Features of growth and meat productivity of Hereford and Kalmyk bull calves

Abstract The purpose of the research is to study the peculiarities of growth and meat productivity of Hereford and Kalmyk bull calves bred in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus. The object of the research were Hereford (group I) and Kalmyk (group II) bull calves. A more complete realization of the genetic growth potential of Hereford cattle took place by the end of the research – at the age of 18 months, when the superiority of animals of this breed over the Kalmyk breed representatives was 22.6 kg (P>0.99). Heavier hot carcasses of Herefords with a difference of 18.8 kg (P>0.99) testified to their greater fullness. As a result of the differences in the mass of the hot carcass and internal fat, the highest slaughter weight and its yield were obtained from representatives of the Hereford breed, who surpassed their peers of the Kalmyk breed in these indicators by an average of 21.4 kg (P>0.99) and 2.8 abs.% (P>0.99), respectively.