PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MEAT BREEDS REARED IN TUVA

The aim of the study is to investigate the conformation indices and live weight of specialized beef animals kept on pasture all year round in the Republic of Tuva. Objectives: to study the conformation indices of specialized beef breeds of different age and sex groups; to determine the live weight indices. The object of the study was animals of different ages of beef breeds. To determine the conformation of the animals, measurements were taken, body conformation indices were calculated, and live weight of the animals was determined and compared with the standard values of the breed. Full-grown Kalmyk cows were below the standard in oblique body length by 10.6 %; height at withers – by 3.6; chest girth – by 10.6; chest depth – by 16.3 %; Hereford animals were smaller in height at withers by 1.9 %; oblique body length – by 2.7; chest depth – by 25.9; chest girth – by 4.8 %. In terms of pastern girth, both breeds were almost at the same level as the standard. In the region, the live weight of adult Hereford bulls is 75.7 % of the breed standard, compared to 68.3 % of the Kalmyk breed, and approximately 96.0 % of the breed's cows for both breeds. Herefords are characterized by a faster maturation period, with the advantage in absolute weight gain of young Herefords being 3.5 kg in the 0-3 month period and 8.8 kg in the 3–6 month period. Research has shown that achieving the standard for beef breeds is difficult in year-round pasture conditions without supplementary feeding, so supplementary feeding with grain feed is recommended.