Authors : Handan Akcaoz , Hatice Kizilay and Orhan Ozcatalbas
Abstract: In this study, the results of a survey conducted in the Antalya province of Turkey are presented. The aim of this research was to determine differences between socio economic features, risk sources and risk management strategies of the dairy farmers appearing in 3 different groups, according to number of dairy cows. Considering the research area conditions, risk sources and risk management strategies were summarized under 35 and 18 variables, respectively. Farmers were categorized as small (up to and equal 5 head of dairy cows), medium (6 to <10 head of dairy cows) and large (equal 11 and >11 head of dairy cows). The questionnaire was put into practice in October 2007-75 randomly selected dairy producers in Merkez, Manavgat and Serik counties of Antalya province. The major share of the Antalya’s dairy cow population is concentrated in this area. In the study, common factor analysis was employed to summarize the information in a reduced number of factors. Calculated mean values showed that the most important risk source in the small dairy farms was milk price variability (1.38) followed by the family members health situation (1.59) and lack of production hygiene (1.63). It was found that marketing problems were the least important risk factor. Considering the medium and large farms, the most important risk source was milk price variability, while the least important was marketing problems. According to study findings, the most significant risk management strategy was keeping debt low.
Handan Akcaoz , Hatice Kizilay and Orhan Ozcatalbas , 2009. Risk Management Strategies in Dairy Farming: A Case Study in Turkey. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 949-958.