Dairy cattle breeding practices, production and constraints in arid and semi-arid Algerian bioclimatic environments

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study aims to characterise dairy cattle farms in two Algerian agro-ecological regions; the semi-arid region (SAR) and the arid region (AR). The survey was carried out on 213 farms. Accordingly, more than 40% of farms are characterised by small herds with ≤15 heads/farm and ≤5 dairy cows/herd. SAR farms benefit from both agricultural land types of 1–300 ha (Used Agricultural Area UAA and pastoral area), while the Saharan ones rely on small UAA. Fertility levels were higher in SAR farms where is recorded a fertility index ≤2 in 92.6% and open period ≤90 days postpartum in 68.6% with a mean lactation length exceeding 305 days in 44.6% farms. The average daily milk yield is 15 litres/cow in both regions. It is recommended to implement strategic and reliable farm management to improve herd management, minimise constraints, and maximise production, particularly in the AR.