Journal articles on the topic 'Aberdeen-Angus cattle – Breeding'

Проаналізовано загальну чисельність племінного поголів΄я, продуктивність м΄ясної худоби абердин-ангуської породи в Україні за період з 2014 по 2017 рік, а також кількість основних племзаводів та племрепродукторів з її розведення. Це дасть змогу вести і корегувати подальшу цілеспрямовану селекційно-племінну роботу з удосконалення та створення вітчизняної ангуської породи. As a result of the research, the issue of the number of breeding cattle of imported Aberdeen-Angus meat breed in Ukraine was studied. The number of breeding plants and breeding products, which specialize in its breeding, has been determined to date. The total number of Aberdeen- Angus in Ukraine in 2017 was 6.520 heads, including cows. At the same time, the number of livestock in both the breeding plants and the breeding farms decreased during the period under review. So, if the Aberdin population had 7649 animals in 2014, then in 2017 it was 6520. Accordingly, the number of enterprises where the cattle of this breed was bred decreased. The largest number of livestock is concentrated in OOO «Buffalo» in Volyn’ region – 1350 heads, including 625 cows. It should also be noted the negative trend of a decrease in both livestock and households. For example, in Zhytomyr region, where in 2015 there were 251 heads of aberdines, at present it is not cultivated by it. For four years out of 20 farms that specialized in this breed, there are 17 in 11 regions of Ukraine. It should be noted that there are areas that do not cultivate Aberdeen-Angus at all, although there are conditions for this. The main indicator of the meat productivity of beef cattle is the living weight. As a result of the analysis it was established that the maximum live weight of full-fat cows is 620 kg, and the minimum weight is 475 kg. In most farms specialize in the breeding of large-type Aberdeen-Angus, and in the rest – small type of British origin. The yield of calves per 100 cows ranges from 65 to 100 %. Live weight of calves at birth on average in Ukraine: heifers – 26.5 kg, bull-calves – 29.4 kg. It again confirms the fecundity of the Aberdeen-Angus. The average daily gain on the suckling is on the average 841 g, after weaning – 887 g. In the economy of beef cattle breeding, the milk of cows is important, on which the calves live after weaning at 7–8 months of age. Milk of cows is low and is in the range of 165–208 kg, which affects the calves' live weight at weaning and it is also a disadvantage of the breed. Given its heterogeneity in origin (British and American), productive indicators and existing shortcomings, a program was developed to create a consolidated competitive Ukrainian Angus meat breed. The program provides for the breeding of a new breed as a result of purebred breeding using rigid selection and selection. Today, work is actively being carried out to create it in Agro-Novoselivka 2009 agrofirm in Kharkiv region. The native breed is created in conditions of resource-saving technology, which in the technological process does not provide for the use of premises, that is, close to the natural conditions.

The aim of this study was to monitor the Czech Aberdeen Angus population for backfat thickness (BT), musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MUSCLE) and live weight (LW) in relation to environmental and genetic conditions. In this study, we also wanted to display the potential for future inclusion of these parameters into national monitoring. Parameters of BT, MUSCLE and LW were measured at 120, 210, and 365 days of age in 769 Aberdeen Angus calves (417 bulls and 352 heifers) on seven farms. Statistical evaluation was performed in the SAS v9.3 software. The bulls achieved significantly higher (P < 0.01) weights and larger MUSCLE compared to the heifers, although the heifers had higher BT. The age of the dam at calving significantly influenced the growth ability of tested calves, but it did not influence BT nor MUSCLE. The nested effect of the year-season, farm and sire bulls (or genetic background) significantly affected LW, BT and MUSCLE of tested calves. The use of the same breeding bulls on different farms resulted in significant differences in growth parameters. Our results displayed the potential of nationwide monitoring of MUSCLE and BT of beef breeds, as official parameters of the beef performance testing in the Czech Republic. The inclusion of these globally used traits in the Czech breeding system would allow to predict breeding values for the Czech beef population. This would lead not only to general improvement of MUSCLE in the population, but also to the production of better breeding animals and slaughter animals with higher value.

Introduction. Aberdeen-Angus breed, selection achievement of United Kingdom, long time ago ceased to be merely a cultural heritage and became a global transcontinental obtainment in beef cattle breeding. Productive "attractiveness" of Aberdeen-Angus breed makes it a popular genetic resource in the cattle branch production. It causes the optimistic results of the statistical analysis of farm animal biodiversity for data of European EFABIS data base, according which the status of this breed can be defined as "not at risk". Ukrainian population of Aberdeen-Angus formed in 1961 by importing breeding stock from Canada and animals of compact small type of Scotland (1962) and the establishment of breeding plant at the research station "Vorzel" of Agrarian Academy of Ukraine. The modern breed area covers 11 regions of Ukraine. According to the State register of breeding subjects in animal breeding on 01.01.2016, the stock has 7637 controlled heads (including 3475 cows, 80 bulls) and concentrated in 23 breeding subjects. For a long time, the Principal breeding center of Ukraine engaged with breeding farms’ development and controlled the situation in the breed. At this institution base bulls were evaluated, semen was sampled and stored, information database of individual data was being formed and automated, breeding program were developed and plans for the bulls’ matching were formed. Currently low share of artificial insemination at 18%, lack of control of live bulls involvement in the matching campaign, limited activities of regional breeding associations on centralized bulls’ assessment resulted in irreversible changes in the genetic structure of Aberdeen-Angus population, phenotypic manifestation of which is the youngsters’ growth and development declining, low efficiency of feed conversion, cows’ milk production decreasing, impairment in reproductive quality, increased exterior faults’ and genetic anomalies level. One of the measures for improvement of breeding herds is individual evaluation of bulls, which can optimize the selection and matching of bulls for breeding stock for calves of high breeding value production. However, the re-orientation in consumer demand, incapability of internal market to ensure profitable beef production and breaks of export-import relations naturally led to a weakening of motivation for breeding bulls branch business and its state control. Thus, according to the technology of beef cattle breeding mainly with natural mating feasible is the realization of sires’ on their own performance evaluation initial phase directly at the base of breeding farms in accordance with "Instructions on beef bulls’ selection" and to perform the Ministry of Agriculture Order N154 on 13.04.2016 on the approving of the "Procedure of sires’ breeding value determination by pedigree, their own performance, and progeny quality testing." Analyzing the quantitative and qualitative indices of economic activity we’ve found that one of the prospective objects for future beef bull evaluation is breeding farm "Buffalo" of Manevychi district, Volyn region. There are 850 Aberdeen-Angus dams (cows, heifers), evaluation power of the farm gives the possibility to evaluate simultaneously more than 400 animals. So, the aim of this paper is the analysis of Aberdeen-Angus bulls’ evaluation on their own performance results. Materials and methods of research. The study engaged 30 Aberdeen Angus breeding bulls of "Buffalo" farm. The selection of animals for evaluation was performed at the 210 days’ age with previously conducted individual analysis of their growth during suckling period, using the materials of electronic information database "ORSEK-M". At the time of evaluation diet of growing calves presupposed gain getting not below 1200 g per day. Analysis of the growth and development of youngsters was done by the results of monthly weighing during the period from 8 to 12 months. Key bull’s measurements was taken at 12 months’ age. The evaluation was carried out according to Regulation "Instruction on beef bull selection". Statistical data processing was performed, using the Microsoft Excel software. Results. Algorithms of determination and calculation of selection indices for evaluation of beef animals are chosen by representative organizations and approved at the level of each state. For countries participating INTERBULL (INTERBEEF) bulls’ evaluation results are converted to a common information data base on which the matching and comparison of data for further use in the breeding work correction. The main features taken into account in the assessment of the breeding value are share of pure blood, live weight at different ages, the intensity of growth for average daily gains, exterior parameters (body measurements, linear features), milk production, calving ease, temperament (for some breeds, such as Charolais), term of economic use, sperm productivity indices and others. According to international recommendations EBV and EPD indices are calculated, which define contribution weight of each feature into integrated breeding value of an animal. Under the current law of Ukraine, the evaluation of beef animals is done with the definition of an integrated class at appraisal, bulls are evaluated by index A – own performance, B – quality of progeny. The main results of sires’ evaluation were obtained during the process of native beef breeds creation. In the course of our studies we’ve initially selected bulls of Aberdeen-Angus breed, taking into account the indices of their individual growth till 7-months’ age. Totally there were selected sons of 7 Aberdeen-Angus bulls, including 5 native and 2 of German selection. Native bulls were of Wright Iver 9251195, BV Vinton 1342, Sauthoma Extra 715968, V.B.M. Henri 158013 lines. At 210 days’ age the average live weight of calves was 228,03 ± 6,750 kg, the average daily gain – 964,1 ± 30,881 g. Coefficient of variation for average daily gain at 17.5% reflects both the individual differences in eating behaviour of the researched calves during suckling and the differences in their mothers’ milk production and nutritional value of milk. The average live weight of animals evaluated at 12 months was 389,3 ± 8,35 kg, average daily gain when growing – 1114,47 ± 34,208 g. The coefficients of variability of these traits are under 11.5% and 16.8% accordingly. Average live weight at weaning and at 12 months’ age exceeded its corresponding values, determined due to the minimum requirements for live weight of beef calves to reach the complex class "elite" and "elite-record." Phenotypic features of farm animals’ body built are the indicators of species’ and breeds’ specificity and individual characteristics of the organism, the totality of which forms the parametric basis for primary estimation of genetic potential of productivity. Expressiveness, harmony and age matching of body parts outline a general picture of individual growth and development and reflect the level of balanced nutrition and optimal technology accepted as a whole. At the group studied the bull's average height in rump at the age of 12 months was 115,70 ± 0,622 cm with a coefficient of variation 2.9%. Chest girth is 158,33 ± 1,18 cm with variability 1.2%. Average body length was 126,63 ± 1,162 cm with a coefficient of variation 5.0%. Testicular circumference, as one of the evaluation parameters of bull reproductive system, was 31,10 ± 0,564 cm with a coefficient of variability 9.9%. Thus, among the recorded traits, the largest variability was indicated on live weight, average daily gain and scrotal circumference. The least variability was indicated on rump height and chest girth. Average value of complex selection index on all the researched bulls is 100,5 ± 0,9. According to the positions of Instructions, 14 calves with complex selection index above 100.0 may be allowed for further use as at the herds with natural mating, so put for assessment on sperm productivity at the State Enterprise "Volynian regional agricultural production enterprise on breeding business in animal breeding." This will allow to re-new the genetic material store from native valued representatives of the Aberdeen-Angus breed and partially restore local control over the use of sires in breeding herds as well as in households. Therefore, it is feasible to continue similar research involving a larger number of animals, to consider the power of influence of mother genotype and conduct further evaluation of sires of Aberdeen-Angus breed on performance of their sons and daughters. Conclusions. In similar conditions of feeding and management the realization of the genetic potential of productivity of Aberdeen-Angus bulls is different. The given results are the first step in the organization of systematic evaluation of sires’ breeding value, analysing of inheritance of key traits of growth and development of animals and rationalization of the use of genetic resources of the breed in general and reduction in cost per unit of production in live and carcass weight.

