Carabao Production in the Philippines 2023

Buffalo Production

• Buffalo production is a vital component in food security and income for farmers in the Philippines.
• The carabao industry is predominantly small-hold (99.3%) with small percentages of semi-commercial (0.5%) and commercial (0.2%) operations.
• Total carabao inventory in the Philippines (as of September 30, 2023): 2.74 million heads.

Philippine Carabao Industry

• Data collected in 2023 reveals significant variations in carabao inventory across different regions.
• This data is essential for informed decision-making, targeted support, and industry analysis.

Carabao Conservation Status

• Domesticated

Carabao Production

• Carabaos are a common livestock specie in the Philippines.
• Carabaos are an important source of draft power and meat for small farmers.

Carabao Classification

• Swamp type buffaloes are known for their preference for swamps and marshlands, primarily used for farm work.
• River types, such as Indian and subcontinent breeds, are classified under the dairy category due to their high milk production potential.

Problems and Prospects for Carabao Production

• Poor reproductive capacity, low productivity, high mortality, and poor marketing are key challenges hindering full exploitation of carabao potential.
• The lack funding/credit facilities also impact performance.

Breeds and Breeding Systems

• Different types of water buffalo exist across various regions.

Types of Water Buffalo

• Riverine Type: Generally the dairy type. Account for 80.11% of the world's total. Varieties include Murrah (India), Nili Ravi (Pakistan), and Mediterranean breeds from Italy.
• Swamp Type: Predominantly found in Southeast Asian countries, accounting for 19.8% of the total population. Philippine carabao and Thai buffalo are examples raised primarily for draft and meat.

Swamp Type - Philippines

• Philippine Carabao (Philippine origin) are generally light gray with two stripes or chevron on the ventral side of the neck. Legs and outside of the body are lighter in color.
• Horns curve outward and inward to form a semicircle shape from the base of the head.
• Mature male and female weights average 500 kg and 425 kg respectively.
• Average milk production: 1.45 - 2.64 kg per day.

Swamp Type - Thailand

• Thai Buffaloes (origin: Thailand) are black with relatively short hair.
• Strong, broad bodies with prominent musculature in the neck, chest, and back.
• Horns curve into a crescent shape.
• Average weights for males and females are 540 kg and 408kg, respectively.
• Daily average milk production: 0.9-1.0 kg

River Type - Murrah

• Originating in India, this variety is jet black with white markings on the tail.
• Skin texture is soft and fine.
• Horns are tightly and spirally curled.
• Stocky build, with short limbs and broad hips.

River Type - Nili-Ravi

• Originating in Pakistan, Nili-Ravi buffaloes are black with white markings on the face and legs.
• Horn shape is small and coiled.
• Deep frame, medium size, with elongated coarse heads.

Selection of Stocks

• Key criteria for choosing buffalo 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

• Carabaos typically breed throughout the year. Breeding prevalence highest between August and January.
• The dry season often negatively affects fertility due to poor semen quality, resulting in low conception rates in mated females.
• "Silent heat" incidence is higher during the dry season.
• It is essential to separate male calves from females shortly after weaning to prevent premature breeding.

Estrus Period

• Native carabaos have estrus periods of 5 to 36 hours, with an average heat period of approximately 24 hours. Murrah buffaloes typically experience estrus periods between 24 to 71 hours.
• Murrah buffaloes ovulate approximately 11 hours after the end of estrus.
• Most carabaos exhibit estrus at night. Carabaos in confinement ovulate after 15 hours of estrus, or about 35 hours after the onset of heat.

Estrus Cycle

• Carabaos in close confinement ovulate 21 + 2 days into their cycle.
• Murrah buffaloes ovulate after 21 days.

First Fertile Mating

• Native carabaos reach first fertile mating between 2 years 4 months and 2 years 6 months
• Murrah buffaloes reach first fertile mating at 4 years 4 months.

Post Partum Heat

• Native carabaos manifest heat between 35-44 days after calving.
• Murrah carabaos manifest heat between 49 days after calving.

Calving Interval

• Native and Murrah buffaloes have calving intervals ranging from 1 year to around 3 years and 9 months, averaging about 1-1/2 years.

Gestation Period

• Carabao gestation period ranges from 320 to 325 days.
• Murrah buffalo gestation period typically averages between 314 to 317 days.

Nutrient Requirements

• Nutrient requirements vary based on the animal's class and age, as well as milk production (lactating).

Management of Animals

• Proper care for newborn caracalves involves: Removing fetal membranes, disinfecting navel cords promptly, initiating identification procedures (ear notching, tattooing, ear tagging or neckchains).
• Colostrum provision within one hour of birth.

