Prospects for the Intensification of the Breeding Process in Dairy Cattle Breeding in the South of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The aim of this study was to identify the key factors influencing the increase in productivity and reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle in the conditions of the south of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to develop methodological recommendations for optimising the breeding process. The study included 180 heads of dairy cattle of Holstein-Friesian, Aulie-Ata, and Black-and-White breeds. The animals were divided into three groups according to the level of the comprehensive breeding index. Within the framework of the study, a comprehensive biometric and molecular-genetic analysis was carried out, in which one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test were used to assess the differences between the groups. Genotyping of animals was carried out for the DGAT1, GH, LEP, and PRL genes associated with productive traits. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the combined evaluation of productive, conformation, reproductive, and marker-genetic variation in Holstein-Friesian, Aulie-Ata, and Black-and-White cattle adapted to southern Kazakhstan, allowing breed-specific biological diversity to be considered in the selection process. The average milk yield by farm ranged from 5,290 kg in Aulie-Ata cows at “BNK Agro” to 6,240 kg in Holstein-Friesian cows at JSC “SPK Turkestan”. Milk fat content reached up to 3.88% in the herd of “Kazyna-Zher LTD” and 3.76% in the herd of “BNK Agro”. The fertility index was highest in JSC “SPK Turkestan” (0.91) and lowest in “BNK Agro” (0.83). According to the results of conformation assessment, the highest average scores for udder (8.1) and for the musculoskeletal system (7.9) were also recorded in JSC “SPK Turkestan”. Genetic analysis showed that animals with high productivity more often carried the K allele of the DGAT1 gene (68%), the L allele of the GH gene (57%), and the B allele of the PRL gene (59%); the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The forecast of milk productivity dynamics of cows in the south of Kazakhstan for the period until 2028 showed that, if the current breeding strategy was maintained, a gradual increase in average milk yield per lactation from 6,180 kg in 2025 to 6,270 kg in 2028 was expected. The results obtained demonstrated the necessity of integrating conformation, productive, and genetic assessment in the selection of dairy cattle, which made it possible to significantly increase the breeding potential and ensure sustainable growth in the productivity of dairy farming in the conditions of the southern regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.