Hereford Breed Research Articles

Local mineral feed additives in the rations of steers of Hereford breed

Animals imported to Yakutia from other regions fall into feeding and housing conditions that differ from their usual agro-climatic conditions, which causes the problem of their adaptation. Yakutia is one of the areas where the feed of its own production has a lack of basic minerals, which affects the health and productivity of animals, which has an additional negative influence on the adaptation process of imported cattle. In order to replenish macro- and microelements in the body, it is necessary to introduce various local mineral feed additives, premixes, and use mineral salts into the ration. Under the conditions of Central Yakutia the influence of local mineral feed additives (zeolite of the Khonguruu Deposit in the Suntar district and sapropels of local lakes) containing macro- and microelements that increase the meat productivity of steers has been studied. As a result of the research the influence of local mineral feed additives on meat productivity and physiological condition of Hereford steers has been established. Influence of zeolite and sapropel in a complex with mineral salts on digestibility of nutrients of the ration and use of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus by experimental animals has been defined. The influence of feed additives on the quality of meat products has been studied. The results have shown that the use of local mineral feed additives in the composition of ration of steers during the fattening period at a dose of 0,7 g zeolite per 1 kg of live weight of the animal and 200 g of sapropel in combination with 10 g of mineral salts contributed to the gain in live weight, carcass weight, carcass yield, yield of edible parts, and economic efficiency of fattening. For the entire period of the experiment the gain in live weight in groups was: in control group 2222,9 kg, in the 1st experimental group 2396,2 kg, in the 2nd experimental group 2471,1 kg. The total economic effect for the 1st experimental group for the period of experiment amounted to 44,3 thousand Rubles, for the 2nd experimental group 78,0 thousand Rubles or per 1 head/day 14,06 and 24,76 Rubles, respectively.

Effect of the bovine TG5 gene polymorphism on milk- and meat-producing ability.

Aim:This study aimed to determine the effect of thyroglobulin (TG5) gene polymorphism on milk and meat productivity in the various cattle breeds currently bred in the Republic of Bashkortostan.Materials and Methods:The test was performed on dairy cattle of Black-and-White, Bestuzhev, and Simmental breeds, and meat cattle of Hereford and limousine breeds. The purpose of the test was to search for associations between the polymorphic alleles of the thyroglobulin (TG5) gene and economically useful traits.Results:All studied breeds showed a frequency predominance of the TG5C allele (from 0.56 to 0.71). A clear trend of an effect of the genotypes of the TG5 gene on milk-productivity indicators was revealed; cows with the TG5TT genotype have the highest milk yield and fat content in milk. The milk of cows of Bestuzhev and Simmental breeds that possessed this genotype was also characterized by higher protein content.Conclusion:We identified an effect of the polymorphism of the TG5 gene in the Hereford and limousine breeds on fat metabolism intensity indicators, such as fat output and fat content, in the longissimus muscle and in the general sample of ground beef.

Association of CAPN1 and GH genes with productivity traits in Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle

The Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle was developed by crossing local breeds with the Hereford breed in Kazakhstan in the 30s of the last century. This breed is adapted to arid conditions of extreme continental climate. The goal of the investi-gations was the assessment of the genetic structure of the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed based on the genes of calpain (CAPN1) and somatotropic hormone (GH) and analysis of the association of genotypes for these genes with productivity traits. The main argument for this aim is research works illustrated that both genes could affect on meat productivity traits in other breeds of cattle. 352 blood samples from representatives of Kazakh Whiteheaded animals of different sex and age groups were genotyped for the CAPN1 and GH loci. As a result, it was firstly proved that Kazakh Whiteheaded animals, who are CC homozygosis at the CAPN1 locus and VV homozygosis at the GH locus, reliably exceed animals without C and V alleles on the productivity traits such as milk production, average daily body weight gain, and pre-slaughter body weight, slaughter weight, carcass weight, flesh weight, chemical composition and histological characteristics of meat. It was also shown that the frequencies of the desired alleles and genotypes of these loci are rather low the frequency of the C allele was 0.11–0.17, and the frequency of the CC genotype was 0.03–0.06 in different age and sex groups; the frequency of the V allele was 0.19-0.40, and the frequency of the VV genotype was 0.03-0.31. Thus, planning selection for Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle, it would be useful to take into account the assessment of ani-mal genotypes at the CAPN1 and GH loci to increase the proportion of animals with the desired genotypes.

