Analysis of breeding qualities of Volgograd sheep bred under different agroecological conditions

Purpose. Analysis of selection traits of the breeding stock of Volgograd sheep in farms of the Volgograd, Rostov regions and the Republic of Bashkortostan. Materials and Methods. The analysis was carried out using reports on the results of animal assessment in the period from 2021-2023 and cards of breeding farms (quantitative and qualitative indicators of productivity and selection and breeding work at breeding plants, in breeding reproducers and gene pool farms for breeding sheep and goats), submitted by farms in the Volgograd, Rostov regions and the Republic of Bashkortostan. Results. To ensure the effective breeding of sheep in livestock breeding organizations, measures are taken annually to qualitatively assess farm animals to determine their breeding or economic value. The indicator of the qualitative composition of the sheep population, namely the proportion of breeding sheep, queens and yars older than one year, on average in the farms of the Volgograd region exceeds the indicator of farms of the Rostov region and the Republic of Bashkortostan in the elite class by 5.6 and 10.7%, respectively, and in the farms of the Rostov region this indicator was 5.1% higher compared to with the indicator of the economy of the Republic of Bashkortostan. On average, the indicators of live weight and shears of wool for rams-producers in the economy of the Volgograd region were higher compared to the indicators of rams-producers in the economy of the Rostov region by 2.9 (3.0 kg) and 45.9% (2.3 kg) compared to the economy of the Republic of Bashkortostan – by 16.1 (14.7 kg) and 42.3% (2.2 kg), respectively. The indicator of the live weight of sheep-producers on average in the farm of the Rostov region exceeded 12.8% (11.7 kg), and according to the cut of wool it was lower by 1.9% (0.1 kg) compared to the indicator of the farm of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Sheep breeding in the Volgograd region farm in terms of live weight and wool shearing exceeded the average sheep breeding in the Rostov region by 1.7 (1.0 kg) and 36.0% (0.9 kg), and compared with the economy of the Republic of Bashkortostan – by 7.9% (4.3 kg) and 70.0% (1.4 kg), respectively. On average, the indicator of live weight and sheared wool of ewes in the farm of the Rostov region was higher by 6.0 (3.3 kg) and 25.0% (0.5 kg) compared to the indicators of ewes in the farm of the Republic of Bashkortostan. On average, in the Volgograd region, the output of lambs per 100 ewes exceeds the similar indicator of farm in the Rostov region by 9.2% (10 heads) and the Republic of Bashkortostan by 25.3% (24 heads). However, in the Rostov Region farm this indicator was 14.7% higher (14 heads) compared to the indicator in the Republic of Bashkortostan farm. Conclusion. Analysis of selection signs showed that Volgograd breed sheep in farms of Volgograd, Rostov regions and the Republic of Bashkortostan meet the requirements of the breed standard, and in some cases exceed these indicators, despite the different agro ecological conditions of its breeding. Based on the above, it is advisable to recommend the breeding and sale of purebred animals in order to increase breeding characteristics in commercial farms. In turn, this will contribute to the growth of the domestic sheep breed and the production of high-quality products in Russia.