Toxocariasis as a zoonosis represents a medical and veterinary problem. In the structure of human larval helminthiases, toxocariasis accounts for more than 60%. In non-specific hosts, including humans, toxocara larvae undergo visceral larva migrans, primarily damaging the liver, lungs, and other organs and tissues. Constant reinvasion accumulates second and third-stage larvae in the bodies of nonspecific (paratenic) hosts. In our research, we considered the problem of soil parasitological contamination on rabbit farms and the risks of rabbit infection, emphasising the need to study the involvement of rabbits as paratenic hosts in toxocariasis. We selected rabbits of the Soviet chinchilla breed as experimental animals. Toxocara eggs were administered orally to the animals. Hematological studies were conducted using commonly accepted methods. To detect specific IgG class antibodies, rabbit serum was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of IgG class antibodies in the blood serum of rabbits at a positive titer (1:100) in ELISA allows us to conclude that rabbits, along with other animals, serve as paratenic hosts for Toxocara canis. Haematological research results indicated the absence of significant differences and remained within the physiological norm throughout the entire experiment.

The results of clinical and orthopedic examination of Holstein cattle in free-range conditions are reflected in the article. Lameness in animals of varying severity 25%, deformation of the hoof horn 20%, interdigital dermatitis 10-15%, laminitis 15-20%, purulent-necrotic lesions of the hooves 15-20% were established by us. The revealed pathologies of the distal extremities were the result of violations of the zoohygienic parameters of the microclimate and the technology of keeping highly productive cows. The microflora Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli (non-pathogenic type), Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp., fungi (Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp.) was isolated during microbiological studies of scrapings from the wound surface of the hooves. Molds Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., Fusarium spp. revealed in samples of bedding material (straw) from animal resting places, which contributes to the development of diseases of the distal extremities of an infectious and non-infectious nature.

The dynamics of newborn calves' morphological, biochemical, and immunological blood parameters after using sodium nucleinate in combination with 2% synestrol in dry cows, as close as possible to calving, are presented. The research involved 20 clinically healthy pregnant cows of the black-and-white breed, selected based on the principle of paired analogues. They were divided into two groups (control and experimental), with ten animals in each and the newborn calves obtained from them. Cows in the experimental group were intramuscularly administered a single dose of a 0.2% aqueous solution of sodium nucleinate at a quantity of 5 ml and a 2% oil solution of synestrol (an analogue of the female sex hormone estrone) at a dose of 1 ml, 3–9 days before calving. Cows in the control group were administered a 0.9% sodium chloride solution. On the first day of life, the blood of the calves showed a higher number of erythrocytes, by 8.5–9.2%, and haemoglobin, by 20.1%, indicating intensive oxidative-reductive processes. An increase in the blood leukocyte count by 11.6–29.9% was also observed, as well as a relative and absolute increase in T-lymphocytes by 6.0–6.6 and 27.1–52.7%, respectively, indicating the development of the cellular component of the immune system. Along with the increased gamma-globulin content in the blood and enhanced nonspecific resistance, the calves adapted faster to external environmental conditions and were resistant to non-infectious diseases.

The study aimed to obtain information about the microbial communities in bull sperm, which is used for artificial insemination. The research included ten samples of cryopreserved bull sperm obtained from domestic breeding farms and 24 imported sperm samples. Next-generation sequencing technology on the Illumina Miseq platform was used for the analysis. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using the QIIME2 software package. The obtained whole-genome sequencing data showed a low level of biodiversity in the analysed samples. Diversity index values were determined for two groups of samples: sperm from domestic and foreign bulls. The Shannon index values were 1.40±0.12 and 1.30±0.08 for each group, respectively. Student's t-test calculations indicated no statistically significant differences in the α-biodiversity parameters between these groups. Up to 19 known bacterial types were detected in the samples, with only Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes present at frequencies exceeding 5%. Fusobacteria and Firmicutes dominated Russian bull sperm samples, while the predominant type in foreign bull sperm was Proteobacteria. Of the 18 detected bacterial classes, genetic material from 11 classes was found in at least one of the samples at a frequency exceeding 5%. Russian bull samples contained up to 13 genera of bacteria with genetic material above 1%, while foreign bull samples contained up to 15 genera. The predominant genus for domestic bull sperm samples was Fusobacterium, while for alien bull sperm, it was an unidentified genus of the Clostridiales order. The presence of representatives from the Campylobacter and Pseudomonas genera was also noted in the samples. Possible associations between the presence of specific bacterial taxa and morphofunctional indicators of bull sperm quality are discussed.