ПОЛИМОРФИЗМ ГЕНА СОМАТОТРОПНОГО ГОРМОНА В СВЯЗИ С КАЧЕСТВОМ ТУШ МЯСНОГО СКОТА

Abstract—Meat productivity and meat quality are determined by both paratypical and genetic factors. In this regard, investigating the genetic material for the presence of desirable allele combinations of genes associated with growth and development traits, as well as meat qualities of animals, has scientific and practical significance. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between growth hormone gene polymorphism and beef cattle carcass quality. A scientific-economic experiment was carried out in the period from 2014 to 2017. Fattening bull-calves of the Hereford (115 animals) and Limousin (114 animals) breeds were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction followed by subsequent analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (SNP GH-L127V). It was revealed that the studied bull-calves have a similar distribution of genotypes; the homozygous genotype GHLL (47.83 and 52.63%) and allele GHL (0.69 and 0.71%) were the most common. It was found that, compared to GHVV bull-calves, GHLL bull-calves had statistically significantly higher indicators of preslaughter live weight, carcass meat weight, slaughter weight, and loin-eye area; in Hereford cattle, slaughter yield was also higher. The results of examining the morphological composition of half-carcasses proved the high impact of SNP GH-L127V on the chilled carcass weight and the meat content. These figures were statistically significantly higher for half-carcasses of GHLL and GHLV bull-calves compared to GHVV animals. Analysis of the weight and yield of natural anatomical parts of half-carcasses obtained from Hereford and Limousin bull-calves with different genotypes did not reveal a significant difference between the indicators. However, for both breeds, animals with genotype GHLL had higher chilled half-carcass weight and weight of their natural anatomical parts than animals with genotype GHVV. Thus, SNP GH-L127V genotyping can be used as an additional criterion in breeding and selection of animals to improve meat qualities of cattle.

Genotypical features of the exterior development of Hereford bull-calves

An analysis of previous years shows that there is a gradual increase in the rate of breeding and pedigree work, its intensification, which is caused primarily by the implementation of new methods of biotechnology and population genetics. In this regard, the improvement and development of new criteria for cow evaluation taking into account created highly productive lines, types, and populations are relevant for science and practice. There was carried out scientific and economic research in order to characterize the main indicators of the breeding value of cows that belong to the created hornless Ural-type Hereford breed of domestic breeding. The influence of these indicators on the formation of the productivity of bull-calf progenies fell under the characterization as well. There were formed five groups of full-aged cows (5-8 years) different in productive qualities to determine the influence of the productive value of mother cows on the pedigree and productive qualities of progenies. Cows of all groups were inseminated by the deep-frozen seed of Hereford bull of the “elite-record” class produced by Golub 4168. Five groups of experimental bull-calves were formed by the method of groups-analogs from the resulting progeny. The analysis of weight and linear growth of the progeny bull-calves showed that all the animals normally developed being characterized with the general patterns of ontogenesis. At the same time, bull-calf progenies of cows different in productive value were inherent in some features - the average live weight of bulls of group III was larger than those of its peers from groups I, II, IV, and V by 27.4 kg (6.3 %, P>0.95), 64.1 kg (16.1 %, P>0.999), 28.9 kg (6.6 %, P>0.95), and 47.4 kg (11.4 %, P>0.999), respectively.

Evaluation of Hereford bulls by the quality of their offspring over various periods of growing their offspring under farm conditions

The greatest success in improving the breeding and productive qualities of Hereford cattle can be achieved through the use of high-value breeding bulls. The role of producers at the modern stages of beef cattle breeding has increased dramatically, so the evaluation of bulls by the quality of offspring has become an important breeding event to improve and create highly productive herds of beef cattle. At the same time, the use of bulls that are predisposed to various diseases or the deterioration of their offspring can cause irreparable negative consequences for beef cattle breeding. In the course of research work in the conditions of the farm, studies were conducted to assess the quality of bulls-producers of the Hereford breed of cattle. Evaluation of Hereford bulls by the quality of offspring in farm conditions will increase the efficiency of herd reproduction technology in beef cattle breeding, allow rational use of bulls, get a high yield of calves (90-95%), organize the accuracy of accounting for the origin of young animals, increase the level of breeding work to improve the productive, breeding qualities of animals and create highly productive herds of Hereford cattle in a shorter time.

