Compositional Quality of Camel Milk and Some Husbandry Practices Associated with Camel Milk Production in Two Production Systems in Sudan

Abstract

Composition quality of camel milk and some husbandry practices associated with camel milk production under semi intensive and traditional nomadic production systems in Sudan were investigated. Bulk milk samples (n=80) were obtained from the two production systems (40 samples/system). Milk samples collected from the semi intensive system revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher total protein, solids not fat and lactose contents. Whereas fat was significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk samples collected from traditional nomadic system. Goal oriented management and better husbandry practices and employing laborers with experience in handling camels in addition to the regular two times milking/day were the major characteristics of the semi intensive system. It is concluded that improved husbandry practices and management oriented towards milk production in the semi intensive system has positively influenced the compositional quality of camel milk. Also, the semi intensive system provides urban dwellers with camel milk which has high market demand. Nevertheless, considerable amount of milk that produced in the nomadic production system could not get to the market. Therefore, a bridge between the nomadic producers and urban consumers is highly needed.