"Now the policy is good, the camels work for me, and I lay at home to earn money." Wang Liang, a herdsman from Qiqi Sumu (Sumu equivalent to a town), said in Wulathouqi, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
In June, the Urat grassland was blazing in the sun, and there was a heat wave rolling in the pastures north of Yinshan. In the distance, or in twos or threes, or in groups of camels nibbling at the grass, from time to time, they looked up at us uninvited guests.
The picture shows the camels participating in the International Camel Culture and Tourism Festival. Photo by Zhang Linhu
As the main production area of Gobi red camels in the country, Wulathouqi is known as "the hometown of Chinese red camels", "the hometown of camelballs", "the hometown of bactrian camels" and "the hometown of speed camels".
The picture shows the camels participating in the International Camel Culture and Tourism Festival. Photo by Zhang Linhu
Since 2003, the local government has vigorously developed the Gobi red camel industry and guided herdsmen to herd the Gobi red camel. The number of red camels has increased from 4000 peaks in 2002 to the current over 60,000 peaks, accounting for about 20% of the country’s total camels.
The picture shows the scene of the camel milking competition. Photo by Garrudi
The picture shows the scene of the camel race. Photo by Garrudi
In 2019, the Urat Gobi llama was recognized as China's intangible agricultural cultural heritage by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and obtained the "Gobi llama" national geographical indication certification for agricultural products.
The picture shows the scene of a camel game. Photo by Garrudi
The Gobi red camel from Wulathouqi belongs to the world's precious livestock species. It is an excellent breed selected from the long-term production practice of the Urat tribe herders. It is a national second-level protected species and is known as the "Prairie Pearl".
The camel milk is nutritious, the camel meat is delicious and healthy, and the camel fluff is warm... The Gobi red camel is a treasure. How to make the camel industry chain continue to expand and develop and drive more herdsmen's pockets to swell up?
The picture shows the herdsman signing a contract with the company. Photo by Hu Dongyu
In January this year, the local government signed a strategic cooperation agreement with an enterprise to accelerate the development of Gobi red camel industrialization, planning to build a Gobi red camel industrial park, 6 high-standard breeding bases, and establish cooperation with 200 large camel farming companies. Drive more herdsmen around.
Nowadays, high-standard breeding bases have begun to take shape. Newly built camel houses are arranged neatly, and the first batch of red camel mothers and children have been "accommodated" in high-end new homes.
The picture shows herders sending camels to "earn money". Photo by Hu Dongyu
Wang Liang is home to more than 40 pairs of camels, not only free of charge, but also has a rental income of 2,400 yuan per peak milking camel per year. "The 46 mother and child camels are kept here for a year, and the rental fee is more than 110,000 yuan." Wang Liang said.
Wang Liang's "lying earning" model is a mechanism of close connection between local bases and herders.
The picture shows the camel receiving training. Photo by Hu Dongyu
The site manager Wu Sifu told reporters that the local company adopted the "company + breeding base + demonstration household" business model to solve the problem of where to squeeze, who will squeeze, where to raise and how to raise during the camel breeding process. At the same time, it effectively increased herdsmen's income, and realized herdsmen's income and enterprise efficiency.
The picture shows the camel receiving training. Photo by Zhang Linhu
This camel rearing model is very popular in the local area. Just when the reporter interviewed, Ari Wenjin and other herders also rode motorcycles and drove 34 pairs of camel mothers and children to the breeding base. "Bringing camels at the base can restore grassland ecology, reduce feeding costs, and have rental income. It is a good thing for our herdsmen." Ari Wenjin said.
The picture shows herders milking camel milk. Photo by Zhang Linhu
In fact, as early as a few years ago, the herdsmen have begun to try this "concentrated camel" model.
More than 300 heavily armed herders are milking batches of more than 300 camels at the Origag red camel breeding base in Houhouhouqi.
I saw the herders drove the camels in the special fence, and pulled the camels to their mothers according to the numbers. After the camels sucked a few sips of milk, the herders looked at the opportunity to push the camels and quickly get sucked. Device.
The picture shows the workers milking camel milk. Photo by Zhang Linhu
In this way, the female camel was "routine" by the herdsmen, and the white camel milk slowly flowed out.
The person in charge, Tuya, told reporters that there are currently more than 300 pairs of llamas (female camels with camels) at the base. Milking is the hardest job every day. It takes three batches to squeeze them all.
It is understood that 2 kg of camel milk can be squeezed per camel per day in summer and 2 times during winter peak period. Based on the current wholesale price of 50 yuan per catty, the daily output value of each camel reaches 100 yuan.
The picture shows Tuya introducing the situation of camels. Photo by Zhang Linhu
However, a camel has 2 babies, 2 babies, and a gestation period of up to 13 months. Female llamas can only be sent to milk after giving birth, and female llamas' milk must be sucked by the llamas before weaning.
The picture shows the rare white camel lamb twins born from the Gobi red camel. (Information) Photo by Hao Jianwei
Tuya said that not all female llamas meet the requirements of milking. After the female llamas are delivered to the base in about 40 days, they need to undergo rigorous inspection and then three months of training.
The picture shows the camel in training. Photo by Zhang Linhu
"Just like the old employee takes the new employee, the old camel walks in front, and the new camel follows, training the camel guts while training the camel to eat milk. After 3 months of training, half of the female camel will stay Make money for the owner." Tuya said.
The picture shows the camel that did not meet the requirements was pulled away. Photo by Zhang Linhu
"6 to 18 years old is the golden milking period of camels. The camels left on each peak will bring 2400 yuan to the owner every year." Alaten Ula, who has been dealing with camels for a lifetime, never thought about concentrating captive energy. Bring such great benefits and benefits.
"Incomplete statistics, there are more than 230 households of camel farmers in Wulathouqi, each family can have dozens of camels, and more than 400 peaks. Based on 100 peaks, if 50 camels are sent to the base for fostering and raising camels People can earn 120,000 yuan a year at home." Alaten Ula said that the income is far more than that. Going out to lie and make money, the camel-raiser also saved the cost of epidemic prevention, fodder and labor.
The picture shows the little camel. Photo by Zhang Linhu
More importantly, the reduction in the number of camels on their own pastures has more important significance for the restoration of grassland ecology and the balance of grass storage.
In recent years, the Gobi red camel industry in Wulathouqi has developed rapidly. The whole industry chain of camel breeding and camel product processing and sales has been continuously extended. It has become the main industry for the development of grassland animal husbandry in the whole flag, leading herders to increase income and become rich.
Talking about the future, Tuya said that the base is currently saturated and the expansion work is in full swing. Next year, it plans to collect 1,000 peak camels. Now the goal is basically achieved, only when the shed project is completed. At the same time, the chain bases of Xilinguole League and Alxa League are also under construction.
Author: Zhang Linhu