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Deutscher Tropentag, October 8 - 10, 2003 in Göttingen

"Technological and Institutional Innovations
for Sustainable Rural Development"


Effects of Mineral Status in the Soil, Forage, Water, Blood, Milk, Urine and Faeces on Milk Production of Lactating, Free-ranging Camels in Northern Kenya

Paul Onjoro1, Horst Jürgen Schwartz1, Erastus N. Njoka2, Jared M. Ottaro2

1Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Livestock Ecology, Germany
2Egerton University, Department of Animal Science, Kenya


Abstract


Mineral status of free ranging camels in Northern Kenya is not well documented, and neither are its effects on camel milk yields. To establish the relationship between the mineral staus and milk yield in free ranging camels, soil, forage, water, lactating camel blood, milk, urine and faecal samples were collected over two dry and wet seasons in Laikipia and Isiolo districts of Northern Kenya to asses Ca, P, Mg, Cu and Co status; daily milk yields were measured simultaneously.
The mean daily milk yield in Laikipia camels (3.1 l.d-1) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of Isiolo (2.3 l.d-1). The wet season had higher milk yield (2.8 l.d-1) than the dry seasons (2.7 l.d-1). Blood mineral concentrations were significantly related with milk mineral compositions (p < 0.05) except for Mg. There was a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between Cu (R = 0.753) and Co (R = 0.552) status and milk yield. Milk samples from Laikipia also had significantly more (p < 0.05) more Co (0.10 mg.kg-1) compared to samples from Isiolo (0.07 mg.kg-1). However, increase in soil, water and forage Ca and Mg seemed to depress milk yield. Serum Ca and Co was statistically higher (p < 0.05) in Laikipia (243.5 and 0.22 mg.kg-1) than Isiolo (116.3 and 0.11 mg.kg-1; Ca and Co respectively). Mean soil and water Ca and serum P were significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the dry season (192.9 mg.kg-1) than the wet season.
Milk yields seem to have been influenced by the levels of serum Cu and Co or the milk demand of Ca and Co. The mean forage and blood P, Cu and Co in both seasons were below the recommended critical levels while Ca and Mg levels are much higher. High levels of Mg may be antagonizing other minerals necessary for milk production. Seasonal variation in milk may have been due to variations in forage availability and/or mineral availability.


Keywords: Camel, milk yield, mineral status, Northern Kenya


Contact Address: Paul Onjoro, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Livestock Ecology, Philippstraße 13, Haus7, 10115 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: evponjoro@yahoo.com


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