Effect of Pasture-Based Feeding Systems on Milk Production and Composition of Dairy Goats in Different Mountainous Areas
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the effect of pasture-based feeding systems on milk production of goats raised in different mountainous regions of Kabylia (Algeria), with a view to geographically labelling the cheeses produced in each region. A one-year survey was performed on about fifty goat farms in four Kabylian mountainous regions (Tigzirt, Yakourene, Boghni and Ouacifs). The results shows that farmers are raise in general 30 goats’ heads per farmer. The average grazing times are 3.30, 8, 7 and 5 hours, respectively for winter, spring, summer and autumn. A high significant difference is reported in winter (P < 0.0001) where farmers in the Boghni region spend the most time on pasture (on average 4.3 hours), and a relative difference in autumn (P=0.052). The average milk production is 2 litres/goat/day. There is no significant difference in milk production between the herds (P=0.155) in the four regions. On the other hand, the analysis of pasture vegetation shows a significant difference for all four regions (P<0.0001). On average, results of the milk physico-chemical composition were similar to those expected: 4.05±0.57 for fat, 2.88±0.18 for protein, 17.29±0.37 for titratable acidity expressed in Dornic Degree, 7.92±0.42 for total dry extract, -0.506±0.029 for freezing point and 4.20±5.07 for wetting. For the four regions and for all parameters, only the fat parameter shows a significant difference (p = 0.009). Also, the comparison between the two regions Ouacifs and Tigzirt shows a non-significant difference for the same parameter (P = 0.291). In conclusion, analysis of farming systems and milk do not show a great difference between the regions studied. Other studies, such as bacteriological and other tests, should be carried out to investigate these differences.
References
- Mouhous, A., Zirmi-Zembri, N., Dorbane, Z., Kadi, S.A., Bouzourene, A., Cherfouh, R., Moualek, I., Guermah, H., Djellal, F., & Saidj, D. (2025). Effect of pasture-based feeding systems on milk production and composition of dairy goats in different mountainous areas. The Eurasia Proceedings of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (EPSTEM), 34, 209-214.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Chemical Engineering (Other) |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | August 1, 2025 |
| Publication Date | August 1, 2025 |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | April 18, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 34 |
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