General View to Meadow-Rangelands and Forage Crops Cultivation of Aegean Region and Turkey

With the fast increase in the population of the world, important problems emerge in covering the needs of animal-originating nutrients of human beings. In order to obtain meat, milk, egg and similar products in animal husbandry activities, it is necessary that the functions and requirements of farm animals are well-known, and these animals must be well-fed to continue their lives and produce quality and high-amount products. In our country, the animal existence is equal to 15.948.552 HB, and 11.901.791 HB of its cattles (74.62%); 3.926.017 HB of its sheeps and goats (24.62%); and 120.743 HB of its equines (0.76%). The annual quality fodder production is 21.689.734 tons and 11.416.477 tons of its from forage crops in field crop cultivation and 10.273.257 tons of it comes from meadow-pasture areas. When the amount of the fodder and the animal existence in our country are considered it is understood that the lacking rough feed deficit is 51.075.535 tons. Although this deficit is filled with stalks, hays and husks, which have low nutrient values, or with intense/mixed feed sources, it is clear that this will not suffice. In order to achieve “self-sufficiency” principle, which must be the basic target of national and regional agricultural policies, necessary precautions must be taken and applied immediately.