Scientific data on the diversity of dangerous clostridia species causing infectious diseases in farm animals are presented. Current knowledge about the pathogenicity and virulence factors of clostridia and their harmful effects on the organisms of highly productive animals. Information is provided on anaerobic bacteria that can form capsules and biofilm structures, which are important determinants of virulence that block the action of the immune systems of macroorganisms, antibacterial agents, and various disinfectants. Data on the phenotypic and molecular-genetic stability of such significant clostridia as C. perfringens and C. difficile, found in published research results, are presented in tables. Current information on the determinants of virulence identified in C. septicum, C. sordellii, C. sporogenes, and C. tetani from various biological materials from different animals is presented in the article. Mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, altered expression of redox proteins, DNA repair, mutation genes responsible for antibiotic resistance, formation of biofilms, and the presence of a matrix that hinders the penetration of antimicrobial agents into bacteria are described, as well as their prevalence among pathogenic clostridia worldwide. Modern available therapy methods and antimicrobial agents are outlined as an alternative to therapeutic agents used to treat diseases in humans, animals, and poultry caused by clostridia.

An experiment was conducted at the poultry farm "Ivanov A. S." to study the clinical effectiveness of the new osteotropic drug Siliostin in broiler chicken dischondroplasia. Siliostin is a complex pharmaceutical composition containing sources of organosilicon and inorganic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids, vitamins, and a range of osteotropic macro and microelements. Two groups of Cobb-500 crossbred broiler chickens were formed for the experiment experimental and control (n = 60). Over 21 days, the birds in the experimental group received Siliostin at a dose of 2% of the mass of consumed complete feed, while the control group chickens were fed only on the primary ration feeds. The therapeutic effectiveness of Siliostin was evaluated based on criteria such as clinical condition, flock integrity, body weight, and serum blood biochemistry indicators. It was established that the use of the drug in cases of clinical manifestation of dischondroplasia in broiler chickens contributes to the improvement of the physiological condition of sick birds, normalisation of indicators of biochemical homeostasis, and also has a positive effect on feed activity and intensive body weight gain. Moreover, after the end of the drug administration period and until the completion of the production cycle (60 days), the positive dynamics in the parameters mentioned above were maintained, and no repeated cases of dischondroplasia were observed in the experimental group of broilers.

Technologists of livestock complexes face the task of finding a carbohydrate feed supplement that would compensate for the energy deficit in the main diet. Grain and beet molasses meet this requirement. However, being a nutritious substrate, it can be actively colonised by environmental bacteria. The research aims to assess the influence of different concentrations of sugars from grain (glucose) and beet (sucrose) molasses on the development of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. As a result of studying the effects of sugars from grain (glucose) and beet (sucrose) molasses at concentrations ranging from 18.0 to 46.0%, a preservative (antibacterial) effect against different bacterial species was observed. Glucose at 18.0–30.0% reduced the growth of L. mesenterioides, Ps. aeruginosa, Ps. fluorescens, E. coli, Str. viridans, L. monocytogenes, S. enterica subsp. houtenae, St. aureus, B. cereus by 2 to 5 orders of magnitude compared to the control; for certain species, concentrations of 22.0–30.0%, and for all species, concentrations of 34.0–46.0% were bactericidal. Sucrose at concentrations of 18.0–38.0% reduced the growth of certain species by 1–4 orders of magnitude compared to the control; the preservative (antibacterial) effect was observed at concentrations of 18.0–34.0% for certain species and at concentrations of 38.0–46.0% for all bacteria (except L. mesenterioides). Based on the results obtained, when not using chemical preservatives and disinfectants, it is advisable to manufacture grain molasses shortly before adding it to the animal's diet, as it is more technologically feasible. In this case, facilities for producing feed molasses can be located in the feed preparation department of any livestock complex, reducing the risks of possible contamination and reducing carbohydrate (sugar) content during longdistance transportation and storage.

