Current State and Future of Sheep Breeds in Turkey: Southeast Anatolia Region

Abstract

In this study, taking into account the yield direction, tail structure, and origin of sheep genotypes raised in nine provinces in the Southeast Anatolia Region, the situation is determined with the data for 2021. The study belongs to the data obtained in 2021 through the HAYBİS system of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The total number of sheep in the Southeastern Anatolia Region is 6.468.774 heads. The most common sheep breed in the region is Akkaraman (3118117 heads), followed by 1425079 heads İvesi and 1.259.182 heads Hamdani. Bafra, Dağlıç, Doğu Friz and Şarole, Suffolk, Tahirova, Karayaka, and Tuscan sheep are the least common genotypes. 98 domestic sheep breeds are bred in nine provinces in the region. The province that raises the most domestic sheep breeds is Şanlıurfa (1.884.358 baş), respectively; Diyarbakır (1.477.072 baş), Siirt (638.016 baş) are followed by the provinces. 6 cultures breed sheep in the Southeastern Anatolia Region and their total number is 26.937 heads. Thin-tailed sheep genotypes were found in all provinces except Adıyaman. While Gaziantep has the highest number of sheep breeds, Kilis has the least number of sheep breeds. The difference between the provinces in terms of the number of sheep reared and the direction of yield was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). It can be said that all practices in the region, especially sheep breeding and lamb fattening, are against the breeder. In this sense, more effective work of the Breeding Sheep and Goat Breeders' Association and Agricultural Cooperatives is essential for sustainable sheep breeding.