March 21-22, 2017 Omsky Biocluster’s Genetics and Breeding of Cattle Practice conducted training courses Methods for Assessing the Exterior of Dairy and Beef Cattle (on the production site SIBAGROKOMPLEKS Group). The event was attended by zoo technicians-breeders and specialists in pedigree accounting.
Head of Practice Anatoly Shulakov:
"The need for such training is associated with a change in the order of carrying out appraisal of dairy cattle and dairy-meat lines. The old appraisal of 1974 used the assessment of the exterior on a 10-point scale, the new appraisal uses a 100-point scale. Most breeders do not know how this assessment is conducted, as a result, animals lose 15 points out of 100 possible, which automatically reduces the class of the animal. A decrease in the mother's class also reduces the evaluation of repair heifers. In order to reduce these risks, it was decided to conduct training of specialists in advanced farms with the issuance of certificates of professional development. The certificate gives the right to engage in certain professional activities or perform specific labor functions, including, to carry out appraisal of the exterior by the new rules."
The specialists came not only from the advanced breeding farms of Omsk region, but also from the famous breeding farm Irmen (Novosibirsk region), all over the country. The lessons were carried out by specialists in the breeding work of Moskovskoye JSC, which are constantly engaged in assessing the physique of animals in the herds of Moscow region, as well as at breeding stock exhibitions. The event included both theoretical training and a practical part. The questions of the methodology for assessing the exterior were examined in the theoretical part (it is used for different purposes - boning young and adult animals, assessing the hereditary qualities of producers, selecting animals for exhibitions). Modern selection takes into account not only the influence of the bull on daughters' milk yield, but also the possibility of changing the type of the constitution of the offspring - strengthening the constitution, enhancing the expression of the milk type, improving the shape and quality of the udder, etc.
Some of the best breeding farms in Omsk region - Zvonarevokutskoye JSC and Novoazovskoye JSC - were chosen for practical mastering of the acquired knowledge. Participants of the courses under the supervision of teachers checked their knowledge of the linear evaluation according to the established signs of the exterior and a comprehensive assessment on a 100-point scale, which is necessary for carrying out the appraisal. This assessment determines the specific features of the body of a cow (within a single herd) and allows them to be adjusted by a targeted selection of producers.
Lyubov Ionova, leading expert in the evaluation of the exterior of Moskovskoye JSC for breeding, Сandidate of Agricultural Sciences:
“I would like to note the high level of organization of the event, the excellent quality of animals in the farms where the practical part was held. The course participants were very attentive, active, and the level of mastering knowledge is very high. So, with constant practice, this knowledge will allow them to make a qualified assessment of the exterior of animals in accordance with modern requirements."
Reference: Omsky Biocluster’s Genetics and Breeding of Cattle Practice carries out audit, development and support of programs for increasing the efficiency of cattle farms on the basis of analysis of existing data and an integrated approach. Head of Practice: Anatoly Shulakov. Information: http://agrobiocluster.ru/praktika_genetika.
