Identification of Fodder Preservation and Storage Practices of Livestock Enterprisesin Tavas District of Denizli Province

This study aimed to explore the demographic, geographical, and socioeconomic characteristics, and agricultural and livestock activities of livestock enterprises in Tavas District of Denizli Province, Turkey. The face-to-face interview was conducted in 25.24% (237 livestock holdings), which were selected to best represent 939 holdings in 16 neighborhoods, using a questionnaire of 73 questions. The results of the study showed that 84.81% of the owners of the businesses were primary school graduates; 66.25% were aged 40–59 years, and the average age was 51.31 years. Further, 61.71% of them were members of at least one cooperative/union, 96.20% of them used milking machine, and 2.95% of them performed the feeding with a feeding trailer (Total Mixed Ration-TMR). Also, 77.21% had an annual income of less than 20,000 Turkish Liras (TL); half of the enterprises bought more than 80% of the fodder. Fodder plant cultivation and silage production were insufficient; 99.16% understood the roughage quality from the appearance, and 78.90% understood the concentrated fodder quality by using the fodder; they continued buying the fodder if they liked its quality. Moreover, 81.02% of the roughage and 87.35% of the concentrated fodder were stored in the hayloft and in the barn, respectively; 89.87% packed the fodder bags 10–15 cm above the ground, and 71.73% left a space of 15–20 cm between the packaged feedstuff and the wall/ceiling. Further, 46.83% put 6–7 sacks on top of each other, 36.02% put 4–5 sacks on top of each other, 98.73% did not have a situation of poisoning cause from fodders, and 98.31% did not have an analysis of the factory fodders. The owners did not measure the temperature and humidity of feed stores, concentrates, roughage, and silage, performed no aflatoxin analysis in forages and milk. The owners did not know the relative humidity and ideal temperature value of the forage stores, the storage conditions of the concentrated forages, and the maximum amount of moisture. The necessary cleaning and disinfection were performed when the fodder storages were emptied and before the storages were filled with the new fodder. Also, effective measures were taken against birds, rodents, and pests in the fodder storages. It is thought that all owners had sufficient knowledge of agriculture and livestock, but they did not receive professional support in animal nutrition, ration preparation, and silage preparation. They admitted to attend courses/panels/seminars/training/meetings about animal nutrition. Hence, the owners of Tavas District were not sufficiently informed about agriculture and livestock production, they did not receive consultancy services, and they was not shown enough attention for storage and preservation of fodders. The study concluded that the owners needed to be trained and further investigation were required for detailed insights. Key words: Denizli Province; fodder preservation and storage, livestock enterprise, Tavas District