Tannins are secondary metabolites naturally present in various plants as a defense mechanism. In animal nutrition, they play a dual role, acting as both antinutritional factors and bioactive agents, with potential benefits in nutrient metabolism and product quality. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary tannin on nutrient intake and digestibility, blood serum metabolite levels, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in small ruminants. Ninety-seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. The effects of tannins were analyzed using a random-effects model to determine the weighted mean difference between treatments with tannins and the control (without tannins). Publication bias and heterogeneity between studies were explored, and meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed. The results indicated that tannin significantly increased the intake of dry matter, crude protein, nitrogen (N), fecal N, and meat fatty acids (FA), such as C18:2 ω6, C18:3 ω3, C20:4 ω6, C20:5 ω3, total ω3 and ω6 FA, and total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). However, NH₃-N, urinary N, blood urea nitrogen, cold carcass weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, drip loss, and nutrient digestibility decreased. In conclusion, tannin in small ruminants did not affect animal productivity and antioxidative status, but mainly modified nitrogen metabolism and improved the fatty acid profile of meat.

Recently, microalgae have been used as protein supplements to improve the productivity of dairy cows. However, the results are inconsistent among different studies. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of dietary microalgae incorporation on animal performance. The effect of microalgae was assessed by examining the raw mean differences (RMDs) between the treatment (with microalgae) and control (without microalgae) diets using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated through meta-regression and subgroup analyses using microalgae species, inclusion level, days in milk, experimental duration, and cow breed as covariates. Microalgae supplementation decreased the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). NDF digestibility improved, whereas the acetate:propionate ratio decreased. Milk and lactose yields remained unchanged. Despite a decrease in milk fat, the fatty acid (FA) profile improved, especially considering the increase in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) C18:2 c9t11, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) C22:6 n-3, and mono- and polyunsaturated FA (MUFA and PUFA) and the decrease in the n-6:n-3 ratio. The main sources of variation in the responses to microalgal inclusion in cow milk production and quality were the animal breed, microalgae species, and their level of incorporation. In general, the incorporation of 61–100 g kg DM−1 of microalgae improved milk beneficial FA, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) C20:5 n-3 and DHA, and Schizochytrium sp. increased DHA levels. The Holstein and Friesian breeds were characterized by a significant decrease in saturated FA (SFA). As a result, microalgae supplementation could be a sustainable agricultural practice for improving dairy cow milk quality.

Small ruminant farming is the main rural occupation in mountain areas of Morocco. This activity is subject to numerous pressures, including repeated climatic hazards that modify pastoral resource availability and trigger changes in production systems. This study aimed to identify and analyse changes in availability and utilisation of pastoral resources acknowledged by farmers over the past 40 years for the small ruminant farming systems of the Central High Atlas region of Morocco. We hypothesised, on the basis of previous research, that resilience of the pastoral component of such systems increases with elevation. We interviewed 50 farmers in three municipalities of Azilal province, at moderate (800–1400 m), medium (1400–1800 m) and high (1800–3000 m) elevations. In the 1970–1980s, pastoral resources were abundant and mobile flocks grazed collective rangelands. Subsequently, repeated droughts and the increased stock numbers promoted by agricultural policies led to the deterioration of resource abundance and quality, especially palatable plants. At moderate elevations, wooded areas and phytomass declined; erosion occurred at high elevations. Traditional systems diversified by including agricultural activities. At moderate elevations, livestock farming intensified, with the adoption of a productive breed, concentrate distribution and the grazing of fallow land. Currently, flock mobility is limited and rangelands provide less than 60% of sheep requirements. At high elevations, the pastoral component persisted at the cost of a diversification of pastoral areas and greater flock mobility. Rangelands are still collectively managed and provide almost 90% of sheep requirements. Since rangelands remain a major feed source, changes in pastoral resources can be considered as a major driver of change in livestock systems. The sustainability of small ruminant farming systems at these elevations thus depends on the conservation of rangeland.

Dans les régions de montagne, la pérennité des systèmes d’élevage extensifs constitue un enjeu socio-économique et écologique majeur. Notre étude a pour objectif d’analyser la diversité des systèmes d’élevage de petits ruminants dans le Haut Atlas central du Maroc, en fonction de l’altitude. Pour cela, des enquêtes ont été réalisées auprès de 90 éleveurs dans trois communes de la province d’Azilal, situées respectivement en étage inférieur de moyenne montagne, étage supérieur de moyenne montagne et haute montagne. En comparant les élevages sur la base de leur commune d’appartenance, nous montrons que l’altitude a un effet significatif sur leur structure et leur conduite, ainsi que sur certains paramètres sociaux comme l’éducation des éleveurs. En réalisant une typologie sur base statistique, nous identifions quatre types d’élevages : deux types plus extensifs et pastoraux aux étages supérieurs et deux autres intensifiés et associés à l’agriculture en étage inférieur, avec une diversité de situations en termes de structures et de pratiques d’élevage. Cette typologie est cohérente avec les contraintes et opportunités propres à chaque étage altitudinal. In mountain regions, the sustainability of extensive livestock farming is a major socio-economic and ecological issue. The aim of our study is to analyze the diversity of small ruminant breeding systems in the Central High Atlas mountains of Morocco, as a function of altitude. Interviews were carried out with 90 breeders in three municipalities of the province of Azilal, at three levels: lower mid-mountain, upper mid-mountain and high mountain. A comparison of the farms on the basis of their location (municipality) shows that altitude has a significant effect on their structure and management, as well as on certain social parameters such as the education of the breeders. On the basis of a statistical classification, we identified four types of farms: two more extensive and pastoral types on the upper altitude and two others intensified and associated with agriculture on the lower altitude, with a diversity of situations in terms of structures and livestock farming practices. This typology is consistent with the constraints and opportunities which characterize each altitudinal level.

