Environmental Impacts of Commercial Dairy Farming in Balikesir Central District

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the environmental impacts of commercial stock breeding activities in rural areas of Balikesir central district. Cultural ecological perspective is used as method in this study. The study is based on the questions such as; How and when the commercial stock breeding has started in the research area? How do the commercial stock breeding activities in the area influence the environment? What is the sustainability of the activity and which precautions can be taken? The agriculture and stock breeding activities in the research area have been the traditional way from past to present. Stockbreeding activities in the region that have been commonly carried on, have become more modern and started to be carried on in modern plants in time. In Balikesir, according to 2012 data, there are totally 12 610 dairy cattle in 97 plants each of which at least has 50 dairy cattle. % 24 dairy cattle is in Balikesir central district. Commercial diary farming which is carried on in Balikesir, provides % 10 of Turkey's milk production. Modernization and High business administration in animal holdings, which has become widespread, have also brought some problems beside. Commercial bovine breeding has some negative effects on environment. Precautions may be taken to minimize these effects and to provide the sustainability of the activities. Scientific norms should be taken into account at site selection to build new plants thus negative results of the plants must be prevented. Construction site selection, planning, construction and running of the plants should be carried out as proper to technical and legal rules.