O. M. Sheveleva1, A. A. Bakharev1, S. F. Sukhanova2
1State Agrarian University of the Northern Trans-Urals, Roshchinskoe sh., 18, Tyumen’, 625041, Russian Federation
2Maltsev Kurgan State Agricultural Academy, s. Lesnikovo, Kurganskaya obl., 641300, Russian Federation
Abstract. The research aimed to study the possibility of using a linear assessment of the exterior of Hereford breed animals for further use of the results in breeding work. The study objects were Hereford cows at the age of 4, 5 and 6 years and replacement bulls at the age of 15 months, obtained from different fathers. A linear assessment of the exterior was carried out according to the method of O.M. Sheveleva (2021), based on the French assessment of beef cattle. The linear assessment was supplemented by the measurement of body parts, calculation of body-built index, and scoring. The estimated cows of the Hereford breed for a number of characteristics did not reach the measurements recommended for the breed. In full-aged cows, all body measurements increased compared to young animals. Chest girth increased by 11.7 cm, chest depth – by 2.6 cm, width of chest – by 2.8, width in hips – by 3.7 cm, in hip joints – by 3.7 cm, width of loin – by 4.0 cm, half-girth of the buttocks – by 3.2 cm (P> 0.999). The animals corresponded to the type of breed, but at the same time, full-aged cows received on average lower marks for conformation traits. Indicators of a linear assessment with advancing age significantly increased. The chest depth increased by 0.94 points, the width of the chest by 1.62 points, the width in the back by 0.55 points, the width of the pelvis by 1.4 points (P> 0.999). The sons of bull 6720672 outperformed their peers in chest depth by 1.2 points (P≥0.999), in back width by 0.78 points (P≥0.95). They had a more massive hindquarter, as evidenced by an increased assessment of hind quarters’ development (6.5 points versus 5.3 points for peers obtained from a bull 6900690) and the inner side of the thigh (6.6 points compared with peers estimated 4.52 points). They had the correct set of legs. Therefore, when selecting pairs, a wider use of this bull is recommended. It is appropriate to recommend testing the method of linear assessment of the exterior in other breeds of livestock and clarifying the criteria for assessing the traits included in the linear assessment system.
Keywords: Hereford; conformation; cows; linear method; measurements; indices.
Author Details: O. M. Sheveleva, D. Sc. (Agr.), head of department (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); A. A. Bakharev1, D. Sc. (Agr.), director of the institute; S. F. Sukhanova, D. Sc. (Agr.), head of laboratory.
For citation: Sheveleva OM, Bakharev AA, Sukhanova SF. [Linear assessment of the exterior of cattle of the Hereford breed under the conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals] Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2022;36(4):112-16. Russian. doi: 10.53859/02352451_2022_36_4_112.