EFFICIENCY OF RAISING YOUNG ANIMALS FOR BEEF PRODUCTION IN BEEF CATTLE BREEDING

One of the most challenging tasks of the country's agro-industrial complex is to increase meat performance, in particular beef. In this context, the role of Kalmyk cattle is of considerable importance, primarily due to the breed’s distinctive and economically valuable trait of natural meat maturity. To enhance the productivity of beef cattle, many farms have increasingly adopted continuous calving practices, particularly during the winter and spring seasons. These calving periods are of interest to livestock breeders due to their high calf yield, early maturity, efficient feed conversion, strong growth rates, desirable meat conformation, and relatively lean beef. The article presents data on the effect of the birth season of Kalmyk bull calves of different genotypes on their meat performance. The study found that calving from the Moryak-12054 line during the winter period (January–February), followed by raising the offspring for beef production, significantly enhances the meat performance of male calves compared to autumn-born counterparts. Specifically, male calves from winter calving showed an increase in carcass weight by 26.8 kg, or 15.0%. Additionally, slaughter weight and slaughter yield were higher by 29.9 kg and 0.8%, respectively. The profitability of beef production for winter-born male calves was 16.3% higher than that of male calves born in the autumn period. Winter-born male calves receive more stable and favorable conditions for growth at an early age, which provides them with an advantage in developing muscle mass and overall meat performance compared to autumn-born male calves.