Buffalo Production in the Philippines

Buffalo Production

• Buffalo production is a significant component of the Philippine meat industry.
• As of 2023, the majority (99.3%) of buffalo are smallholder operations.
• A small percentage (0.5%) are semi-commercial and (0.2%) commercial.
• The total buffalo population in the Philippines is 2.74 million heads.
• Different regions have varying buffalo populations.

Philippine Carabao Industry

• The Philippine carabao industry is significant to the country.

Carabao Classification

• Swamp type buffaloes are commonly found in swamps or marshlands, typically used for farm work.
• River type buffaloes, exemplified by Indian breeds, are categorized as dairy buffaloes due to their high milk production capacity.

Carabao Production

• Water buffalo ("Asian animal") are a vital source of draft power and meat for smallholder farmers in the Philippines.
• Location-specific problems face buffalo farmers, and research is needed to improve practices.
• Buffalo production can be integrated with crop farming to enhance economic viability.
• A female buffalo with a calf can yield 300 to 800kg of milk during a lactation period of 180-300 days.

Problems and Prospects in Buffalo Production

• There are several technical problems affecting the exploitation of buffalo potential for draft, milk and meat:
• Poor reproductive capacity
• Low productivity
• High mortality
• Poor marketing
• Unrealistic credit facilities

Breeds and Breeding System

• Different types of water buffalo exist:
  • Riverine type: Generally dairy, making up 80.11% of the global total, sourced from India, Pakistan and Italy.
  • Swamp type: Predominantly found in Southeast Asia, comprising about 19.8% of the global total, and prominent in the Philippines and Thailand for draft and meat.

Swamp Type - Philippines

• Light grayish color with two stripes on the ventral side of the neck, one near the brisket and the other near the jaw.
• Lighter color on legs and outside of the body and ears.
• Curved horns, inward and outward, forming a semicircle from the base of the head.
• Upper surface of horns has grooves.
• Low, wide, and heavy-built body.
• Average mature weights are 500kg for males and 425kg for females.
• Average daily milk production of 1.45-2.64kg.

Swamp Type - Thailand

• Black color with relatively long hair.
• Strong and broad body with prominent musculature in the neck, chest, and back.
• Massive and strong horns forming a crescent shape with upward ends.
• Average weight is around 540kg for males and 400kg for females.
• Average daily milk production of 0.9-1.0kg.

River Type - Murrah

• Jet black in color with white switch in the tail.
• Soft and fine skin texture.
• Tightly and spirally curled horns.
• Massive and stocky body, with a light neck and head.
• Short limbs and broad hips, with drooping quarters.
• Well-developed udder and teats, with black, long, and stout teats.
• Average weights range from 625-525kg for males/females.
• Average daily milk production is 5-7 kg.

River Type - Nili-Ravi

• Originated in Pakistan.
• Black with white markings on the face and legs.
• White switch.
• Small, lightly coiled horns.
• Medium-sized, deep frame with elongated coarse and heavy head.

Selection of Stocks

• Factors to consider for selecting breeding stock include:
• Birth weight
• Pre-weaning growth rate
• Post-weaning growth rate
• Feed intake and conversion
• Body conformation measurements
• Carcass traits
• Milk yield and draft capacity

Reproductive Physiology

• Buffaloes breed throughout the year, with the most births between August and January.
• The dry season often reduces buffalo fertility.
• Poor conception rates are commonly due to compromised semen quality during the dry season.
• High rates of "silent heat" (estrus) also occur during the dry season.
• Separating male calves from females shortly after weaning (10-12 months) prevents premature breeding.

Estrus Period

• Native buffaloes have estrus periods lasting 5 to 36 hours, with an average of 24 hours.
• Murrah buffaloes exhibit estrus for periods varying from 24 to 71 hours.
• Ovulation occurs around 11 hours after estrus cessation in Murrah buffaloes.
• The majority of buffaloes exhibit estrus at night.
• Buffaloes under confinement ovulate 15 hours after the end of estrus or about 35 hours after the onset of estrus.

Estrus Cycle

• Buffaloes under close confinement have a 21+2 day estrus cycle.
• Murrah buffaloes have a 21-day estrus cycle.

First Fertile Mating

• Native buffaloes' first fertile mating occurs between 2 years and 4 months to 2 years and 6 months.
• Murrah buffalo's first fertile mating occurs around 4 years and 4 months.

Post Partum Heat

• Native buffaloes manifest post-partum heat 35-44 days after calving.
• Murrah buffaloes manifest post-partum heat 49 days after calving.

Calving Interval

• The calving intervals for native and Murrah buffaloes range from 1 year to about 3 years and 9 months with an average of about 1-1/2 years.

