SKIN QUALITY OF SIMMENTALS AND HOLSTEIN × SIMMENTAL CATTLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF SOUTH URALS
The results of studies on skin quality of Simmentals and Holstein × Simmental cattle under the conditions of South Urals are submitted in the article. It is shown that the skin cover is of great importance for farm animals' vital activity. The basic indicator of raw hide is its mass. There are different grades of cattle hides: light hides weighing 13 - 17 kg, average ones - 18 - 25 kg and heavy ones - more than 25 kg. As result of studies it is ascertained that under adequate conditions of feeding and management the animals of the genotypes under study produce heavy conditioned raw hides. Moreover, the heavier hides of larger area and density are obtained from hybrid animals with large live weight.