The problem of reproduction of purebred livestock to preserve the unique properties of native breeds of cattle in Russia

Abstract

Modern Russian cattle breeding reflects the continuing trend of reducing the number of domestic unique aboriginal dairy breeds, and the remaining individual populations largely have the presence or absorption effect of the Holstein breed. The purpose of our research was to monitor the farms of the Arkhangelsk region for the preservation of the unique properties of the Kholmogorsky breed, where its genetic potential and the number of purebred livestock were historically concentrated. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: determination of the specific weight of the Kholmogorsky livestock in farms for various purposes (breeding plants, breeding farms, breeding producers); analysis of reproduction indicators of cows of the bull-producing group, the proportion of their bloodline and linear affiliation in crossing schemes. The main array of cattle surveyed by the farms of the region is represented by highly holstinized livestock (blood count above 75%), which reduces the period of economic use and productive longevity. A comparative analysis of the latter (productive longevity) showed that purebred Kholmogors were statistically not inferior to Holsteins.