Questionnaire Example on Production and Problems of Feed Mills: The Case of Diyarbakır

This study examines the production status and other characteristics of animal feed manufacturers in Diyarbakır during 2021. For this purpose, data were collected through face-to-face using a questionnaire consisting of 58 questions, completed by six business owners. The responses obtained from producers were statistically analyzed. The study determined the annual animal feed production capacities, production volumes, mill capacity utilization rates, , raw material supply regions and electricity per ton of feed produced, and the annual production capacities of the mills. Among the cattle feeds produced, finishing feed for fattening was identified as the most produced type, while sheep/goat feeds primarily consisted of sheep fattening and sheep dairy feeds. The data revealed that most of the raw materials used in animal feed production were sourced from outside region and abroad It was also determined that the majority of the feed produced was sold on credit, with electricity and water costs amounting to 12.45 TL and 0.28 TL per ton of feed produced, respectively. Raw material purchases accounted for 71.67% of total product costs, while personnel expenses constituted 12.86% of total costs. Additionally, transportation and electric energy costs represented 7.67% and 5.67% of total costs, respectively. The research highlighted that animal feed mills operated at insufficient capacity utilization levels and produced a limited variety of feed types. Due to the reliance on raw material procurement from outside region and abroad, the transportation distances for raw materials were long, resulting in high raw material costs. It was concluded that the mills operating in the region had weak competitive power, limited market opportunities in the face of competition, and high feed production costs.