Fodder production and optimization for ruminant nutrition in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Fodder expenditures consist of nearly 70 percent of animal production. As it is known, animals need various feeding materials for surviving and producing different kinds of products. Animals obtain their nutrient requirements from feed and water. Especially, forage is very important for the feeding of ruminant animals. It is essential that the forage obtaining from plant production to be used efficiently for economical animal production. The present study was aimed to determine fodder reservation, ruminant animal existence at macro levels and optimiztion of fodder production in TRNC. Two optimization models were considered in this study. In the first model, the share of domestic fodder production in ruminant animals feeding was determined. In the second model, the required fodder quantity for rational feeding of the TRNC ruminant animal was determined. Concrete proposals were put forward to be assorted and increase quantity and quality of the fodder production in the conclusion of this study. Key Words: T.R.N.C., forage, fodder, ruminant, optimization II