Documents of the State Archive of the Karaganda Region on Scientific and Technical Documentation: From the History of Breeding Experiments in Karlag

Abstract

The study is based on archival materials of the State Archive of the Karaganda Region on scientific and technical documentation, reflecting the history of the development of animal husbandry in Central Kazakhstan. Special attention is given to the collection of the Karaganda Research Institute of Crop Production and Breeding, which originates from the Scientific Cabinet of KarLag – one of the largest camps in the GULAG system. The archival materials demonstrate the contribution of specialists who worked under camp conditions to the formation of the scientific foundation for agricultural research in the region, including the breeding of cattle and sheep, and also illustrate the transformation of camp-based scientific experience into a sustainable regional agricultural practice. The article describes the development of fat-tailed fine-wool sheep breeds, combining the hardiness of fat-tailed types with the high wool quality of fine-wool breeds. The paper examines breeding methods used in Karlag, including backcrossing, crossbreeding (metization), and the selection of rare synthetic animals. The role of Kazakhstan’s natural and climatic conditions in determining breeding directions and the typology of the breeds developed is demonstrated. Archival materials make it possible to trace the evolution of scientific approaches, the justification of the national economic necessity for new breeds, and their preparation for large-scale introduction into production. The experience of Karlag demonstrates the possibility of successfully solving complex breeding tasks even under conditions of limited resources and a harsh socio-historical context.