The state of dairy cattle breeding in the Kurgan region

The purpose of the work was to analyze the state of dairy cattle breeding in the Kurgan region. In the region measures are systematically taken to improve the efficiency of the organization of selection and breeding work, improve reproduction traits, introduce advanced feeding methods, and organize artificial insemination of farm animals. Breeding work with dairy cattle in the region is aimed at creating animals that combine the adaptive properties and valuable features of Black-and-White cattle of the Trans-Urals with high productivity and suitability for intensive technology. It has been established that the average milk yield for 305 days of lactation for the controlled livestock in the region in 2019 was 6558 kg of milk. This was less than in the previous year by 0,73 % or 48 kg. According to the results of 2019 the average milk yield of cows in stud farms was 8098 kg, which was by 6,6 % less than in 2018. Pedigree breeding units worked more successfully where the average milk yield of cows increased by 1,54 % and amounted to 6777 kg. The productivity of cows in stud farms was by 19,5 % higher than in pedigree breeding units. Average age of cow culling in all categories of farms in the region in 2019 amounted to 3,4 calving, which was at the level of previous years. This indicator was slightly higher for pedigree breeding units in 2019, it was 3,9 calving. The main reason for the culling of animals is gynecological diseases for this reason 22,56 % of the cows in the farms in the region were culled, and in pedigree breeding units 30,34 % of cows. Recently, the main focus in the Kurgan region is on obtaining animals with a high proportion of genes for Holstein breed.

Organization of Breeding of Beef Cattle in the Pedigree Breeding Unit OOO "Galloway Kostroma"

Представлена система содержания, кормления, производственного использования и селекционная работа с мясным скотом галловейской породы в стаде племрепродуктора, в климатических и кормовых условиях Костромской области. Исследовано влияние паратипических и генетических факторов на эффективность разведения мясного скота в Нечернозёмной зоне Российской Федерации. Ресурсосберегающая технология производства мяса при чистопородном разведении галловейского скота, применяемая на предприятии, позволяет получать высокие показатели воспроизводительной способности животных и интенсивности роста молодняка: выход телят на 100 коров – 85–88%, среднесуточные приросты живой массы молодняка в период выращивания – 852 г. Это свидетельствует о хорошей реализации генетического потенциала животных галловейской породы, при одновременном соответствующем научном обеспечении селекционной работы с племядром стада. Успешная адаптация мясного скота галловейской породы является предпосылкой для перспективного его разведения и повышения эффективности отрасли мясного скотоводства. The system of management, feeding, industrial use and breeding with beef cattle of the Galloway breed in herd of pedigree breeding unit, in climatic and fodder conditions of the Kostroma region is presented. The influence of paratypic and genetic factors on the efficiency of breeding beef cattle in the non-black-earth zone of the Russian Federation was investigated. The resource-saving technology of meat production in purebred breeding of the Galloway cattle used at the enterprise allows to obtain high indicators of animal reproductive ability and growth intensity of young animals: calf yield per 100 cows – 85–88%, daily live weight gain of young animals during the rearing period – 852 g. This indicates a good realization of the genetic potential of the Galloway animals breed, while ensuring appropriate scientific support for breeding work with the herd nuclear stock. Successful adaptation of the Galloway beef cattle is a prerequisite for its promising breeding and improving the efficiency of the beef cattle breeding industry.

Development of sub-tropically adapted diverse provitamin-A rich maize inbreds through marker-assisted pedigree selection, their characterization and utilization in hybrid breeding

Malnutrition has emerged as one of the major health problems worldwide. Traditional yellow maize has low provitamin-A (proA) content and its genetic base in proA biofortification breeding program of subtropics is extremely narrow. To diversify the proA rich germplasm, 10 elite low proA inbreds were crossed with a proA rich donor (HP702-22) having mutant crtRB1 gene. The F2 populations derived from these crosses were genotyped using InDel marker specific to crtRB1. Severe marker segregation distortion was observed. Seventeen crtRB1 inbreds developed through marker-assisted pedigree breeding and seven inbreds generated using marker-assisted backcross breeding were characterized using 77 SSRs. Wide variation in gene diversity (0.08 to 0.79) and dissimilarity coefficient (0.28 to 0.84) was observed. The inbreds were grouped into three major clusters depicting the existing genetic diversity. The crtRB1-based inbreds possessed high β-carotene (BC: 8.72μg/g), β-cryptoxanthin (BCX: 4.58μg/g) and proA (11.01μg/g), while it was 2.35μg/g, 1.24μg/g and 2.97μg/g in checks, respectively. Based on their genetic relationships, 15 newly developed crtRB1-based inbreds were crossed with five testers (having crtRB1 gene) using line × tester mating design. 75 experimental hybrids with crtRB1 gene were evaluated over three locations. These experimental hybrids possessed higher BC (8.02μg/g), BCX (4.69μg/g), proA (10.37μg/g) compared to traditional hybrids used as check (BC: 2.36 μg/g, BCX: 1.53μg/g, proA: 3.13μg/g). Environment and genotypes × environment interaction had minor effects on proA content. Both additive and dominance gene action were significant for proA. The mean proportion of proA to total carotenoids (TC) was 44% among crtRB1-based hybrids, while 11% in traditional hybrids. BC was found to be positively correlated with BCX (r = 0.68) and proA (r = 0.98). However, no correlation was observed between proA and grain yield. Several hybrids with >10.0 t/ha grain yield with proA content >10.0 μg/g were identified. This is the first comprehensive study on development of diverse proA rich maize hybrids through marker-assisted pedigree breeding approach. The findings provides sustainable and cost-effective solution to alleviate vitamin-A deficiency.

