The genus name Bubalus is sometimes spelled Bubalis
the water buffalo has been associated with man from the earliest prehistoric times. Although the water buffalo was originally an Asian animal, it arrived early (about 600 A.D.) in the Near East and North Africa. It was introduced to Europe by crusaders returning in the middle Ages and outstanding herds still exist in Italy and Bulgaria. In recent times, the water buffalo has prospered in South and Central America. Micronesia and Australia have also introduced them. China and Burma also depends heavily on the water buffalo and its products. India depends upon the water buffalo for meat and milk. Before the mid 1970s, the only water buffaloes in North America were a few animals in zoos. Four (or five) head of water buffalo were imported to the Department of Animal Science, University of Florida, for study in 1975. According to the latest FAO statistics, the world buffalo population in 1982 and 1992 were 128 and 148 million, respectively, indicating 1.5% average annual growth rate for the past decade. The buffalo population in Asia was consistently 95-96% of the world total for the last 10 years. In South Asia, India, a country of the world largest buffalo population, accounted 53% of the world total in 1992 and increased her buffalo population by 880 thousand for the last 10 years with an annual average increase rate of 1.1% In India, water buffaloes make up about 35% of milk animals (other than goats) but produce almost 70% of the milk. In 1995-96 India was estimated to have about 194 million cattle and 82 million water buffalo...a 0.7%increase from 94-95. Pakistan with the third world largest buffalo population performed well to increase her buffaloes with an average annual increase rate of 4.7% Both Bangladesh and Nepal indicated positive growth of 5.7% and 2.1% respectively, while Sir Lanka recorded negative growth of -0.3%. China, having the second world largest buffalo population only after India, recorded 18.8 million in 1982 and 22.0 million in 1992 with an average growth rate of 1.6%.In Southeast Asia, Thailand held the largest buffalo population but lost a considerable number during the last decade with a negative annual growth rate of -3.4% Also the Philippines and Malaysia indicated the negative growth of -1.3% and -2.3% respectively. Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar did indicate positive growth with annual increase rate of 3.0%, 2.3%, 2.0% and 0.2% respectively. The buffalo number was 78 head per 1000 Asian agricultural population in 1982 while the corresponding figure was 82 in 1992. Buffalo butterfat is the major source of cooking oil (ghee) in some Asian countries. In the US, they have been introduced as an "exotic" livestock with developers hoping to build a market for the distinctive mozzarella cheese and low cholesterol meat. A market for leather goods and decorative horn products is also developing.
In Asia, the Middle East and Europe, water buffaloes live on course vegetation on the marginal land traditionally left to the peasants. They help make human survival possible serving as a protein source, tractor and storage of family wealth. In some areas, they also provide recreation at annual racing festivals. On Taiwan water buffalo are being replaced by western cattle and efforts are being made to protect the germ plasma. In 1980, Sir Lanka sponsored an international workshop on the water buffalo
The major genetic divisions of the water buffalo are the Swamp buffalo (Bubalus carabanensis) of the eastern half of Asia, which are slate gray, droopy necked and ox-like with massive swept back horns. They wallow in any water or mud puddle they can find or make. And; the River buffalo (Bubalus bubalus) of the western half of Asia usually is black or dark gray with tightly curled or drooping straight horns. They prefer to wallow in clean water. There is also the Mediterranean buffalo, which is of the River type but has been isolated for so long that it has developed some unique characteristics. Although there is only one breed of Swamp buffalo, certain subgroups seem to have specific inherited characteristics. For example, the buffalos of Thailand are noted for their large size, averaging 450-550 kg’ and weights of up to 1000 kg have been observed. Elsewhere Swamp buffaloes range from 250 kg,for some small animals in China to 300 kg in Burma and 500-600 kg in Laos. In Australia, the feral water buffalo has developed a characteristic appearance. In Indonesia a black and white spotted variety is known.
Only in India and Pakistan are there well defined breeds with standard qualities. There are 18 River buffalo breeds in South Asia, which are further classified into 5 major groups designated as the Murrah, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Central Indian and South Indian breeds. Within these groups are breeds. The best known breeds are Murrah, Nili/Ravi, Jafarabadi, Surti, Mehsana, Kundi and Nagpuri. Most of the buffaloes of the Indian subcontinent belong to a nondescript group known as the Desi buffalo.
