Comparative Analysis of Livestock Farms in terms of Forage Crops Production and Rangelands Usage Habits

This study was carried out in order to compare the livestock enterprises in terms of forage crops production and rangelands usage habits in one districts of Kırklareli and Tekirdağ provinces. Total of 91 surveys were executed in the study and 36 of these surveys were executed in 6 villages of Tekirdağ and 55 of these surveys were executed in 9 villages of Kırklareli. During the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics such as percentage, average and standard deviation were used. Discrete data were subjected to Chi Square test and the differences between the provinces in terms of the variables were observed. Discriminant analysis was used in order to determine the separating characteristics of the enterprises in terms of forage crops production and rangelands usage habits. In Kırklareli province, the average education periods and ages of the farmers were determined as 7.53 years and 46.84, respectively. The average animal number was 17.69. Utilizing period from the rangelands, number of the grown forage plant, plant type number in the rangelands and the distance of the enterprise to the rangelands were determined as 3.89 months, 1.87, 2.38 and 574.55 m. In Tekirdağ province, the average education periods and ages of the farmers were determined as 7.56 years and 49.39, respectively. The average animal number was 41.92. Utilizing period from the rangelands, number of the grown forage plant, plant type number in the rangelands and the distance of the enterprise to the rangelands were determined as 6.56 months, 2.97, 2.72 and 688.89 m. As a result of chi square test which was done in order to determine the difference between the farmers according to the forage crops production and rangelands usage habits statistically, it was determined that discrimination in grazing plan according to the animal type, opinions about the rangelands effected by flooding and taking forage plant subsidies changed according to the provinces. As a result of the discriminant analysis, it was determined that the most significant variables which affected the discrimination between the farmers were utilizing period from the rangelands and number of the grown forage plants. According to the group centroid values, it was determined that utilizing period from the rangelands and number of the grown forage plants were higher in the enterprises in Tekirdağ province. As a result of the discriminant analysis, it was determined that 75.80%of the total of the enterprises was classified properly. According to the results, it was concluded that the farmers in Tekirdağ province were more conscious according to the farmers in Kırklareli province in respect of forage crops production and rangelands usage.