Russia and Belarus to Develop a Unified Digital Platform for Red Dairy Cattle

The agreement was signed by Olga Lukonina, Director of the All-Russian Research Institute of Animal Breeding, and Alexander Portnoy, Director of the Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Animal Husbandry. The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Roman Nekrasov.

Red dairy cattle are cows with a red or red-and-white coat. Breeds in this group vary in milk yield and fat content.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture reported that the common platform is intended for data exchange and utilization in breeding work. The ministry stated, "The implementation of the project will accelerate genetic progress in animal husbandry and increase the efficiency of targeted cattle breeding."

During the visit, Nekrasov also discussed the state of Russia's breeding base for beef cattle. The number of breeding cows exceeds 116,000. There are 33 breeding farms and 169 breeders engaged in this, totaling 14 breeds and types, including Kalmyk, Hereford, Kazakh White-headed, and Aberdeen Angus.

The production of specialized beef breeds in Russia amounts to 609,000 tons live weight. Over seven years, this figure has increased by nearly 18%. These figures were presented during discussions on livestock-related cooperation.

According to the Russian Science Foundation, the Belarusian population of red cattle numbers about 260 animals, including 106 cows. In Russia, the red Gorbatov cattle population is about 1,100 animals, with purebred animals making up less than 10%.

The Russian delegation visited investment sites in the Vitebsk region. The Belarusian side proposed using them for new projects in specialized beef production. Previously, efforts began in the Nizhny Novgorod region to restore the red Gorbatov breed, which, according to sources, remains only in one farm in the region.