The article examines the 160-year history of the Russian State Agrarian University – the Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, which celebrates its anniversary in 2025. The path of the academy from the Petrovsky Agricultural Academy to the modern leading center of agricultural science and education is traced. Particular attention is paid to the formation of scientific schools (including zootechnics), the contribution to the development of the country in various historical periods (including the Great Patriotic War), modern modernization, digital transformation of the agro-industrial complex, international recognition and preservation of academic traditions. The role of the university in the training of highly qualified specialists and the development of innovations in the agro-industrial complex is emphasized.

The paper presents the results of identifying regions of increased heterozygosity in the genomes of Karachaev and Romanov sheep based on whole-genome sequencing data. The presence and distribution of heterozygous segments in the breeds, including at the chromosomal level, are identified. Differences in the distribution of heterozygosity regions in the genomes of different breeds indicate the possible involvement of genes in these regions in the selection process that influences the development of economically significant traits.

The study of polymorphism of productive marker genes has significant potential for improving dairy sheep breeds in the Russian Federation. The introduction of genomic breeding methods based on identified markers will make it possible to purposefully increase the milk productivity of different animal breeds. The purpose of this study was to study the polymorphism of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene and to identify the association of polymorphic variants of the gene with indicators of dairy productivity in Lacon sheep. The object of the study is sheep of the Lakon breed (n = 39), bred on the farm of IP “Wanzha” Belogorsky district of the Republic of Crimea. Allelic variants of the IGF-1 gene were identified using PCR-RDRF analysis, which made it possible to differentiate genotypes based on the polymorphism of the nucleotide sequence at the restriction site. Genotyping of Lacon sheep showed that this sample is polymorphic for this gene, that is, the presence of two alleles (C and T) and three genotypes with a predominance of the heterozygous CT variant (89.7%) was noted. Individuals with the CT genotype demonstrated significantly higher fat (6.83%) and protein (5.24%) content in milk compared to TT homozygotes. The data obtained may indicate the potential value of the C allele as a marker for breeding to improve milk quality. The prospects of the work include the validation of the identified association in an expanded sample and the study of the relationship of the polymorphism of the insulin-like growth factor-1 gene with other economically useful traits.

The article presents the results of studying the reproductive capacity and milk production of ewes, as well as the growth, development, and meat characteristics of young Akzhaik meat-and-wool sheep obtained from various combinations of parent pairs. The survival rate of crossbred young sheep was 96.6% and 95.7%. The milk production of ewes during lactation was 117.6 kg and 128.7 kg, with the highest production in the first month of lactation at 43.1 kg and 45.7 kg, respectively. 

Young animals from half-blooded Kuibyshev sheep had a higher live weight both at birth and at 4.5 months of age. When slaughtered, all the selection options yielded carcasses weighing 12.2 kg or more, with the best results of 13.5 kg from half-blooded Kuibyshev producers. The use of half-blooded Kuibyshev sheep producers increases the live weight and improves the meat quality of their offspring.

The article presents data on the formation of meat content in fat-tailed sheep of the Hissar, Tajik and Jaidar breeds of sheep of Tajikistan during ontogenesis.

The article discusses the milk production indicators of Alpine goats, depending on their age and the season of the year. The highest milk production indicators are observed in goats with 3 or more lactations. The season of the year has a greater impact on the milk production of goats in their first lactation.

The article is devoted to the effect of shearing on some physiological parameters in sheep of the Edilbaev breed. Sheep adapt well to sudden temperature fluctuations, but they also need certain conditions to maintain their health and productivity. The study found that shearing causes short-term stress in ewes, but they quickly recover their body’s homeostasis. Additionally, the main effect of shearing was observed during periods of heat stress, and ewes were less affected by this stress.

The article discusses the range of astrakhan pelts, the features of different types, the quality assessment process, and the properties that are taken into account. The article analyzes the possibility of improving the sorting process by using artificial intelligence technologies. The article presents the results of the development of artificial vision technologies for forming homogeneous groups based on characteristics such as hair color and skin pattern.

The article presents the results of studying the effect of using the glauconite feed additive of the Bondarsky field of the Tambov region in the diet of lamb feeding on digestibility and the use of nutrients by them. The data obtained in the balance experiment showed that a higher digestibility and nutrient use of the feed was observed in sheep receiving a glauconite supplement. The best indicators of digestibility and nutrient use of the feed were lamb, whose diet included the addition of glauconite in the amount of 100 mg/kg of feed.

A veterinary and sanitary assessment of sheep meat affected by footrot is presented. It is shown that sheep meat affected by this disease may contain pathogenic and opportunistic microflora. Such meat should not be sold commercially; it should be used for industrial processing with heat treatment that ensures the destruction of foreign microflora.