Type: Article

Diversity of Dairy Farming Systems in Tunisia and Their Effects on Milk Yield and Quality Traits

Authors

  • Sarra Hamzaoui National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Research Lab of Aquatic and Animal Eco-Systems and Resources (UCAR), 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis, Tunisia image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4277-4614
    Competing Interests

    The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

  • Aymen Frija International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas Tunisia, Rue Hédi Karray, 1004 El Menzah 1, Tunis, Tunisia image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8379-9054
    Competing Interests

    The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

  • Nizar Moujahed National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Research Lab of Aquatic and Animal Eco-Systems and Resources (UCAR), 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis, Tunisia image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0437-1696
    Competing Interests

    The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Corresponding Author

Sarra Hamzaoui

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64636/ar.49

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of farming systems, feeding strategies, and bioclimatic conditions on milk yield and milk quality in Tunisian dairy farms. A total of 102 farms were surveyed across 17 governorates located in northern, central, and coastal regions of Tunisia, which represent the main dairy production areas of the country. These farms were distributed across four bioclimatic zones, namely humid, sub-humid, semi-arid, and arid conditions. Data were collected through structured surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024, combined with official milk recording data. The recorded parameters included daily milk yield, fat content, protein content, milk urea concentration, and somatic cell count, allowing a comprehensive assessment of both production and milk quality. Farms were classified according to feeding strategies into four ration types and according to farming systems above-ground, rain fed, irrigated, and mixed systems. The results showed that milk yield was significantly influenced by bioclimatic conditions, with higher production observed in humid and sub-humid regions compared to arid areas. Feeding strategies also had a significant effect, as rations including green forage and silage resulted in higher milk yield and improved milk composition. In addition, farming systems influenced performance, with mixed and irrigated systems showing better productivity and efficiency. Milk quality parameters, particularly fat content, milk urea concentration, and somatic cell count, were significantly affected by the studied factors, reflecting differences in feeding balance, environmental stress, and management practices. Overall, dairy performance in Tunisia is strongly influenced by the interaction between climatic conditions, feeding strategies, and farming systems. Improving forage availability and adapting feeding practices to local conditions are key elements to enhance productivity and sustainability of dairy farms.

Keywords:

Dairy cattle, farming system typology, milk quality, milk production, feeding system, Tunisia

References

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Published

11-05-2026

Competing Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The authors declare that data can be provided by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Animal Reports | Current issue

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Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Sarra Hamzaoui, Aymen Frija, Nizar Moujahed

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Hamzaoui, Sarra, Aymen Frija, and Nizar Moujahed. 2026. “Diversity of Dairy Farming Systems in Tunisia and Their Effects on Milk Yield and Quality Traits”. Animal Reports 2 (1): 131-45. https://doi.org/10.64636/ar.49.

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