In 2025, this sector plays a crucial role not only in ensuring food security, but also in protecting Ukraine’s agricultural resilience amid wartime challenges.
What Is Zootechnics and Why Is It Crucial?
Zootechnics is the science of animal husbandry that encompasses breeding, genetics, feeding, health management, and livestock product processing. In Ukraine, this work is spearheaded by ten specialized scientific institutions under the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS). These include:
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Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics
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Institute of Pig Breeding
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Institute of Animal Biology
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Institute of Fisheries
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Institute of Beekeeping
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Specialized poultry and bioresources research stations
Together, these institutions provide Ukraine with a comprehensive, science-backed foundation for sustainable food production and food independence.
Breeding Resilience: From Cattle to Bees
Ukrainian scientists don’t just raise animals—they create breeds tailored to local conditions that combine high productivity with endurance and adaptability.
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Dairy cattle: Ukrainian Red-Mottled and Black-Mottled breeds rival foreign counterparts in milk yields but outperform in disease resistance and lifespan.
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Pig farming: Iconic native breeds like Myrhorod, Poltava Meat, and Ukrainian Steppe White excel in both meat quality and growth rates.
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Horse breeding: The Ukrainian Riding Breed is prominent in international dressage, while the Novooleksandrivskyi Heavy Draft breed serves agriculture and koumiss production.
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Sheep and goats: Breeds like Askani Karakul offer higher wool and meat yields.
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Beekeeping: Carpathian bees of the “Rakhivsky” strain demonstrate 15–20% higher honey yields and excellent overwintering.
Real Economic Impact: The Case of Poultry
Poultry farming is a standout example of the economic advantage of scientific livestock breeding. While traditional hens lay 140–220 eggs annually, NAAS-developed breeds such as:
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Birkivska Barvysta: 270–280 eggs/year
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Poltava Clay: 260–275 eggs/year
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Hercules (meat-egg hybrids): 215–230 eggs/year
With survival rates of 95–96%, these breeds significantly enhance efficiency and profitability. For a farm with 1,500 hens, the additional 90,000 eggs annually (at ~6 UAH/egg) translate into 540,000 UAH in extra gross income—before deducting costs. For large-scale poultry farms with 100,000+ hens, the economic impact is even greater.
Why Science-Based Livestock Farming Matters More Than Ever
Historically, livestock farming in Ukraine centered around small village households. Today, industrial-scale farming demands modern science, genetics, veterinary expertise, and strict quality control to remain competitive and ensure consistent food supply.
The full-cycle model provided by NAAS—from genetic research to veterinary care and processing—ensures:
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Stable food prices and availability
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High-quality, safe, and traceable products
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Environmental and animal welfare compliance
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Increased competitiveness of Ukrainian agriproducts abroad
Strategic Importance in Wartime
While Ukraine's agricultural sector is under constant threat due to Russia’s destruction of livestock assets in occupied territories, the biggest internal threat may come from within. The State Property Fund’s attempt to seize over 135,000 hectares of land from NAAS undermines not only research but the feed base, breeding programs, and ultimately, the nation’s food sovereignty.
Conclusion: Investing in Livestock Science Is Investing in National Security
Ukrainian zootechnical science ensures the country’s ability to feed its population, support export markets, and resist economic shocks. It is not just about cows and chickens—it’s about resilience, sustainability, and sovereignty. In 2025, livestock science remains a pillar of Ukraine’s agricultural strength and a strategic sector in rebuilding the economy.
