding and use of genetically evaluated bulls in the improvement of the national dairy cattle population, importance of switching to the breeding value evaluation of animals using BLUP method is noted. This approach increases the rate of selection progress and allows to obtain the effect much earlier with little or no increase in costs, unlike traditional methods of breeding. Research scientists of the RRIFAGB carried out work on the evaluation of the cows of the Ayrshire breed, using BLUP Animal Model. For the study, data were selected in the pedigree animals born in 1976 - 2014, as well as productivity records from cows born in 2000 - 2012. Comprehensive data processing and statistical evaluation were carried out. Breeding value of the Ayrshire breed cows from 11 farms placed in Leningrad Region is calculated. It is explored that cows, born from 2002 to 2012, average genetic trend for 10 years was +22 kg, the highest (2006-2007) - + 80kg. Genetic trend was constructed for cows based on the calculated breeding value of Ayrshire breed animals from Leningrad Region.

The article presents the dynamics of livestock and productive performance of populations of cattle of dairy breeds of the North-West zone of the Russian Federation, including the Vologda region. Set to reduce the number of cows in the increase of their efficiency in almost all regions. Revealed the superiority of the productive performance of cows of the Ayrshire breed on the average values of dairy cattle breeding farms of the Vologda oblast for the year 2016. With the aim of increasing the efficiency of the modern generation breeding of Ayrshire cattle in Vologda region is developed by the control system selection process, aimed at improving the productive and exterior traits of animals, including analysis of the breeding situation, the definition of evidence-based options selection and selection (figure 1). Cows of the 1st calving (100 days of lactation) with the value of the polyfactorial index (model СI₇) ≥ 172. Selection of bulls-producers to carry out taking into account the coefficient of linearity from 37.5 to 62.5%., by belonging to the prospective genealogical lines and branches of the Ayrshire breed with a selective differential Sd ≥ 113 kg. Selection of parental pairs is carried out on the basis of the best combinations of the linearity of the mother and mother of the father of the Ayrshire breed with Sd > + 158 kg of mil. For cows with a milk yield of up to 9000 kg of milk, to fasten the bulls to the milk yield of mothers 8000-9000 kg of milk, on cows with a productivity of 9000 kg of milk - Bulls, with milking of mothers> 10000 kg.

The article examines the state and the possibilities of improving breeding base of Ayrshire breed in the Republic of Karelia. Ayrshire are the main breed in the region - 94% of the total cattle number with 100% pure breeding. The Republic has the status of pedigree Ayrshire cattle breeding zone. 58% of all Airshires are concentrated In breeding farms, including 35% in breeding plants. A significant influence on the development of the Ayrshire breeding base was provided by the derivation of the Karelian type (patent No. 6764). Animals of this type combine high milk yield, high technological qualities, availability to machine service, good health and resistance to mastitis. The characteristic of productive and technological traits in cows of the whole population in cows of the entire population and breeding factories (milk yield 8298 kg), bull-producing groups (milk yield 11109 kg with 4.13% fat) are given. It is proposed to create a unified system of animal evaluation in the Ayrshire breed, to create a centralized database and to fill it online, to use the genetic estimation of animals with an increasing of breeding characteristics, to evaluate and select bulls according to the materials of many herds in different regions.

On the basis of data on breed composition among cattle in Krasnodar region the experts of the State Budget-funded Institution of the Krasnodar Region “Kuban Agricultural Information and Consulting Centre” have conducted the estimation of Ayrshire cattle population in comparison with other breeds raised in the region. It has been revealed that milk yield of Ayrshire cows is slightly smaller than of other dairy cattle breeds, but at the same time they surpass the other breeds regarding milk quality indicators and fat content in particular. High protein content in milk of these cows makes them valuable producers of raw material for cheese industry. Alongside their productive abilities Ayrshire cattle are of good reproductive qualities, characterized by high calf crop percentage. The economic profitability of Ayrshire cows is also confirmed by their longevity.