BUFFALO
__________I__________
| |
African wild buffalo Asian buffalo
Syncerus caffar ____________________________ Subspecies: I |
S. caffer caffer Wild buffalo’s Domestic buffalo
S. c.brachyceros | |
S. c.nanus | |
|
_________________________ |____________
| | | |
Indian wild Arni Anoa Tamarao |
Bubalus arnee Bubalus Bubalus |
depressicornis mindorensis |
|
|
_____________________________
| |
River Type Swamp Type
Indian buffalo Bubalus
Bubalus bubalis carabanesis
Genetics
The Swamp buffalo has 48 chromosomes, the River buffalo 50. Some researchers consider it a separate species rather than a "type" on this basis. The chromosomal material is however, similar in the two types and they crossbreed to produce fertile hybrid progeny. Cattle however have 60 chromosomes. although mating between cattle and buffalo does occur. Hybrids from the union are unlikely. In 1965, a reputed hybrid was born in the old USSR and hybrids have been reported from China. Both reports seem doubtful because despite many attempts no other proven hybrids have ever been produced. Individual buffaloes show large variations in milk yield, conformation, horn shape, color, meat production, temperament, growth rate, and other characteristics. Selection for survival under adverse conditions has occurred naturally (those that could not stand adversity died) and farmers have probably tended to select animals of gentle temperament. But systematic genetic improvement has almost never been attempted. It seems likely that further selection could quickly improve their productivity
Unfortunately, the large bulls that would be best for breeding purposes are often being selected as draft animals and castrated, or sent to slaughter, or (as shot by hunters). The result is that the buffalo's overall size in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia has been decreasing as the genes for large size and fast growth are lost.
The buffalo is still largely an animal of the village, and many of its reported limitations are caused by its environment rather than by the animal itself. The buffalo has long been considered a poor breeder... slow to mature and slow to rebreed after calving. Poor management and nutrition has contributed much to this reputation. Their gestation period is about a month longer than that of cows, buffalo estrus is difficult to detect and mating occur mainly at night so that the farmer/producer is likely to encounter more problems breeding buffaloes than cattle. It is also possible that Swamp/River crossbreed hybrids have reduced fertility.
Most buffaloes are located in countries where land, cultivated forage crops, and pasture are limited. Livestock must feed on poor quality forages, sometimes supplemented with a little green fodder or by-products from food, grain and oilseed processing. Usually feedstuffs are in such short supply that few animals have a balanced diet, but the buffaloes seem to perform fairly well under such adverse conditions.
Tropical feedstuff, forest fodders and waste residues are a major part of the buffalo diet. Rice straw, especially when treated appears to provide good nutrition. Fodder trees, especially the Leucaena sp. deserve special mention as it can be used as fodder, firewood or timber. When used as a fodder it is reported to yield up to 100 tons per ha. Forest fodders are almost always fed in "cut and carry" systems where caretakers hand cut the leaves (in many cases climbing into the trees) and carry them to the confined buffaloes. A great deal of information on these feeds has been developed by international organizations. Buffalo raised in more developed areas are generally fed on a similar basis as cattle. They perform extremely well under managed grazing systems and feeder calves can exceed cattle in gain. Small grain silage is fed in some countries. Professor Raul Franzolin in Brazil has done some basic nutrition research which studies the digestive process in water buffalo.
Growth Rate
Insufficient measurements have been taken to allow unequivocal statements about the relative growth rates of cattle and buffaloes. However, many observations made in various parts of the world indicate that the buffalo's growth is seldom inferior to that of cattle breeds found in the same environment. Trials in Trinidad in the early 1960s involved buffaloes grazing pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) together with Brahman and Jamaican Red cattle. Over a period of 20 months the buffaloes gained an average of 0.72 kg per day whereas the cattle on a comparable nearby pasture gained 0.63 kg per day
In the Orinoco Delta of Venezuela unselected Criollo/Zebu crossbred cattle gained 0-0.2 kg per day on Paspalum fasciculatum whereas the water buffaloes with them gained 0.25-0.4 kg per day (Lidga, 2004).
