§14. Kazakhstan - large cattle-breeding area

In agriculture of the country the animal industries play an important role, on its share it is necessary 43,1 % from total amount of production of agriculture. The main commodity branches of animal industries ­ are sheep breeding and cultivation of goats, cattle breeding (cultivation ­ of a meat and dairy horned cattle), horse breeding ­ and camel breeding. Pig breeding, Siberian deer breeding, poultry farming­, beekeeping and silkworm cultivation are additional ­ branches of an economy.

In development of animal industries of Kazakhstan ­ extensive natural pasturable and haying grounds have great value­.

Sheep breeding is the traditional employment of Kazakhs passing ­ from generation to generation. A republic environment ­ is favorable for sheep breeding development. Sheep and goats are adapted ­ for droughty conditions, the continental climate and poor vegetation. In our country of sheep and goats pasture in steppes, deserts, semi-deserts and high-mountainous areas of Southern­, Western and East Kazakhstan.

In 2008 the livestock of sheep and goats in republic has made 16 770,4 thousand heads.

In Kazakhstan are developed thin fleece, half-thin fleece sheep breeding­, argali-merino breed and sheep breeding of edilbai breeds ­of direction meat-grease. Thin fleece and half-thin fleece sheep give high-quality wool for manufacture of fabrics, and also sheepskin. They are planted in the south of the country and on high-mountainous meadows. From skins of lambs astrakhan thick wool breeds receive ­ valuable astrakhan fur.

Astrakhan breeding is concentrated along the rivers proceeding through deserts, and on peninsula Mangyshlak, and also in specialised farms ­ of the South Kazakhstan area.

Sheep breeding argali-merino breeds with high quality of wool ­ is developed on high-mountainous Alpine and subalpine meadows. From thick wool of this breed make carpets.

Sheep breeding of edilbai breeds meat-grease of the direction is widespread ­ in Saryarka.

Cattle breeding. Areas of dairy, meat and mixed ­ meat-and-milk (or dairy-meat) cattle breedings depending on ­ prevalence of breeds of horned cattle are distinguished. In republic the ­ number of cattle, including cows, on the end of 2008 has made 5991,6 thousand heads.

In forest-steppe and steppe zones in the north of the country, in high-mountainous ­ areas where there are juicy forages, gets divorced meat-and-milk of the horned cattle.

In cultivation of meat-and-milk and dairy-meat breeds of cattle are engaged ­ in the East Kazakhstan, Almaty, South Kazakhstan­, Kostanai, Akmola and North Kazakhstan areas­.

Fields, hillsides of the flat rivers and lakes of these areas, having enough forage are convenient for cultivation of horned meat-and-milk (dairy-meat) cattle. The direction of development ­ and degree of productivity of the livestock of this kind are various­. In northern areas where there are juicy forages, it is developed meat-and-milk direction; more close to the city where population density is above, gets divorced horned cattle of a dairy direction.

Valuable breeds of horned meat-and-milk cattle in Kazakhstan ­ are red Alatau, Talas and Kazakh white-headed breeds.

Horse breeding is among traditional branches of animal industries­. The horse long since was the most widespread ­ animal among four kinds of livestock of Kazakhs-nomads. According to the historical data, for the first time the horse has been tamed in steppe areas of Kazakhstan.

One of breeds of the horses planted in Kazakhstan since ancient times, the horse of the Kazakh breed is. It use basically as a cartage, and also for meat and kumyz reception. Horses of the Kazakh breed are divided into Zhaby, Adai, Kushum and Kostanai. Now all areas of the country are engaged in horse breeding­. The quantity of horses in republic for 2008 has made 1370,5 thousand heads

Camel breeding is extended in the most deserted areas ­ of republic - in Atyrau, Mangistau, Kyzylorda and South Kazakhstan areas. To plant camels in deserted, semidesertic areas and steppe zones is very favourably ­ as they all year long are on the pasture. From the camel milk prepares shubat which has curative properties­.

Number of camels for 2008 has made 148,3 thousand heads.

Poultry farming is concentrated in the areas located near to ­ large industrial centres, cities, grain processing enterprises. Basically they are Northern, Central, South Kazakhstan areas. According to 2008, the livestock of birds in republic totals about 30,1 million heads.

Pig breeding is developed in agricultural areas of the North Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan areas. Complexes on ­ pork manufacture ­ build in vicinities of cities and near to mixed fodder industrial complexes. In the country, on the statistical 2008, 1347,3 thousand heads of pigs are given.

Siberian deer breeding is special and undeveloped branch of animal industries­. Siberian deer breedings are engaged in area Katon-Karagai ­ of the East Kazakhstan area. People use meat of Siberian deer ­ in food, use skins. Horns of Siberian deer are valuable ­ for medicinal raw materials.

Beekeeping economy is located on high mountains of Altai­, Zhongar Alatau and Tien-Shan where a considerable quantity ­ of melliferous plants grows­. Pride of the country is honey of Ore Altai. The beekeeping economy of "Putintsevo" in the East Kazakhstan area especially differs.

Silkworm brreding is cultivation of silkworms for the purpose of reception of raw materials for manufacturing of natural silk - is developed in Southern Kazakhstan area.

THE BRANCHES PROCESSING AGRICULTURAL RAW MATERIALS

Processing branches of agriculture are closely connected with agriculture which is the basic source ­ of raw materials. Processing branches of agroindustrial complex concern food ­(meat, dairy, fish, flour, groats, etc.) and light industry (textile, shoe, notions, etc.).