Beef for baby food from bulls and castrates

The research was conducted to compare bulls and castrates in relation to the morphological composition of carcasses, the yield of beef suitable for the production of baby food products, and the quality and safety of raw meat. The research was based on the results of monitoring the safety of the environment, feed, and meat raw materials during the growing and fattening of steers with a meat productivity direction. The pre-slaughter weight and the yield of lean beef of 16-month-old Hereford bull-calves are higher in comparison with castrated animals of the same age, by 6.4 and 1 %, respectively. The muscle tissue of castrates contained 11.5 % of fat, and bulls 9.7 %. The protein content in the longest muscle of bulls was 19.8 %, and in castrates-17.0. The amount of fat beef that is not suitable for baby food is higher in castrate carcasses by 4.7 % compared to bull calves. A high protein quality index of the longest muscle of bulls (6.5) indicates a higher biological value of beef compared to meat from castrates (4.1). In terms of the content of residual amounts of pesticides, toxic elements, and antibiotics, the meat of castrates and bulls of the Hereford breed had no significant differences.

Development of management tools in the context of NBIC convergence

The greatest success in improving the breeding and productive qualities of Hereford cattle can be achieved through the use of high-value breeding bulls. The role of producers at the modern stages of beef cattle breeding has increased dramatically, so the evaluation of bulls by the quality of offspring has become an important breeding event to improve and create highly productive herds of beef cattle. At the same time, the use of bulls that are predisposed to various diseases or the deterioration of their offspring can cause irreparable negative consequences for beef cattle breeding. In the course of research work in the conditions of the farm, studies were conducted to assess the quality of bulls-producers of the Hereford breed of cattle. Evaluation of Hereford bulls by the quality of offspring in farm conditions will increase the efficiency of herd reproduction technology in beef cattle breeding, allow rational use of bulls, get a high yield of calves (90-95%), organize the accuracy of accounting for the origin of young animals, increase the level of breeding work to improve the productive, breeding qualities of animals and create highly productive herds of Hereford cattle in a shorter time.

Exterior Features and Productive Qualities of Young Beef Cattle of Various Genotypes

The article describes the issues of comparative assessment of economic and biological features and productive qualities of beef cattle bred in Western Kazakhstan. The authors present norms and rations for feeding young animals of different genotypes. The results of studying the exterior features, body weight and average daily gain of Kazakh Whiteheaded breed and foreign Hereford and Aberdeen Angus breeds are presented. The authors conduct a comparative analysis of body weight and average daily gain of young animals of different breeds grown in the semi-desert zone of Western Kazakhstan. It has been found that during the growing period from 8 to 15 months, the average daily gain of body weight of the Hereford breed was 658.1 g for bull calves and 587.1 g for heifers, of the Aberdeen Angus breed – 603.8 g and 500.9 g respectively and of the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed – 758.8 g and 561.1 g respectively.

GROUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF PRECISION TECHNOLOGIES IN ORDER TO KEEP SPECIFIC BEEF CATTLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF YAKUTIA

