Determining Properties of Barns of Dairy Cattle Farms in Mus Province

This study was conducted to evaluate the barn properties of dairy cattle farms in Mus province. For this purpose, a survey was performed with 346 farmers using random sampling method. Barns of the farms were constructed as independent (85.8%). More than half of the farmers built barns based on their own experience (58.6%). The estimated area of the barns in the farms changed between 51-200 m2. The proportion of the farms in which all required divisions were included was determined as 2.8%. Manure cleaning was done, mostly, by hand daily (90.3%). Manure was burned (48.7%), utilized as fertilizer (19%) or sold (5%). Litter was utilized in 66.5% of the farms. Most commonly used litter was the straw (55.6%) and followed by manure (23.4%). This research provides important information regarding to basic aspects of dairy farms in Mus province. This information could be utilized in improving dairy farming in the province.