Manure management practices and biogas potential assessment in dairy cattle farms in Samsun province, Türkiye
Abstract
Despite the expansion of the livestock sector in Türkiye, manure management in dairy farms has not yet reached the desired level of modernization, and manure is still not utilized according to its full environmental and economic potential. This issue is particularly important in Samsun province, where livestock production is intensive and ineffective manure handling may increase environmental pressure, reduce farm efficiency, and compromise hygiene and animal welfare. This study aimed to analyse manure management practices in dairy cattle farms in Samsun province, Türkiye, in terms of structural, technical, economic, environmental, and animal welfare dimensions. Data were obtained from 77 dairy cattle farms through face-to-face questionnaires administered to members of the Cattle Breeders’ Association. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted, and the annual biogas and electricity generation potential was estimated using accepted conversion coefficients. The findings showed that most farms manage manure using traditional manual methods and lack adequate storage and mechanization facilities. Open-yard manure storage was the most common practice (42.9 %), whereas only 9.1 % of the farms had a sealed manure pit and 10.4 % reported having no designated storage area. The estimated total fresh manure production was 3.80 million tons per year, corresponding to 12.71 million m³ of biogas and approximately 59.75 gigawatt-hour of electricity. Despite this substantial potential, low awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and limited financial support remain major constraints. The study concludes that improving manure management systems through farmer training, cooperative biogas investments, and regulatory practices may enhance environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and the overall economic efficiency of dairy production in the region.
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