Challenges and Innovations in Modern Livestock Farming
High-productivity animal husbandry is a high-tech industry where breeding achievements go hand in hand with the need to ensure ideal herd health. In the Lipetsk Region, one of the leaders in agricultural production in Russia, this task is particularly relevant. Local farms demonstrate sustainable growth — by the end of 2024, milk production in the region amounted to 323.7 thousand tons, which is 2.2% higher than the previous year 4 .
However, such intensive productivity requires special, scientifically based approaches to animal protection. The cattle population in the region numbers 114.9 thousand heads, of which 42.6 thousand are cows 2 , and each of them represents significant genetic and economic value. In the context of climate change and the need to reduce import dependence, solving the problems of protecting high-productivity animals becomes not just a zootechnical task, but a strategic priority for the entire agro-industrial complex of the region.
One of the most significant problems in animal husbandry in the Lipetsk Region is the deficit of high-productivity breeding stock. The historically established dependence on imported breeding material in the context of modern geopolitical realities required the search for innovative internal solutions.
The response to this challenge was the creation in the Lipetsk Region of the unique biotechnological center "Betagran Lipetsk" — the only enterprise in Russia specializing exclusively in the production of elite embryos of dairy cattle 6 .
Flushing mature embryos developing in the body of the donor animal
Creation and formation of embryos "in a test tube" according to the principle of in vitro fertilization 6
Compared to the traditional method of artificial insemination, embryo transfer allows accelerating the selection process by 5-7 times 6 . This means that farms can create high-productivity herds adapted to local conditions much faster, which is especially important in the context of a changing climate.
Protection of high-productivity animals is impossible without providing them with quality feed. In 2024, the Lipetsk Region faced difficult weather conditions, including return frosts in May. Despite this, the yield of main agricultural crops remained at the level of average long-term values 1 .
Modern approaches to protecting high-productivity animals in the Lipetsk Region include a set of measures:
Three breeding plants and seven breeding reproducers for dairy cattle breeding operate in the region. 14,767 heads of breeding cows (54% of the total population) are registered in the state breeding register 1 .
In 2024, 508 million rubles were allocated for the development of breeding animal husbandry, milk sales, and livestock insurance 4 .
Special attention is paid to the prevention of hoof diseases, inflammatory processes in cows during the transition period, which allows maintaining herd productivity .
In 2024, a large-scale experiment on the implementation of embryo transfer technology in the farms of the Lipetsk Region was conducted on the basis of the "Betagran Lipetsk" center. The study included several stages:
High-productivity cows with productivity from 12 thousand kg of milk, fat content of 4.2% and protein content of 3.4% were selected 6 .
Donors were injected with hormonal drugs to obtain multiple eggs in one cycle.
Semen from elite imported bulls with genetic potential allowing to bring the annual productivity of offspring to 20 thousand kg of milk was used 1 .
According to IN VIVO technology, embryos were flushed from the uterus of donors on the 7th day after fertilization.
Embryos were frozen and transplanted to recipients in partner farms.
The experiment showed impressive results. The specialists of "Betagran Lipetsk" managed to achieve a yield of 1.4 quality embryos per one aspiration, which is close to the world average (1.5 embryos) 6 . This is an outstanding achievement, considering that less than a year before this, the result was only 0.3 embryos.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Embryos Produced | 2,500 |
| IN VIVO Technology | 2,100 |
| Transplanted Embryos | 870 |
| Average Survival Rate (Regular Embryos) | 56% |
| Average Survival Rate (Sexed Embryos) | 43% |
Embryo transfer allows not only to accelerate the selection process but also to solve the problem of adaptation of imported livestock to local conditions. Calves obtained by the transplantation method are initially adapted to the climate of the Lipetsk Region, which reduces stress and morbidity.
Modern biotechnology laboratory, such as the "Betagran Lipetsk" center, uses a wide arsenal of tools for protecting and improving livestock.
| Solution/Reagent | Function and Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hormonal drugs for superovulation stimulation | Synchronization of sexual cycles and obtaining multiple eggs from donor animals |
| Semen of breeding bulls with high genetic potential | Providing elite genetics for future offspring |
| Means for cryopreservation of embryos | Long-term preservation of genetic material without loss of viability |
| Sexed embryos | Planning the sex of future offspring to optimize herd structure |
| Culture media for IN VITRO embryos | Ensuring the development of embryos outside the donor's body |
| Phytase Ronozyme HiPhos | Improving phosphorus absorption from the diet, strengthening the bone system of animals |
| Energy-carbohydrate feed additive "TANREM" | Preserving the health of cows after calving, preventing ketosis and acidosis |
Protection of high-productivity animals in the Lipetsk Region is a complex task, the successful solution of which requires the integration of advanced biotechnologies, competent agricultural policy, and constant scientific search. Thanks to the creation of unique scientific and production structures, such as the "Betagran Lipetsk" center, the region not only solves current problems of livestock protection but also creates a foundation for long-term sustainable development of animal husbandry.
The application of embryo transfer and other modern technologies allows accelerating the selection process several times, creating herds adapted to local conditions, and increasing productivity without increasing environmental impact.
Further development of the industry, according to the Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Lipetsk Region until 2030, will be aimed at increasing the volume of livestock production while reducing environmental impact 1 .
The experience of the Lipetsk Region clearly demonstrates that modern animal husbandry is not just a branch of agriculture, but a high-tech sphere where success is determined by the depth of scientific knowledge and the ability to apply innovative solutions to protect animal health and increase their productivity.
Lipetsk Region demonstrates advanced approaches to high-productivity animal protection