The effectiveness of using the probiotic preparation Plantarum in feeding dairy-oriented goats is demonstrated. The scientific and economic experiment was conducted on crossbred Saanen goats at the LLC KFH "EcoFarma," Zudilovo village, Pervomaysky district of the Altai Territory. Four groups of pregnant goats were formed, each consisting of 20 animals, for the experiment. The control group (Group 1) animals received the primary balanced ratio according to nutrients and energy. In the second half of pregnancy, an experimental probiotic preparation, Plantarum (developed by the FGBNU FANTSA, SibNIIS department), was additionally introduced into the ration of goats in the experimental groups at doses of 0.4 ml/kg body weight per day for Group 2, 0.6 ml for Group 3, and 0.8 ml for Group 4. It was found that feeding the probiotic preparation Plantarum had a positive effect on the physiological condition of the experimental animals. In comparison with the control group, goats in the experimental groups showed a higher haemoglobin content by 0.9–5.5% (p≤0.05) and erythrocytes by 3.8–15.2% (p≤0.05). An analysis of the blood biochemical parameters of goats in the experimental groups showed a tendency to increase total calcium and inorganic phosphate. Along with this, during the experiment, the probiotic preparation Plantarum's positive influence on the experimental animals' milk productivity was established, which was expressed in an increase in the gross and average daily milk yield by 0.02–3.27% relative to the control. The use of probiotics did not significantly impact the fertility of goats but affected the survival rate of their offspring, increasing it by 3.0–6.3%. The feasibility of using the probiotic preparation Plantarum in the rations of goats at doses of 0.6 and 0.8 ml/kg body weight per day is justified by economic efficiency calculations.

Variable lucerne is a valuable perennial legume crop known for its high fodder productivity, elevated raw protein content (up to 24%), drought resistance, winter hardiness, extended utilisation period, and the ability to maintain soil fertility. This crop is cultivated in pure stands and grass mixtures with other legumes and grasses. In 2016, a new variety of variable lucerne, Victoria, was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements and approved for use in the Volga-Vyatka, Ural, West Siberian, North-Western, Central Chernozem, East Siberian, and Middle Volga regions of the Russian Federation, with the FSBI «UFARC UB RAS» (Federal State Budgetary Institution "Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences") as the originator. The research was conducted in 2019–2022 to study the fodder productivity and nutritional value of monocultural and polyculture agrophytocenosis with the Victoria variety of variable lucerne on derno-podzolic soils in the Udmurt Republic. It was found that variable lucerne made the main contribution to agrophytocenosis yield over three years, accounting for 56–87% in two-component grass mixtures and 44–69% in three-component ones. The prevalence of Festuca rubra and Festuca pratensis in mixed crops increased from 18–26% in the first year of use to 32–43% in the third year. The highest yield (7.3 t/ha) of dry matter was obtained from the grass mixture of variable lucerne and red fescue at a stem density of 727–951 pcs/m2, with variable lucerne accounting for 74–80% and red fescue for 11–21%. Among lucerne-grass agrophytocenoses, the mixtures with Festuca pratensis were the most productive, yielding 6.3–t/ha of dry matter. The feed value of the selected grass mixtures was high: in 1 kg of dry weight, there was 17.4–21.3% raw protein, 0.69–0.76 feed units, and 9.2–10.0 MJ of metabolisable energy.