In the Apure Valley of Venezuela, 100 buffalo steers studied in 1979 reached an average weight of 508 kg in 30 months, whereas the 30 month old Zebu steers tested with them weighed 320 kg. The feed consumed was a blend of native grasses (25% of the diet) and improved grasses (such as pangola, para, and guinea grass. In the same valley 200 buffalo heifers (air freighted from Australia) produced weight gains averaging 0.5 kg per day over a 2 year period (and 72 % of them calved). Government statistics for the area record average weight gain in crossbreeds between Zebu and Criollo cattle as 0.28 kg per day (with 40% calving). In the Philippines, buffaloes showed weight gains of 0.75-1.25 kg per day, the same as those of cattle. Daily weight gains of over 1 kg have been recorded for buffaloes in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.
Live weight gains of 0.80 kg per day have been recorded for buffaloes in Papua New Guinea. In a very humid, swampy area of the Sepik River coastal plains, live weight gains made by males averaged 0.47 kg per day and females 0.43 kg per day for more than a year. The average weight of 30 4 year old female buffaloes was 375 kg while the average weight of 4 year old female Brahman/Shorthorn crossbred cattle was 320 kg.
At the research station near Belem in the Brazilian Amazon weaned Murrah buffaloes, pastured continuously on Echinochla pyaramidalis (a nutritious grass), gained 0.8 kg daily and reached 450 kg in about 18 months. Live weight gains of 0.74-1.1 kg per day have been obtained in Australia. Buffalo steers grew as fast or faster than crossbred Brahman cattle on several improved pastures near Darwin, but on very poor pasture, 4 1/2 year old buffaloes each weighed only 400 kg, whereas the Brahman X steers reared with them weighed 500 kg. The reason for this is not clear.
Efficiency of Digestion
Indian animal nutritionists have investigated water buffaloes intensively over the past decades. Many have reported that buffaloes digest feeds more efficiently then do cattle, particularly when feeds are of poor quality and are high in cellulose. One trial revealed that digestibility of wheat straw cellulose was 24.3% for cattle and 30.7% for buffalo. The figures for berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) cellulose were 34.6% for cattle and 52.2% for buffalo. In another trial the digestion of straw fiber was 64.7% in cattle, 79.8% in buffalo. Other nutrients reported to be more highly digested in buffaloes than in cattle (Zebu) are crude fat, calcium and phosphorus, and nonprotein nitrogen, Recent experiments in India suggest that buffaloes also are able to utilize nitrogen more efficiently than cattle. Buffaloes digest less crude protein than cattle in one trial but increased their body nitrogen more (and they were being fed only 40% of the recommended daily intake of crude protein). The abilities of buffaloes to digest fiber efficiently may be partly due to the microorganisms in their rumen. Several Indian research teams have published data indicating that the microbes in the buffalo rumen convert feed into energy more efficiently than do those of cattle (as measured by the rate of production of volatile fatty acids in the rumen). In Guatemala, a large commercial milking herd of buffaloes is maintained only on the waste of African Palm Fruit processing and available pasture. In laboratory studies samples of buffalo rumen contents produced volatile fatty acids more quickly from a variety of animal feedstuffs than did samples from the rumen of cattle. No single reason alone explains the buffalo's success in using poor quality forages. rather, it is a combination of reasons that differ with the breed and conditions used. Studies by other researchers suggest that additional causes might include:
- 1) Higher dry matter intake.
- 2) Longer retention of feed in the digestive tract. This is in dispute however. A recent report concludes that although buffaloes will eat more low quality feed than cattle will ...it actually passes through more quickly and hence the buffalo's efficiency of feed utilization is no better than cattle's..
- 3) Ruminal characteristics more favorable to ammonia-nitrogen utilization.
- 4) Less depression of cellulose digestion by soluble carbohydrates (e,g. starch or molasses).
