Acclimatization and productive qualities of American origin Aberdeen-Angus cattle pastured at the submontane area of the Northern Caucasus

Abstract

Beef production remains one of the most difficult and time-consuming sectors in cattle breeding. The purpose of this work was to establish the productivity and acclimatization abilities of the Aberdeen-Angus breed of American selection to the natural and climatic conditions of Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. The experimental research was performed in Hummer Company LLC of Ust-Dzhegutinsky District of Karachaevo-Cherkessia Republic, Russian Federation. The object of the study was livestock of Aberdeen-Angus breed imported from the USA (Dodge City, Kansas). The research was conducted by setting up the scientific and technical experiments, summarizing and analyzing the data of the zootechnical registration. To study the specific features of acclimatization and adaptation of animals, five experimental groups with 20 heads each were organized. The groups were formed of daughters of bulls Gar New Design 5050 (I group); Three Trees Prime Cut 0145 (II group); Boyd Poundmaker 21 (III group); Woodhill Foresight (IV group); Vermilion Nebraska M404 (V group). It was found that the Aberdeen-Angus cattle of the American selection showed rather high adaptation potential, which resulted in quick acclimatization to the changed environmental conditions and adaptation to the conditions of housing and feeding. The animals had a high thermal stability index ranging from 58.1 to 74.3, with the highest thermal stability indices of 70.8 and 74.3, respectively, of Gar New Design 5050 and Vermilion Nebraska M404 bull calves. The best adaptation coefficient indices were also obtained for calves of Gar New Design 5050 and Vermilion Nebraska M404 bulls. The descendants of all five breeds have high stress resistance values and are characterized by optimal reactions to pain irritation. In terms of natural resistance the daughter of bulls Gar New Design 5050 and Vermilion Nebraska M404 were superior to their peers. The structure of the hair cover of cows in groups I and V was the most adapted to environmental changes. During the period of sucking the bulls born from cows of I and V groups had significantly higher average daily gain in live weight, which allowed at the age of 6 months to have a live weight of bulls of 201.0 and 203.5 kg respectively.