The browsing dromedary camel

An on-farm experiment was conducted in Erer Valley of Eastern Ethiopia to study the effects on milk yield in lactating dromedary camels, of supplementing with a protein or energy concentrates. The treatments were control: browsing only; energy supplement (ES): browsing + ground maize (Zea mays) and protein supplement (PS): browsing + decorticated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cake. The experiment was replicated both in the dry and wet seasons. Six dromedary camels with estimated live weights of 453-473 kg were allocated randomly at peak lactation to one of three treatments in a double 3 × 3 Latin Square design. All camels were grazed during daytime hours, and camels receiving supplements were fed 4 kg of either supplement, divided in two equal morning and evening meals for a period of 63 days in both the dry and wet seasons. Milk yield differences between all treatments were significant (P < 0.001) with PS > ES > control, being 12.9, 9.1 and 7.6 kg for PS, ES and control, respectively. There were also differences (P < 0.05) between the treatments with regard to fat, with PS > control and ES, showing levels of 39, 37 and 37 g/l, respectively. Within-season variation in milk yields was similar among dietary treatments, and also highly significant (P < 0.001). Milk yield and fat differences between seasons were also significant, with 9.2 and 10.4 kg milk (P < 0.001) and 37 and 38 g/l fat (P < 0.05), were recorded for the dry season and wet season, respectively. There were no differences between treatments and seasons with regard to milk protein contents. Results show that oil seed by-products with relatively high crude protein value, such as groundnut cake, have a substantial effect on milk production in camels. This finding is of particular importance for regions where traditional range feed resources are becoming scarce.