Typological assessment of dairy farms systems in semi-arid Mediterranean region of Western Algeria

Abstract

The present study aimed to characterize the dairy cattle farming systems in semi arid region in western Algeria. A typology of the farms was established following the description of livestock dairy farming practices and the assessment of their contribution to farm efficiency. The enquiry was conducted on 60 dairy farms during 2018-2019 agricultural campaign to determine structural, technical and economic parameters. The Results show a large diversity of farmer?s strategies, particularly in feeding and economic indicators. The statistical analysis has identified 3 groups of farms. The first group contains 12 farms produce average milk yield about 4120 kg and promote use of forages. The participation of concentrates in total dry matter ingestion (DMI) is about 45.3 %, the average costs of milk production is of 37.1 DA/ liter?0.52 ? and charge of food in total production costs in the order of 62.8 %. 32 dairy farms of second group are characterized by average milk yields 3240 kg and the contribution of concentrated foods represents 49.2 % of total DMI. The cost of liter of milk is about 42.7 DA?0.60 ? and food costs in order of 68.7 % of total production costs. The third group contains 16 dairy farms whose illustrates farms with a significant contribution of concentrates in the global feed balance (54.3 % of total DMI). These concentrated foods were poorly converted into milk as recorded yields are the lowest (2010 kg). Production costs of liter milk and the percentage price of food in total cost production were respectively highest (49.4 DA?0.69 ?) and (80.2 %). The results of this typology indicate the diversity of dairy farms systems in semi-arid region in North Africa, which must be taken to ensure the profitability and sustainability of farms identified. The socio-economic factors are behind the genesis of sample farms, the technical feeding and rationing and no diversification of forage calendar make clear the variations in groups of dairy husbandry. To guarantee sustainability development of typological groups, a specific measure, particularly in feeding management, will be applied for different livestock systems identified.

Technical and economic performance of dairy cattle farming in mountain areas in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria

“…In addition, the average production cost of one kg of milk is 35 AD / kg. This cost is similar to that reported by Yerou et al (2019) in the western region of Algeria, which is 37.1 AD/kg. Farmers of type 5 (more affluent) report the lowest cost of production compared to other groups at only 27.5 AD/kg.…”

“…In the same study area but in 2007, Kadi et al (2007a reported that this amount could reach 10 kg/cow/day. In the western region, Yerou et al (2019) report that the concentrate distribution varies from 5.5 to 10 kg/cow/day. But in the eastern region of India, Gupta el al.…”

Context Specificity and Time Dependency in Classifying Sub-Saharan Africa Dairy Cattle Farmers for Targeted Extension Farm Advice: The Case of Uganda

“…However, categorical variables were later used to further characterize obtained clusters or production systems. PCA was used to combine variables into a smaller number of factors [71,72] as well as CA classified farmers into specific heterogenous clusters that were also homogeneous within [73]. To perform PCA, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett sphericity tests were used to check whether the dataset of 471 farm households and 13 variables were appropriate for PCA.…”

Impact of heat stress on Holstein breeding performance conducted in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate. Case of Western Algeria.

“…The upper critical temperature for cows is 25 to 26 oC (Bonmanova et al, 2007); cows decrease milk production when THI exceeds the critical comfort zone of 72. In Algeria, the technical and economic results of the dairy performance of dairy farms are weak despite the existence of an improved breed of livestock imported from abroad (Yerou et al,2019). Exotic breed of cows like Holstein are universally classified as high yielding, in a semi-arid Algerian environment, they produce below their expected levels of performance during lactation in their country of origin (Kaouche et al 2015 andYerou et al, 2019).…”

“…Studies on the evolution of performance in dairy cattle farming have shown that the effect of the environment combined with breeding practices leads to a drop in body weight and the level of milk production. Typological studies indicate the limits of a model based on a large-format exogenous breed, transferred to semi-arid regions to improve milk production (Yerou et al ., 2019). In addition, the results show the need for a debate on the model of dairy farming in arid and semi-arid dairy farms in Mediterranean regions, as well as on the role that the selection of local breeds can have in such conditions.…”