A primary screening was conducted to assess the ability of rhizosphere microorganisms from cultivated and wild plants of arid ecosystems in the Astrakhan region to produce indoleacetic acid (IAA) and exhibit phytotoxic properties. The amount of synthesised IAA was determined using a photometric method, and the phytotoxicity of microbial culture liquid was evaluated on seeds of red round radish Raphanus sativus L. convar. radicula. It was found that all isolates had the ability for tryptophan-induced IAA synthesis. Out of the 50 examined isolates, 19 synthesised IAA at levels comparable to industrial producers 80 µg/ml and higher. The evaluation of the influence of microbial culture liquid on the growth and development of radish seeds revealed complete inhibition of the root system and seedling effect for all isolates. Among the examined isolates, 16 completely suppressed the growth of test plant seeds. Seed germination using the suspension of other isolates ranged from 7.1% to 63.3%. The experiment established that phytotoxic effects also increased with an increase in the amount of IAA synthesised by isolates. The influence of exogenous auxin on plant development can have positive and negative effects. The optimal concentration range of IAA for a specific plant can be extremely narrow, and any deviation from this concentration can lead to inhibitory effects. Therefore, further research is needed to explore the biotechnological potential of isolated strains with increased IAA production as industrial producers of this substance or as the basis for a biological preparation for plant growth stimulation.

The effectiveness of applying balanced rates of mineral fertilisers for potatoes was studied in the forest-steppe zone of the Southern Urals, taking into account potato varieties and agronomic practices. It was established that the crucial factor affecting the formation of planned tuber yields is the level of mineral nutrition, which accounted for 67% of the yield variation in 2019, 40% in 2020, 45% in 2021, and 39% under the conditions of 2022. For comparison, the planting density determined the variation by 8.4%, 41.5%, 37.2%, and 23.2%, respectively, and the genotype accounted for 15.2%, 10.9%, 14.3%, and 13.2% of the total tuber yield variation. In 2022, single irrigation of potatoes determined 20.4% of this parameter's variance. The fertiliser rate calculated to achieve the planned yield of 40 t/ha led to an average increase in tuber yield for the Zakhar variety by 8.16 t/ha, Kashtak by 9.08 t/ha, Amulet by 7.76 t/ha, and Cavalier by 9.75 t/ha. The fertiliser rate calculated for a 60 t/ha yield increased by 13.56, 12.92, 14.71, and 18.33 t/ha, respectively. The target tuber yield of 40 t/ha was achieved by the Zakhar (39.8 t/ha) and Kashtak (41.8 t/ha) varieties in 2019 (correlation coefficient 0.91), Amulet (39.1 t/ha) in 2020 (correlation coefficient 0.85) with a planting scheme of 75 x 19 cm, Cavalier (38.7 t/ha) in 2021 (correlation coefficient 0.39), and Amulet (41.8 t/ha) in 2022 with a planting scheme of 75 x 14 cm. The planned yield of 60 t/ha was achieved by the studied varieties only in 2022 with single irrigation (300 m3/ha) and a dense planting scheme (75 x 14 cm) for Amulet (60.9 t/ha) and Cavalier (58.4 t/ha), also with a planting scheme of 75 x 19 cm. The formation of planned potato yields in the forest steppe of the Chelyabinsk region can be ensured by cultivating adaptive varieties of local selection (Zakhar, Kashtak, Amulet, and Cavalier) and regulating the water regime through critical irrigation. In 2022, potato irrigation increased the average yield by 11.1 t/ha for Cavalier, 10.7 t/ha for Kashtak, 10.6 t/ ha for Zakhar, and 10.1 t/ha for Amulet compared to the rain-fed variant, thereby increasing the profitability of mineral fertilisers with an additional tuber yield by 1.5 to 2 times.

