Effect of Pasture-Based Feeding Systems on Milk Production and Composition of Dairy Goats in Different Mountainous Areas

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