Production and marketing problems of cattle farming enterprises in the villages of Şarkışla district, Sivas province

In this study, the production and marketing problems faced by cattle farming enterprises in the villages of Şarkışla District, Sivas Province, were identified, and suggestions and thoughts on the solutions to these problems were presented. The research was conducted through a survey personally administered by the researcher in March and April 2023. Seventeen villages, representing 20% of the 85 villages in Şarkışla District and heavily involved in cattle farming, were purposefully selected. Face-to-face surveys were conducted with the owners of 85 enterprises, representing 20% of the enterprises in these selected villages. According to the results obtained from the research, the average age of the producers participating in the survey was found to be 44 years, with 92.4% being male and 37.65% being primary school graduates. The average annual total livestock income was approximately 200 836.09 TL, and the producers had an average of 16 years of livestock farming experience. It was determined that 70.59% of these enterprise owners were registered in the Farmer Registration System (FRS), and 83% were producing on their land, while others were using land through rental or other means. It was found that 28.24% of the enterprises participating in the research had difficulties in finding shepherds, and 59.19% sourced their breeding animals from animal markets. In terms of animal feed, 96.47% of the enterprise owners primarily used straw as roughage, while 24.71% used dry hay. Moreover, 50.59% of the enterprises reported difficulties in accessing compound feed, which is one of the concentrated feeds they use. Only 30.59% of the producers in this study were found to have insured their animals. Additionally, 75.29% of the producers did not find the provided incentives and supports sufficient. It was also determined that 41.11% of the producers participating in the survey used agricultural credit, with 31.76% of this credit being used for purchasing animals. Furthermore, 32.94% of these enterprises experienced problems in marketing their animals. The most pressing problem faced by the producers was identified as difficulties in obtaining feed, reported by 90.59% of the participants. This research identified the problems of the enterprises and presented suggestions and thoughts regarding the solutions to these problems. Keywords: Production, Livestock Farming, Marketing, Sivas