Theresultsofcomprehensiveresearchconductedin 2020-2022 usinggeoinformationtechnologies in potato cultivation at ZAO Plemzavod "Irmens" in the Ordynsky District of the Novosibirsk Region, located in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia, are presented. Potatoes require specific environmental factors to achieve high yields with good product quality. Using satellite navigation systems ensures an increase in potato yield and product quality. The research aims to develop elements of potato cultivation technology using innovative satellite navigation systems. The experiments were conducted in the soil and climate zone of drained forest-steppe in the northern forest-steppe area of the Priobye foothills. The soil of the experimental plots is alkaline black soil with a humus content of 6.32%, total nitrogen content of 0.28%, phosphorus content of 0.23%, and potassium content of 1.19%. The concentration of quickly hydrolysable nitrogen was 10.3, exchangeable phosphorus was 20.7, and exchangeable potassium was 14.4 mg/100 g of soil, with a pH of Early potato varieties Gala and Riviera were cultivated in the experiments. During the research period, aggregated data were obtained, and regression equations between yield indicators, the sum of productive soil moisture reserves, and precipitation in interphase periods of potato varieties were calculated. Correlation coefficients were determined for specific interphase periods. The dependence of potato yield on precipitation indicators in interphase periods was established. The significance of precision agriculture elements in ensuring early potato varieties' high product and quality was noted.

This article studies narrow-leafed lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) varieties in the Kirov region forage purposes. The research aims to evaluate the productivity of green mass and the quality of lupine harvest. The material for the study included narrow-leafed lupine varieties for forage purposes: Siderat 46, Akkord, Fedorovskiy, and Metsenat. The research was conducted at the Agrotechnopark of the Vyatka State Agrotechnological University in 2021-2022. The site soils are medium loamy sod-podzolic soils with weak acidity, moderately supplied with mobile phosphorus and exchangeable potassium. As a control, pea crops of the Ukat and Ryabchik varieties were used. The research years varied in terms of meteorological conditions. A significant increase in yield was observed for all studied narrow-leafed lupine types, ranging from 47%.The Akkord variety showed the highest gain of green mass (810.5 c/ha). The lowest yield was obtained for the Siderat 46 variety (623.5 c/ha), but even this value exceeded the indicators of the Ukat variety by 47% and the Ryabchik variety by 55.8%. In samples at natural moisture content, all presented narrow-leafed lupine types contained more nitrogen in the green mass than field pea and vetch. The maximum nitrogen content was observed in the Metsenat (2.63%) and Fedorovskiy (2.60%) varieties. The high nitrogen content indicates the lupine's ability to fix nitrogen efficiently in the conditions of the Kirov region. All studied narrow-leafed lupine varieties exhibited an increased content of alkaloids in the green mass, ranging from 0.358 to 0.482%. This indicates their sufficient resistance to adverse conditions, diseases, and pests. The studied narrow-leafed lupine varieties meet the requirements for forage crops and can produce a high yield of green mass with adequate nitrogen content in the Kirov region.

Information on the soil cover structure in the Republic of Crimea and the soil's essential nutrient content is presented. An analysis of numerous literature sources and statistical data was conducted to highlight the main issues affecting the efficiency of agricultural production. The main problem lies in the need for more supply of cultivated crops with nutrients and organic matter. Weak accumulation of organic matter and nutrients leads to their deficiency and a shortfall in the quantity and quality of the obtained products. There needs to be more application of organic fertilisers to allow for the complete restoration of soil fertility. Although chernozem soils and their varieties dominate the soil structure of the Crimean Peninsula, there is a low content of available phosphorus and organic matter. The content of exchangeable potassium is characterised as elevated. Among micronutrients, the reserves of zinc, cobalt, copper, and manganese are characterised by low content, while the range of molybdenum and boron shows high levels. Agricultural producers can obtain environmentally friendly products since their concentration does not exceed the maximum permissible level.

