Dynamics of the breeding status of the autochthonous Rhodopean Shorthorn cattle breed. Problems and prospects of breeding activities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61308/JTEY8323Keywords:
cattle, indigenous breed, conservation, genetic resourcesAbstract
Based on an analysis of breeding documentation for a 25-year period, the dynamics of the breeding status of the autochthonous Rhodope Shorthorn cattle breed, controlled by the Association for Breeding of Local Cattle Breeds in Bulgaria, has been studied. It has been established that breeding activity, combined with national measures for the protection of autochthonous breeds, has led to the stabilization of the breeding status of the breed. During the period, the number of controlled cows has increased from 68, bred in 37 households, to 7059 cows in 138 farms. The average size of farms has increased from 2.6 to 52.8 animals. The breed has an established breeding structure, which has been relatively stable over the past 10 years. 97.8% of farms and 91.8% of animals are bred in the natural range of the breed - the mountainous and foothill parts of Southern Bulgaria. To ensure the biosecurity of the breed, due to the high concentration in the natural range, 9 farms with 792 cows (11.2% of the total number) are maintained, distant from the main massif by 180-240 km. It has been established that additional subsidies are important for the preservation of the breed. To ensure higher economic stability of the farms, it is proposed to develop breed and geographically protected products, as well as to apply industrial crossbreeding of the cows outside the breeding nucleus with bulls of meat breeds. It has been established that the animals from the controlled population are not used for their main purpose - production of milk and dairy products. To return the breed to its original use, the introduction of additional incentives is proposed.
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