Within the scope of combating climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is launching a protection and breeding project for "Native Black" and "Grey Breed" cattle, which are easily adaptable to the environment and are known to be contented because they consume less food. In the project, a support payment of 2 thousand lira per broodstock and 6 lira will be made for the offspring whose live weights at birth, 1 months and 1500 year are taken.
The General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), affiliated to the Ministry, has implemented the Domestic Cattle Breeding Project in the Hands of the People. Within the scope of the project, it was planned to breed “Native Black” and “Grey Breed” cattle, which stand out with their endurance and frugality.
Global warming and climate changes have a significant impact on animal production and have a direct impact on animal yields, lifestyles, endurance and diversity. With the project, it is envisaged to ensure the sustainability of local genetic resources and to benefit from the advantages of care and feeding.
With this project, domestic cattle breeding will be carried out by the public for the first time. Project studies are being initiated in 2 provinces, in Ankara for "Native Land" and in Balıkesir for "Grey Breed" cattle. In the project, a support payment of 2 thousand lira per broodstock and 6 lira will be made for the offspring whose live weights at birth, 1 months and 1500 year are taken.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPECIES
One of the domestic cattle breeds, the “Grey Breed” is spreading in the western regions of Thrace, Southern Marmara, Northern Aegean and Central Anatolia. The Gray Breed is known to have adapted to the climatic and environmental conditions of these regions and to be contented in terms of food requirements.
The natural habitats of this race, whose numbers have decreased considerably, attract attention as forest interiors and rugged lands in mountainous regions. "Grey Breeds", which can make good use of low quality feeds, stand out with their ability to adapt to the climate.
This species, which is resistant to sudden climate and feed changes, all kinds of adverse natural conditions, hunger, malnutrition, diseases and parasites, is seen as a self-sufficient breed with high ability to care for its young and herd.
It is also known that while strong male "Grey Breed" animals were used in villages for plowing and carrying goods, they were preferred in migrations to Anatolia and for the transportation of goods and ammunition during the War of Independence.
“Native Kara”s, another of the domestic cattle breeds, are bred in the Central Anatolian Region. Adapted to the climatic and environmental conditions of this region, the "Native Black" breed can be bred under all kinds of care, feeding and housing conditions. Known for being very docile, the breed in question is defined as a contented breed because it is fed little grass and hay.
“WE CONTINUE OUR WORK TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL RACES AND MAINTAIN IT”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci said that in the field of cattle breeding, where most of Turkey's red meat and milk needs are met, it is important to develop and breed breeds that are resistant to global warming, climate changes and diseases in order to avoid problems in food supply in the future.
Stating that with the breeding project prepared for the "Native Land" and "Grey Breed", both local genetic resources will be protected and yield capabilities such as milk and meat will be increased, added value will be provided to Turkey's livestock, Kirişci said:
“Animal breeding, you know, is a technical field that scientists deal with within the scope of certain disciplines and methods. We aim to increase productivity in cattle and sheep with our breeding activities. We have expanded the scope of our support in order to support our breeders and to accelerate the studies on animal breeding. As the Ministry, we attach special importance to the development of high quality animal breeds. We have been successfully implementing the Improvement in the Hands of the People Project since 2005 in small cattle and since 2011 in mandate. With the small cattle breeding project, we brought 500 thousand head of high quality breeding material to the sector annually. With our buffalo breeding and support policies, we increased the number of buffaloes from 85 thousand to 118 thousand with an increase of 185 percent. Since 2002, we have increased the share of supports in the livestock sector in agricultural support from 4,4 percent to 25 percent. We increased the number of cattle to 81 million with an increase of 17,9 percent, and the number of sheep and goats to 83 million with an increase of 58,5 percent. We continue our efforts to take our animal husbandry further and to preserve and reproduce our native breeds.”
Be the first to comment