We predict the stability of breeding values (BVs) for direct effect (DE) and maternal effect (ME) for live weights at 210 days of age in the entire population of purebred Aberdeen Angus cattle in the Czech Republic according to an increase of progeny number in performance recording over a period of 11 years (1997 to 2007) and the course of BVs for DE and ME during the years of observation in animals born until 1997.  Furthermore we compare genetic trends of BVs for DE and ME among animals born in different years and detect the level and significance of correlation coefficients among predictions of BVs for DE and ME performed during the years of observation. The animal model and the BLUPF90 programme were used for these predictions. The used model included the effects of animal, sex, contemporary group, dam, age of dam, and permanent environment of dam. The variance of BVs ranged from 4.96 to 10.87 depending on the year of evaluation and whether it was related to maternal or direct genetic effect. The animals were initially assigned to groups according to their BV in 1997, and this ranking was not affected by the BVs predicted in subsequent years. The existence of a negative correlation between direct and maternal effects was confirmed. The significant correlations (P < 0.0001) demonstrated a strong relationship between the BVs predicted in successive years, e.g. the correlation coefficient for the relationship between BVs for direct effect predicted in the last years of the examined period was above 0.9 and that for maternal effect was above 0.8. 

Abstract. The use of specialized meat breeds in cattle breeding programs is considered very promising for improving herds' productivity. However, in animal genotype, along with genes that positively affect the productivity signs, there are genes whose mutations, known as genetic defects, negatively affect the health of animals. The aim of the study was the screening of the Russian populations of Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Belgian Blue cattle on gene mutations associated with the genetic defects of arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), osteopetrosis (OS), developmental duplication (DD), double muscling (M1), hypotrichosis (HY) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) as well as the F94L polymorphism of myostatin gene (MSTN) linked with the gene responsible for less fat content in the carcass by means of DNA analysis. In the article, test systems based on the polymerase chain reaction method are presented. The analysis of the Aberdeen Angus (n=4480) population has revealed 0.19 ± 0.09 % animal M1 carriers, 0.53 ± 0.03 % OS carriers, 1.92 ± 0.09 % AM carriers and 9.00 ± 0.20 % DD carriers. The genotyping of Hereford cattle of Russian populations (n=525) has not revealed any individual carriers of MSUD or HY genetic defects. All of the Belgian Blue population (n=92) animals were heterozygous M1 carriers. The study of the F94L MSTN polymorphism has demonstrated extremely high frequencies of the desirable A allele (0.93 and 0.90) in two Aberdeen Angus populations with an average mean of 0.63 ± 0.08, which was 32 % higher compared to the Belgian Blue population. The results suggest the high genetic potential of the Aberdeen Angus and Belgian Blue cattle, but the existence in the genotypes of the mutant alleles associated with hereditary diseases indicates the risk of uncontrolled use of these breeds.

A study to find additional reserves for expanding the breeding beef cattle base and improving methods for selecting parental pairswas carried out. The issues of technical approachwere considered to substantiate the milkingabilityaccording to the herd. It characterizes the development of calves in the suckling period and significantlydetermines the weaning weight and the possibility of selection according to this basis. The method for selection of sires of Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus breeds with forecasting of breeding value of the selected trait in the reproduced progeny is presented. The index (IBS index of bull selection) was calculatedaccording to the phenotypic characteristics of the sire's selected traitbyweaning live weight of at least 40 its offsprings (20 bulls + 20 heifers) and average milking yield of the breeding stock, their deviations in herd and from the indicator of the desired type. Studying the breeding qualities of the Hereford and Aberdeen Angus bulls made it possible to draw a conclusion about the expediency of obtaining animals in the studied herds from the sires with a selection index of not less than 106% and 105 depending on their breed and the level of productivity of the breeding stock.

