The article highlights the history of the breed’s creation and current state, and describes the characteristics and productivity of Dagestan mountain sheep.

Gene polymorphism has a significant effect on the phenotypic differences between organisms. One of the key genes regulating mammalian growth and development is the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) gene. In this regard, we carried out work, the main purpose of which was to study the polymorphism of the IGF-1 gene in sheep of the Tsigai and Edilbay breeds and the relationship with their live weight. The genotyping revealed the CT, TT, CC genotypes in Edilbay sheep, and CT and TT genotypes in Tsigai sheep. It was found that in sheep of the Edilbay breed, the difference in live weight between different genotypes was 5.0% (p <0.005) in favor of sheep with the TT genotype. In Tsigai sheep with CT and CC genotypes, there was practically no difference in body weight and amounted to 0.48% (P> >0.5) in favor of sheep with CT genotype. Taking into account the fact that the live weight of farm animals is interconnected with their meat productivity, the distribution of polymorphic variants of the IGF-1 gene in sheep of the Edilbay and Tsigai breeds provides a perspective for further research.

The article presents the results of a study of the slaughter indicators of rams (group I), wethers (group II) and ewes of the Romanov breed. It was found that due to sexual dimorphism, rams had higher slaughter indicators, ewes had minimal indicators, and wethers occupied an intermediate position.

The article provides an analysis of the state of meat goat breeding in Russia and in a number of countries around the world. It is shown that the main producers of goat meat are currently China, India, Pakistan and Nigeria, where the industry is supported by traditions and the state.

The article describes the characteristics of potentially promising meat breed goats for breeding in Russia.

Due to the lack of demand for wool and low price for livestock products, sheep breeders are unable to purchase mechanization equipment, increase the salaries of livestock breeders and specialists, or introduce advanced technologies.

The productivity of Altai white down goats with horns of the prisk and bezoar goat type was studied. Goats with horns of the prisk type reliably exceed goats with horns of the bezoar goat in the length of down by 5.6-7.8%, in fluffiness by 9.5%, their fluff is coarser by 27.96% or 2.74 µm. The live weight of kids at weaning from goats with horns of the prisk type is higher by 1.57 kg or 6.5%.

Annotation. This article examines the impact of climate change on the economy of sheep farming, one of the most important branches of agriculture. Based on the analysis of statistical data and the use of econometric modeling methods, it has been established that an increase in the average annual temperature and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events have a negative impact on sheep productivity, increase costs and reduce farm profitability. Special attention is paid to assessing the economic consequences of such changes, including a reduction in output and an increase in feed and veterinary care costs. The paper proposes adaptation measures aimed at mitigating these negative factors: breeding breeds resistant to high temperatures, improving the water supply infrastructure and creating reserves of the feed stock. The results of the study emphasize the importance of public policy in ensuring the sustainable development of sheep farming in the context of global environmental problems. The findings can serve as a basis for developing strategies for adapting the industry to new climatic realities, which is especially important for regions with developed sheep farming.

Annotation. Based on the assessment of various sex and age groups of Tsigai sheep, Agrofirma Biocor-S LLC in the Penza region provides indicators of live weight and wool productivity of animals for the period from 2020 to 2024.

The article considers: wool productivity of purebred sheep of the southern meat breed and half-breeds of the Ile de France breed. It was found that the wool was cut in sheep at the age of 8.5 months. (girdle) It was higher in crossbreeds by 0.35 kg (+10.3%).

Research on the quality of Mongolian goat cashmere from raw materials to finished products of processing enterprises was carried out for 50 years from 1971 to 2021. The fineness of Mongolian goat cashmere increased from 14.74±1.13 m in 1971 to 16.37±1.04 m in 2020. The true length increased from 56.4±7.7 mm in 1971 to 58.54±8.05 mm in 2020.

The paper presents data on the study of the process of digestibility of the main nutrients when feeding rams of the Romanov breed palm oil, sunflower oil and fat of the larvae of the Black Lion fly as inhibitors of methane-forming archaea.

The article analyzes the biochemical parameters of blood in rams and ewes of the Edilbaevskaya breed and their crosses with the Dorper breed at the age of five months. The results of the studies indicate that crossbred rams and ewes have a more pronounced intensity of protein metabolism, which indicates an increase in metabolic processes in their body. The data of biochemical parameters are consistent with an increase in live weight in crossbred rams and ewes by 3.3 kg and 3.0 kg, respectively, compared with animals in the control groups, indicating a higher meat productivity of crossbred young animals.

The article analyzes the hematological parameters of sheep and eggs of the Edilbaev breed and its crossbreeds with the Dorper breed. The research results indicate that in 5 months. At that age, the live weight of mongrel sheep reached 48.2 kg, and that of egglets reached 44.1 kg, exceeding the similar values of purebred animals by 7.3% and 7.2%, respectively (P<0.05). Hematological parameters indicate that the number of red blood cells in the blood of crossbred calves increased significantly by 14.1%. At the same time, the hemoglobin level in the blood of mongrel sheep was 8.95% higher (P<0.05), and in mongrel sheep it was 9.4% higher than in purebred sheep, which indicates a high functionality of blood cells.