Industrial Crossbreeding as Efficient Sheep Farming Production

Abstract

The article examines the materials of industrial crossbreeding in sheep farming using ewes of the Dnipropetrovsk inbred type of the Prydniprovska meat breed (DT Pm) and breeding rams of the Merinolandschaf breed (Ml) and its effect on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of meat productivity. The level of productivity of breeding rams indicates their compliance with the meat type. Their body weight is in the range of 105.4-112.1 kg; shearing of wool initially – 5.4-6.2 kg, with the output of washed wool – 59.5-61.0%, respectively, from Prydniprovska meat breed and Merinolandschaf breed. Coefficient of woolliness is 30.4-33.9 g/kg. The level of reproductive capacity of ewes indicates that fertilization is in the range of 96.0-97.0%. Fertility of ewes of the second group in industrial crossbreeding was 168.1%, which is 23% more than of the first one. 163 lambs were obtained from the ewes of the second group, which is 20.7% more than in purebred breeding. The preservation of lambs before weaning was 97.0%. When crossing, the effect of heterosis is manifested, which is evidenced by the difference in body weight, when crossbred lambs dominate at birth by 9.5%, at the age of 4 months – by 13.3%, at the age of 8 months – by 14.9% compared to purebred peers. Carcass weight of crossbred lambs was 22.6 kg against 18.9 kg of purebred peers. According to the main slaughter parameters, crossbred lambs outperformed purebred lambs, while the slaughter weight of crossbreds was higher by 19.7%, with a slaughter yield of 51%, which is a good indicator for this characteristic for meat-type sheep within production focus. As a result of a comprehensive comparative analysis of meatiness indicators of lambs of different origins, an advantage in terms of desired components was found in crossbreds. The introduction of new genetic lines through industrial crossbreeding can contribute to the conservation and expansion of genetic potential among sheep populations, which is important for adaptation to changing conditions.