The influence of targeted selection on the exterior and productive indicators of Stavropol sheep in the dry steppe zone of the Volga region

Abstract

Relevance. Purposeful selection contributes to obtaining the optimal type of sheep of the Stavropol breed with improved exterior and productive parameters in the steppe conditions of the Volga region.Methods. The experiment took place in the CJSC “New Life” of the Novouzensky district of the Saratov region. The research material is purebred sheep of the Stavropol breed. Formation of experimental groups of queens (3): during selection into constitutionally productive types, an eye-dimensional assessment of external forms was used, which was specified by the measurements of body articles, live weight. In the first group were selected queens with a deviation to the strong type of constitution, in the second — to the gentle, in the third — to the loose. They mated with strong-type tups.Results. The offspring were formed: group I — from strong queens, II — tender, III — loose types. At birth, group III ewes had an advantage over I by 1.70%, over II — by 7.47%. Group I was superior in live weight to group II by 5.67%. In 4.5 months, “loose x strong” offspring exceeded “strong x strong” by 2.43%, “tender x strong” — by 12.27%. “Strong x strong” had an advantage over “gentle x strong” by 9.61%. According to the exterior at birth, the descendants of “loose x strong” surpassed “strong x strong”, “tender x strong” in chest width by 19.52; 5.78%; chest circumference — by 6.08; 10.99%, “strong x strong” prevailed over “gentle x strong” in chest width by 32%; chest circumference — by 4.62%. The trend of changing body measurements was observed at 4.5 monthsas well. According to the downness index at birth, “tender x strong” exceeded “strong x strong”, “loose x strong” by 8.03; 9.12%, at 4.5 months “strong x strong” had superiority over “tender x strong”, “loose x strong” by 3.77; 4.77%. All the young animals inherited the constitutional and productive characteristics of their parents, which is important in the inbreeding selection of sheep of the Stavropol breed in the Volga region.