Recent changes to beef production subsidy schemes in the UK has focussed attention on the fertility and reproductive output of suckler beef systems in an attempt to ensure future financial sustainability. Adoption of modern cattle breeding technologies may be more common in the future than they have been in the past as a result of this renewed focus on commercial profitability rather than subsidy reliance. However, relatively little information is available on the biological parameters encountered when modern breeding approaches are employed within commercial crossbred suckler beef management systems in the UK. Previous work (Penny, 2005) has detailed the development of either a triple or double synchronised artificial insemination (AI) programme suitable for use with both multiparous suckler cows and first calving heifers managed as a commercial spring calving suckler herd. The objective of the current report is to detail the effects of breed type and calf sex on average gestation length (GL) in first calving crossbred suckler replacement heifers when mated using a synchronised AI programme.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of sex of calves, year of calving, cows’ parity and sire effect on growth ability to weaning. The evaluation of growth indicators of Aberdeen Angus cattle was performed in the period of 4 years (2010 to 2013) in 2 different farms. A total of 272 calves (bulls, n = 141; heifers, n = 131) were monitored. The indicators of live weight at birth, live weight at the age of 120 and 210 days, average daily gains from birth to 120 and 210 days of age were observed. Statistical software SAS 9.3 was used to analyze the results. The highest result growth parameters of calves were observed from cows on 3rd and 4th parity. In 2012 we observed the highest values of calves’ growth ability compare to others. In evaluating the sire effect differences (P < 0.05–0.01) were found mainly between the top three sires from the first evaluated herd (PAA240, ZAA562, ZAA595) and three sires from the second evaluated herd (ZAA675, ZAA697, ZAA762). The order of sires according to weight in 210 days of their offspring is then almost perfect reflection of the relative breeding values (RBV) for the direct effect of growth.

The results of researches in modern herds of meat breeds – classical British, Aberdeen-Angus and autochthonous gray Ukrainian for conducting of pollination in research farms “Polivanivka” of the Institute of Agriculture of Steppe Regions of NAAS of Ukraine and “Progress” of Chernihiv Institute of Agro-Industrial Production in 2009–2012. The ethological behavior of mothers (cows) and their calves was studied in the conditions of keeping and growing livestock on the technology of meat cattle breeding. Animals for conducting research were selected taking into account age, body weight of cows, sex calves, body weight of calves at birth. Collection of accounting materials was carried out according to the data of the primary technological and pedigree records, artificial insemination magazines, materials of ethological observations. Observations were conducted in accordance with the task of preserving genetic diversity in gene pool herds of Aberdeen-Angus and Gray Ukrainian breeds. The herds of animals in the experimental farms kept the meat keeping technology adopted by the farms. The feeding of breeding stock of animals of these breeds was carried out in accordance with established and accepted at experimental farms rations, which consisted of the presence and number of harvested at farms feed. Obtained materials indicate the plasticity and the ability to control the system reproduction reproductive population in modern economic conditions farms. Attention is paid not only to purely selective approaches, but also an attempt is made to substantiate the necessity of adapting breeding breeds to modern systems of economic relations. Knowledge of the ethology of Aberdin-Angus and gray Ukrainian breeds in the conditions of the forest-steppe and steppe zones of Ukraine will allow controlling the processes of reproduction of mother and repair animals in livestock breeding herds, as well as the conservation of genetic resources of aboriginal breeds.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of selection on the genome structure of beef cattle through identification of selection signatures reflecting the breeding standard of each breed and to discover potential functional genetic variants to improve performance traits. Genotyping data of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, Piedmontese and Romagnola) were used to perform genome-wide scans for selection signatures. The approaches applied were based on an assumption that selection leads to linkage disequilibrium or to a decrease of genetic variability in genomic regions containing genotypes connected with favourable phenotypes. Thus, the selection signatures were analysed based on Wright’s F_ST index, distribution of runs of homozygosity segments in the beef genome and determination of linkage disequilibrium variability between breeds. The number and length of detected selection signals were different depending on the breeds and methodological approaches. As expected due to the breeding goals of analysed breeds, common signals were located on autosomes 2, 6, 7, 13 and 20 close to the genes associated with coat colour (KIT, KDR), muscle development (GDF9, GHRH, GHR), double muscling (MSTN), meat tenderness (CAST) and intramuscular fat content (SCD). But, across the genomes of analysed breeds, unique selection signals were found as well. The subsequent analysis of those single nucleotide polymorphism markers can be beneficial for the genetic progress of studied breeds in future.

Dynamic selection algorithms using quadratic indices to optimise the contributions of selection candidates for maximising rates of genetic gain (ΔG) while constraining the rate of inbreeding (ΔF) in the long-term to pre-defined values, are available (Grundy et al, 1998). Avendaño et al (2001 a,b) applied these optimal selection algorithms on the UK Meatlinc (sheep) and Aberdeen Angus (beef cattle) pedigree breeds and found substantial expected increases (of at least 17%) in the average index score at the observed ΔF. Although these algorithms constitute powerful operational tools for breeding schemes, the framework for deterministically predicting ΔG under optimal selection with restricted ΔF is not yet available. This study presents a novel approach to this problem.

Изучен породный состав и численность племенного скота мясного направления продуктивности в Российской Федерации. На долю мясных пород в мире приходится 40% от всего поголовья крупного рогатого скота. В России специализированное мясное скотоводство как самостоятельную отрасль животноводства начали создавать в начале 30-х годов прошлого века. На современном этапе в нашей стране разводят 12 пород крупного рогатого скота мясного направления продуктивности. К наиболее многочисленным относят абердин ангусскую, калмыцкую, герефордскую и казахскую белоголовую. Относительная численность животных этих пород составляет около 97% от всего поголовья скота мясного направления продуктивности. Лимузинская, галловейская, обрак, шаролезская, салерс имеют небольшой удельный вес, и совсем незначительный — у таких пород, как симментальская мясная, русская комолая и бланк-блю бельж. Территориальные и климатические особенности России позволяют в настоящее время заниматься мясным скотоводством в 59 регионах во всех федеральных округах. В 2000 году разводили 9 пород в 7 округах с численностью племенных животных около 82 тыс. голов. В 2019 году поголовье племенного мясного скота составило более 359 тыс., принадлежащих 12 породам, что в 4,4 раза больше по сравнению с 2000 годом. The article discusses the breed composition and number of breeding cattle for meat production in the Russian Federation. There are thousands of different breeds in the world, but only a few dozen are classified as meat. The share of beef cattle in the world accounts for 40% of the livestock, respectively 60% are dairy cattle. In Russia, specialized beef cattle breeding as an independent branch of animal husbandry began to be created in the early 30s of the last century. At the present stage, 12 breeds are bred in the beef cattle breeding of our country. Numerous breeds include Aberdeen Angus, Kalmyk, Hereford and Kazakh white-headed. The relative number of these breeds is about 97% of animals in the meat production direction. The rest of the breeds (Limousine, Galloway, Obrak, Charolais and Salers) have a lower specific weight. It is necessary to distinguish breeds with an insignificant specific gravity - these are Simmental meat, Russian hornless and blank-blue belge. The territorial and climatic features of Russia currently allow for beef cattle breeding in 59 regions in all federal districts. In 2000, 9 breeds were bred in 7 districts with about 82 thousand breeding animals. In 2019, the number of pedigree beef cattle amounted to more than 359 thousand heads belonging to 12 breeds, which is 4.4 times more than in 2000.

Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) estimates of breeding values (EBVs) for economically relevant traits have been used for selection decisions in the UK Aberdeen Angus (AA) population since the early nineteen nineties. Selection exclusively based on BLUP-EBVs is expected to give higher gains than less accurate selection but can also lead to increased rates of inbreeding (ΔF). Dynamic rules using BLUP-EBVs to maximise genetic merit while DF is constrained to a pre-defined level are currently available (e.g. Grundy et al 1998). They showed that the use of these rules gives higher gains than standard BLUP selection at the same level of ΔF. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of these procedures for optimising selection decisions in the UK AA population.

