Condition of meat breed resources of cattle in Russia (review)

The purpose is to monitor the number and analyze the condition of the main breeds of cattle of meat productivity, bred on the territory of the Russian Federation. Currently, in Russia, mainly Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford breeds are being bred from meat-producing breeds, and from domestic breeds – Kalmyk and Kazakh white-headed, as a rule, in the southern territories and it is ineffective in terms of their meat qualities, although the genetic potential is quite high, but without updating the gene pool, attempts to improve the productivity of our breeds of cattle, will be in vain.Methods. The methodological basis of the study is the methods of systematization, logical and comparative statistical analysis. The information base of the research is the official materials of yearbooks in breeding work in beef cattle breeding (VNIIplem), periodicals.Results. The breeding zone of the Kazakh white–headed breed includes a continuous strip along the southern territories of our country - from the Volga to the Amur region, including bordering areas with the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as foothill and mountain provinces of Central Asian countries. The distribution area of the Kalmyk breed is quite extensive and covers the southeastern territories of the country - from the North Caucasus regions to Eastern Siberia. It should be noted that the trend of reducing the number of domestic meat breeds as a result of the introduction of a foreign gene pool into our country, where the conditions of keeping and feeding for imported imported cattle, as a rule, do not correspond to the full realization of productive qualities, and therefore, the adaptation process proceeds strenuously and leads to the loss of the industry. It seems more rational to introduce the world's genetic resources to improve economically useful qualities and improve the inherent genetic potential of domestic livestock, including through industrial crossing. In this regard, the Kazakh white-headed breed is quite competitive in relation to many imported breeds, and given its adaptive qualities, it should occupy its niche among other specialized meat breeds in the market of beef producers.