{"id":1062,"date":"2026-07-28T01:53:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T01:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/?p=1062"},"modified":"2026-07-28T05:45:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T05:45:35","slug":"silage-for-camels-managing-feed-on-outback-stations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/application\/silage-for-camels-managing-feed-on-outback-stations\/","title":{"rendered":"Silage for Camels: Managing Feed on Outback Stations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Outback Stations \u00b7 Camels \u00b7 Remote Feed Management<\/div>\n

Australia has 1.2 million feral camels and a growing commercial camel industry in SA, WA, and NT \u2014 here is how remote camel stations are using silage baling to solve their most persistent feed security challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Australian Camel Industry: Feed Security in a Remote Context<\/h2>\n

Australia’s domestic camel population is estimated at 1.2 million head \u2014 the world’s largest population of feral dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius<\/em>) \u2014 distributed across SA’s outback, WA’s Pilbara and Goldfields, and the NT’s arid interior. Overlapping this feral population is a growing commercial camel industry: approximately 40 to 60 registered camel meat and fibre operations managing mustered and domesticated camels for camel meat export (primarily to the Middle East and Southeast Asian halal markets), camel milk production for specialty dairy markets, and camel tourism and racing enterprises.<\/p>\n

The feed security challenge for commercial camel operations in remote SA, WA, and NT is distinct from that of any other Australian livestock enterprise. Camel stations are typically 200,000 to 2,000,000 hectares of arid rangelands where rainfall averages 150 to 350 mm per year, pasture growth is episodic rather than seasonal, and the nearest commercial hay supplier may be 400 to 800 km away. Purchasing and freighting hay to a remote outback camel station at AUD $180 to $280 per tonne plus AUD $80 to $160 per tonne freight cost produces a landed feed price that makes on-farm silage production from any available forage source economically compelling even at relatively modest yields.<\/p>\n

This article covers how outback camel stations are using silage baling to build feed security in arid remote contexts \u2014 which forage sources are available and suitable, how camels differ from cattle in their silage tolerance and nutritional requirements, and the equipment and logistics that make remote baling practical. For how beef cattle stations in similarly remote northern contexts approach silage production, our article on silage baling for beef cattle stations in drought<\/a> covers the comparable management framework.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Arid<\/p>\n

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Camel Nutritional Physiology: What Makes Them Different<\/h2>\n

The Camel’s Feed Efficiency Advantage<\/h3>\n

Dromedary camels are the most metabolically efficient large ruminant-adjacent animal in domestic production \u2014 their ability to extract nutrients from high-fibre, low-quality roughage while maintaining body condition through extended dry periods is unmatched by cattle, sheep, or horses. Camels achieve this through: a slow, selective digestive passage rate that allows 90 to 100 hours of retention time for fibrous material (versus 48 to 72 hours for cattle), highly efficient water re-absorption from the large intestine that reduces water requirements to 50 to 60% of cattle’s on equivalent dry matter intake, and a body fat storage mechanism (the hump) that serves as metabolic energy reserve during complete feed shortage periods.<\/p>\n

In practical terms for silage management: a camel can maintain body condition on roughage NDF up to 72 to 75% DM \u2014 significantly above the 65% NDF ceiling for cattle and the 58% ceiling for sheep before significant condition loss begins. This means lower-quality silage (mature cereal, lignocellulosic native grass baleage) that would be inadequate for cattle is nutritionally usable by camels at maintenance level. The bar for silage quality on a camel station is lower than for a cattle or dairy operation \u2014 but it is not zero.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Silage Type<\/th>\nME (MJ\/kg DM)<\/th>\nNDF<\/th>\nSuitable for Camels?<\/th>\nFeeding Role<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Native grass baleage (mulga, Mitchell)<\/td>\n7.5\u20139.5<\/td>\n65\u201375%<\/td>\n\u2713 Yes \u2014 maintenance<\/td>\nDry period roughage buffer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sorghum silage<\/td>\n9.0\u201310.5<\/td>\n55\u201365%<\/td>\n\u2713 Yes \u2014 moderate production<\/td>\nSupplementation feed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hay-grade oat\/barley baleage<\/td>\n9.0\u201310.5<\/td>\n52\u201362%<\/td>\n\u2713 Yes \u2014 good<\/td>\nBreeding females, growth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lucerne baleage<\/td>\n9.5\u201311.0<\/td>\n38\u201348%<\/td>\n\u2713 Yes \u2014 premium<\/td>\nLactating females, young<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clostridial\/butyric silage<\/td>\n>5.0 pH<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n\u2717 \u2014 camels reject it<\/td>\nNot suitable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Silage Palatability for Camels \u2014 The Butyric Refusal Response<\/h3>\n

