Problems and prospects of pig breeding, sheep breeding and other branches of livestock production in connection with the war in Ukraine

The main problems of Ukrainian livestock production as a result of hostilities and the Russian occupation were and still are the destruction or failure of livestock premises, equipment, technical vehicles, farm infrastructure, destruction or loss of livestock. The death, departure from the combat zone of the service personnel, specialists and management of farms, problems with providing livestock enterprises with fuel and lubricants, electricity, natural gas, etc., also had a negative impact. Expropriation, confiscation, theft of animals, products, vehicles, fodder, consumables, equipment by the invaders led to the curtailment of production. It becomes impossible to carry out sowing, cultivation and purchase of fodder crops, to carry out normal sales of products and financial activities. All this led to a significant reduction in the number of farm animals and their productivity. Ukrainian livestock breeders are finding effective ways out of a critical situation or reducing negative consequences. Thus, Russia’s blockade of the sea transportation of Ukrainian grain led to the use of a larger amount of grain feed inside Ukraine for breeding pigs and birds. Therefore, the number of pigs has already been increasing and currently amounts to about 5.3 million heads. Scientists have suggested implementing measures to restore animal husbandry and the fodder base by involving in the production of agricultural lands that were affected by hostilities. It is proposed to use sheep and goats in the development of territories abandoned as a result of military operations. These animals are planned to graze on fields that are not cultivated.