AbstractThis paper reports the procedures put into place in the UK for the genetic evaluation of pedigree beef cattle and estimation of genetic trends using a comprehensive model to allow critical analysis of progress made under previous data recording schemes. Live weights of Simmental, Limousin, Charolais, South Devon and Aberdeen Angus beef cattle, recorded by the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) from 1970 to 1992 were analysed, as part of a project to introduce best linear unbiased predictions (BLUP) of breeding value in the British beef industry. Birth weights were available from MLC or the relevant breed society, (4000 to 84000 records, depending on the breed) and 200- and 400-day weights were estimated by within-animal linear regression on all available weights (resulting in 8000 to 48000 records per breed). Animals were retrospectively assigned to contemporary groups within herds, separately for each trait, taking account of observed calving patterns. Records were adjusted to correct for heterogeneity of variance between herds. BLUP evaluations were then performed within breed, fitting a multivariate individual animal model. In addition to additive direct genetic effects, additive maternal genetic and dam permanent environmental effects were included for birth weight and 200-day weight. Unknown parents were assigned to genetic groups, based on estimated date of birth. The model included fixed effects for contemporary group, sex, month of birth, birth type (single or multiple), embryo transfer births, fostered calves, breed of dam, proportion purebred and age of dam. Genetic trends were estimated by regressing estimated breeding values for animals on their year of birth. Trends in birth weight, 200-day weight and 400-day weight between 1970 and 1992 were approximately 0·09, 0·73 and 1·38 kg per annum respectively for the Charolais breed; 0·08, 0·76 and 1·33 kg per annum for the Simmental; 0·06, 0·53 and 0·89 kg per annum for the Limousin; 0·12, 1·02 and 1·86 kg per annum for the Aberdeen Angus; and 0·03, 0·38 and 0·82 kg per annum for the South Devon breed.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for age at first calving (AFC) and first calving interval (FCI) for the entire beef cattle population and separately for the Charolais (CH) and Aberdeen Angus (AA) breeds in the Czech Republic. The database of performance testing between the years 1991 and 2019 was used. The total number of cows was 83,788 from 11 breeds. After editing, the data set contained 33,533 cows, including 9321 and 4419 CH and AA cows, respectively. The relationship matrix included 85,842 animals for the entire beef population and 24,248 and 11,406 animals for the CH and AA breeds, respectively. A multibreed multitrait animal model was applied. The estimated heritability was low to moderate. Genetic correlations between AFC and FCI varied depending on the breeds from positive to negative. Differences between variance components suggest that differences between breeds should be considered before selection and breeding strategy should be developed within a breed.

Розглянуто питання щодо проведення порівняльної характеристики різних способів випасання м’ясних корів з телятами на підсисі абердин-ангуської породи на природних пасовищах Лісостепу України та розраховано технологічні карти з послідовними процесами з урахуванням поопераційних витрат праці за добу й увесь пасовищний період. Встановлена доцільність більш ширшого застосування електропастухів під час випасання м’ясної худоби за рахунок економії людської праці, меншої кількості працюючих та більш ефективного використання пасовищ. Breeding cattle is the most important means of making beef production in the conditions of meat cattle breeding, which saves a significant amount of concentrated feed, labor resources, fuel and lubricants, and gives the opportunity to get high-quality cheap beef. In conditions of the Eastern region of Ukraine, when raising the beef of the Aberdeen-Angus breed, resource-saving technology of meat cattle breeding is used. The purpose of these studies was to carry out a comparative study of the various methods of grazing beef cattle with calves in the subsystem on natural pastures and to establish the most effective, low-cost method with subsequent calculations of technological maps with consistent operational processes taking into account labor costs per day and the entire pasturing period. It was found that labor costs significantly influenced the way of grazing livestock, especially when using electric paddle, horse, or foot. Thus, the rates of time spent using the electric heath make up 0,54 minutes/head during its installation and 1,28 minutes/head for general operations, using a horse and grazing on foot – 8,75 and 11,5 min/head, respectively. The greatest percentage of man-hours expenses is attributable to general operations: when grazing on foot is 85.3 %, while grazing with a horse – 81.4 %, and with the use of electric paddle – 45.3 %, including the installation of electrical appliances – 10 %. That is, the advantage of economical use of human labor was on the side of the last method of grazing cattle. Total labor costs in other organically-technological operations of the pasturing period, such as loading, transportation, distribution of feed for the feeding of calves and cows, as well as the supply of water, were 1080 human-hours/per period. In order to ensure the fulfillment of all the necessary technological processes and operations in keeping the Aberdeen-Angus cows with calves on the subspecies (220 heads) during the grazing period, natural grazing in the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine requires the following number of workers: when grazing on foot – 9 people, while grazing with a horse – 7.5 people, using electric paddle – 4 people. Consequently, the expediency of wider use of electric paddles in grazing livestock has been established due to the saving of human labor, fewer workers and more efficient use of pastures.

Introduction. In the structure of meat cattle breeding in Ukraine already a long time the leader in the number among of breeds of foreign origin there is a Aberdeen-Angus. This breed, due to its high manufacturability, is intensively used as a genetic material in the breed-forming process and increase the production capacities of the pedigree base of cattle breeding. At one time, the most intensive works on the development of the breed was conduct on the basis of the SAE "Main Breeding Center of Ukraine". Thanks the validity state support was organized the estimating of bulls for their own productivity and quality of descendants, was formed a bank of deep-frozen sperm and embryos, were created informative electronic card indexes of individual data of pedigree animals. This determines the expediency of analyzing the features of the formation of the genealogical structure of the population of the Aberdeen-Angus breed on the basis of the study of individual herds, which becoming the purpose of this work. The purpose of this work was to investigate the genealogical lines and families in the herd of Aberdeen-Angus breed in SAE "Main Breeding Center of Ukraine". Research materials and methods. The study of the genealogical structure was carried out on the basis of data primary zootechnical accounting in the format of SMDC "Orsek-M", expeditionary examination of the herd and the results of a comprehensive individual estimating of animals. Biometric processing of data was carrying out according to the method of N. A. Plokhinsky with using the software Microsoft Excel. Research results. As of 01.01.2021 year, in the herd of the enterprise total accrued of 155 heads, including 84 cows, which now fertilization of the method of natural mating bulls, purchased from the LLC “Ratnivsky Agrariy”, which obtained by method of artificial insemination of high-producing cows of the 2nd and older calves sperm of bull of Team Z Pecina 4031. Now the uterine stock of the studied herd belongs to the lines Southom Extr – 29 heads, Raito Iver 865 – 18 heads, Villabar 85 – 8 heads, Raito B 1567126 – 7 heads, Vetonk 2446 – 5 heads, Ilinmer Led 173 – 4 heads, Brialhill Sauzerner – 2 heads and the related group Team Z Pecina 4031 – 11 heads. The age of cows fluctuated from 3.1 to 19.2 years, and in the average be 9.8 years. The oldest cows belongs to the lines Raito B 1567126, Brialhill Sauzerner and Ilinmer Led 173, the youngest – to the related group Team Z Pecina 4031 and to the line Vetonk 2446. In the studied herd total detected 23 potential ancestors, which have living descendants of female sex. The most numerous are the families of K. Pride 11212597 – 9 descendants, E. Pride 11153487 – 8 descendants, K. Vessi 10887560 – 7 descendants. The families of Erika 3200797288, Kornela 3200797248, Sara 11756665 and Sandy 951931 presented 5 descendants of female sex of different generations. The minimum age of more than 10 years have the representatives of families of K. Erika 10240733, Beauty 10767437 and Elbe 3200797255, and the maximum age from 18 to 19.5 years – the representatives of families of K. Erika 10240733, Elin 10679739, E. Pride 11153487, Gemmer 10189403. The lowest and the highest average live weight had the newborn heifers the family of Kornela 3200797248 – 24.0 ± 1.7 kg, and the family of E. Pride 11153487 – 33.2 ± 1.5 kg, respectively. The average live weight of newborn heifers in other studied families was following: K. Pride 11212597 – 25.1 ± 0.4 kg; Erika 3200797288 – 28.6 ± 1.6 kg; K. Vessi 10887560 – 29.5 ± 1.5 kg; Sandy 951931 – 30.4 ± 1.6 kg. The average daily gain of live weight of heifers for the period from birth to 12 months of age fluctuated from 615 to 750 grams. The highest and the lowest average live weight at 12 months had the heifers the family of E. Pride 11153487 – 307.0 ± 19.7 kg and the family of K. Pride 11212597 – 249.2 ± 8.5 kg, respectively. Almost identical average live weight had the heifers the families of K. Wessie 10887560 and Kornela 3200797248 – 266.1 ± 11.14 kg and 266.6 ± 6.1 kg, respectively. The age of the first insemination fluctuated from 17.6 months in heifers the family of Erika 3200797288 to 21.4 months in heifers the family of K. Vessi 10887560. The highest average live weight at the age of the first insemination had the heifers the family of Sandy 951931 – 364.7 ± 20.6 kg, and the lowest – the heifers the family of Erika 3200797288 – 303.0 ± 8.8 kg, due to the younger age of their first insemination. Conclusions. Considerable narrowing of the genealogical structure of the modern herd of Aberdeen-Angus breed in SAE "Main Breeding Center of Ukraine" provoke the full absence representatives such classical lines as Ideal 3163, Power Play 8974207 and Showshoun 548. Due to the expansion of the related group Team Z Pecina 4031 will increase the genetic variability, reorganize age structure the uterine stock and direct zootechnical work with families to improve the parameters of individual growth and development of animals.

