BIOLOGICAL AND ADAPTIVE ABILITIES OF YOUNG CATTLE OF HEREFORD AND ABERDEEN-ANGUS BREEDS AND THEIR CROSS-BREEDS IN ARID TERRITORIES OF WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a persistent anomalous development of the climate. As a result of which pastures have been scorched, the yield of hayfields has sharply decreased, and temperature drops have been observed. In these conditions, the scientifically grounded choice of the breed and the creation of new genotypes adapted to local conditions and market requirements is an urgent problem. The object of the study were young stock (bulls-calves, heifer calves) and adult cattle (cows) of the Hereford, Aberdeen-Angus, and Kazakh whiteheaded breeds and young cattle cross-breeds of Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus bulls with scrub cattle. The article presents the analysis and determination of the breed resources of beef cattle for obtaining environmentally-safe beef. The study was conducted to establish the degree of adaptation of non-Kazakhstani beef breeds to the natural and climatic conditions of the West Kazakhstan region. Cross-bred animals had more pronounced adaptive properties in terms of hair cover and hair structure of the 1st and 2nd control groups. Simultaneously, in terms of main parameters of changes in hair cover and hair structure, purebred animals of the Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus breeds of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, in general, were characterized by rather good adaptive properties depending on changes in the external environment. The data on the biochemical composition of blood indicated the normal physiological state of animals of all groups. They showed good adaptive capabilities to the sharply continental climate of the steppes and semidesert of West Kazakhstan in animals of all groups.