Like all camelids, dromedary camels are highly discriminating feeders with a strong butyric acid refusal response. Well-fermented silage at pH below 4.8 with the characteristic lactic-acid aroma is readily accepted by domesticated working camels and commercial camel herds after a brief 5 to 10 day introduction period. Clostridially spoiled silage at pH above 5.0 with butyric\/ammonia odour is refused entirely \u2014 and unlike cattle, which may reluctantly adapt to mildly spoiled silage, camels maintain the refusal. On a remote station where silage is the only stored feed option, a spoiled batch means a feed crisis. Fermentation quality is not negotiable for camel station silage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Forage Sources on Remote Camel Stations<\/h2>\n

Native Grass Baleage: The Abundance Capture Opportunity<\/h3>\n

The primary forage source for most outback camel stations is native perennial grasses \u2014 Mitchell grass (Astrebla<\/em> spp.) on the black soil plains of SA’s north and NT’s Barkly Tableland, Mulga (Acacia aneura<\/em>) browse in the arid zone, and various spinifex and native grass species across WA’s pastoral country. Following good rainfall events (above 50 to 100 mm in a single system), native grass biomass production can reach 2 to 5 tonnes DM per hectare in the most productive catchments \u2014 an abundance that cannot be grazed off before the material matures and loses quality.<\/p>\n

Baling this ephemeral peak biomass as silage baleage \u2014 capturing the nutritional flush before it matures and weathers \u2014 is the fundamental feed security strategy for camel stations. A 300 mm rainfall event on 5,000 hectares of productive Mitchell grass country produces 10,000 to 25,000 tonnes of green DM \u2014 baling even 5% of this yield (500 to 1,250 tonnes DM = 2,500 to 6,250 bales) provides 6 to 18 months of supplementary feed reserve for a 500-head camel operation.<\/p>\n

Irrigated Forage Production on Station Homestead Blocks<\/h3>\n

Many remote SA and WA camel stations have bore water access for small-scale irrigation adjacent to the homestead. A 5 to 20 hectare irrigated lucerne or Rhodes grass block \u2014 producing 15 to 20 tonnes DM per hectare per year under drip or flood irrigation \u2014 generates 75 to 400 tonnes DM of reliable annual silage production regardless of rainfall conditions. This irrigated core production provides the high-protein silage (lucerne at 20 to 24% CP) for lactating camel females and growing calves, while the opportunistic native grass baleage from rainfall events provides the bulk maintenance roughage for the adult herd.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"9YG-1.25A<\/p>\n

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Remote Baling Logistics: The Practical Realities<\/h2>\n

Equipment Reliability in Remote Conditions<\/h3>\n

A baler breakdown on a Goulburn Valley dairy farm is inconvenient \u2014 a dealer is 30 to 60 minutes away and the crop can survive another day in the windrow. A baler breakdown on a remote SA or NT camel station during a post-rainfall baling window is potentially catastrophic \u2014 the moisture window closes, the crop matures past optimal fermentation stage, and the next rainfall event may be 12 to 18 months away. Equipment reliability is not a convenience specification for remote camel station operations; it is the primary selection criterion.<\/p>\n

The 9YG-1.25A variable-chamber round baler<\/a> is specified for remote station use because of its mechanical simplicity \u2014 hydraulic functions are straightforward, electronic controls are limited to essential monitoring rather than complex automated systems, and common wear parts (pickup tines, net wrap knife, belts) are compact enough to stock on the station. A remote station operator who maintains a 2-year parts inventory (pickup tine sets, net wrap knife, belt sets, PTO shaft U-joints) for a 9YG-1.25A can manage most breakdown situations without waiting for freight from the nearest dealer.<\/p>\n

Fuel and Transport for Remote Operations<\/h3>\n

A remote baling operation may need to move the baler 50 to 200 km between baling sites following different rainfall catchments across the station. On station tracks, baler transport at 20 to 30 km\/h is standard \u2014 a 150 km move takes 5 to 8 hours of tractor driving time. Plan remote baling operations with the transport time built into the schedule: a 3-day baling event requires 1 day transit each way plus 3 days in the paddock. Total fuel planning should include transport fuel at 15 to 25 litres per hour for tractor towing, plus baling fuel at 8 to 15 litres per hour during operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Storage on Remote Stations: Practical Without Infrastructure<\/h2>\n