The search for better reproductive rates in beef cattle breeding must consider some important issues, such as nutrition, health, animal category, type of reproductive technique, and selection of animals. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the body condition score (BCS), the number of uses of the intravaginal progesterone device and the effect of the bull on the gestation rate of lactating beef cows, with different calving orders, submitted to a fixed timed artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol. In the study, 623 Aberdeen Angus cows were used, which were categorized into three groups according to the calving order: primiparous cows, second-parity cows, and multiparous cows. On day zero of the FTAI protocol, an evaluation of the BCS of the cows was performed, using progesterone intravaginal devices (IVD) for 9 days, starting from the D0 of the protocol both for used and new IVD. Semen from three different Aberdeen Angus breeders was used. Statistical analysis was made in the NCSS 7.0 software, using the Chi-square test and a significance value of p<0.05. The calving order influenced the pregnancy rate, with the category of primiparous cows having the lowest rates (p<0.05). The BCS and the number of uses of the IVD showed significance only in the primiparous category, in which animals with BCS equal or above 3.5 obtained a higher pregnancy rate, as well as animals with second-use IVD when compared to other groups (p <0.05). Therefore, primiparous cows presented a lower pregnancy rate when compared to the other categories, as well as the BCS and the number of uses of the IVD.

У статті розглянуто питання щодо характеристики організаційно-технологічних умов при утриманні корів та нетелей абердин-ангуської породи в стійловий період на відкритих відгодівельних майданчиках без використання приміщень в умовах Східного регіону України. В статті розраховано технологічну карту утримання корів та нетелей: об’єм роботи, машини та обладнання, яке використовується при обслуговуванні тварин, витрати праці, кількість обслуговуючого персоналу. Наведено розрахунки найбільш працемістких елементів технології. The organizational and technological conditions were assessed and the meat cows and Aberdeen-Angus breeds were kept in the stall period at open feeding grounds without using capital facilities in the Eastern Region of Ukraine. The article contains a technological map of the contents of cows and heifers - the amount of work, machines and mechanisms that are used in servicing animals, labor costs, and the number of attendants. The calculations of the most labor-intensive elements are made with the content of cows and heifers in the stall period in conditions of energy-saving technology of beef cattle breeding.

A large number of diff erent groups of livestock diseases in which heredity plays a signifi cant role are currently reported. In particular, more than 500 genetically determined morphological and functional disorders have been detected in cattle; for 150 of them, specifi c mutations are known. The sale of bovine genetic materials is associated with the spread of various diseases caused by mutations that occur in the prominent representatives of breeds. The abundance of lethal mutations in the populations requires a broader application of molecular diagnostic methods for detection of monogenic hereditary diseases. DNA pyrosequencing, being the most convenient technique for the rapid diagnosis of single nucleotide mutations in the bovine genome that are located in the regions with known nucleotide sequence, has a potential for meeting this need. Pyrosequencing-based methods for identifi cation of the most common signifi cant mutations in Holstein, Simmental, Brown Swiss and Aberdeen Angus cattle were developed, validated and approved at the FGBU “VGNKI”. Such mutations are associated with leukocyte adhesion defi ciency, complex vertebral malformation, uridine monophosphate synthetase defi ciency, citrullinemia, spinal muscular atrophy, spinal cord demyelination, Brown Swiss haplotype 2, Weaver syndrome, developmental duplications, α-mannosidosis, dwarfi sm, bovine male subfertility, trombocytopathya, arachnomelia syndrome, hypozincemia-like syndrome. These methods are intended to test semen in the breeding centres, scientifi c laboratories working in the fi eld of biotechnology and animal reproduction, livestock reproduction centres. The use of the proposed genetic tests to detect mutant alleles, as well as reduced use of mutation-bearing animals in stock breeding will allow minimizing the occurrence of inherited diseases and thus improving the gene pool of cattle in the country.

In beef cattle breeding, unlike dairy farming, the only product is a calf. Therefore, the industry's competitiveness directly depends on the annual retention from each cow and heifer calf, the preservation of calves, and the high growth energy of young animal growth throughout the rearing period. These indicators are influenced by many factors, one of which is the breeding technology. The colostrum period is the most critical; newborn calves that do not receive adequate attention at the beginning of this period die within the first two days of life or have growth retardation. Given this, it becomes urgent to establish the level of dependence between young animals' growth and the technology of keeping cows and calves during the colostrum period. The studies were performed on cows and calves of the Aberdeen-Angus breed having problems in interaction during the colostrum period due to a weak maternal instinct in cows or a sucking reflex in calves (problem pairs' cow-calf). The growth rates of bull-calves and heifers were studied: live body weight, average daily gains, absolute gains, and multiplicity of live weight gain. The factor of a new technological element - the transfer of problem pairs' cow-calf into correction sections, in the colostrum period, on the further growth of young growth was analyzed. Our studies have shown a potential difference (P=0.999) between the live weight of bull-calves, which in the colostrum period were transferred together with the cows to the correction sections, and those for which no correction sections were used. The advantage in live weight at the age of 18 months is 27% and 28% (P=0.999) in favor of bull-calves that were transferred; they prevailed by 28% (P>0.999) in average daily gains, and by 28% and 29% (P=0.999) in absolute terms. When compared by live weight at the age of 18 months, the heifers, which had been transferred to correction sections during the colostrum period, had an advantage of 26%. The average daily and absolute gains in these heifers were 29% greater than the heifers, which were not transferred.

