Evolution of cattle breeding in the North Caucasus village in the 60's of XIX - early XX centuries

The article deals with the development of agricultural farms and the evolution of cattle breeding in the North Caucasus during the post-reform period. Analyzing the statistical materials of various departments the author presents comparative characteristics to the socioeconomic development of Stavropol, Kuban, and Terek. The author found that the natural geographical and national features of the peoples life in Terek region, promoted an uneven distribution of livestock there. The causes of the capitalist restructuring of cattle breeding in the North Caucasus are shown in the article. On the basis of archive data the author considers an objective picture of the evolution of cattle farms of the North Caucasus. At the end of the article the author made the following conclusions: 1. until the late nineteenth century ran parallel to the development of agriculture and livestock. However, in the beginning of XX century, when the ante becomes the largest region of grain production in the Russian Empire, in General, the cattle gives him a preeminent place, especially sheep farming, which required considerable rangelands; 2. until the early 20th century the North Caucasus region was the area of development of meat breeds of cattle and sheep, the largest supplier of meat and wool to the markets of the Central provinces of Russia; 3. strong demand for domestic and foreign market in Russia for the products of agriculture have made Northern Caucasus in the largest center of grain production.