The correspondent of Turmush spoke with the head librarian of the village of Ilyich, Gulaiym Tursunalieva, who shared information about the best milkmaids, shepherds, and elite bulls used for breeding purposes.
“According to the materials from our library, this farm initially specialized in sheep farming. However, starting in 1937, when mass livestock breeding began through crossbreeding with other farms in Kyrgyzstan and breeding state farms 'Karavaevo' from the Kostroma and Smolensk regions, the question of creating a breeding farm arose,” she noted.
In September 1937, by the directive of the People's Commissariat of State Farms of the USSR, this specialized farm was organized, which became one of the main centers for improving the Alatau breed.
The long-term work of specialists, scientists, and livestock breeders in crossbreeding local cows with Swiss bulls led to the creation of high-yield livestock. The long-term breeding of its own breeding herd, as well as the improvement of feeding and housing conditions, contributed to the emergence of brown cattle. On December 14, 1950, this breed was officially recognized as "Alatau" by the Council of Ministers of the USSR,” added Gulaiym Tursunalieva.
According to her, before the establishment of the breeding state farm, ordinary cows were kept here, which did not provide a sufficient volume of milk and meat products. The main work on breeding began after the formation of the breeding farm. From 1937 to 1940, 200 heads of Swiss cattle were imported from the breeding farms 'Karavaevo' into the farm. These animals were descendants of well-known breeding bulls such as Shango 254, Artist 55, Bogatyr 93, and others.
“Then active crossbreeding of local livestock and selective breeding of mixed-breed animals began to form a high-yield herd adapted to mountain conditions. This led to an increase in the growth rates of both mixed-breed and purebred livestock. Elite breeding bulls such as Erpun 93, Manezh 340, Khlor 295, Enus, Novy, Polyot, Varnak, and others were introduced into the herd. From their lines, the best bulls and cows were obtained, including cows from the lines of Khalva, Mushka, and Rozalin, which demonstrated high performance in milk production,” she concluded.
