Objectives. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens in meat products at meat fairs in four cities of West Kazakhstan from April to October 2021. Methods. In total, 240 samples were collected and subsequently examined for the presence of Clostridium perfringens and its associated toxins using a standard culture method and multiplex PCR assay. Results. In the 240 samples, 67 (30%) tested positive for Clostridium perfringens. All isolates were classified as biotype A with the ability to produce α toxin. The prevalence of Clostridium perfringens was found in almost all types of meat products tested. Beef samples 20/40 (50%) were found the most contaminated with a pathogen, followed by minced lamb 16/40 (40%), ground beef 11/40 (27.5%), lamb 9/40 (22.5%), beef intestines 7/40 (17.5%) and lamb intestines 4/40 (10%). Conclusions. The outcomes of our study demonstrated the high contamination rate of Clostridium perfringens in local meat products. This study is also the first survey on Clostridium perfringens prevalence in meats in Kazakhstan. The findings in this report will enhance knowledge of epidemiology and help develop coordinated actions to prevent and control possible food poisoning outbreaks.

In this study, we evaluated the progeny quality of proven bulls of the Aberdeen Angus breed in different selections. Reliable information about the productive qualities of the daughters and cows of proven bulls is limited in Kazakhstan’s scientific literature. We aimed to identify bull-improvers by comparatively evaluating cows of different genotypes in terms of productive qualities. The study was conducted in the period of 2021–2023, during which four groups of cows were formed based on origin. In conclusion, the high influence of inheritance of breeding features from bull-improvers should be highlighted: 78.6% to the daughters of cows of group I (Estonian selection from Kolos-firma LLP: EE 14465116 ABAJA PORTOS 95283, DK 1989501341 FREDERIK 95220, and EE 16966079 ABAJA PATRICK 95305) and 74.5% to the daughters of cows of group III (Canadian selection from Vishnevskoe LLP: BH BRUIN 54X 1644270 and JL DISTRICT 0311 1594050). There was less influence from proven bulls of deteriorators of the Kazakh selection: 21.4% to the daughters of cows of group II from Kolos-firma LLP (KZP156547191) and 25.5% to the daughters of cows of group IV from Vishnevskoe LLP (Henri KZT157789649 and Argus KZT155778964). Therefore, it is recommended that valuable genotypes of imported selection are used in breeding work in the Kostanay and North Kazakhstan regions for the improvement of Aberdeen Angus cattle.

The Aberdeen-Angus breed of cattle is widely used to increase the number of breeding cores and beef production volumes and improve its quality in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The purpose of the research is to study the breeding and adaptive qualities of Aberdeen-Angus cattle in the conditions of the Kostanay region (Northern region of the Republic of Kazakhstan). To achieve this goal, we studied the breeding qualities of imported breeding stock Aberdeen-Angus cows and their breeding use as factors in the formation of productivity in future offspring. In the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan, the breeding qualities of this breed were studied depending on the country of origin. The experimental part of the work was carried out in 2019-2022. Two groups were formed: Group I (n = 288 heads) Kazakh breeding and Group II (n = 100 heads) Estonian breeding, which was grown under the same conditions of feeding and maintenance in "Kolos-firma” LLP of Kostanay region. According to all the considered breeding qualities, superiority was observed in cattle of Estonian breeding.

This article presents the findings of a scientific study investigating the efficacy of various assessment techniques used to evaluate the adaptability and productive qualities of Aberdeen Angus cattle on three prominent farms in the northern region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A comprehensive analysis of the haematological and biochemical parameters of experimental groups of cattle with different genotypes (American, Canadian, and Estonian selection) was conducted. The studies revealed notable variability in haematological and biochemical indicators, contingent on the origin. Concurrently, the dynamics of the aforementioned indicators did not exceed the physiological norms. The modern allelofund was characterised with the help of microsatellite markers, and the level of genetic diversity of Aberdeen Angus cattle of different genotypes was estimated. The research uncovered the genealogical structure of the populations, the purity of the populations, the provenance, the polymorphism level, the heterozygosity indices, and the Wright fixation index (Fis). The genotyping of cattle of the Aberdeen Angus breed on 15 microsatellite markers yielded the establishment of 80 alleles in the Kolos-firm LLP, 77 alleles in the Vishnevskoe LLP, and 92 alleles in the Sever-Agro N LLP. The total expected heterozygosity was He = 0.673, while the observed heterozygosity was Ho = 0.710.

В статье проведен анализ морфологических, биохимических и иммунологических показателей крови коров четырех мясных пород. Исследованиями установлена значительная изменчивость гематологических и биохимических показателей в зависимости от происхождения. При этом динамика исследуемых показателей не выходила за пределы физиологических норм. По результатам морфологического и биохимического анализа крови тестируемых показателей у опытного поголовья коров ангусской и герефордской породы находились на более высоком уровне по сравнению с аналогичными показателями калмыцкой и казахской белоголовой пород. Результаты исследований естественной устойчивости организма в разные годы акклиматизации показал, что достоверных различий между иммунологическими показателями у животных исследуемых пород не отмечается. Исследования выполнены в рамках научно-технической программы BR10764981 «Разработка технологий эффективного управления селекционным процессом сохранения и совершенствования генетических ресурсов в мясном скотоводстве» по мероприятию «Изучение заболеваний, ввезенного крупного рогатого скота мясного направления продуктивности и их адаптационных способностей с разработкой ветеринарных и зоотехнических мероприятий и рекомендации по их лечению и эпизоотическому контролю» программно-целевого финансирования Министерства сельского хозяйства Республики Казахстан на 2021-2023 г.

The article presents the results of extensive longstanding research aimed at improving the qualities of the Kostanay horse breed. It has been established that horses of different genotypes exhibit unique lineages traced to exceptional ancestors, founders of the breed’s leading stud lines, and display well-developed breeding traits. Since its certification in 1951, the Kostanay breed has undergone continuous enhancement through line breeding, a method involving a series of zootechnical measures. This approach focuses on improving, consolidating, and further developing breeding traits within the breed while utilizing selected stallions from the current population as candidates to continue the lineage of leading lines. The analysis showed that representatives of different lines did not significantly differ in values of breeding value by productivity characteristics. Modern leading stallions of the Kostanay breed demonstrate advantages in nearly all key productivity traits compared to the average breeding value of non-line breeders, making them strong candidates for continuing existing lines. Based on an evaluation of the offspring quality of stallions Preferans 5 (born in 2009) and Nauryztoi 9 (born in 2006), two new lines have been established. Representatives of these lines exhibit exceptional breeding and athletic qualities, surpassing their non-line counterparts, which highlights the overall progress and development of the Kostanay breed. The primary method for improving Kostanay horses through purebred breeding is line breeding, which involves a set of zootechnical measures aimed at enhancing, consolidating, and further developing breeding traits within the breed.