Current Trends in Dairy Cattle Farming in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Abstract

This study assesses the current status of dairy cattle farming in Burdur province, an important region for milk production in Turkey. The study involved 677 enterprises and found that the mean number of cattle per farm was 11.3 and the number of milk cows per farm was 5.9. The estimated amount of concentrated feed consumed was 7.0 ± 2.3 kg/cattle/day; forage consumption was 9.1 ± 5.2 kg/cattle/day; the weaning age for calves was 87.4 ± 13.2 days; average milk yield was 18.7 ± 5.0 l/day; average drying-off time was 6.7 ± 0.5 months; and average age of first insemination was 17.0 ± 1.0 months. Of the 677 enterprises studied, 27.2% used free-stall barns, 20.9% used closed free-stall barns, and 51.9% used tie-stall barns. The mean size of tie-stall barns was 78 ± 51 m2. Milking was performed using portable milking machines in most enterprises (93%). Nearly all (96%) enterprises lacked any form-based recording system and received no regular veterinary treatment. This study provides important new survey data on dairy cattle breeding in Turkey.