The article demonstrates the research results on climate conditions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and grounds of application of precision technologies for breeding Kalmyk beef cattle on the basis of specific natural and climate conditions of Yakutia. The history of animal breeding says that enhancement of local livestock’s producing qualities in different years contributed to the fact that the stud breeds of cattle, generally dairy and beef-dairy types, were imported. Animals of the beef productivity type, known as Kazakh Whitehead cattle, the Hereford, the Kalmyk, and the Calloway breeds, were imported in order to receive crossbred youngsters with improved feeding and beef parameters. In all the time of the development, the cattle breeding in the region had beef-dairy types. The beef breeds were imported in the last decade for targeted purebred breeding and development of the beef industry for production of the beef. Therefore, in 2012, there were imported 200 animals of the Hereford cattle; the Kalmyk breed has been imported since 2013. The experience has shown that naturalizing of purebred animals to the breeding conditions of Yakutia was extremely stressful, and was followed by the diseases, falls, and decreasing of seed stock’s reproductive indicators. Particularly negative impact was observed on the animals of the highly productive Hereford breed, and this caused gradual degeneration of the breed under conditions of Yakutia. Although, specific natural and climate conditions of Yakutia significantly differ from that in other regions with developed beef cattle breeding, the animals of the Kalmyk breed, which was bred on the basis of the native steppe cattle, were relatively well adapted to the harsh conditions of the region. The authors argue the necessity and urgency of adaptive technologies development on specialized beef cattle breeding with respect to the harsh local conditions.

Amino acid composition of beef obtained fromthe specialized meat cattle

The article presents the study results of the amino acid composition of beef obtained from young Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford breeds. It has been established that meat is a complete amino acid product. At the same time, the protein quality indicator of beef obtained from the young of Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford breeds of the age of 12 months was 5.55 and 5.34, and from the bulls of the age of 18 months - 5.73 and 5.49, the methionine: tryptophan ratio – 1.22 and 1.23. The youngsters of the age of 18 months of the studied breeds have the same content of aspartic acid in meat, it is 2.03 g/100 g. A comparative analysis of the concentration of essential amino acids in beef showed that there was more of valine, histidine(-amino-5-imidazole propionic acid), lysine, threonine and phenylalanine in the bullheads of Hereford, than the peers of Aberdeen-Angus breed by 3.30, 4.26, 1.11, 7.14 (P> 0.05), and 4.76%, respectively. The concentrations of valine, isoleucine, methionine and tryptophan were higher in Aberdeen-Angus than in Hereford by 3.30, 2.50, 2.00 and 2.50%, respectively. Analyzing the study results of beef on the content of replaceable amino acids in bulls of the age of 18 months, the advantage in concentration of alanine, glycine, glutamic acid, serine, tyrosine, cystine was on the side of Aberdeen-Angus breed, the difference with peers of Hereford breed was 6.50 (P> 0.05), 2.25, 8.28 (P> 0.05), 56.72 (P> 0.001), 1.10 and 9.09 (P> 0.05)%, respectively. and the quantity of solid eutectoid inclusions based on electron compound Cu31Sn8.

ПЛЕМЕННЫЕ И ПРОДУКТИВНЫЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ МОЛОДНЯКА РАЗНЫХ ГЕНОТИПОВ

Western Kazakhstan is a traditional region for breeding cattle of meat breeds and occupies a leading place in this direction in the country. Currently breeding Hereford and Aberdeen Angus breed and scientific support of the selection process with the animals of this breed are engaged in a number of farms. Therefore, the study in the conditions of Western Kazakhstan breeding and productive qualities of young Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus breed in comparison with other genotypes of beef cattle, in particular with the domestic Kazakh white-headed breed is a situational task. Material and methods The article presents the results of studies of technologies of feeding and keeping animals, the study of live weight and average daily growth of domestic Kazakh white-headed breed and foreign Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus breeds. Results The results of comparative analysis of live weight and average daily growth of young animals of different breeds grown in the semi-desert zone of Western Kazakhstan are presented. It is established that the average daily gain in live weight for the period of cultivation from 8 to 15 months was at Hereford breed in bulls 658,1 g and heifers - 587,1 g at Aberdeen Angus, respectively, 603,8 and 500,9 g, at Kazakh white - 758,8 and 561,1 g.