Cooperia, Haemonchus and Oesophagostomum are the genera of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes most prevalent in cattle and constitute a serious problem in cattle breeding due to the impact they have on meat and milk production and the high costs of control measures. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of Bioverm® (Duddingtonia flagrans) in the control of gastrointestinal parasitism of young cattle raised in the field, in the Central-West region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted on a farm located in the municipality of Jangada, MT, where 18 cattle, Nelore and Aberdeen Angus breeds, aged six to ten months, were randomly divided into two groups (treated group and control group) and distributed in paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens, naturally infested by larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes. The animals in the treated group received 1g of Bioverm® for each 10 kg of body weight, administered daily with commercial feed, throughout a period of six months. In the control group, each animal received 1 g of rice bran for each 10 kg of body weight, without Bioverm®, added to the feed. Stool and pasture samples were collected every two weeks. The treated group showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in values of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) and a significant gain of body weight (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. The fungal formulation Bioverm® was effective in pasture decontamination and consequently in reducing the occurrence of reinfection by nematodes. The animals treated with Bioverm® showed a lower parasitic load and greater weight gain.

<p><span lang="EN-US">The aim of the research is to assess the amino acid composition of veal from different genotype bull-calves concerning the usage in baby food production. A comparative analysis of the essential amino acids content in meat of calves of <span>black-and-white motley breed,</span> Aberdeen Angus breed and black and white crossbreeds grown according to the traditional technology of dairy cattle breeding hasn’t showed any significant differences. However, some differences were observed for each separate amino acid. Although the difference in amino acids was 2. 9% in favor of <span>black-and-white motley breed</span>. According to the amino acid composition, the calves meat of Charolais breed is biologically more complete than the Aberdeen Angus calves meat of the first generation in the valine content by 7.4%, isoleucine by 45.3% (P &lt;0.001), leucine by 15.2% (P &lt;0.001), lysine by 7.8%, threonine and phenylalanine + tyrosine by 6.5% (P &lt;0.05) and 7.5% (P &lt;0.01), respectively. Amino acid content was limited by the sum of amino acids phenylalanine + tyrosine (80.2%) in purebreds and methionine + cystine (83.4%) in <span>crossbreeds</span>. The other amino acids content was more than 100%; it indicates a high biological and nutritional value of veal. In the first experiment, the degree of compliance with the norms of a balanced diet is 37.4-38.2%. The human body's need for such essential amino acids as valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine + tyrosine is satisfied for more than 20%; the human body's need for leucine, lysine, and threoni9ne is satisfied for more than 30%. Veal of the Charolaise young is distinguished by higher indicators. The degree of its compliance with the norms of a balanced diet is 43.8% against 37.6% in hybrid calves. It is proved that veal obtained from young animals of different breeds in ecologically clean zones has a high biological and nutritional value, it corresponds to the indices for meat raw materials for baby food in accordance with Sanitary Norms 11-63 RB98.</span></p>

The hides, obtained from the slaughter of beef cattle, are valuable raw materials for the leather industry. Their value is determined by thickness, size, density, elasticity and other technological properties, development of subcutaneous fat and connective tissues which depend on breed, sex, age, conditions of animal keeping, climate, its temperature and humidity conditions, feeding. 5 groups of bull-calves of Ukrainian Beef, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Charolais and Simmental breeds (15 head) were formed in accordance with the methods at "Polyvanivka" experimental farm. Ration of feeding was similar for all the groups and consisted oftypical feed for steppe zone of Ukraine. In summer green feed in structure of diet was 25%, roughage– 33%, 42% of concentrates and in winter succulent – 23%, roughage – 18%, grain – 41%, herbal pellets of alfalfa – 14%. Access to food was free (feeding space – 1 meter), eating of feed – good (97-98%), they consumed 7.5 feed units and 800 g of digestible protein. The average daily gains of live weight were within 1 kg per head. Clinical and haematological parameters showed that all the bull-calves were physiologically healthy. The hidesof bull-calves at the age of 12 months were classified by weight as heavy (more than 25 kg). Yield of bull-calves’ hides of Hereford, Aberdeen Angus and Charolais breeds was the highest at the age of18 months, Ukrainian Beef and Simmental – at 30 months of age. This figure is not dependent on breeds of animals, but on weight of hides. In accordance with the habitus the hides of Ukrainian Beef, Charolais and Simmental bull-calves were longer, and Hereford exceeded analogues in width. Hides of Ukrainian Beef and Charolais cattle predominated by area. In our research, the thickness of the hides of animals with age naturally and consistently increased in all standard points: atthe elbow from 3.2 to 7.7 mm, at the last rib – from 3.2 to 7.4 mm, on sacrum – 4.7 to 8.8 mm. That is, during the period from 12 to 30 months of age thickening of hides at the elbow was an average of 2.4 times, at the last rib – 2.3 and sacrum – 1.9-fold (P <0.99). The chemical composition of hides in all the age periods remained stable. But tendency to reducing the proportion of water and increase of the fat content was noticeable with age. The share of protein and ash increased, but much slower. It is clear that weight of hides, their length and width, area and thickness which characterize the product properties and chemical composition don’t determine a high quality of raw hides. In this context we brought the hides of the investigated bull-calves in UkrNIIKP, where they were processed in the chrome-tanned leather for shoe upper at the experimental factory of the institute. The leather had a smooth, flat front surface and was full, soft, elastic, without hairinessin the final form. The findings indicate the differences between cattle of different breeds on expenditure of raw hides at production of leather for shoe upper by the current technology. More pronounced saving in raw materials was obtained at the processing of hides of Ukrainian Beef and Simmental bull-calves. Class of leather in all the studied groups exceeded the industry average (85.4% – first-class units). The results of physical and mechanical tests confirmed that the leather, produced from the hides of the bull-calves of the studied breeds, on the basic parameters complied with the requirements of the standard in the industry. Southern climate of Ukraine does not adversely affect the formation of skin of imported Hereford, Aberdeen Angus and Charolais bull-calves. The hides of beef bull-calves in all the age periods (even till 30 months) are the raw materials of sufficient quality and first-class leather can be made from it. Accelerating the development of specialized beef cattle-breeding in the steppe zone of Ukraine can reduce import of leather and thus save certain amount of currency funds.

