The Tuvan Research Institute of Agriculture of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences has won the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) project competition.
The project "Genetic, biological and economically useful traits of yaks and cattle bred in the sharply continental climate of the Republic of Tyva" by the Candidate of Science in Biology Bair Mannaevna Ludu was recognized as the winner of the competition "Conducting fundamental scientific research and exploratory scientific research by small individual scientific groups" (regional competition).
The project summary notes that the Republic of Tuva is a promising region for yak and cattle breeding. With relatively simple transhumance farming techniques, yaks produce a variety of products, including milk, meat, and hides. The objective of the study was to evaluate the conformation and liveweight characteristics of specialized beef animals kept on year-round pastures in the Republic of Tuva. The research team set the task of studying the conformation characteristics of specialized meat breeds from various groups and determining live weight indicators. The study involved animals of various ages from meat breeds.
Previous studies have shown that in conditions of year-round grazing without additional feeding, it is difficult to achieve indicators at the standard level in meat breeds, therefore it is recommended to organize additional feeding with the inclusion of grain feeds.
As noted on the RSF website, the competition is intended to support strategically important projects for the region that have high potential for practical implementation and deliver measurable socio-economic impact. The participation of regions and qualified clients willing to co-finance and implement the results ensures the projects are practically focused, which, as the initiative develops, will form the basis for systemic interaction between science, business, and the regions, fostering technological leadership.