The article is devoted to the analysis of sheep breeding development in Russia and the Republic of Dagestan. It is noted that the Republic of Dagestan plays a significant role in sheep breeding in Russia. The analysis shows that the perestroika reforms of the economy in the 90s of the last century destroyed sheep breeding in Russia, including the Republic of Dagestan; by 2000, the number of sheep and the production of their products had sharply decreased. The gradual recovery of the industry began after 2005 with the use of a number of state programs to support the industry. By 2024, the number of sheep in Russia, compared to 2000, increased in Russia by 28%, in Dagestan – by 2.23 times, and the production of sheep products increased by about the same amount.

The article presents the results of an analysis of the polymorphism of allele frequencies in sheep of the Tuvan short-fat-tailed breed associated with susceptibility/resistance to the Maedi-Visna virus. 368 sheep including rams (n=66), ewes (n=207) and young ewes (n=95). It was found that this studied sample of sheep is susceptible to the Maedi-Visna virus.

The study examined the association between polymorphisms of the DNA markers ESR and IGF-1 with meat productivity traits in Edilbay ram lambs. Genotyping of the experimental group (n = 135) revealed the presence of all three allelic variants for both studied genes. It was found that ram lambs with the TT genotype of the IGF-1 gene significantly outperformed their CT peers in live weight, average daily gain, and slaughter traits. For the ESR gene, the observed differences were mainly expressed from birth to weaning in terms of live weight and average daily gain. The obtained data indicate the potential of the IGF-1 gene as a marker trait in sheep breeding aimed at improving meat productivity.

The polymorphism of DNA markers of diacylglycerol kinase eta (DGKH) and estrogen receptor (ESR) was studied in ram lambs of the Cygai (n=150) and Edilbay (n=135) breeds. Genotyping revealed the presence of CC, CT, and TT genotypes for the DGKH gene in the Cygai breed, while the CC genotype was not detected in the Edilbay breed. For the ESR gene, CC, TC, and TT genotypes were identified in both breeds, with differences in their distribution: in the Cygai breed, the distribution was more balanced, whereas in the Edilbay breed the TT genotype predominated. Analysis of the data showed a higher level of genetic diversity for the ESR gene in the Cygai breed and conformity to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, while in the Edilbay breed the DGKH gene demonstrated a statistically significant deviation from equilibrium due to an excess of heterozygotes. The results indicate breed-specific differences in allele and genotype distribution for the studied markers.

The world produces 5.6 million tons of sheep milk, such a volume of sheep milk production is explained by its valuable nutritional properties. Sheep milk is a complete food product. In terms of composition, sheep milk is superior to cow milk, it contains 1.4 times more dry substances, 1.8 times more fat and protein than cow milk, and the caloric content is 1.5 times higher. The article presents the results on milk productivity and chemical composition of milk of ewes of different ages and types of constitution.

Sheep breeding is an important branch of animal husbandry in the Republic of Dagestan. The paper presents data on the main economically useful and exterior characteristics of purebred sheep of the Dagestan mountain breed and its hybrids with sheep of the Dorper breed. The conducted studies have shown the advantage of first-generation crossbred sheep over their purebred peers in terms of basic zootechnical indicators.

It was established that the complex use of probiotics with a “protected” form of choline in the diet of dorper meat breed ewes contributed to an increase in the mass fraction of fat in milk by 19.8% (p≤0.05) and dry matter by 7.02% (P≤0.01), a decrease in the level of ketone bodies by 25.9%, which indicates the expediency of using a complex feed additive in the diets of sheep of the Dorper meat breed.

This paper presents the results of comprehensive studies on the efficacy of the feed additive “LactuVet-1” in the diets of Edilbay lambs reared under the conditions of the Saratov region. It was shown that daily supplementation with LactuVet-1 (20 g per head for 90 days) significantly increases live weight and average daily gain, enhances slaughter yield and meat productivity, and promotes the accumulation of macroelements (Ca, Mg, P, K, Na) in muscle tissue. Histological analysis revealed a more uniform muscle-fiber structure, while sensory evaluation confirmed the high taste quality and nutritional value of the meat. Product safety was demonstrated by low levels of toxic elements and full compliance with microbiological standards. An economic assessment indicated that the technology achieves a profitability of 20.95%.

Fat-tailed sheep are characterized by exceptionally high meat productivity. The paper presents data on hematological and biochemical parameters of the blood of sheep of the Edilbaev breed, obtained from queens of different valuation class. Hematological and biochemical blood parameters characterize the biological and breed characteristics of animals. To study the blood parameters of sheep obtained from “highly productive” and “low-productive” animals, blood sampling was performed at 5 months. age. The studied blood values indicate that sheep differ not only on the morphological level of meat productivity, but also on the biochemical level.

The role of instrumental evaluation of wool fiber diameter and standard deviation and wool price is shown. The role of standards as the main instrument of state regulation, providing raw wool competitiveness increase is emphasized. Feasibility of correction of some state standards and wool processing technology elements for wool marketing is proved. The importance of compliance with the requirements in wool testing, from sampling to the release of finished products, was noted. It is concluded that certification requires an appropriate infrastructure and perfect metrological assurance, and allows to determine wool quality objectively, provided a proper research algorithm is followed. However, wool quality management mechanism in our country is not effective.