Animal production farming diversity in Slovak agriculture

Changes in Slovak agriculture during the last decade are assessed in the paper, with special reference to livestock production and livestock farm diversity. A very high decrease in animal production was recorded in the whole of Slovakia during the last 10 years. The most critical years were 1991 and 1992. Present numbers of animals are about half those of 1989. In some regions, the decreases, mainly in cattle and sheep numbers, have had an adverse environmental influence. Besides shrinkage in the overall animal product market, a rapid decrease in domestic consumption was the main reason. The evaluation of the changes and current trends on individual farms was carried out on two levels: the regional and the farm level. From preliminary analysis at the country level, two districts (administrative regions) were selected for the regional assessment, one with extremely good and one with extremely bad natural conditions, in the Danube river plain and in the Slovak Carpathians respectively. The data were obtained from state and regional statistics and from personal discussions with state and regional officers. The changes in structure and productive orientations during the transition period on individual farms and their resulting conditions were assessed at seventeen farm enterprises from personal interviews with the farmers. During the visits to the farms, prepared questionnaires were filled in. Animal production in the lowland areas appears to be on a relatively good level from a management as well as a production point of view. However, there are many farms without animal production (mostly beginners - individual farmers and private companies). Changes in farm types in the mountain/sub mountain areas appear to be less marked than in the lowland areas. Large co-operatives (although transformed) are still in the majority there. At the co-operatives assessed, the technical level is comparable with that found in the lowland; however, performance is lower. Despite the density of animals being higher, it still appears insufficient for the available grassland.