Some factors affecting profitability of dairy farms

This study aimed to determine the effect of different dairy breeds and seasons on reproductive, productive and economic efficiency of dairy farms under Egyptian conditions. This study was carried out through field survey in different regions of Egypt that includes [El Behira, Alexandria and Kafr El-Shaikh] province during the period extended from summer 2012 to winter 2014 on random samples of dairy production sectors. These sectors were Farmers [Fallahy], Private farms [special] and Governmental. The dairy breeds included were Balady [local breed], Holstein-Friesian [exotic breed] and Cross-bred [Balady X Friesian]. The reproductive, productive and economic data were collected from cross-sectional and longitudinal and field survey. During the data collection, the researcher was in intimate contact with dairy holders and managers. The dairy farms were visited two times at least, once in summer and the other in winter. The results of our survey concluded that the breed significantly affected [P<0.01] all productive and reproductive traits. Holstein-Friesian cows had highest milk yield, longest lactation period; they maintained their superiority over the other breeds for milk yield in all parities. Despite lower fertility of Holstein-Friesian cows expressed in highest estimate of number of services per conception, days open, calving interval they surpassed all other breeds in the mean milk yield/day of calving interval and average net profit [17273.63 LE/cow/winter season and 4060.96 LE/cow/summer season]. Moreover, a significant variation in lactation milk yield in cows calved during different seasons. This could be due to the seasonal influences as well as the type of feed, temperature, humidity and management which varies greatly during different seasons

Seawater intrusion and crop response to salinity in coastal Lebanon

Research conducted between 1999 and 2004 to assess pressure on coastal zone focused on three main objectives: first, the evaluation of seawater intrusion in southern coastal wells, second, the soil salinization in greenhouses irrigated by well waters, and third the management of saline water in two soil textures. Groundwater contamination was assessed by regular sampling of six wells for 30 months. The salinity of water fluctuated around 3 dS m[-1] and the Simpson index [Cl/HCO[3]] indicated levels of moderate to injurious contaminations. The Na/Cl ratios remained < 1, suggesting a seawater intrusion rather than an anthropogenic origin. In all sites, greenhouse growers had to rely on other water sources [e.g. rainwater, domestic] to supply the crop needs. In some cases, the crop had to be interrupted as salinity decreased yields. Improving the management of water and nutrients was studied in a tomato/Jew's-mallow sequence. Three levels of water salinity [1, 2.5 and 5 dS m[-1]] were tested in sandy and clay soils. Under sound management of fertilizers input and a leaching fraction, the salinity had no obvious negative effect on tomato in the clay soil. The Jew's mallow had a role in the removal of residual salts.

agropastoral system as a practice to enhance organic matter in Lebanese inland mountainous soils

Organic matter [OM] is an essential soil component that results from the decomposition and decay of plant and animal materials. Decomposition processes are influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors. The Lebanese inland regions are characterized by low rain and elevated temperature. Soil formation and evolution occur under dry conditions and rare vegetation cover. Due to the absence or insufficiency of plant residues and frequent cultivation, the soils of the eastern mountain chain are characterized by low OM content. Given the importance granted to carbon sequestration in view of climate change and the importance of OM in soil fertility and resilience to erosion, the aim of this work is to assess the soil organic matter [SOM] levels by following an agropastoral system consisting of growing feed crops between the fruit trees as winter cover crops

A two-year study between 2009 and 2010 was conducted in Jurd Aarsal, Anti-Lebanon, to assess the biomass production from cover crop in orchards and to estimate the potential increase of SOM content in plots planted with legume species [Vicia sp., Lathyrus sp.] and barley [Hordeum vulgare]. Soil and plant samples were taken from 7 orchards ranging in altitude between 2016m and 2 236m. SOM was analyzed in composite samples before and after the experiment. Plant samples were collected throughout the season to assess the dry matter production. Result showed that the sites were supplemented with OM varying between 140 and 250 kg ha[-1]season[-1] resulting from the decomposition of plant root residues. The above-ground plants provided the orchards with 95-665.7 kg ha[-1]season[-1] of OM. It is suggested to follow the practice of winter cover leguminous fodder crop between fruit trees, in dry Lebanese regions, in order to provide additional biomass for small ruminants, enrich the soils with OM and fixed nitrogen and better use of surface soil moisture

Legumes diversity in the south bank of Nahr Ibrahim river in Lebanon

The target of studying biodiversity in the south bank of Nahr-Ibrahim valley was to study models for the rehabilitation of degraded areas, with an emphasis on the diversity of wild legumes. In an altitudinal transect, the rock substrate was limestone mostly, with a few sites on basalt. Habitats were found to be mostly oak dominated open forests. All sites on limestone were highly diverse, with Shannon index reaching 3.691. The high level of heterogeneity characterizes the relatively undisturbed sites of native vegetation. Vegetation on basalt was less diverse than on limestone. Thirty species of legumes belonging to 15 genera were identified, 23 species were annual and 7 perennial. Most dominant legume species were herbaceous, except for Calicotome villosa an abundant shrub. Legumes diversity was positively linked to the number of species, the Shannon index and the coverage by the herbaceous layer. A significant association was found between Tamus, Hordeum, Dactylocteneum, Trifolium spp, Calicotome villosa, Styrax officinalis and Quercus calliprinos. This could serve as a model for future combination of potentially useful plant species

Monitoring of groundwater salination by seawater intrusion on the Lebanese coast

In order to monitor the effects of the seawater intrusion on the groundwater quality, the coastal region from Choueifat to Rmeyle located south Mount - Lebanon had been chosen to be studied. Six wells have been selected. Water samples have been collected for a period of three years from 1999 to 2002, at the rate of one sample a month. A complete physico-chemical analysis has been done in order to measure the increase in salinity as well as the variation in piezometric level. The results obtained from the study showed that the regions of Choueifat, Jiye and Rmeyle are subject to seawater intrusion. This intrusion is directly and simultaneously related to the pumping period and intensity but poorly related to the amount of rainfall. It also depends on the geologic nature of the study area. Furthermore, the actual intrusion in the study zone aggravates the existing salinity problems. Indeed the salinity rates of well water ranged between 0.7 dS/m and 5.5 dS/m [the majority being above 2 dS/m] resulting in salinity rates not tolerable for crops, thus threatening their growth and production