Modern animal husbandry in Ukraine is an integral part of the market economy and is based on the use of advanced production technologies and not a large number of highly productive domestic or foreign breeds of farm animals. It has been established that the progress of the livestock industry is not possible without determining the changes that occur with breeds and livestock of breeding animals in the subjects of breeding business. It is well known that only breeding animals are able to display high genetic potential for productivity and to pass it on to offspring. Understanding of the state of the breeds is necessary to forecast product volumes that are consistent with country safety, and to determine the populations that need to be preserved or restored in the context of the global problem of wildlife biodiversity conservation. The purpose of the work was to identify the species and breeds of farm animals that have formed the livestock sector of Ukraine at the beginning of the third millennium, and to identify changes that have occurred with the genetic resources of farm animals and to identify the breeds most vulnerable to the number of females under control. Analysis of the state of dairy and combined dairy and meat breeds in the breeding herds of Ukraine made it possible to conclude that as of January 1, 2019, compared to the beginning of 2002, the number of cows in Ayrshire, Angler, Lebedyn, Simmental, Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy, Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy, Polish Red and Red Steppe decreased breeds. The increase in the number of cows occurs among the Ukrainian Whiteheaded, Holstein and Swiss breeds. Breeding herds for breeding cattle of Carpathian Brown, Ukrainian Brown Dairy breeds and Pintsgow are not functioning. The endangered include Angler, Ukrainian Whiteheaded, Ukrainian Brown Dairy and Polish Red breeds. A comparative analysis of the number of cows of beef breeds in the subjects of breeding business of Ukraine in the dynamics of 2002–2019 indicates the preservation of all breeds, except for pentiges. In 2019, compared to 2002, cows increased in herds of Aberdeen-Angus breed, Hereford, Limousine, Southern Beef, Polissian Beef, Light Aquitan, Ukrainian Gray and Charolais. A significant decrease in the number of cows in Volinian Beef breed, the Znamensk type of Polissian Beef, Simmental Beef and Ukarainian Beef. The few in Ukraine at this stage include Hereford, Light Aquitan and Ukrainian Beef. The state of pig breeding in the breeding farms on 01.01.2019 indicates the disappearance of breeding herds in which pigs of English selection Large White breed, Large Black and Myrgorod breeds were breed. At present, only Large White breeds and Landrace pigs can be competitive in numbers, and the rest should be considered non-numerical. Sheep breeding, which is represented in Ukraine by the largest number of breeds and breed types, did not have any breeding herds in 2019, where in previous years bred Askanian Fine-Fleece breed, Askanian type of Black-Headed sheep with crossbred fleece, Olibs, North-Caucasian, Polwars, caucasian the Kharkiv type of the Ukrainian Meat-Fleece breed, the Tsigai breed and its two types, as well as the multi-breed type of the Karakul breed. Simultaneously with the disappearance of the above breeds new breeds or types appeared, among them: Bukovyna type of Askanian Meat-Fleece breed with crossbred fleece, Merinolandshaft, Dniprovian Meat (Dnipropetrovsk type), Romanivska. The smallest number of breeding queens of falcon and dark-headed Latvian breeds was established. The changes that took place in the field of horse breeding of Ukraine during 2002–2019 relate to the creation and elimination of breeding herds in which horses were bred by Budyonnivska, Russian Heavy Draft and French Trotter breeds. No information is available in the State Register of Breeding Herds about the Gutsul and Torian breeds, as well as the Shetland Pony, may be regarded as the disappearance of these breeding herds. In 2019, compared to 2002, the number of mares of Newolexandrian Heavy Draft, Orlov Trotter, Russian Trotter, Trakenian, Ukrainian Saddle and Thoroughbred Saddle horse breeds declined significantly. The gene pool of horses has expanded only due to the Hanover breed. Analysis of the status of other species and breeds of farm animals is not optimistic and indicates a decrease in the number of females and, consequently, a decrease in the gene pool of these breeds.Without the introduction of effective state conservation and support programs, as well as policy changes in the agricultural sector, Ukraine will continue to reduce livestock of agricultural animals, especially domestic autochthonous or local breeds, continuing the sad tradition of the world in reducing breed biodiversity.

Эффективность специализированного мясного скотоводства можно повысить за счет реализации интенсивных технологий. Целью нашей работы было изучение влияния различных уровней кормления бычков абердин ангусской породы по периодам выращивания, откорма, длительности производственного цикла на продуктивность и качество говядины. Длительность периодов и продолжительность производственного цикла были следующие: первый период колебался по I, II, III группам — 138, 155, 178 дней; второй — 145, 163, 186 дней; третий — 143, 161, 182 дня. Удельный вес концентратов по питательности составлял по группам 30, 40, 50%, а питательность израсходованных кормов за цикл соответственно 3233, 3045, 2914 ЭКЕ. В целом за весь производственный цикл выращивания и откорма бычки достигли одинаковой живой массы (441,5—445,3 кг). При этом животные III группы по среднесуточному приросту превосходили своих сверстников из I группы на 205 г, или на 28,7% (Р<0,001), а бычков II группы на 112 г, или на 15,7% (Р<0,001). Расход кормов на 1 кг прироста колебался от 7,7 корм. ед. в I группе до 7,0 корм. ед. в III (разница 11,0%), в то время как затраты концентратов в I группе по сравнению с III были меньше на 31% и во II — на 15,4%. Средняя масса парной туши по группам составила 235,8—240,4 кг, они имели хороший жировой полив туш (16,8—18,5 баллов) и убойный выход (53,4—54,0%). Наибольший уровень рентабельности получен при реализации бычков III группы (36,8%).The effectiveness of specialized beef cattle breeding can be improved through the implementation of intensive technologies. The aim of our work was to study the influence of different levels of feeding Angus breed Aberdeen bulls on the periods of cultivation, fattening, duration of the production cycle on the productivity and quality of beef. The duration of the periods and the duration of the production cycle were as follows: the first period ranged in groups — 138, 155, 178 days; the second — 145, 163, 186 days; the third period — 143, 161, 182 days. The specific weight of concentrates on nutrition was in groups of 30, 40, 50%, and the nutritional value of consumed feed per cycle, respectively, 3233, 3045, 2914 EKE. In General, for the entire production cycle of growing and fattening bulls reached the same live weight (441.5—445.3 kg). At the same time, animals of group III exceeded their peers from group I by 205 g, or by 28.7% (P<0.001), and bulls of group II by 112 g, or by 15.7% (P<0.001). Feed consumption per 1 kg of growth ranged from 7.7 feed. units in group I up to 7.0 feed. units in III (difference 11,0%), while the costs of concentrates in group I compared to III were less by 31% and in II — by 15,4%. The average mass of steam carcass of the groups was made amounting to 235.8—240,4 kg, they had a good watering fatty carcasses (16,8—18,5 points) and slaughter yield (53,4—54,0%). The greatest level of profitability obtained with the implementation of the calves of group III (36.8 per cent).

Представлен краткий анализ состояния племенных ресурсов мясного скотоводства России, проведена сравнительная оценка основных пород по комплексу признаков, характеризующих молочность коров, сохранность и интенсивность роста молодняка. Численность поголовья основных пород рассчитана на основе данных Ежегодников по племенной работе в мясном скотоводстве в хозяйствах Российской Федерации за 2015 и 2018 года по породной структуре и размещению пробонитированного скота по регионам. Племенной скот характеризуется более высоким продуктивным потенциалом по всему комплексу хозяйственно полезных признаков. Доля племенного скота в сельскохозяйственных организациях и К(Ф)Х сократилась с 18,9 до 17,4 %. Среди пород племенного поголовья скота высокой молочностью (220 кг и более) отличаются шаролезская, лимузинская, обрак и абердин-ангусская. Самым высоким выходом телят на 100 коров к отъему характеризуются калмыцкая (86 голов), казахская белоголовая (82 головы), галловейская (79 голов) и абердин-ангусская (71 голова) породы. По интенсивности роста молодняка лучшими показателями обладает скот пород обрак, симментальская мясная, лимузинская, шаролезкая и герефордская. Эти показатели пород имеют существенное различие по регионам, поэтому породное разнообразие является безусловным конкурентным преимуществом мясного скотоводства России. This article presents the analysis of breeding resources for Russian meat cattle industry and comparative assessment of main breeds by a set of characteristics that characterize the milk production of cows, the safety and growth rate of young animals. Based on data of breeds’ structure and breeding cattle’s placement by region, the number of main breeds’ livestock at the Russian Federation was calculated. To assess the number of main breeds’ livestock, we used the data from Yearbook of breeding work at dairy and meat cattle breeding in the Russian Federation for 2015 and 2018. Breeding livestock is characterized by higher productive potential for the entire range of economically useful features. The share of breeding livestock at agricultural organizations decreased from 18.9 % in 2015 to 17.4 % in 2018. The Charolaise breed, Limousine, Aubrac and Aberdeen Angus are characterized by high milk yield (220 kg or more). The highest yield of calves for weaning per 100 cows have Kalmyk breed (86 heads), Kazakh White-headed (82 heads), Galloway (79 heads) and Aberdeen Angus (71 heads). According to the intensity of young animals’ growth, the best indicators have Aubrac breed, Simmental meat, Charolaise, Limousine and Hereford. These indicators of breeds have a significant difference by region, so the breed diversity is the absolute competitive advantage of meat cattle breeding at Russian Federation.

