Fattening performance of dromedary camels fed a finishing diet containing molassed dates supplemented with 0. 0.5 or 1.0% urea

Abstract

The camel is important in many of the arid zones of the world where its ability to continue to produce and reproduce offers considerable potential. It is able to forage at greater distances from water sources than cattle, goats or sheep; increasing the area which can be grazed and browsed, and thus easing grazing pressure on vegetation close to water sources. These factors commend it as a primary source of transport, power, meat, milk and hides in arid areas. Both the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), and the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) have long been utilised by the peoples of areas where these camels are indigenous, and there has increasingly been a more general awareness of the potential of the species. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is among countries where camels have considerable cultural importance. Recently attention has focused on the potential of the camel to supply meat, and Wardeh (1992) estimated world annual camel meat production to be 538,000 tons. The number of camels in the UAE increased from 57,000 in 1979 to 100,000 in 1989, and Wilson (1984) reported that camels account for 58% of the domestic herbivore biomass. However little is known about the constraints to camel production (Schwartz et al 1983). A factor limiting production is the availability of feeds. Currently heavily subsidised feed concentrates are imported, and investigations have focused on the better use of local resources. The UAE is one of the largest producers of dates with over 19 million palms. By-products have not been well utilized, but feeding trials with pits (Al-Yousef et al, 1987); and fruits (El-Gasim et al, (1987) and Kohnke and Cluer (1992) have been reported. Dates are low in nitrogen, and no reports on the use of urea in camel diets could be found.