Chelnokov VA, Popov NA.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026. Vol. 109. No. 2. Р. 121-132.

doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-109-2-121

Original article

Optimization of the parameters of successful insemination of heifers in the breeding herd of the Red-Mottled breed

 

Viktor A Chelnokov1, Nikolay A Popov2

1Agrofirma Pavlovskaya Niva JSC, Pavlovsk, Russia

2Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, Dubrovitsy, Russia

1viktchelnokov@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1301-3236

2genetic-pna@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4263-7320

 

Abstract. The publication presents research and calculations on optimizing the age at successful insemination and the live weight of heifers, considering their subsequent milk yield during the first lactation. The database comprised information on heifers born over three consecutive years (n = 661). The authors’ original methodology was used to determine the optimal indicators of live weight and age at insemination by a population-graphical method. Deviations of the actual parameters from the calculated ones were revealed in the direction of increasing their average values: in live weight by 17 kg, and by 63.8 kg in all heifers with delayed insemination (n=85); by 73.1 days in age of successful insemination. When distributing the herd’s heifers into classes by live weight (0.5 σ), the variation in insemination age ranged from 4 to 9 months, while when distributing into classes by insemination age (0.5 σ), the difference in live weight between individual animals ranged from 66 to 145 kg. The optimal parameters for heifer insemination were determined: live weight – 375 kg, age – 418.4 days. Material costs exceeding the calculated optimal values were attributed to losses from maintaining the replacement young stock (the “train”) of the main  herd.  On  average,  per  registered  heifer  calf  (nulliparous cow) per year, they amounted to 4,585.4 rubles. An evaluation was carried out on groups of daughters from different sires in terms of growth, precocity, and milk productivity during the first lactation. When the calculated optimal insemination parameters were followed, the milk yield for the first lactation exceeded 7,600 kg. The revealed differences indicate the prospects of selecting such sires for improving livestock in populations. It is recommended to improve zootechnical recording and methods for timely detection of heifers in estrus when they achieve the optimal live weight for insemination.

Keywords: Red-Mottled breed, age of insemination of heifers, live weight, optimization of parameters, first-calf cows, dairy productivity, cost of rearing, precocity, sire

Acknowledgments: the work was supported in accordance to the plan of research works Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst (No. FGGN-2024-0013).

For citation: Chelnokov VA, Popov NA. Optimization of the parameters of successful insemination of heifers in the breeding herd of the Red-Mottled breed. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026;109(2):121-132. (In Russ.)]. https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-109-2-121

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Information about the authors:

Viktor A Chelnokov, Cand. Sci. (Biology), Deputy General Director for Animal Husbandry, Agrofirma Pavlovskaya Niva JSC, 11 Pokrovskaya St., Pavlovsk, Voronezh region, 396422.

Nikolay A Popov, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Professor, Chief Researcher at the Department of Population Genetics and Genetic Foundations of Animal Breeding, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132.

Contribution of the authors:

Chelnokov VA – writing the original text, conclusions;

Popov NA – scientific supervision, finalization of the text, and final conclusions.

The article was submitted 24.02.2026; approved after reviewing 14.05.2026; accepted for publication 15.06.2026.

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