The inventory of camel feed resource and the evaluation of its chemical composition in south‐east rangelands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background Evaluations of available camel feed nutritive value are relevant to generate evidence on further camel feed improvements and find out the components to be supplemented. Objective This study aim to evaluate seasonal variations on chemical composition of selected camel feed in semi‐arid regions of south‐east Ethiopia. Methods Samples of edible portions from 15 browse species were collected during the dry and wet seasons, and their chemical compositions were analysed. Results The crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and relative feed value (RFV) of evaluated browse species were higher (p < .01) in wet season than the dry season except for Acacia asak, Ipomoea donaldsonii and Acacia mellifera. Nonetheless, the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents were higher (p < .01) in the dry season except for A. asak and I. donaldsonii. Moreover, A. asak, I. donaldsonii and A. mellifera were the browse species with higher (p < .01) RFV, IVDMD and CP but lower NDF and ADF during the dry season than the wet season, and these species are qualified as good‐quality forage. Thus. Barleria spinisepala were better to use in both seasons, but browse species like I. donaldsonii and A. asak in dry season were ranked as best quality roughage. Conclusion At richest level on vital components (CP and fibres), these species can serve as well ruminant diets, like for camel. Further investigations based on animal trials are needed in order to confirm the classification standards of feed quality used in this study.