Les changements climatiques constituent une menace sérieuse pour les ressources pastorales, dégradant les parcours et impactant les populations qui en dépendent. Cette étude vise à identifier les stratégies d’adaptation des éleveurs face aux changements climatiques et à analyser leurs impacts sur la composante pastorale dans les systèmes d’élevage étudiés. Des entretiens semi-directifs et des ateliers participatifs ont été menés auprès de 28 éleveurs, permettant de recueillir des informations sur leurs pratiques et stratégies d’adaptation. Une analyse de l’occupation des sols de 1985 à 2020 a été réalisée pour comprendre les dynamiques de changement des pâturages, accompagnée d’une modélisation de l’évolution des ressources naturelles de 2020 à 2030, offrant une démarche prospective sur l’avenir des ressources pastorales à l’échelle communale. Les résultats ont révélé que les éleveurs tendent vers la sédentarisation en réponse aux sécheresses récurrentes, conduisant à la divergence du système d’élevage pastoral traditionnel en trois systèmes distincts : sédentaire, transhumant occasionnel et transhumant permanent. L’analyse de l’occupation des sols a montré que ces changements ont modifié l’occupation des pâturages. Le développement des infrastructures et des transports a facilité l’accès des transhumants à des parcours éloignés, couvrant ainsi jusqu’à 75 % des besoins alimentaires des ovins avec la végétation pastorale. Les éleveurs sédentarisés pratiquent une supplémentation alimentaire toute l’année, composée principalement de maïs, d’orge, de son de blé et de pulpe de betterave, avec une contribution significative des fourrages à la satisfaction des besoins des ovins (50 à 90 % des besoins). La sédentarisation et la diminution des points d’eau dans les parcours d’altitude contribuent à une surexploitation croissante des parcours de proximité. L’analyse prévisionnelle de l’évolution des ressources naturelles de 2020 à 2030 montre un endommagement irréversible de ces parcours sous les conditions et les pratiques actuelles, appelant à une réflexion approfondie sur des solutions durables pour préserver ces ressources.

This study investigated the effects of genotype, rearing system, and slaughter age on meat quality by comparing Moroccan indigenous Beldi chickens with commercial ROSS 308 broilers, with the aim of identifying strategies for optimizing nutritional properties. A total of 400 birds (200 Beldi and 200 ROSS) were reared either in intensive (10 birds/m², commercial diet) or extensive rearing systems (4 birds/m², outdoor foraging). ROSS chickens reared intensively were slaughtered at 4, 5, and 6 weeks, whereas the other experimental groups were slaughtered at 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Physico-chemical composition (dry matter, crude protein, ash , and fat content, and fatty acid (FA) profile, pH, cooking loss, color, and tenderness) were analyzed. Each experimental group included 100 birds, which were further divided into two subgroups of 50 birds each, serving as biological replicates. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model with repeated measures on muscles. Subgroup-level analyses showed no significant differences, allowing data to be pooled for group-level comparisons. Results showed that Beldi chickens exhibited higher dry matter (28.25 vs. 25.48 %; p < 0.001) and crude protein (24.20 vs. 18.86 % FM; p < 0.001), but lower fat content (1.77 ± 0.10 % vs. 1.92 ± 0.09 % FM; p < 0.001) than ROSS chickens. Particularly in the extensive system and at later slaughter ages, Beldi chickens exhibited higher pH values across both the breast and thigh and firmer meat with higher shear force values. Under the intensive system, chicken meat was characterized by higher tenderness, lightness (L*), and yellowness (b*), but reduced redness (a*) and cooking loss, compared to the extensive system. The fatty acid (FA) profile also varied according to these factors, with meat from Beldi chickens characterized as healthier with lower SFA and MUFA content, but higher PUFA content. Moreover, according to health indices, Beldi chickens were characterized by higher PUFA/SFA, desirable fatty acids (DFA), essential fatty acids (EFA), and LA/ALA, and a lower thrombogenic index (TI) than ROSS chickens. Meat from the extensive system was characterized by higher total SFA and MUFA and lower PUFA. In summary, Beldi chickens, particularly when reared under extensive systems, produced meat with enhanced nutritional quality, whereas ROSS broilers provided more tender meat. Tailoring rearing strategies to each genotype's strengths can help optimize meat quality and meet diverse consumer preferences.