The purpose of the article is to highlight the major life milestones and creative path of the recognized scientist in the field of animal husbandry, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Academician of NAAS M. V. Zubets. Research methods are general scientific (analysis, synthesis, classification), special historical (problematic-chronological, comparative-historical), biographical and source studies. The contribution of the scientist to the development of theoretical and methodological principles of breeding, selection, and biotechnology of reproduction of farm animals is substantiated. The important role of M. V. Zubets in the organization of domestic agricultural research work, in particular, in the formation of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS was proven. The scientific heritage of the scientist is systematized, the priority of his research on the formation of a systematic concept of the breed, linear breeding, development of genetic, biotechnological, and technological bases of selection in animal husbandry, the actualization of the problem of conservation and rational use of biodiversity, etc. is substantiated. The contribution of M. V. Zubets to the formation of the modern theory and methodology of breeding in dairy and beef cattle breeding, the breeding of specialized breeds, and types of cattle is revealed. It is shown that among his scientist's methodological developments, the most significant is the method of creating the Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy breed, which is the basis for the development of eight specialized domestic breeds of dairy and beef production directions. The program the scientific school activities and the achievements founded by M. V. Zubets were summarized.

Investigate the differences between chemical and microbiological parameters of the topsoil and snow cover at different distances from the territories of pig farms of different capacity and different technologies of pork production. It has been carried out Soil sampling and soil chemical analysis in accordance with current state standards of Ukraine. Hydrochemical analysis of melt water was carried out according to the methods of O. A. Alekin. Microbiological studies were performed by seeding the soil suspension and melt water on appropriate solid nutrient media. So, Soil research revealed a higher content of certain chemical elements and microorganisms in the immediate vicinity of farm areas compared to more distant distances. Thus, according to the chemical analysis of the soil near Farm 1 (number of livestock 1.5 thousand heads, seasonal tour technology of pork production is used) at a distance of 0 m there is a higher content of ammonium N, P2O5, K2O, Cu, Zn. Near Farm 2 (number of livestock 40.0 thousand heads, used flowshop technology of pork production) at a distance of 0 m there is a higher content of only N ammonium, Cu and Z. Microbiological analysis of soil was performed by the method of aggregate assessment of the presence of microorganisms using an integrated indicator. It was found that near Farm 1 at a distance of 250 m there is only a downward trend, and a significant decrease only at a distance of 500 m, and in Farm 2 - this figure is significantly reduced at a distance of 250 m. Hydrochemical studies of melted water of the snow cover adjacent to pig farms include a list of studied chemical components, the presence of which varies depending on the distance from the farm: nitrogen compounds related to nutrients and individual ions of mineral compounds - Na+ + K+, SO42 According to the studied chemical and microbiological indicators of the soil, it is established that the radius of harmful effects of the enterprise with seasonal tour technology of pork production is larger compared to the enterprise with flow-shop technology of pork production. According to the research of the melted water of the snow cover of the territory adjacent to the pig farms, a number of components have been identified that can be used as indicators that will characterize the harmful impact on the environment of pork enterprises. Key words: Pig farms, natural environment, topsoil, snow, chemical elements, microorganisms, pollutants.

Organic fertilizer is a source of necessary for agricultural plants macro-, microelements and carbon dioxide. Due to their gradual mineralization nutrients enter the plants during the whole period of vegetation. In the production, in particular organic fertilizers, the main factor determining profitability is the effective use of energy. The aim of the work was carry out analysis of energy efficiency of production of compost and vermicompost from manure of cattle. Research materials was data of technical information, scientific literature for technologies of composting and vermicomposting manure of cattle, Internet information and the results of own research. Energy efficiency of producing organic fertilizer from animal waste was determined by the method of direct cost of energy. It was determined that at the production of compost and vermicompost from manure of cattle, to a great degree, using energy of diesel fuel (98.3%). A small percentage is occupied by energy of workers (1.7%). It is established, that at the production of compost from manure of cattle consumption of energy, in particular diesel fuel and human accounts for 0.39±0.08 MJ/kg. The most energy-intensive production processes are mixing of compost and watering his water, which is spent 0.17±0.05 MJ/kg. Less energy-intensive: transporting of manure and formation of stacks (0.06±0.01 MJ/kg); filling a container with water and its transporting (0.07±0.01 MJ/kg); covering of stacks, drying and packing of compost (0.11±0.02 MJ/kg). When preparing of 1 kg of substrate from manure of cattle for later vermicultivation consumption of energy (diesel fuel and human) amounted to 0.16±0.04 MJ. During the process of vermicultivation, consumption of energy amounted to 0.41±0.08 MJ/kg. During vermicomposting, more energy is spent on mixing of stacks and watering their water 0.23±0.07 MJ/kg. Less energy-intensive such production processes as: formation of vermi bed and colonization of their vermiculture (0.07±0.01 MJ/kg); separating of worms from vermicompost and drying of biohumus (0.07±0.01MJ/kg); covering of stacks and packing of biohumus (0.05±0.1 MJ/kg). At the production of 1 kg of vermicompost, consumption of energy amounted to 0.57±0.12 MJ, worth 0.87±0.12 UAH. At the production of organic fertilizers through composting, consumption of energy is reduced of an average of 31.6% and its cost by 26.4%.

The aim of the work is to study the fattening and meat qualities of young white pigs and to determine the criteria for selection of high-yielding breeding boars and sows using some evaluation indices. It was found that young pigs of large white breed of the controlled population at the age of 100 kg exceed the minimum requirements of the elite class by 6.13%, the thickness of the fat at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae — 32.25% and the length of chilled carcass — 3.92%. Significant difference between animals of different intrabreed differentiation according to the Tyler index (groups I and III) was established by the average daily gain of live weight during the control period of fattening (91.7 g), age of 100 kg live weight (7.3 days), fat thickness at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae (3.4 mm), length of chilled carcass (1.7 cm), length of bacon half of chilled carcass (2.7 cm). Taking into account the intrabreed differentiation according to the Sazer-Fredin index, it was found that young pigs of group II outperformed peers of I on average daily live weight gain for the period of control fattening by 4.03%, age of 100 kg — 3.67% and length of chilled carcass — 0.2%. The pairwise correlation coefficient between fattening and meat qualities of young pigs and evaluation indices ranges from –0.710 (tr=10.24) to +0.844 (tr=20.98). The maximum increase in additional products was obtained from young pigs of the first experimental group according to the Tyler index (+5.03%) and the second experimental group according to the Sazer-Fredin index (+1.12%). The cost of additional products obtained from young pigs of these groups, provided that the selling price per 1 kg of live weight of young pigs at the time of the study was 47.5 UAH. is +247.51 and +55.42 UAH/animal respectively. Thus, the criteria for selecting highly productive breeding boars and sows for fattening and meat qualities are the limits of the Tyler index 214.89–242.85, the Sazer-Fredin index — –3.018 — –0.102 points.