Gestation Period

• The gestation period for buffaloes typically ranges from 320 to 325 days.
• Murrah buffaloes have a gestation period of 314 to 317 days.

Nutrient Requirements

• Provided are tables detailing the suggested nutrient requirements for various classes, ages, and weights of buffaloes, including calves, young and old stock/animals, and bulls, as well as for lactating buffaloes.

Management of Animals

• Newborn calves: the fetal membrane should be removed shortly after birth, the umbilical cord should be cut and disinfected, identification methods (e.g., earnotching, tattooing) should be employed, and colostrum should be delivered within an hour.
• Backyard operations: calves are typically allowed to remain with their dams for 1 to 2 months before milking.
• Feeding newborn calves: feeding high-protein diets is recommended for weaned calves (8-12 months) to accelerate growth.
• Management practices for calves: branding, castration, de-worming, and vaccination should be carried out for management operations. Ideal times for such operations are between January and June for optimal weather conditions after weaning at 5 months old.

Growing-Fattening

• Weanling caracalves (8-12 months old): can be sold or fed for growth.
• Gaining weight: they gain 0.5-0.75 kg daily on rations for growth/fattening purposes.

Caraheifer

• Separate replacement caraheifers from the bull until they reach breeding readiness.
• Monitor heat cycles closely for breeding and record keeping.
• Carefully examine any animals that do not exhibit heat on schedule.

Carabull/Caracow Ratio

• A single Murrah bull can be assigned to maintain ratios of 15-20 or more females throughout the breeding season.
• A young (1-1/2-3-1/2 years old) bull can efficiently service about 20-30 caraheifers.

Pregnant Herd

• Separate pregnant buffaloes from the rest of the herd, especially during the last two months of pregnancy.
• Provide a balanced diet with adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support ongoing growth and fetal development.
• Stop milking two months before the expected calving date to improve nutrition for the calf.

Milking Herd

• Establish well-maintained milking sheds on properly drained ground to prevent disease and parasite problems.
• Utilize bamboo, nipa, or cogon materials for shed construction.
• Backyard sheds typically measure 2.5 to 3 meters high.
• Semi-permanent sheds with galvanized iron roofing may reach 3.0-3.7 meters in height.
• Feed milking buffaloes based on body weight, milk production, and butterfat levels.
• Offer roughage ad libitum and supplemental concentrates, with 1 kg of concentrates containing 16–18% protein provided for every 2–3 kg of milk produced.
• A mineral mixture (e.g., 50% steamed bone meal and 50% salt at 1–1.5%) can be added to the concentrate ration.

Common Infectious Diseases of Carabao

• HMD (Hoof and Mouth Disease): Caused by viruses, commonly spread via contact. Symptoms including fever, sores in the mouth, between hooves, and on other areas. Treatment and management of the disease using disinfectants and quarantines are usually employed.
• Hemorrhagic Septicemia: Bacterial infection (Pasteurella multocida). High fever, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, and bloody saliva/discharge from the nose. Vaccination, isolating, and treating with antibiotics improve management.
• Anthrax: Bacterial disease (Bacillus anthracis). Characterized by rapid onset of illness, sudden death, swelling, and blood-tinged bodily discharges. Effective treatment with antibiotics as soon as possible and rapid management efforts using cremation/deep burial methods for dead animals are necessary.
• Blackleg: Bacterial (Clostridium chauvoei) disease. Symptoms include sudden death, depression, fever, hot swellings in the limbs accompanied by cracking sensation, lameness. Early treatments with intensive doses of antibiotics, often utilizing vaccination programs, are often effective.
• Brucellosis: Bacterial illness (Brucella abortus). Often linked to infertility, miscarriages, and retained afterbirth in females, and swollen, painful testicles in males. Early antibiotic therapy and testing may be able to prevent further problems within herds and across herds..

Carabao Processing and Utilization

• Slaughtering procedures: carabaos meant for slaughter must be at least three years old and not suitable for breeding. Healthy and well-finished animals are ideal for slaughter.
• Resting period before slaughter: Animals travelling distances should be rested and allowed access to water before slaughter. Fasting about 24 hours prior avoids complications and facilitates evisceration.
• Avoid transportation stress: Excitement and fatigue should be avoided during transport, which can reduce weight yields.

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Carabao Beef

• Nutritional comparison of carabao and beef, including data on water, protein, fat, cholesterol, ash content, and pH.

Next Topic: Dairy Production

• The next chapter will cover dairy production.

Explore the significance of buffalo production in the Philippine meat industry. This quiz covers carabao classification, regional populations, and the smallholder's role in maintaining this vital agricultural component. Test your knowledge of this essential livestock and its contributions to local farming communities.