Remote camel stations rarely have concrete pad storage areas or purpose-built silage sheds. The practical storage solution is: compacted red earth or gravel clearing adjacent to the baling area (natural clay\/gravel soils in SA and NT provide adequate drainage if the surface is graded flat), single-layer storage for the first 21 days (a corral fence or temporary electric fence to exclude feral camels and kangaroos from the stored bales), and white or silver film (mandatory for outback UV conditions where standard green film fails within 6 months in direct sun). LAB inoculant is essential on all native grass and mixed grass baleage \u2014 the low WSC of mature native grasses makes uninoculated fermentation unreliable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\nHow much silage does a working camel need per day?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
A 450 to 600 kg dromedary camel in moderate work or late pregnancy requires 8 to 12 kg DM per day from all feed sources. If silage provides 60% of the diet: 5 to 7 kg DM silage per camel per day. A mob of 100 camels requires 500 to 700 kg DM per day from silage \u2014 approximately 3 to 4 standard 1.25 m bales per day. Annual silage requirement for a 100-camel supplementation programme (180 days per year): 100 \u00d7 6 \u00d7 180 = 108,000 kg DM, or approximately 540 bales.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nCan feral camels that have been mustered be introduced to silage directly?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Mustered feral camels require a 10 to 20 day adaptation period when introduced to any stored feed, including silage. The adaptation should begin with small quantities of silage alongside familiar browse or native grass \u2014 10 to 20% silage inclusion for days 1 to 7, increasing to 40 to 60% by day 14 to 20. Feral camels introduced abruptly to silage at high inclusion rates may refuse it entirely for 5 to 10 days, losing body condition during the critical post-muster recovery period. Gradual introduction is essential.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nIs there a government grant for silage baling equipment on remote camel stations?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
The Australian Government’s Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs programme and the Future Drought Fund both support adoption of on-farm feed storage practices including silage equipment. The Northern Territory’s Pastoral Land Board and SA’s Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) have historically offered productivity improvement grants applicable to camel station enterprises. Contact your state pastoral authority for current programme availability \u2014 the programmes change annually and remote camel stations have successfully accessed equipment grants in previous rounds.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nWhat silage film specification works best in central Australian UV conditions?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
White or silver UV-stabilised silage film (25-micron minimum, 6-layer application) is the minimum specification for silage stored in central Australian conditions. Standard green or black film deteriorates to the point of cracking within 4 to 6 months in direct summer sun in the NT and inland SA. White film at 6 layers extends functional storage life to 12 to 16 months under the same conditions. For critical inventory stored longer than 12 months, a secondary tarpaulin cover over the stored bale row provides a further extension of 6 to 12 months beyond the film’s direct UV tolerance.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\nCan camel milk production be maintained through dry periods using silage?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Yes \u2014 lactating dromedary females producing 8 to 15 litres per day (a common range for domesticated milking camels in Australian commercial operations) can maintain production through dry periods using silage as the primary roughage. Lucerne baleage at 20 to 24% CP and 9.5 to 11.0 ME provides the protein and energy density needed for lactation maintenance without additional protein supplement. Pure native grass baleage is insufficient for lactating females alone \u2014 supplement with lucerne or protein meal at 0.5 to 1.0 kg per head per day if the primary silage is native grass or low-quality cereal.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

\"9YG-1.25<\/p>\n

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EverPower Baling Machinery \u00b7 Condell Park NSW 2200<\/div>\n

Discuss Your Remote Camel Station Silage Programme<\/h2>\n

Tell us your herd size, available forage sources, and nearest service centre \u2014 we’ll advise on the right baler specification and parts inventory for remote outback operations.<\/p>\n

Request a Quote<\/a> About EverPower<\/a><\/div>\n
+61 2 9708 3322<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 \u2709 sales@silage-baler.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Outback Stations \u00b7 Camels \u00b7 Remote Feed Management Australia has 1.2 million feral camels and a growing commercial camel industry in SA, WA, and NT \u2014 here is how remote camel stations are using silage baling to solve their most persistent feed security challenge. The Australian Camel Industry: Feed Security in a Remote Context Australia’s […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-applications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1062"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1071,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1062\/revisions\/1071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/kk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}