Methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) are two important greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are emitted into the atmosphere by livestock during the process of enteric fermentation and manure management. Developing countries produce a large quantity of those emissions, caused mainly by inefficient animal rearing systems, feed production and manure management. This paper outlines the CH 4 and N 2 O emitted from livestock in developing countries and the mitigation actions that could be put in place to reduce atmospheric emissions and increase animal productivity. Emission intensity expresses emission (CO 2 equivalents) per unit of product and describes it in relation to the capacity of local animals to produce from local resources. Developing countries are characterized by low production per animal and, consequently, high emission intensity. The emission intensity of dairy cattle in developing countries ranges from 2 to 9 kg CO 2 -eq/kg fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and in only a few cases is below 2 kg CO 2 -eq/kg FPCM. In sub-Saharan Africa, the average emission intensity is 7.5 kg CO 2 -eq/kg FPCM for dairy cattle, 71 kg CO 2 -eq/kg of carcass weight for beef cattle, 6.9 kg CO 2 -eq/kg FPCM for sheep and goats, and 5 kg CO 2 -eq/kg eggs for chickens. Taking into account the limited economic and technical resources in most developing countries, the application of appropriate mitigation tools is recommended to reduce the emissions of CH 4 and N 2 O gases in the atmosphere. Increasing livestock productivity through selection and feeding is the most effective tool to reduce emission intensity. ______________________________________________________________________________________

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Relevance. In the Republic of Armenia, the leading branch of animal husbandry is cattle breeding. More than 95 % of the milk and 60% of the meat are obtained from cattle breeding. In order to further develop cattle breeding in the republic within the framework of various state and commercial programs, since 2007, Holstein, Brown Swiss, Simmental and Jersey heifers have been imported from European countries. In this regard, the study of adaptive and productive qualities of not only imported, but also received from them animals of the first generation is relevant.   Methods. Experimental studies were carried out on the number of dairy cows in the leading livestock farm of OOO “Agroholding “Armenia”” near the city of Spitaka. The processing of the research results was carried out using the method of variation statistics. The article substantiates the age-related changes in the indicators of milk productivity of the daughters of the Brown Swiss breed of the first generation, obtained from mothers imported from Germany, at I; II and III lactation (2016–2021). The farm has a system of keeping cows year-round stall, with loose-box method of keeping. Cows are fed and milked twice a day. The study determined the milk yield, the fat and protein content in milk (monthly control milking), the live weight of cows (by weighing), the lactation coefficient and milk yield repeatability coefficients.   Results. According to the results of the research, Brown Swiss cows obtained from imported mother cows had sufficiently high indicators of milk productivity and live weight, which naturally increased with age. In cows, milk yield from I to III lactation was 6845; 7630 and 8450 kg, respectively, the fat and protein content in milk was 4.08; 4.03; 4.0 % and 3.2; 3.16; 3.12 %, live weight was 550; 595 and 630 kg, and the milk coefficient was 12.4; 12.8 and 13.4.

The studies have shown that the Simmental cattle breed, raised from the cows of local reproduction on the farms of “Agroholding Armenia” LLC in Spitak city and “Himnatavush” development fund in Lusadzor village, has exceeded the stated breed standards in milk productivity, milk fat and live weight, while the index of protein content has fallen down the mentioned standards. Thus, the further breeding of the Simmental cattle breed from the cows of local reproduction is highly recommended in Armenia.