PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF AMARANTH AND ITS PROCESSING PRODUCTS IN THE COMPOSITION OF COMPOUND FEED FOR POULTRY

It has been established that the efficiency of livestock farming largely depends on the quality of compound feeds, as they account for up to 70% of the production cost structure. The primary raw material sources for compound feeds include grains, legumes, oilseeds, and their by-products (meal and cake). Yield instability, dependence on weather conditions, fluctuations in agricultural product prices, and increasing competition in the raw material market complicate the ability of compound feed enterprises to secure the necessary resources. The positive dynamics of global compound feed production volumes from 2018 to 2023 are presented. Changes in the volumes of compound feed production in Ukraine from 2019 to 2023 have been summarized. It has been proven that the state of the compound feed industry in Ukraine has undergone significant changes due to the impact of military actions, economic challenges, and disrupted logistics chains during the war. The main trends identified include a reduction in production, increased production costs, and a decline in product quality. An analysis of the distribution of compound feed production volumes in Ukraine in 2023 by types of agricultural animals and poultry shows that the largest share is occupied by the production of compound feed for poultry. This is due to the efficiency of poultry farming, industrialization of production, and accessibility of technologies. It has been proven that global grain reserves have significantly declined over the past 10 years, reaching their lowest level during this period. The dependence of domestic feed production on grain crops results in high sensitivity of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors to factors such as weather conditions, crop yields, economic interests in land use, food market dynamics, and the country’s import policies. This issue is further exacerbated by the challenge of protein supply for livestock farming. It has been demonstrated that amaranth can partially address the protein supply issue and reduce dependence on grains in poultry feed production. In the compound feed industry, the use of amaranth seeds is justified by their high protein, amino acid, trace element, and biologically active compound content. In Ukraine, amaranth is actively processed for various industries, with oil being the most common product. It has been established that the cost of amaranth may be higher than traditional components, limiting its use in budget feeds. The market price ranges from 20,000 to 25,000 UAH/ton. The feasibility of using amaranth cake in compound feeds has been substantiated. Amaranth cake is a by-product obtained after pressing oil from amaranth seeds. It is used in compound feed production, improving animal immunity and ensuring better nutrient absorption. Amaranth cake significantly surpasses traditional grains in nutritional value. Its use reduces dependence on other protein components and enables the creation of next-generation compound feeds.