Проявление гетерозиса при скрещивании курдючных овец с баранами мясных пород Suffolk и Dorper

Abstract

Background and Aim. The current stage of sheep industry development is characterized by a structural reorientation toward the production of competitive lamb and expansion of export potential. Increasing requirements for meat productivity combined with the need to enhance economic efficiency necessitate the application of scientifically grounded breeding and genetic approaches. A key direction of such transformation is the rational use of specialized meat breeds in combination with the adaptive advantages of local populations. In this context, crossing fat-tailed ewes with Dorper and Suffolk rams is considered an effective tool for accelerating genetic progress. The objective of the study was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of breeding, productive, and economic performance of crossbred lambs under the conditions of the Eastern region of Kazakhstan.

Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in 2024-2025 at the “Ebetey” farm located in the Abai region. Three groups of 50 animals each were formed: control (Kazakh coarse-wool fat-tailed breed), experimental I (KCF × Dorper), and experimental II (KCF × Suffolk). Body weight at 4.5-5 and 7.5-8 months of age, average daily gain over a 90-day period, carcass traits, heterosis effect, and economic efficiency were determined.

Results. At 4.5-5 months of age, Dorper crossbreds exceeded the control group in body weight by 20.5%, while Suffolk crossbreds showed a 16.8% advantage. By 7.5-8 months, body weight reached 58.7 kg and 55.4 kg, respectively, compared with 53.0 kg in purebred contemporaries. During the post-weaning period, average daily gain ranged from 150 to 180 g. Carcass traits confirmed the superiority of crossbreds: carcass weight reached 32.2 kg in Dorper crossbreds and 30.6 kg in Suffolk crossbreds versus 28.3 kg in the control group. At an average market price of 2,850 KZT per kg, additional revenue amounted to 12,385 KZT and 8,527 KZT per head, respectively, resulting in a 17-24% increase in production profitability.

Conclusion. The results obtained in 2024-2025 confirm the effectiveness of using imported meat-type genotypes in industrial crossbreeding of local sheep breeds, ensuring improved carcass performance while maintaining high adaptability to pasture-based systems. The proposed crossbreeding schemes can therefore be considered economically justified under regional production conditions.