AN AREA-SPECIFIC BREED OF SHEEPS OF DAGESTAN

In the Dagestan Republic, sheep breeding has been assigned one of the leading roles in the livestock system for a long time. The vast territory of high-mountainous, alpine pastures, influenced by the nature of agriculture in the republic. The main feature of sheep breeding in Dagestan is distant pasture cattle breeding. In early spring, to summer high-altitude pastures, and in autumn to winter, desert and semi-desert pastures of the Caspian lowland, up to 75 percent of sheep are herded annually. The livestock is on the way for more than two months, roaming from summer pastures to winter ones and back. Meat and wool sheep farming is intensive and very profitable. Live weight of young animals while ensuring good fattening-off at the age of 6 months reaches 40 kg, and can be realized. These meat has a fine texture and is easily digestible. Sheep of the meat and wool types are register for large growth, good meat forms, as well as significant early maturity, high-quality meat in large quantities and good quality crossbred wool. The article presents a brief history of breeding sheep of meat and wool types. The preliminary studies carried out made it possible to determine the Gunib breed as the initial breed, as the most optimal, showing the best results. The Württemberg breed of sheep was chosen as the improver breed.