High meat quality and specifically meat tenderness are desired traits by the consumers, however the environmental impact of meat production is becoming a relevant factor in the industry. Therefore, breeding of dual purpose cattle breeds may answer the high demand of meat production in the future. In this study we identified statistical differences between genotypes of CAST and CAPN1 gene variants with meat quality traits in a dairy breed (Nordic Red Cattle) and compared the results with beef breed (Aberdeen Angus). Our results show that the favorable alleles have not been selected in the studied dairy breed and thus could be used as a tool for improvement of meat quality. The genes were associated with specific meat quality traits (i.e. sensory juiciness, marbling score and meat color) also in the dairy breed. This supports the utility of known meat quality associated genetic variants to improve meat quality in dairy breeds.

Рассмотрены состояние и перспективы развития мясного скотоводства в Российской Федерации. Проведен мониторинг численности поголовья, породного состава и продуктивности мясного крупного рогатого скота во всех категориях хозяйств, изучены масштабы и объемы бонитировки скота за 20102018 годы. По данным Минсельхоза России, в 2018 году поголовье крупного рогатого скота в стране составило более 18 млн голов, в том числе численность животных специализированных мясных пород во всех категориях хозяйств достигла 2,26 млн голов. Комплексная оценка 711,16 тыс. голов, или 34,1 от общей численности мясного скота, в том числе 389,8 тыс. коров, принадлежащих к 15 породам и типам, разводимым в 57 регионах Российской Федерации показала, что наибольшее подконтрольное поголовье имеют абердин ангусская порода (417545 гол.), калмыцкая (137262 гол.), герефордская (87278 гол.) и казахская белоголовая породы (52563 гол.). Все подконтрольное поголовье животных является чистопородным и IV поколения, в том числе 99,7 быков-производителей и 99,3 коров. Анализ живой массы пробонитированного поголовья выявил тенденцию к ее повышению у коров всех возрастов в среднем на 54 кг, быков производителей на 39 кг, или на 16,7 и 5,2 за последние 9 лет, соответственно. Живая масса коров по итогам 2018 года в среднем составила 546 кг, быков-производителей 791 кг. По состоянию на 1.01.2019 года, племенная база мясного скотоводства страны представлена 270 племенными стадами, в том числе 46 племенными заводами и 224 племенными репродукторами. В 2018 году в различные категории хозяйств из племенных предприятий было продано 35517 голов племенного молодняка, в том числе 6388 ремонтных бычка с классами элита и элита-рекорд (85,3). В 2018 году было продано племенного молодняка в расчете на 100 коров галловейской породы 33,0 головы, казахской белоголовой 29,1 герефордской 28,0 калмыцкой 22,2 лимузинской 15,5 абердин ангусской 8,8 русской комолой 8,2 и симментальской мясной 4,7 голов. На основании мониторинга состояния мясного скотоводства страны за 20102018 годы были намечены перспективы дальнейшего развития.The article considers the state and prospects of development of beef cattle breeding in the Russian Federation. The number of livestock, breed composition and productivity of beef cattle in all categories of farms was monitored, the scale and volumes of bonding of cattle for the studied 9-year period (20102018) were studied. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, in 2018 the number of cattle in the country amounted to more than 18 million heads, including the number of cattle of specialized meat breeds in all categories of farms reached 2.26 million heads. A comprehensive assessment of the number of livestock in the amount of 711.16 thousand animals or 34.1 of the total number of beef cattle, including: cows 389.8 thousand heads belonging to 15 breeds and types bred in 57 regions of the Russian Federation, showed that the largest controlled livestock are: Aberdeen Angus breed 417545 animals, Kalmyk 1372726 animals, Hereford 87278 animals and Kazakh white-headed breed 52563 animals. Almost all of the controlled livestock of animals is purebred and IV generation, including: respectively 99.7 of bulls producers and 99.3 of cows. The analysis of live mass of a livestock revealed a tendency to its increase at cows of all age on average on 54 kg, bulls on 39 kgor for 16.7 and 5.2 for the last 9 years respectively. The live mass of cows following the results of 2018 averaged 546 kg, bulls 791 kg. As of January 1, 2019, the breeding base of beef cattle breeding in the country is represented by 270 breeding herds, including: 46 breeding plants and 224 breeding reproducers. In 2018, 35,517 heads of pedigree young animals were sold to various categories of farms from pedigree enterprises, including 6,388 repair bulls with elite classes and an elite record record for appraisal (85.3). An analysis of the sales volume of pedigree young animals in the context of farmed meat breeds showed that in 2018 pedigree young animals per 100 cows were sold in the country: Galloveian breed 33.0 goals, Kazakh white-headed 29.1 goals, Hereford 28, 0 goals., Kalmyk 22.2 goals., Limousin 15.5 goals., Aberdeen Angus 8.8 goals, Russian kolola 8.2 and Simmental meat 4.7 goals. Based on the monitoring of the state of beef cattle breeding in the country for the study period (20102018), prospects for further development were outlined.

Для организации селекционно-племенной работы необходимо уточнение данных о родстве потомков крупного рогатого скота молочного и мясного направлений продуктивности при помощи молекулярно-генетических методов. Для осуществления этой задачи производилось сравнение данных первичного учета о родстве животных из информационно-аналитической системы (ИАС) СЕЛЭКС с менделевским наследованием генотипов от родителей потомкам, определенных при помощи ДНК тестирования. В качестве определения родства использовался простой и доступный метод анализа микросателлитных локусов ядерной ДНК. Для выполнения исследований создан и систематизирован банк образцов ДНК животных (крупный рогатый скот молочного и мясного направлений продуктивности) в количестве 4716 голов. Показана степень ошибочных записей в родословной потомков по данным первичного учета и результатов генотипирования на адаптированной панели 15 микросателлитных участков ядерного генома животных предприятий Тюменской и Курганской областей, а также ХМАО-Югра. Из 531 «троек» (мать-потомок-отец) животных молочного направления продуктивности выявлено не менее 88% совпадений по обоим родителям. По родителям для черно-пестрой породы выявлено до 3% ошибочных записей в родословной потомков, для голштинской – до 11%. Для мясных пород животных величина ошибок по генетической идентификации для абердин-ангус составила до 10% и герефорд – до 25%. Установлено, что микросателлиты являются инструментом для определения достоверности происхождения по международному стандарту и проверки данных первичной регистрации зоотехнических данных и генетической идентификации крупного рогатого скота молочного и мясного направлений продуктивности. It is necessary to clarify data on the relationship of cattle progeny in the directions of dairy and meat production by molecular genetic methods and organization of breeding work. To accomplish this task, a comparison of primary registration data on the relationship of animals from the information-analytical system (IAS) was carried out taking into computation the Mendelian inheritance of genotypes from parents to offspring identifi ed using DNA testing. A simple and affordable method for analyzing micro-satellite nuclear DNA loci was used as a defi nition of genetic relationships. A genetic bank of cattle samples was created and systematized for 4716 animals for research purposes. The extent of incorrect entries in the pedigree of descendants is given according to the primary counting data and the results of genotyping in the panel of 15 micro-satellite loci for animal enterprises of the Tyumen and Kurgan regions, as well as the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra was observed. At least 88% of the matches were found for both parents of 531 “triples“ (mother-offspringfather) animals of the milk cattle. Up to 3% of incorrect entries in the pedigree of offspring for the black-motley breed and up to 11% for Holstein were identifi ed for their parents. The genetic identifi cation errors for meat breeds for Aberdeen Angus was achieved in 10% and Hereford to 25%. It is established that micro-satellites are a tool for determining the accuracy of origin, according to the worldwide quality standard. They are suitable for verifying primary zoo-technical data and genetic identifi cation of dairy and beef cattle.