Efficiency of milk production depending on the age of cows at first calving

The article presents the materials of studying the influence of age and development of replacement heifers on milk production and further lifetime productivity of cows. The economic indicators of milk and lifetime productivity, duration of the use of cows for breeding purposes depending on the age of first calving and live weight were analyzed. The studies were carried out in 2009–2019 in the pedigree breeding unit of Irkutsk region. The indicators of productivity of cows of the black-andwhite breed of the Pre-Baikal type at different ages of first calving (22–28 months) were studied. The material of the work was the information database of animals from the breeding program Selex. Organizational, technological and economic research was carried out according to generally accepted methods. The ways of increasing milk and lifetime productivity of cows, increasing the profitability of dairy production on farms were determined. On the basis of the analysis, the optimal timing of calving and introducing first-calf heifers into the main herd in order to obtain profit was established 22 months from birth with a live weight of 530-540 kg. These cows showed the highest productivity during the first lactation, however, their lifetime productivity proved to be the lowest. The highest lifetime productivity was recorded in cows whose age at the first calving was 27 months; proceeds from sales of additional produce received by the farm amounted to 131191 rubles. It was found that cows whose first calving age was 28 months had a decrease in lifetime productivity (25382 kg/head), the cost of additional produce from these animals was 102577 rubles/head.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF COWS OF THE YAROSLAVL BREED OF DIFFERENT GENOTYPE FOR HOLSTEIN

Изучены показатели хозяйственно полезных признаков чистопородных ярославских коров и их помесей разной доли кровности по голштинской породе в условиях племенного репродуктора Тверской области. Анализ показал, что с повышением кровности по улучшающей породе достоверно увеличиваются удои коров всех возрастов. При этом содержание жира и белка в молоке животных разных генотипов существенно не изменилось. По показателям воспроизводительной способности у голштинизированных помесей разной доли кровности практически по всем учтенным признакам существенных и достоверных различий не отмечено. Однако достоверные различия между группами отмечены в параметрах продуктивного использования коров. Так, максимальным количеством лактаций отличились чистопородные ярославские коровы: средний возраст выбывших животных (n=436) составил 4,7 лактации. Второе место по данному показателю занимают полукровные коровы — 4,42 лактации. Дальнейшее повышение или снижение кровности по голштинской породе приводит к резкому сокращению срока продуктивного использования коров до 2,24 и 2,17 лактации, соответственно. Чистопородные ярославские коровы, имея сравнительно низкий удой за 305 дней 1-й лактации (3806 кг), обладали максимальным сроком использования (4,7 лактации) и, следовательно, их средний пожизненный удой составил 20389 кг молока при среднем удое за одну лактацию — 4338 кг. При этом высококровные помеси с долей крови более 51%, наоборот, обладая высоким удоем за 1-ю лактацию (5049 кг), имели сравнительно короткий срок эксплуатации (2,24 лактации), показав в итоге пожизненный удой всего 14677 кг молока при среднем удое за ряд лактаций 6552 кг. Более высокая продуктивность помесных коров не компенсировала потери молока из-за сокращения продолжительности продуктивного использования. The indicators of economic traits of cleanbred Yaroslavl cows and their hybrids with different blood proportions in the Holstein breed in the conditions of a pedigree breeding unit of the Tver region have been studied. The analysis showed that with the improving breed blood increase, the milk yield of cows of all ages significantly increases. At the same time, the fat and protein content in the milk of animals of different genotypes did not change significantly. In terms of reproductive capacity in Holsteinized hybrids of different blood proportions, no significant and reliable differences were noted for almost all considered signs. But significant differences between the groups were noted in the parameters of cows productive usage. Thus, cleanbred Yaroslavl cows distinguished with the maximal number of lactations: the average age of the retired animals (n = 436) was 4.7 lactations. The second place in this indicator is taken by half-bred cows - it amounts 4.42 lactations. A further increase or decrease in blood count in the Holstein breed leads to a sharp reduction in the period of productive cows usage to 2.24 and 2.17 lactations, respectively. Purebred Yaroslavl cows, having a relatively low milk yield in 305 days of the 1st lactation (3806 kg), had the maximum usage period (4.7 lactations) and, therefore, their average lifetime milk yield amounted 20389 kg of milk with an average milk yield of 4338 kg per lactation. At the same time, high-blooded hybrids with more than 51% blood count of, on the contrary, having a high milk yield per the 1st lactation (5049 kg), had a relatively short usage period (2.24 lactations), resulting in only 14677 kg of the lifetime milk yield with the average milk yield of 6552 kg for a number of lactations. The higher productivity of crossbred cows did not compensate the milk losses due to the reduced duration of productive use.

