PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF MILK OF RED-SPOTTED COWS IN THE SOUTHERN FEDERAL DISTRICT

The red-motiled breed is one of the promising domestic breeds of dairy cattle that meet modern technological requirements and have a high genetic potential for milk production. It is bred in the Central, Southern, Volga, Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern Federal Districts, which is a testament to its viability in certain natural and climatic conditions. The productivity and quality of milk from red-motiled cows have been studied in various regions of the Southern Federal District. The results of the conducted research showed that the highest productivity of red-motiled cows (6,471 kg) is observed in the Volgograd Region, which higher by 15.8% than in the Rostov Region and by 1.0% than in the Republic of Crimea. The highest values of fat, protein, and dry matter were recorded in the Republic of Crimea, which exceeded the values in the Volgograd Region by 0.09%, 0.02%, and 0.05%, and in the Rostov Region by 0.14%, 0.12%, and 0.26% respectively. In terms of milk fat yield, the Republic of Crimea is in the lead (254 kg), exceeding the Volgograd Region by 1.2% and the Rostov Region by 18.7%; in terms of milk protein yield, the Volgograd Region and the Republic of Crimea are in the lead (208 kg), exceeding the Rostov Region by 19.5%. The highest calcium content was found in the milk of cows from the Republic of Crimea (128%), while the highest phosphorus content was found in the milk of cows from the Volgograd Region (98%). The lowest percentage of both calcium and phosphorus was found in the milk of cows from the Rostov Region. In terms of the amount of vitamins, the advantage is established in the milk of the Republic of Crimea.