BEAF QUALITY OF PURE-BRED AND CROSS-BRED BEEF CATTLE OF SIBERIA

The paper presents requirements to high-quality beef in terms of its general view, biochemical composition, taste and nutritional properties. The parameters which determine the taste, aroma, juiciness, tenderness of meat, as well as the strength and richness of the broth are given. Quality of beef obtained from animals of different beef breeds and their hybrids was assessed. Meat quality of the Hereford breed is higher than that of other most common breeds by the main parameters. The effect of the cow class on the meatproductivity of the young Hereford bulls was experimentally established. They were superior to animals of the control group in pre-slaughter weight by 25 kg (6.4%), slaughter weight - by 15.4 kg (7.5%), relative mass of flesh - by 7.8 kg, half-carcass weight - by 8.1 kg (7.6%). At the age of 20 months Hereford x Simmental steers of the 1st generation and heifers of the 3rd generation were characterized by high quality meat. Depending on housing conditions (with an area of 3.5 m 2 per head), the Kazakh-white-headed x Simmental steers of the 1st generation were in the lead in terms of meat quality. When fattened at the site, the Kazakh-white-headed x young Simmental bulls and heifers of the 1st generation were superior. The positive effect of semen production of Australian stud bulls on meat marbling of Siberian analogues (6 points) was experimentally proven. A new accelerated method of taking a sample of meat for research is described. In this method probes are taken from four easily accessible large muscles: m. supraspinatus, longissimus dorsi, m. iliopsoas (fillet), m. semimembranosus. Their biochemical composition is determined, after which the quality composition of carcass flesh is defined by a special formula with allowance for correction factors.

Совершенствование потенциала весового роста калмыцкого скота методом двух- и трёхпородного скрещивания с герефордской и лимузинской породами в условиях Республики Калмыкия

Совершенствование потенциала весового роста калмыцкого скота методом двух- и трёхпородного скрещивания с герефордской и лимузинской породами в условиях Республики Калмыкия

Using factor analysis in beef cattle breeding

Studies of the structure of the interaction of signs with the help of factor analysis is based on the idea of the complex nature of the phenomenon being studied, expressed in the interdependence of individual signs, determined by “internal” hidden causes, forming the specifics of a property, quality. We used the factor analysis method to study the producers’ assessments of the quality of the offspring and to test their bullsons for their own productivity of the Kalmyk and Hereford cattle breeds. The analysis included material from the work of pedigree reproducers and plants in the Kalmyk and Hereford breeds of the Rostov Region. The total number of animals included in the treatment was 96 manufacturing bulls and 272 sons bulls. As a result of the studies, the proposed breeding indices on one basis are quite suitable for the preliminary selection of bullcalves in commodity farms or in pedigree farmers for breeding beef cattle. In order to get a final assessment, we compiled new breeding indices, including two (live weight at 8 and 15 months, live weight at 15 months and average daily gain from 8 to 15 months), as well as three characteristics (live weight in 8, 15 months and average daily gain). These signs are objective, easy to account. According to the estimates obtained for individual bull-sons, it is possible by summing up the values of new factors to identify the bulls’ assessment of the quality of the offspring. Analysis of assessment materials is characterized by high reliability (P > 0.999).

Validation of the POLLED Celtic variant in South African Bonsmara and Drakensberger beef cattle breeds

An increased awareness of animal welfare necessitates the breeding of genetically polled animals, especially since more than 70% of South African beef cattle are rounded off in commercial feedlots. The Bonsmara and the Drakensberger, two locally developed breeds, play a major role in beef production in South Africa. The causative mutation for polledness in these breeds have not been confirmed, therefore, this study aimed to validate the POLLED Celtic variant as the causative mutation of polledness in the South African Bonsmara and Drakensberger beef cattle breeds. A total of 386 animals, consisting of Bonsmara, Drakensberger and Herefords (included as a Bos taurus control), were tested for the Celtic mutation by PCR-based screening. Phenotypically polled and scurred animals were found to carry at least one copy of the Celtic allele (PC) whereas horned animals were homozygous wild type. The highest frequency of homozygous polled animals (PC/PC = 0.337) was observed in the Bos taurus control (Hereford breed) while the majority of the Bonsmara animals were heterozygous polled (PC/p = 0.591). For the Drakensberger, a heterozygous (PC/p) genotypic frequency of 0.346 was observed, with the majority of animals being horned (p/p = 0.639). In the Bonsmara and Hereford breeds, a high proportion of heterozygous polled animals were phenotypically scurred, emphasizing the importance of correct phenotyping at farm level. This research validates the Celtic mutation as causative mutation for polledness in indigenous South African beef cattle breeds. It also demonstrates the current challenges with regards to both phenotypic and genetic verification of the scurs phenotype and requires further investigation in South African beef cattle breeds.

