Retrospective Study about the Transformation of Dairy Cattle Population in Turkey (1991-2019) and Possible Metabolic and Reproductive Problems

Authors : Kemal AKSOY, Abdulkerim DENİZ, Mert METİN

Pages : 77-84

Doi:10.19127/bshealthscience.826702

View : 134 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2021-05-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The present study analyzed the transformation of dairy cattle population and changes in yearly milk production and per lactation milk yield insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1991 – 2019); in Turkey. In addition, metabolic and reproductive diseases frequently seen in high milk yielding dairy cows insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HYDC); and problems causing low milk yield were investigated. The number of dairy cows, culled and sent to slaughter was investigated for the last three years in Turkey. On the other side, the cost of the most common metabolic diseases by region has been analyzed by a phone survey insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40 vets were asked in different regions);. The dairy cow population was 6118997 in 1991 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HYDC pure breed: 10.6% and traditional indigenous dairy breed: 55.3%);. The dairy cow population reached 6580753 in 2019 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(7.5 % increase compared to 1991); which consisted of pure breed HYDC of 49.4% and traditional dairy breed of 8.9%. This is a transformation in dairy cattle population in 28 years. Yearly total milk production increased by 141.2% from 8.616.412 tons insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1991); to 20782374 tons insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2019);. Yearly milk production per lactation/cow increased from 1.4 tons insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1991);, to 1.65 tons insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2000); and to 3.16 tons insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2019); which means 17.5% and 124.3% increase, respectively. The growth of the number of HYDC pure breed and their total yearly milk production was 399.3% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(650739 – 3249002); and 555.6% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1913438 tons to 12544507 tons); in 28 years, respectively. Numerous metabolic and reproductive diseases can often be observed in HYDCs due to genetic reasons as well as nutritional and maintenance mistakes during the transition and dry period which can cause economic loss related to milk yield and metabolic diseases. The treatment cost of the metabolic or reproductive diseases for the farmers was between 150-1200 TL per case. Many of the animals were sent to compulsory slaughter and culled because of these diseases. Indeed, a total of 738681 dairy cows have been sent to slaughter throughout the last three years.
Keywords : Dairy population, Milk yield, Metabolic diseases, Cost of diseases, Turkey

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