Minimisation of soil tillage is one of the defining trends in the development of agriculture. It allows for a significant reduction in agrotechnical operations in crop cultivation, thereby reducing the technological load on soils, energy, and labour inputs in production and increasing soil resistance to erosion processes. Minimum tillage effectively promotes the restoration of potential and adequate soil fertility and aligns with the principles of adaptive landscape agriculture. Despite numerous positive aspects of minimum tillage, its implementation in production is restrained by certain drawbacks: worsening of crop phytosanitary conditions, increased plough layer density, differentiation of the plough layer by agrochemical and agrophysical indicators, and more. To assess the possibility of implementing minimum tillage in the soil and climatic conditions of the Udmurt Republic, long-term field experiments have been conducted at the Udmurt Research Institute of Agriculture since 1980. Both positive and negative aspects of three types of primary soil tillage have been identified. Moldboard ploughing, throughout the observation period, compared to other types of tillage, provided the highest crop yield (by 0.15 0.50 t per hectare or 5.6 17.5%) and energy efficiency coefficient (by 1.9 16.7%). No-till soil treatment proved to be the most environmentally friendly, increasing the organic matter content in the 0-10 cm layer by 8.1 11.5%. However, it led to a strong differentiation of the plough layer into two sub-layers: 0-10 and 10-20 cm. The lower sub-layer was characterised by higher density and lower content of mineral nutrients and humus. In most cases, combined tillage showed intermediate results. Further scientific research is needed to develop agrotechnologies with more significant minimisation of soil tillage.

In the Middle Trans-Urals, on less fertile derno-medium-podzolic loamy soils with limited growing seasons, a comparative trial of spring wheat varieties from three maturity groups was conducted over four years. It was established that early-maturing, mid-early, and mid-season spring wheat varieties can produce good yields, grain, and seed quality. The realisation of the genetic potential of productivity and grain quality of types is primarily influenced by abiotic conditions, the unfavourable course of which is not always correct with technological practices. In terms of grain yield over three years, among mid-early varieties, the Kalinka variety stood out, and among mid-season varieties, the Chernozemnyural'skaya 2 variety, with results of 243 and 266 g/m2, or 2.43 and 2.66 t/ha, respectively. Under favourable growth and development conditions, grain yields of early, mid-early, and mid-season varieties exceed 5 t/ha. Regional conditions allow grain protein content to generally exceed 23.0%, meeting the requirements of classes I–III, and gluten quality meeting the needs of groups I–II. The quality of spring wheat grain is determined to a greater extent by the prevailing abiotic conditions rather than the genetic characteristics of the variety. The requirements for forming spring wheat grain do not promote the formation of heavy grains; the 1000-seed weight usually amounts to around 30 g. Grain yields produced by early, mid-early, and mid-season group varieties are typically characterised by high laboratory germination values (over 92 %).

Data on the influence of weather conditions, varieties, predecessors, soil cultivation, and mineral nutrition on soybean yield compared with spring wheat are presented. The research was conducted in short-term (two years) and stationary field experiments (eight years) on leached chernozem soils in the central natural zone of the Kurgan region. In the ecological trial, Siberian (SibNIISK-315, Sibiryachka) and European (Bilyavka) selection soybean varieties were tested in favourable hydrotechnical conditions in 2019, with good soil moisture (predecessor fallow), providing productivity potential at the level of 2.00 – 2.23 t/ ha. With a similar cultivation technology and unfavourable natural factors in 2020, a slight yield advantage was observed for the SibNIISK-315 variety (1.77 t/ha compared to 1.60 t/ha for Sibiryachka and 1.72 t/ha for Bilyavka). The Sibiryachka soybean variety stood out for its grain protein content (35.4%). The yield and grain quality data of these varieties can be considered promising for the conditions of the Trans-Urals region. Cultivating the SibNIISK-315 soybean variety as a second crop after fallow in arid years (ETC 0.3 – 0.6) allowed for successful drought resistance, with soybeans yielding at 1 t/ha. Spring wheat in these years yielded no more than 0.68 t/ha. Under sufficient moisture conditions (ETC 1.0–1.2), soybean yield for ploughing was 1.42–1.78 t/ha, and surface treatment was 1.33–1.66 t/ha. A positive effect on outcome was noted with small doses of nitrogen fertilisers – 10 and 20 kg of active substance per hectare of crop rotation area. With relatively equal yields, surface treatment is a less costly option. Traditional crop rotation (fallow – three years – wheat) and crop rotation with soybeans (fallow – wheat – soybeans – wheat) during the years of research (2015 – 2022) showed similar productivity. Still, higher grain production profitability was achieved in the crop rotation with soybeans: 58.1% compared to 35.8%.