Identification and annotation of breed-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in Bos taurus genomes.

In Bos taurus the universality of the reference genome is biased towards genetic variation represented by only two related individuals representing the same Hereford breed. Therefore, results of genetic analyses based on this reference may not be reliable. The 1000 Bull Genomes resource allows for identification of breed-specific polymorphisms and for the construction of breed-specific reference genomes. Whole-genome sequences or 936 bulls allowed us to construct seven breed specific reference genomes of Bos taurus for Angus, Brown Swiss, Fleckvieh, Hereford, Jersey, Limousin and Simmental. In order to identify breed-specific variants all detected SNPs were filtered within-breed to satisfy criteria of the number of missing genotypes not higher than 7% and the alternative allele frequency equal to unity. The highest number of breed-specific SNPs was identified for Jersey (130,070) and the lowest—for the Simmental breed (197). Such breed-specific polymorphisms were annotated to coding regions overlapping with 78 genes in Angus, 140 in Brown Swiss, 132 in Fleckvieh, 100 in Hereford, 643 in Jersey, 10 in Limousin and no genes in Simmental. For most of the breeds, the majority of breed-specific variants from coding regions was synonymous. However, most of Fleckvieh-specific and Hereford-specific polymorphisms were missense mutations. Since the identified variants are characteristic for the analysed breeds, they form the basis of phenotypic differences observed between them, which result from different breeding programmes. Breed-specific reference genomes can enhance the accuracy of SNP driven inferences such as Genome-wide Association Studies or SNP genotype imputation.

STUD BREEDING IN THE BEEF FARMING

A study to find additional reserves for expanding the breeding beef cattle base and improving methods for selecting parental pairswas carried out. The issues of technical approachwere considered to substantiate the milkingabilityaccording to the herd. It characterizes the development of calves in the suckling period and significantlydetermines the weaning weight and the possibility of selection according to this basis. The method for selection of sires of Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus breeds with forecasting of breeding value of the selected trait in the reproduced progeny is presented. The index (IBS index of bull selection) was calculatedaccording to the phenotypic characteristics of the sire's selected traitbyweaning live weight of at least 40 its offsprings (20 bulls + 20 heifers) and average milking yield of the breeding stock, their deviations in herd and from the indicator of the desired type. Studying the breeding qualities of the Hereford and Aberdeen Angus bulls made it possible to draw a conclusion about the expediency of obtaining animals in the studied herds from the sires with a selection index of not less than 106% and 105 depending on their breed and the level of productivity of the breeding stock.