- 5) Superior ability to handle stressful environments.....In Papua New Guinea during the wet season cattle became distressed in the heat and humidity and ate less, whereas the buffaloes in the same field maintained appetite. The buffalo grazed in about 4 equal periods, which explains why they remain in better condition than cattle.
- 6) A wider range of grazing preferences.
- 7) Rumen bacteria with different characteristics.
In areas where the quality of feed is very low and concentrates unavailable, reasonably good results in raising nutritional levels has been shown with the feeding of urea. A lick stone of 3 kg composed of 20% urea, 60% molasses, 3% minerals and the rest rice bran can be made at very reasonable cost. Adult buffaloes will finish the lick in about 7 days, representing a daily supply of 80-90 g of urea. This supplementation has shown good results in supporting reproductive activities in cows and growth levels in young animals.
Calf Growth Rate
Although the gestation period of buffalo is a month longer than that of cattle, the calves are born weighing 35-40 kg, or about the same as that of a newborn Holstein calf. But because buffalo milk has about twice the butterfat of cow's milk, the calves grow very quickly. They also suffer more shock at weaning and have to be slowly changed to their new feeding program. Buffaloes can be marketed as full grown animals for beef at the age of 2-3 years, sometimes even earlier. For example, in Indonesia it has been found that buffalo steers can be marketed 6 months before Zebu steers because they may be 100 kg heavier. In Egypt, some buffalo calves given feed supplements with concentrates weighed 360 kg at 1 year of age. At Ain Shams University near Cairo, buffalo calves weaned at 7-14 days of age gained 0.7 kg per day from weaning to slaughter at 18 months of age and weighed 400 kg. Rice straw comprised 50% of the finishing diet. Buffaloes on Italian farms have reached 350 kg in 15-18 months and some year old calves weighed 320 kg. Grazing trials on native pasture (with mineral supplementation) in the Brazilian Amazon indicate that buffalo calves grew faster than cattle. At 2 years of age Mediterranean type buffaloes averaged 369 kg, Swamp types, 322 kg, and Jafarabadi type, 308 kg. The Zebu cattle tested with them averaged 265 kg and the crossbred Zebu/Charolais, 282 kg.
Feed Preferences
Buffaloes graze a wider range of plants than cattle. During floods near Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon when cattle become marooned on small patches of high ground, many suffer from foot rot and many starve to death. Their buffalo companions on the other hand ...bodies sleek and full... swim out to islands of floating aquatic plants and eat them, treading water. Also, they dive almost 3 m to graze beneath the flood waters. University of Florida buffaloes in a lakefront voluntarily consumed vines, sedges, rushes, floating aquatic weeds, and the leaves and shoots of willows and other trees along the water's edge. Few of these plants are voluntarily grazed by cattle. In northern Australia water buffaloes will graze the very prickly leaves of pandanus; they also graze sedges, reeds, floating grass and aquatic weeds. Hungry buffaloes will eat bark, twigs and other unpalatable vegetation. Because of the variety of their tastes they have been used in northern Queensland, Australia to clear pastures of woody weeds left untouched by cattle. In some countries cattle are used to graze the palatable tops of pasture plants and are followed by buffaloes to graze the less desirable lower parts.
Conversions:
1 US gal milk= 3.8974 kilogram (kg)
1 kg milk = 2.206 US pounds (lb)
1.136 liters= 1 quart
(Working rules)
1 liter =1kg=2.2 US lb=1 US quart (qt)
liters or kg x 2 + 10% = US lbs.
