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

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.