@article{article_1671584, title={Determination of Factors Affecting Net Profit in Buffalo Milk Production by Different Data Mining Algorithms: A Case Study of Iğdır Province}, journal={Turkish Journal of Agricultural and Natural Sciences}, volume={12}, pages={640–652}, year={2025}, DOI={10.30910/turkjans.1671584}, author={Karadaş, Köksal and Bulut, Osman Doğan and Duman, Hakan}, keywords={Buffalo milk, Net profit, Data Mining Algorithms, Iğdır province}, abstract={Buffalo milk is an important animal product because it has more protein and fat content compared to other types of milk. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing profitability in buffalo milk production using advanced data mining algorithms. Data were collected from 92 buffalo farms in Iğdır Province, Türkiye, in 2016 by using the Simple Random Sampling Method. Among the 4 models developed in the R program, the Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) model demonstrated superior predictive performance based on cross-validation and goodness-of-fit criteria. The results revealed that lactation year (LY) and lactation period (LP) were the most significant variables affecting net profit. Profitability was highest in the seventh lactation year, while extending the lactation period beyond 175 days contributed to linear profit increases. The findings suggest that buffalo producers should adopt management strategies focused on culling buffaloes after the seventh lactation and extending lactation periods to improve economic outcomes. This research highlights the effectiveness of data mining techniques in determining profitability factors and provides recommendations to optimize production efficiency in livestock systems. In future research, more comprehensive models can be developed using larger datasets and additional variables.}, number={3}, publisher={Mevlüt AKÇURA}