Feeding strategies and management of feed resources in cattle farms in the province of Khenchela, Algeria

Abdelghafour Abaidia, Toufik Benhizia, Salim Lebbal, Azzeddine Zeraib, Allaoua Boumezaouet

Abstract: Controlling cow nutrition is a key factor in improving milk production. This is why evaluating the quality of rations given on farms can contribute subsequently to correcting any deficiencies. In this context, our study aimed to investigate the diets, followed by cattle breeders in two municipalities of the Khenchela region, Montbeliard breeds having a weight of 557.23±40.37 for Farm (B) and 588.10 ± 26.04 kg Farm (A), and to appreciate the rations distributed by the breeders comparatively with the real needs of each breed. We performed chemical composition analyzes contained in the dry matter of available feeds at farm level, in addition to the description of feeding practices used in dairy cow management. The results obtained showed that the nutritional value of the raw materials used proved to be of paramount importance for their better valorization. The performances recorded on milk production were 25.40 ± 2.36 L.day-1 for Farm (A) and 18.30 ± 2.12L.day-1 for Farm (B), knowing that the feeding of dairy cows was essentially based on concentrate, with insufficient quantities of fodder and energy and nitrogen wastes. It has been found that rationing problems still remain as a major constraint for livestock production in semi-arid regions. The success of any breeding requires the control of rationing and breeding conditions to overcome the gap between milk production and needs.

Keywords: Cows; dairy production; food; milk

Citation: Abaidia, A., Benhizia, T., Lebbal, S., Zeraib, A. & Boumezaouet, A. (2026). Feeding strategies and management of feed resources in cattle farms in the province of Khenchela, Algeria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 32(2), 429–434

Date published: 2026-04-29