Some salient features of dairy farming under the crop/livestock production system in the Nile Delta region in Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present study was carried out to identify some salient features of the dairy farming activity under the crop/livestock production system. A random sample of dairy farms was selected in four governorates (Dakahlia, Kafr EI-Sheikh, Menofia and Dammiatta). Farms were monthly monitored during the agriculture years 1998 -2000. A questionnaire was designed to collect data related to crop and livestock production activities. The collected data included farm size, cropping pattern, herd size, herd composition, herd structure, management practices and gross output. Data were analyzed using linear model procedure of SAS (1999). In winter, green forage area was 46.7% of the total farm size, mainly cultivated with Berseem (Triofolium ax/exndrium), while in summer, it was 44.9% and cultivated with forage maize (Darawa). In winter, cash crops occupied 53.3% of the total farm size, while it was 55.1% in summer. Herd size averaged 5.4 A.U. Dairy animals constituted 33%, growing 57% and fattening animals 10% of the total herd size. Average milk production was 1735, 1150 and 622 kg in a lactation period of 329, 302 and 267 day for crossbreds, buffalo and then Baladi cows, respectively. Calving interval was 402, 425 and 421 day for the three genotypes. respectively. The average feeding costs represented 78.5% of the total cost Milk production represented 54% of the total farm revenues. The average gross margin was 1568 LE/farm, while it was 285 L.E per animal unit.

Summary in Arabic.

1