Characteristics of breeding programs in dairy farming (criteria and goals)

The article is devoted to the analysis of modern approaches to selection in dairy cattle breeding, their evolution and impact on the efficiency of milk production. The key factors determining the genetic improvement of dairy cattle are considered, as well as modern technologies used for animal identification, productivity recording and herd management. The importance of genetic improvement of cattle is emphasized for ensuring sustainable and efficient milk production. The authors emphasize that modern information technologies play a crucial role in this process, since the volume of data on each animal is constantly growing. The introduction of digital technologies, the use of data, sensors and artificial intelligence allows to increase milk production and improve the quality of livestock. Particular attention is paid to methods of identification and marking of animals, which are important tools in selection, herd management and tracking their movements. Traditional identification methods (tags, leashes, collars, tattoos, branding) are gradually being replaced by modern technologies such as RFID (radio frequency identification) and computer vision, which allow non-invasive identification of animals in real time. The article also examines the experience of leading milk-producing countries, such as Norway, Denmark and Germany, in creating and using centralized databases to collect information on cow productivity. These databases are the basis for calculating the breeding value of animals, developing recommendations for breeding, feeding and care. In Ukraine, despite the presence of legislative regulation of breeding, there are problems with its implementation. In particular, the lack of a common database of animal productivity and origin makes it impossible to use many modern breeding tools. Special attention is paid to the problem of antibiotic resistance and the importance of controlling the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The authors emphasize the need to create a system of transparent tracking of the circulation and use of antibiotics to ensure the quality and safety of products of animal origin. Thus, the infrastructure available in Ukraine, together with a network of scientific institutions, can ensure effective breeding work in dairy cattle breeding. At the same time, for this it is necessary to create a single database containing information about animals and actively implement modern breeding technologies.