Some Structural Characteristics of Migratory Livestock Breeding in Igdir Province

The aim of this study was to determine some practices and problems of livestock breeders living in Igdir province and to find solutions to these problems and contribute to development of animal husbandry in the region. A survey was conducted with 174 farmers registered to the Association of Breeding Sheep and Goat Breeders, using simple random sampling method in research. Data obtained in the study is counted and expressed in numbers and percentages which can be summarized in two dimensional tables. According to these evaluations; while 86.8% of the breeders went to pastures in April, while 75.3% went to highlands in June. In September, 83.3% of the breeders returned from highlands to pastures, while 79.9% returned to the plains in December. The breeders are grazing pastures for six months in spring (April-May-June) and in fall (October-November-December). Highlands are grazed for two months per year (July-August-September). It was determined that 55.2% of the trips to the pastures and highlands were made by vehicles, 17.8% on foot and 26.4% by vehicles and on foot. 5.8% of the breeders graze their own herds while 68.4% hand over grazing to shepherds and 25.9% graze their herds in assistance of a shepherd. While 12.6% of the breeders did not express any opinions for development of sheep breeding in Igdir province, 39.7% expressed rangeland-highland provision, 28.7% suggested agricultural subsidies while 8.04% suggested water irrigation, 6.9% breeding, 1.7% farm education, 1.2% health and 1.2% meat plant for development of stock breeding in the region. According to the results of the study, it is possible to say that the migrants of Igdir province need to use their pastures, highlands and winters in accordance with the law of pasture law 4342, to be experienced and conscious about small ruminants breeding