Seasonal changes in the yield and composition of camel milk in Mongolia

Abstract

This study investigates seasonal variations in the yield and composition of Bactrian camel milk under Mongolia's extensive pastoral systems. Milk samples were collected from 278 lactating camels across ten provinces at 16 time points spanning 30 to 480 days in milk (DIM). Analyses included fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-fat (SNF), and somatic cell count (SCC). Interviews with 28 camel owning households indicated that milking typically begins between July and September and continues for up to a year, influenced by household labor availability and market access. Results revealed distinct seasonal patterns: peak milk yield (~2.0 L/day) occurred during summer and early autumn (120-240 DIM), possibly reflecting generally more favorable grazing conditions. In contrast, fat and SNF contents increased markedly in winter, while protein followed similar trends. Lactose was higher in summer and autumn. SCC remained stable through mid-lactation but rose toward late lactation. These findings highlight the resilience of Mongolia's camel based pastoral systems and emphasize the importance of supporting herders through improved forage planning and market opportunities to sustain milk production year round.