Water productivity through dual purpose (milk and meat) herds in the Tadla irrigation scheme, Morocco

This study aims to characterize water productivity in cattle farms facing severe water stress. Agricultural practices were monitored on six farms in a large-scale Moroccan irrigation scheme. Results showed marked variability in forage yields, milk production and live weight gain. Mean forage biomass yields represented less than two-thirds of their potential productivity. Alfalfa was the most common forage crop, and its yield was significantly correlated to the amounts of water used for irrigation. The annual mean milk yield per cow was low (2170 kg), whereas the average live weight gain per cow and its progeny was 308 kg. Off-farm feed provided variable amounts of virtual water which represented 33% of total water uses. Results showed that 1.7 m³ of total water was needed to produce 1 kg of milk, whereas 9.1 m³ were needed for 1 kg of live weight gain. The economic productivity of water through milk was less efficient than through meat (respectively [Euro Sign]0.07 and [Euro Sign]0.25 m⁻³). Finally, the overall water productivity of cattle farming (both milk and live weight gain) was [Euro Sign]0.14 m⁻³ of water. Taken together, the results pointed to possible ways of improving water productivity, as many constraints were identified, from water management to farming practices.