Combining Ability Studies for Identifying High Sugar Yielding Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Genotypes

Combining ability analysis provides information about the gene action involved in the expression of a trait and facilitates breeding of superior cultivars. Hence, 45 hybrids evolved from 10 parent half-diallel were evaluated for combining ability to identify good general combiners and superior cross combinations for high ethanol yield from sweet sorghum. RSSV-21-2 has been identified as the best general combiner. It can be used in pedigree breeding programme for the incorporation of desired traits for enhancing ethanol yield. ARS-SS-35-1 × NSS-218 and ARS-SS-83 × NSS-221-2 have been identified as the best specific combinations. These could be exploited in heterosis breeding programme.

DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF Ornithonussus spp. IN BREEDER HENS AND ROOSTERS IN THREE GENETIC LINES ON A FARM IN SOLANO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA

Acarosis in birds may cause irritation, stress, reduction of food intake and, consequently, reduction in egg production and quality. In this sense, the Ornithonyssus sylviarum mite is considered one of the most aggressive mites to bird health due to its permanent behavior. The objective of this work is to determine the presence of Ornithonyssus spp. in three genetic lines of pedigree breeding chickens and roosters on a farm in the state of California, USA, and identify the species of Ornithonyssus spp. present in the three genetic lines studied. A sampling of 103 pedigree chickens and roosters was carried out to determine the presence of Ornithonyssus spp. The samples were collected from the feathers under the cloaca, preserved in 70% alcohol, then rinsed with 10% sodium hydroxide and evaluated, by direct observation through the microscope and stereoscope, in order to visualize and identify their morphological characteristics. The results show the presence of Ornithonyssus spp. in 99.0% (102/103) of the birds, identifying an average of 135, 121 and 30 mites per bird according to lines A, B and C, respectively. The species identified were Ornithonyssus sylviarum, Ornithonyssus bursa and Ornithonyssus bacoti in 89.8%, 1.4% and 0.8% respectively, with 8.1% Ornithonyssus spp. In conclusion, Ornithonyssus spp. was present in the pedigree breeding chickens and roosters in the three genetic lines. Ornithonyssus sylviarum was the predominant species.

Vaccination of cows against mastitis-an alternative to antibiotics application

Data demonstrating the effectiveness of the antimastitic vaccine in bred livestock farms in the Sverdlovsk region by examining the level of diagnosed mastitis and the index of somatic cells (SCC) in milk are given. Application of animal immunization against mastitis revealed that 6 months after the first vaccination of animals in the pedigree breeding unit and plant, the number of identified mastitis reduced by 16.6% and 7.3%, respectively, and the level of SCC in the milk of highly productive cows by 26.5% and 10.7%, respectively. 12 months after the first vaccination protocol was applied. The overall number of animals with evidence of mastitis in the pedigree breeding unit and plant was 13.3% and 7.5%, respectively. The SCC level in 1 organization was 290 thousand/ml, and in 2 - 450 thousand / ml. The research found a significant reduction in the diagnosed mastitis in animals after 32 months due to the application of the antimastitis vaccine. The overall number of diseases reduced by 30.6% in organization 1 and 26.2% in organization 2 comparing to the period of the beginning of vaccination. Results: the dynamics of decrease in asymptomatic and clinical mastitis in organization 2 comparing to the period at the time of immunization was 19.5% and 11.1%, respectively. And in organization 1, the level of asymptomatic and clinical mastitis decreased by 16.9% and 9.0%, respectively. The quantity of SCC in the milk of cows kept in the research organization 1 had a value of 152 thousand/ml, which is 83.9% lower comparing to the first period of the study. The level of SCC in the tested samples of milk of animals kept in organization 2 was 263 thousand/ml, which is 62.2% lower than this index before the application of the animal vaccination program against mastitis.

Reproductive Qualities of Romanov Sheep with Regard to the Paratypic Factors

The article discusses the results of own studies of the authors, the literature data, and the best practices of Romanov sheep breeding. The research was performed at the two Romanov sheep pedigree breeding units in the Tver region, LLC Rassvet and LLC PF Pokrov. This breed has several advantages, such as the possibility of insemination in any season, early maturing, multiparity, the quality of sheepskin, and the taste of the lamb meat. The authors studied the productivity and the reproductive ability of ewes depending on the season, the age of insemination, the live weight, the birth type of the lamb crop. More lambs are obtained in the lambings during the autumn and winter from the ewes after three and more lambings. The survival rate is higher in the winter and summer lambings. The optimal time of insemination is 12 – 13 months. At these farms, three lambings were obtained in two years.