No abstract

The main objective of this study is to assess nutritional and hygienic qualities of raw milk collected in situ in dairy cattle farms in the region of Guelma, Algeria. For this purpose, a total of 144 milk samples were collected and analyzed to determine their physicochemical characteristics and bacteriological quality. Results showed an acceptable nutritional quality, with a poor bacteriological quality. The average contamination was 11.69 x 105 CFU ml-1 for total flora, against 23.44 x 105 CFU ml-1 for total Coliforms and 7.34 x 104 CFU ml-1 for fecal Coliforms. In addition, 6% of total samples were positive for Clostridium. For the suspected pathogenic flora, Staphylococcus aureus has been detected in 9 samples; however, all milk samples were devoid of Salmonella. The poor quality of milk reflects the dismal conditions of production and the no-control of hygienic practices.

This study was conducted in Eastern semi-arid region of Sétif (Algeria). 63 dairy cattle farmers were surveyed through personal interview using a well-structured questionnaire to collect the information about cattle husbandry practices followed in the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics performed with SPSS software (version 19). The results revealed that the majority of farmers (68.85%) rely on family labor and 31.15 per cent use wage labor. As for the age group, operators aged between 21 and 35 represent the highest proportion (74.6%) and 21.1 per cent of the population aged between 36 and 50 years. On the other hand, chiefs over the age of 51 represent only 4.3 per cent. The free stall housing is the mode most practiced by the majority of farmers surveyed (59.01%) versus 40.99 per cent are practicing the stanchion stable system. The majority of respondents (90.16%) fed readymade concentrate to their animals followed by home prepared concentrate (9.84%). Artificial insemination is used by 19.67 per cent of farmers surveyed; the majority uses the natural service for breeding their animals. Pregnancy diagnosis is followed by all surveyed farmers but it was done by a qualified veterinarian. Calving interval was 12 months for all farmers surveyed. The majority of cattle farmers (96.82%) are calf producers-fatteners. The fattened calves and culled cows are main categories of cattle made in market for slaughtering.

Three zootechnical criteria: fertility, prolificacy and fecundity were used to evaluate reproductive performance of 23 and 27 multiparous Tazegzawt ewes in experimental station INRAA of Bejaia during autumn mating in 2013 and 2014. A total of 52 lambs were subject to measure the average daily gain at different ages (0, 10, 30, 70, 90 and 180 days) in spring of 2013 and 2014. Some non-genetic factors (sex and type of birth of lambs) were used to study their influencing in dairy production. The results indicated that, the fertility rate was 84.22% and the prolificacy rate was higher than 150%. Fecundity rate seemed interesting in Tazegzawt breed (an average more than 126%). The mean bodyweight (W) at birth was 4.72±0.92kg; 7.22±1.27kg at 10 days, 12.17±2.18kgat 30 days, 21.63±3.02kg at 70 days and 25.80±3.69kg at 90 days of age, the Average Daily Gain (ADGs) estimates for weight at 10 days (ADGs0-10) was 247.48±72.45g/d and decreases with age to reach 208.64±86.20g/d in ADGs70-90. In addition, the highest positive significant correlation (r=0.92, p<0.01) was observed between W30 and ADGs0-30.The growth rate was not affected by sex. However; the influence of birth type on growth performances of lambs during the 30 days showed a superiority of singles over twins (p<0.05). It seems that Tazegzawt sheep is one of the most prolific local breed, it shows a good growth potential. This breed has very promising potentialities that can be exploited to improve mutton meat production in Algeria.