Introduction of the Modern Methods of Assessing the Breeding Value of Cows in the Selection of Dairy Cattle in the Republic of Kazakhstan

On the genetic improvement of animals, the need for decision-making takes place at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. At the strategic level, this means defining a breeding goal, selecting a breeding system (selection or crossbreeding), as well as crossbreeding patterns, breeds, and lines. The current study aimed to analyze the breeding and genetic parameters of the dairy cattle in the Republic of Kazakhstan and introduce modern methods for assessing the breeding value of domestic and imported breeds of dairy cows. Research data were collected from primary zootechnical and breeding accounting (from the information and analytical system [IAS]), as well as experimental studies, visual assessment, measurements, and control milking of animals. In addition, biochemical studies of milk were conducted in this study. All animals were in the same conditions of feeding. The average milk yield per cow was 5,712±97 kg, with an average fat content of 3.83±0.02%, protein content of 3.28±0.01%, with the content of 339.6±54 thousand somatic cells. However, these data are obtained based on quarterly quality indicators of milk (fat content, protein, and the number of somatic cells), which raises doubts about the reliability of the results. It was found that the average index of the total estimated breeding value (EBV) for all breeds was 81. Among all breeds, the highest EBV was estimated at 84 in the Holstein cows (imported to the country).