Characterization of dairy cattle feeding systems in Algeria : impact on productive and reproductive performance

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the existing cattle feeding systems in Algeria and the impact of feeding management, particularly the concentrate allocation, on dairy cow milk yield and reproductive performance. The study was conducted during 6 months with a total of 240 cows in Tizi-Ouzou area (north of Algeria). According to the concentrate allocation, three feeding systems were defined: S1 with a constant concentrate allocation whatever the physiological stage, S2 with a variable quantity of concentrate allocated according the stage of lactation and S3 with concentrate allocation according to the stage of lactation and milk production level. The results revealed that the milk production was lower than what allowed by the genetic potential associated to altered reproductive performances. Compared to S1 and S2, it was observed that cows in S3 presented significantly higher mean milk yield (17.7 ± 3.96 kg) and reproductive performance (pregnancy rate at first insemination (58.3 %), low days to first service (89.4 ± 26.6) and short open days (105.9 ± 31.7)]. In S3, 66.7 % of cows presented BCS values higher than 2.75, a percentage directly related to the highest success at first insemination in this feeding system.