Open AccessBiological capacity of Mongolian native cattle
Author(s) -
Tunteg Baldan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nauka i obrazovanie bolʹšogo altaâ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2410-485X
DOI - 10.25712/astu.2410-485x.2021.02.005
Subject(s) - livestock , breed , animal husbandry , pasture , geography , agriculture , grazing , agroforestry , productivity , animal breeding , pastoralism , herd , biology , agronomy , zoology , ecology , forestry , macroeconomics , economics
Unique biological quality of Mongolian livestock that helps the animal withstand the cold and feed shortage seasons in despite of feeding pasture plants only for all year round is an evidence of its pasture usability. Better growth of hair and wool of hardy Mongolian livestock, which are able to grow under severe natural and climatic conditions, during summer and autumn, and fibers appeared around the hair base during cold season make the animals resistant to cold. Mongolia has a long tradition of raising livestock in the vast territory. This is based on a system of pastoral herding consisting of five kinds of livestock. Mongolians have specific, historical traditions of nomadic ways for pastoral animal breeding. Since ancient times they are bred the five kinds of livestock with unique capabilities, adapted to four seasons grazing under harsh natural and climatic conditions of Central Asian mountainous and used their benefits. Although Mongolian livestock breeds are well adapted to harsh weather conditions, their productivity is not especially high. Animal husbandry is the fundamental source of food consumption and raw materials for the national economy, contributing 20% of the total GDP. Livestock workers make up 34.5% of the total labor force. The livestock sector is responsible for 90% of total agricultural production and comprises 12.5% of all exports. Currently, Mongolia has: 2 breeds and 2 strains of horses, 4 breeds of camel, 3 breeds and 1 breeding group of cattle, 13 breeds, 3 breed groups and 3 breeding races and 3 strains of sheep and 7 breeds, 4 strains of goats forming genetic resources of Mongolian livestock. The main products of the livestock sector are meat, milk, wool, cashmere and hides. Due to the harsh climatic conditions of Mongolian livestock, their wools grow well in the summer and autumn, and during the cold season, cashmere is covered with cashmere and they are resistant to cold. Mongolians have specific historical traditions of managing nomadic husbandry of five types of livestock populations, which are adapted to all year round grazing under severe natural and climatic conditions of Central Asian plateau, growing and breeding of wealth producing livestock populations and utilizing their animal products since ancient times.