Prospects for production and processing of small cattle in the Republic of Buryatia

The article considers the current state of sheep breeding and processing of sheep products in the Republic of Buryatia, analyzes statistical data on livestock of sheep in the farms of all categories, production of sheep products for the years 2016-2019. It is established that the main livestock of small cattle is concentrated in private farms and agricultural holdings, but agricultural organizations contain only 24.8% of the total livestock. Features of breeding of meat-and-fat breeds of sheep in local conditions are described. The main factors hindering the development of sheep farming in the Republic of Buryatia are identified. The reasons for the decline in production and processing of lamb are not only the low level of its consumption, but also the shortage of industrial slaughter-houses in the season of production and primary processing of sheep meat. The seasonality of mutton production affects the instability of livestock supplies for slaughter and the overload of primary livestock processing enterprises evenly throughout the year. The main directions of improving the technology of production and processing of small cattle are proposed.