The cow Luka from EkoNiva’s Ryazan subdivision has become the vice champion at the Best Ryazan Cows 2025 trade show.

The Group’s local enterprises breed Holstein cows, one of the most productive ones in the world. At the peak of lactation, their milk yield exceeds 80 kg per day. However, to win the prize, it is not sufficient – a cow must also have a balanced build corresponding to the conformation of the breed. There should be a level back line, strong limbs, a wide, deep chest with an open intercostal space and a large udder with good attachment to the body. The mammary veins must be clearly visible on the udder and belly – this is an important indicator that the cow is able to produce a lot of milk. The contestant from EkoNiva housed on Nesterovo dairy farm in Pitelino district has all the necessary characteristics. In addition, Luka boasts excellent performance: during the second lactation, it gave over 60 kg of milk. At the breeding trade show, the cows also needed to demonstrate the harmony of movement next to a human. Luka had been trained by cattle operator Tolib Kendzayev and had begun to treat him with full confidence by the event. As a result, the cow was at its best and won the vice-champion title.

‘The secret of a successful performance at such contests lies behind the sterling work of the entire team. Our specialists are constantly improving the cows’ genetic pool. Special attention is paid to the selection of sire semen so that the future generation surpasses its ancestors in all respects. Animal conformation also depends on such factors as housing conditions, proper milking and nutrition. Combined, all this results in excellent breeding values, as well as high yields’, says Tatyana Arkhipkina, Chief Breeding Herd Manager at EkoNiva’s Ryazan subdivision.

This is not the first time that the animals from the Group’s local farms have been ranked among the region’s best ones. In 2023, the cow Gadalka from Shatsk dairy also became the runner-up at the same breeding trade show.