Milk production potential in Maghrebi she-camels

• Milk productivity was evaluated throughout lactation and throughout the productive life of Maghrebi camel.
• Weekly peak yield, 55 ± 3.5 l and the number of weeks to reach peak yield, 12.
• The highest average yield recorded was for camels at sixth parity.
• The wide range of milk yield indicates that the potential for dairy development could be facilitated by long-term selection programs to select high yield camels.

Ten multiparous Maghrebi dairy she-camels (Camelus dromedarius L.) were used immediately after winter calving to study the chemical composition of milk through lactation. In addition, between 2004 and 2011, 748 records of 43 Maghrebi she-camels during 73 lactations were analyzed for evaluating their potential milk yield (MY) and lactation curve characteristics. The effects of some environmental factors on MY and milk composition was studied. The highest MY was recorded in sixth parity camels (1860 ± 54 l/lactation), which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than MY at the first parity (1240 ± 44 l/lactation). Stillbirth was associated with a decline of 10% in MY when at 6 months of age. The highest MY was recorded at mid lactation (∼3 month in lactation), while the lowest MY was recorded at late lactation. MY of winter calving camels (December to May) was higher by 13.2% (1652–1458 l/lactation) in comparison to summer calving camels (June to November). The average content of protein in colostrum (at the first day postpartum) was 14.0% and that of fat 0.27%. The average contents of protein, fat, ash, lactose and total solids in milk were 3.01, 3.06, 0.69, 4.33, and 11.06%, respectively. Milk components were affected by lactation, except lactose, which its content was constant throughout lactation. Fat content ranged between 2.5 and 3.7%. The lowest content of fat was recorded at the 5th month of lactation, which corresponded with the lactation peak. Milk protein content ranged between 2.3 and 3.0%, with a minimal value at the 5th month of lactation. The trend in total solids content was similar to the trend in milk fat and protein contents. The wide range in MY points on the significant potential to increase the productivity of this breed.