The Current Status, Main Problems and Solutions of Dairy Cattle Farms in Niğde

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the current status of dairy cattle farms in Niğde, to detect basic priority problems and to offer some solutions. In the study, representing all provinces, total 95 dairy farms selected by stratified and random sampling method was taken. The data obtained from the surveys in farms, face-to-face was used. The results showed that the large portion of dairy cattle breeders (60%) were primary school graduates, the average duration of cattle breeding was 15.2 years, a significant proportion of labor (92%) of family labor was used, 54%, 19%, 15%, 6%, 4% and 2% of farms reared only Holstein, Holstein and Simmental, only Brown Swiss, only Simmental, Holstein and Brown Swiss, and Simmental and Brown Swiss respectively, the average number of animals per farm was 33, the number of dairy cows was 13, the average daily milk yield per lactating cow was 16.6 kg. Farmers agreed that the most important problems were the high cost of basic inputs, concentrated feed problem, low cost of products sold, roughage and pasture problem. In addition, according to Likert scale, the most satisfied activities were reared cattle breed (3.95), breeder‘s organization services (3.94), milking process (3.76), calving and maintenance duties (3.74) and recording system (3.71). Beside, for the breeders, the worst issues were satisfied that Ministry policies about cattle breeding (1.83), sales price and the market situation of animals (1.96), sales price and the market situation of the milk (2.04), provision of essential inputs such as feed and labor costs (2.06), credit and financial support (2.08).