More than 5% of the world's milk comes from water buffaloes. In 1992 production 0f buffalo milk have reached 45.3 million tons, accounting an annual average increase rate of 3.8% for the last decade. Over 95% of the world buffalo milk is produced in Asia. India, being the world largest buffalo milk producer recorded 20.0 and 29.3 million tons in 1982 and 1992, respectively, with a growth rate of 3.3% per year. Buffalo milk is used in much the same way as cow's milk. It is high in fat and total solids, which gives it a rich flavor. Many people prefer it to cow's milk and are willing to pay more for it. In Egypt, for example, the severe mortality rate among buffalo calves is due in part to the sale of buffalo milk, which is in high demand, thus depriving calves of proper nourishment. This also occurs in India; where in the Bombay area alone an estimated 10,000 newborn calves starve to death each year through lack of milk. The demand for buffalo milk in India (about 60% of the milk consumed; over 80% in some states) is reflected in the prices paid for a liter of milk; about 40% more than for cow's milk. Twelve of the 18 major breeds of water buffalo are kept primarily for milk production (although males may be used for traction and all animals are eventually used for meat). The main milk breeds of India and Pakistan are the Murrah, Nili/Ravi, Surti, Mehsana, Nagpuri, and Jafarabadi. The buffaloes of Egypt, Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia and the FSU) and Italy are used for milk production and there are also herds used principally for this purpose in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey.
Ghee is obtained by heating the milk to evaporate water and removing the curd. As a result a liquid butter oil with 93% of fat content and a much smaller volume. It is easy to store and resists spoilage even at tropical temperatures. The ghee from buffalo milk is white and that from cow milk yellow. Dahi or curd (similar to yogurt) is another popular product. If not refrigerated it must be consumed within 24 hours. Khoa or mana is a popular sweet. It is prepared by condensing the milk to about 20% fat. Sugar and some spices are added in order to obtain desirable flavors. It is a high value product however it also has a relatively short shelf life.
.
In countries like India and Egypt, the milk yield of buffaloes is generally higher (680-800 kg) than for local cattle (360-500 kg). However, since selection for exceptional milk production is not conducted systematically, large variations in yield occur between individual animals, and milk production of dairy buffalo’s falls short of its potential. Nonetheless, some outstanding yields have been recorded. On Indian government farms, average yields for milking buffaloes range from 4 to 7 kg per day in lactations averaging 285 days. Daily yields of 12 kg have been reported for some Bulgarian buffalo cows and a daily production of over 20 kg has been reported for some remarkable animals in India. A peak milk yield of 31.5 kg in a day has been recorded from a champion Murrah buffalo in the All India Yield Competition conducted by the government of India
At Caserta, Italy, a herd of 1,600 machine milked, pedigreed dairy buffaloes has produced average yields of 1,500 kg during lactations of 270 days. In Pakistan an analysis of over 6,000 lactations of Nili/Ravi buffalo cows showed average yield of 1,925 kg during lactations averaging 282 days. (Average adjusted for year and season and calving).In India the average milk yield of Murrah buffaloes in established herds is also reported to be about 1,800 kg. Another source quotes the average lactation period of the Indian buffalo at 280-300 days, the dry period at 140-160 days. The average milk yield is estimated at 1500 to 2300 liters per lactation. This, once again is data derived from the large dairy and government farms. In the case of a small scale buffalo operation; lactation period will be about 200 days and milk yield 1000-1500 (1030-1545 kg) liters. In cases where the buffalo cows are also used as work animals, the lactation period is further reduced to 150-180 days with milk yield between 500 and 750 liters (515-723 kg). In 1982, per capita milk availability in India amounted to 44.7 kg/yr, of which 19.4 kg came from cows and 25.3 kg. from buffaloes. This was an increase of 4 kg since 1974 .
Unfortunately, because of the seasonal breeding and food supply...over 80% of buffalo cows calf between June and September, thus in summer there is a surplus of milk, whereas in winter there is a shortage. As with cattle the percentage of fat, protein, and total solids decreases as the milk yield increases.
The Swamp buffaloes of Southeast Asia are usually considered poor milk producers. They are used mainly as draft animals, but it may be that their milk potential has been underestimated. In the Philippines, Swamp buffalo cows with nursing calves have produced 300-800 kg of milk during lactation periods of 180-300 days. In Thailand Swamp buffaloes selected and reared for milk production have yielded 3-5 kg per day during 305 day lactations. The Nanning Livestock Research Institute and farm in Kwangsi province, which is representative of many others in South China, is upgrading the native Swamp buffaloes (or Shui Niu) by selective breeding for size and weight and by crossbreeding with dairy breeds such as the Murrah and Nili/Ravi.The crossbreeds that are milked yield 4-5 kg daily.