THE QUALITY OF CALF LEATHER OF BEEF AND DUAL PURPOSE BREEDS IN THE STEPPE ZONE OF UKRAINE

The hides, obtained from the slaughter of beef cattle, are valuable raw materials for the leather industry. Their value is determined by thickness, size, density, elasticity and other technological properties, development of subcutaneous fat and connective tissues which depend on breed, sex, age, conditions of animal keeping, climate, its temperature and humidity conditions, feeding.
 5 groups of bull-calves of Ukrainian Beef, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Charolais and Simmental breeds (15 head) were formed in accordance with the methods at "Polyvanivka" experimental farm. Ration of feeding was similar for all the groups and consisted oftypical feed for steppe zone of Ukraine. In summer green feed in structure of diet was 25%, roughage– 33%, 42% of concentrates and in winter succulent – 23%, roughage – 18%, grain – 41%, herbal pellets of alfalfa – 14%. Access to food was free (feeding space – 1 meter), eating of feed – good (97-98%), they consumed 7.5 feed units and 800 g of digestible protein. The average daily gains of live weight were within 1 kg per head. Clinical and haematological parameters showed that all the bull-calves were physiologically healthy.
 The hidesof bull-calves at the age of 12 months were classified by weight as heavy (more than 25 kg). Yield of bull-calves’ hides of Hereford, Aberdeen Angus and Charolais breeds was the highest at the age of18 months, Ukrainian Beef and Simmental – at 30 months of age. This figure is not dependent on breeds of animals, but on weight of hides. In accordance with the habitus the hides of Ukrainian Beef, Charolais and Simmental bull-calves were longer, and Hereford exceeded analogues in width. Hides of Ukrainian Beef and Charolais cattle predominated by area.
 In our research, the thickness of the hides of animals with age naturally and consistently increased in all standard points: atthe elbow from 3.2 to 7.7 mm, at the last rib – from 3.2 to 7.4 mm, on sacrum – 4.7 to 8.8 mm. That is, during the period from 12 to 30 months of age thickening of hides at the elbow was an average of 2.4 times, at the last rib – 2.3 and sacrum – 1.9-fold (P <0.99).
 The chemical composition of hides in all the age periods remained stable. But tendency to reducing the proportion of water and increase of the fat content was noticeable with age. The share of protein and ash increased, but much slower.
 It is clear that weight of hides, their length and width, area and thickness which characterize the product properties and chemical composition don’t determine a high quality of raw hides. In this context we brought the hides of the investigated bull-calves in UkrNIIKP, where they were processed in the chrome-tanned leather for shoe upper at the experimental factory of the institute. The leather had a smooth, flat front surface and was full, soft, elastic, without hairinessin the final form.
 The findings indicate the differences between cattle of different breeds on expenditure of raw hides at production of leather for shoe upper by the current technology. More pronounced saving in raw materials was obtained at the processing of hides of Ukrainian Beef and Simmental bull-calves. Class of leather in all the studied groups exceeded the industry average (85.4% – first-class units).
 The results of physical and mechanical tests confirmed that the leather, produced from the hides of the bull-calves of the studied breeds, on the basic parameters complied with the requirements of the standard in the industry.
 Southern climate of Ukraine does not adversely affect the formation of skin of imported Hereford, Aberdeen Angus and Charolais bull-calves.
 The hides of beef bull-calves in all the age periods (even till 30 months) are the raw materials of sufficient quality and first-class leather can be made from it.
 Accelerating the development of specialized beef cattle-breeding in the steppe zone of Ukraine can reduce import of leather and thus save certain amount of currency funds.

The cattle genome features

Boss taurus is not only an important agricultural species, which during the last 8–10 thousand years since domestication served to humanity as a reliable source of milk, meat, skin, and cattle, is a successful object for the study of obesity, gynecological and infectious diseases of man. Cows are successfully used as a model organism in endocrinology, physiology and reproductive biotechnology. Today, in the world, the number of ruminants – large and small cattle, namely – buffaloes, sheep and goats is estimated at around 3.4 billion. About three-fourths of the world's agricultural land produces fodder suitable for the grazing of these ruminants, which have an amazing ability to effectively convert low-quality vegetable fibers, which are often not suitable for human use, into energy-intensive fat, muscle and milk. This biological process has long been used by humanity, which in the process of breeding has created more than 800 breeds of cattle, which is an important world heritage and a unique scientific resource. The B. taurus genome is estimated at 3000 MB, arranged in 29 pairs of acrocentric autosomes and two sex chromosomes. The sequencing of the bovine genome was conducted by a consortium of more than 300 scientists from 25 different countries. The results of the analysis of the genome are presented in the database ncbi. For the first time, it was sequenced by the genome of one inverted cow of the Hereford breed, L1 Dominette. In addition, today's well-known information on the sequence of six species animals, which identified SNP, was the main resource for the HapMap project, which used 34.470 of them in their analyzes, the EST collection and about 10.000 full-screen cDNA sequences. A genomic card of cattle based on high-density bonds is also reported. The World Society has created and actively used databases containing information on the sequence of genomes, genes, proteins, and their polymorphism. Particular attention deserves descriptions of the results of the analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism, which allows us to analyze the evolutionary history of phylogenetic bonds in the middle of the species and between different species. The analysis of the associated quantitative features of the loci gives the scientific community additional confidence in identifying the polymorphism of genes, which is the basis of animal productivity. The QTL database contains data on 108 040 bovine cattle, which are associated with 579 different quantitative features. With the polymorphism of individual genes, harmful mutations are associated with the genetic load of populations. To date, 519 traits (disorders) have been described, 203 of them are considered by potential models for research on human diseases. A connection was found between the mutations that caused the 145 polymorphisms.