Maise is a promising crop that stabilises crop production in the arid climatic conditions of the Trans-Urals region. To obtain maise feed in this region, especially given the short frost-free period, earlymaturing hybrids are cultivated, and technologies that allow for stable yields are used, typically intensive ones that involve active weed control (which is particularly relevant for row crops) and optimisation of the plant nutrition system. With the systematic increase in the prices of production inputs, primarily herbicides, mineral fertilisers, and fuel and lubricants, it is essential to consider the economic efficiency of technologies in specific conditions. This research aims to provide an economic assessment of various intensity levels of maise cultivation technologies in the Trans-Urals region under modern market conditions and establish economically efficient weed control methods. A comparison of productivity and economic indicators for extensive, regular, and intensive technologies was presented against three primary soil tillage methods: ploughing, minimal, and no primary (autumn) tillage. Comprehensive measures for protecting maise from weeds at different levels of soil tillage minimisation were shown. The economic efficiency of maise cultivation technologies was calculated at 2008 and 2022 prices. It was found that due to the faster rise in prices of chemical inputs compared to fuel and lubricant prices, the economic efficiency of mechanical weed control methods for maise is increasing. Despite a significant increase in fertiliser prices, their application under maise remains highly efficient, confirming the economic advantage of intensive technologies over extensive ones.

The pedigree base of sheep farming in the Zabaikalsky region is concentrated in 8 pedigree farms and nine reproducer farms, as well as in the Autonomous Region "Zabaikalsky Center for Pedigree Livestock Farming." Currently, there are seven pedigree farms and six reproducer farms in the region that are engaged in breeding Zabaikalsky fine-fleeced sheep, with a total population of 76.9 thousand sheep, accounting for 75.7% of the total pedigree sheep population. An analysis of the sheep population in the region over 15 years indicates a decline, which can be attributed to reduced demand for wool production and livestock losses due to fires that affected large areas. It should be noted that wool production has decreased due to cheaper raw materials such as cotton and synthetics. The region has adopted a Comprehensive Program for the Development of Sheep Farming until 2030, the result of which should be an increase in the sheep population from 405 to 655 thousand head, wool production from 964 to 2173 tons, the creation of at least 1,500 new jobs in sheep farming and the processing industry, and the development of high-quality clothing and other consumer products based on wool by the end of 2030. Scientific research justifies the priority development of sheep farming in the region as a traditional branch of agriculture and a tool for preserving the rural way of life. Since sheep farming products are primarily concentrated in private households, where difficulties in selling products are observed, developing a model for interaction between these entities and agricultural organisations, pedigree farms, and reproducer farms is advisable.

Based on Russian-language literature published in the Soviet Union in the early 1970s, this paper presents an overview of the publication of printed materials and the structure of works that covered the history of agricultural economy and industries in the territory of 'barbarian' Europe. It identifies cities, publishers, and printing houses where this literature was published. The published works' typology, thematic directions, and structure are examined. The viewpoints of researchers on the development of hunting, gathering, fishing, agriculture, and animal husbandry in Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, and Early Iron Ages are discussed. The conclusion is drawn that these works were actively published and covered diverse themes, displaying a varied structure. They support the view of the predominance of appropriative economic forms in the early stages and the transition to productive financial records starting from the Neolithic era and subsequent epochs. According to the author, the review of researchers' perspectives allows us to speak about the leading role of hunting as one of the subsistence industries throughout the Stone and Bronze Ages, especially in northern regions and the active development of fishing from the Neolithic period onwards. Starting from this time, appropriative industries gradually gave way to productive ones – agriculture and animal husbandry. However, the leading form of economy heavily depended on physical-geographical and natural-climatic conditions.