GENESIS, STATUS AND PROSPECTS OF DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING IN UKRAINE

The article presents an analysis of the breed-forming process in Ukrainian dairy cattle breeding. The genesis, state and prospects of further selection work with domestic dairy breeds are highlighted. A comparative characteristic of the breed composition, information on the dynamics of the livestock population, range, number of breeding herds, and the level of productivity of the main dairy breeds for the period 2005–2024 is provided. The genetic potential of productivity of domestic dairy breeds is at the level of European dairy breeds, and there is a positive dynamics in terms of productive traits. At the same time, a sharp decrease in the breeding base of animals of Ukrainian Black-and-White, Red-and-White, Red and Brown Dairy breeds is noted. The share of domestic breeds in the overall structure of the dairy cattle population in Ukraine has significantly decreased, in particular, the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed – up to 30%, the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed – up to 8%, the Ukrainian Red dairy breed – up to 1%, the Ukrainian Brown dairy breed – up to 0.4%, the Simmental breed – up to 3%. A significant reduction in the number of breeding stock and a catastrophic decrease in the number of bulls of approved factory lines in domestic dairy breeds indicates the impossibility of further maintaining the intra-breed breeding structure. In the breed structure of dairy cattle breeding in Ukraine, the Holstein breed occupies the first place in terms of number and level of productivity. This situation requires immediate measures to restore the bull breeding system in Ukraine to preserve domestic dairy breeds and reduce import dependence.