Abstract
The article presents the results of a study on the content of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn) in feeds and root crops collected from farms in Akmola and Karaganda regions of Kazakhstan. It was found that the highest accumulation of toxic elements occurs in concentrated feeds, while the lowest levels were detected in succulent feeds. The highest concentrations of lead and cadmium were found in concentrated feed samples from Karaganda region, with levels of 3.26±0.24 mg/kg and 0.17±0.002 mg/kg respectively. In Akmola region, the average concentrations were significantly lower: lead 1.040±0.012 mg/kg (3 times lower) and cadmium 0.037±0.010 mg/kg (4.5 times lower). Arsenic residues were detected in trace amounts in feed samples and were often absent in succulent feeds and root crops. The content of copper and zinc was slightly higher in feeds from Karaganda region, except for copper levels in concentrated feeds from a private enterprise in Kokshetau, which exceeded the norm by 1.4 times.