Livestock Support Budget to Reach 54.5 Billion Lira

November 1, 2026 · Yeni Şafak

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the livestock support budget for 2027 will increase by 41.5% to 54.5 billion lira, and breeders will be exempt from vaccine and ear tag fees.

Record Budget Increase in Livestock Support

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced to the public that the budget resources allocated to improve animal production are growing rapidly. According to the ministry's statement, the support allocated to animal production in 2026 was increased by 39.5% compared to the previous year, reaching 38.5 billion lira. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that with the approval of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the livestock support budget for 2027 will rise by a record 41.5% to 54.5 billion lira.

Stating that the financial resources provided to producers will continue to increase, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said:

'God willing, for the year 2027, we will have increased this support budget by 41.5% to 54.5 billion lira.'

Genomic Test Center Opened for Service

The Genomic Test Center, established within the International Livestock Research and Training Center Directorate in Lalahan, Ankara, was opened with an official ceremony. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, AK Party Ankara Deputy Jülide Sarıeroğlu, TAGEM General Manager Dr. Mustafa Altuğ Atalay, and Ankara University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar attended the opening program. In his opening speech, Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that they aim to protect the labor of producers and keep young people in rural areas, focusing on quality rather than quantity and bringing science to the field.

Turkey's Global Success in Animal Production

According to official data shared by the ministry, the total support provided to the livestock sector in Turkey over the last 24 years has reached 663 billion lira. As a result of the investments made, the cattle population increased by 80%, and the small ruminant population increased by 91%. In the same period, red meat production saw a historic growth of 144%, and milk production grew by 155%. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı emphasized that Turkey currently ranks 10th in the world and 3rd in the European Union in cow's milk production, and 8th in the world and 1st in Europe in beef production.

Domestic Vaccine Initiative and Biosecurity

Stating that animal health is the most critical factor in productivity, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Institute will be upgraded to international standards. New vaccine production centers are being established at the Etlik (Ankara) and Pendik (Istanbul) locations, while the biosecurity standards of veterinary control laboratories are being raised. Yumaklı reported that the development process for a new vaccine combining sheep and goat pox and peste des petits ruminants vaccines has been completed, and field trials are ongoing. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı also announced that intensive work is underway on domestic vaccine studies for lumpy skin disease, which is rapidly spreading in Europe.

Tangible Decline in Combating Epidemic Diseases

As a result of the preventive health measures implemented by the ministry, significant reductions have been achieved in epidemic animal diseases. According to data announced by Minister Yumaklı, a decrease of 68% was recorded in sheep, goat, and brucellosis outbreaks, 70% in lumpy skin disease cases, and 41% in sheep and goat pox.

Stating that they aim to minimize calf losses, Yumaklı stated that the compensation rates in this regard have been increased by 100%. It has been officially announced that breeders will receive a loss support payment of 20,000 lira per calf and 4,000 lira per lamb and kid this year.

Free Vaccines and Ear Tags for Breeders

İbrahim Yumaklı stated that veterinary checkpoints to control animal movements will soon be operational in Istanbul, and touched upon digital monitoring processes. He noted that the electronic ear tag system, which allows cattle to be tracked from birth to slaughter, is in place and announced cost relief for producers. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that the state will no longer charge breeders for vaccine and identification ear tag fees, and these costs will be directly covered by the ministry's budget, thereby removing the financial burden on producers.

Scientific Breeding Era with DNA Analysis

Through the Genomic Test Center, the genetic potential of animals will be determined at an early age through DNA analysis, and breeding selections will be made according to scientific criteria. Yumaklı stated that genomic selection studies, which began with Holstein Friesian and Simmental breeds, have been transformed into a National Genomic Selection project, and a reference population of 35,372 animals has been reached. Furthermore, genomic tests have been performed on 7,659 female calves in breeding farms since 2023. Minister Yumaklı stated that this scientific infrastructure will provide high yields, low operating costs, and increase Turkey's global competitiveness.

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