Backyard Operations

• Caracalves are usually allowed with their dams for 1 -2 months before milking.

Commercial Dairy Operations

• Caracalves are typically weaned 3-5 days after birth and trained to drink mixed milk.

Feeding Newborn Caracalves

• Feeding high protein diets to weaned caracalves aged 8-12 months is beneficial for accelerating growth rates.
• Starter feed containing 18%-20% crude protein and 75% total digestible nutrients.
• Fresh forage (like freshly cut grasses).
• Fresh water always provided.
• Other management procedures (branding, castration, deworming, vaccination) should be performed at 5 months of age or immediately after weaning. These procedures are best performed in dry conditions especially during January to June months.

Growing-Fattening

• Weanling caracalves (8-12 months old) can either be sold or kept for growth and eventual slaughter.
• High-energy rations are fed for consistent weight gain (0.50 -0.75kg/day).

Caraheifer

• Replacement caraheifers must be separated from the bull until they are ready for breeding.
• Close observation of heat cycles is crucial for successful breeding management.
• Unresponsive animals to scheduled heat cycles require further examination.

Carabull / Caracow Ratio

• Murrah buffalo bulls may be assigned to 15 - 20 females during breeding season.
• The number of female caracalves depending on the age of the bull. (1-1.5 to 3.5 years)

Pregnant Herd

• Pregnant carabaos should be separated from the breeding herd two months before the expected calving date.
• They should receive adequate nutrition (energy, protein, vitamins, minerals to support both their maintenance and fetal growth, to maintain milk production.

Milking Herd

• Milking carabaos are fed based on their body weight, milk production and butterfat production..
• Dietary supplements (roughage, concentrates, and mineral mixtures are typically added to their diet. Water supply is essential at all times.

Common Infectious Diseases of Carabao

• Diseases include hoof and mouth disease, hemorrhagic septicemia, anthrax, blackleg, and brucellosis.

Hoof and Mouth Disease

• Mode of transmission: Direct contact with infected animals, implement and environmental contamination.
• Symptoms: Fever, vesicles (erosions) on hooves, coronary band, teats, and udder, oral mucosa and tongue.
• Prevention: Quarantine affected animals, disinfecting, isolate, control the movement of domestic animals and carriers, keep on dry ground, mild antiseptics and/or alum on lesions. Mass immunization/vaccination.

Hemorrhagic Septicemia

• Cause: Bacteria
• Mode of transmission: Ingestion or inhalation of infective agent.
• Symptoms: High fever, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, salivation, Nasal discharge, throat and brisket swelling, mucous membrane congestion, Bloody diarrhea..
• Prevention: Prophylactic vaccination, removing predisposition factors, antibiotics and sulfa treatment.

Anthrax

• Cause: Bacteria
• Mode of transmission: Direct ingestion of infected material, biting flies, and handling infected carcasses.
• Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, depression, loss of appetite, swelling of chest, head, belly, and legs, bloody diarrhea, death, colic, abortion, blood-stained discharges, convulsion.
• Prevention: Vaccinations in endemic areas, proper disposal of carcasses (cremation or deep burial), antibiotic treatments.

Blackleg

• Cause: Bacteria
• Mode of transmission: Infection initiated by trauma to the body/oral mucosa.
• Symptoms: Sudden death in acute cases. Less acute symptoms include signs of depression, fever, rapid respiration, and no rumination, hot painful swelling in thigh/leg muscles visible on palpation, cracking sensation due to developing gas, lameness in affected limbs.
• Prevention: Vaccination, carcass disposal, and antibiotic treatment.

Brucellosis

• Cause: Bacteria
• Mode of transmission: Ingestion of contaminated feed, water, aborted materials (fetus, membranes, placental pieces), urine, and uterine discharge from infected animals. Infection is transmitted through natural/artificial breeding.
• Symptoms: Infertility, abortion, retained placenta, persistent vaginal discharge, swollen/painful testicles with subsequent infertility/sterility in males, respiratory distress, salivation, nasal discharge, swelling of throat and brisket, congestion of mucous membranes, bloody diarrhea.
• Prevention: Blood tests, removal of infected animals, antibiotic treatment, vaccination, properly dispose of infected materials, minimize contact between affected animals.

Other Common Diseases Including causes

• Diseases include Actinomycosis (fungal disease), Foot rot (bacterial disease), Bacterial scours (in caracalves), Calf pneumonia (multiple bacterial agents), Leptospirosis, Tetanus, Pediiculosis, Ephemeral, Parasitic gastroenteritis, Parasitic pneumonia, Liver fluke infection, and Coccidiosis.

Carabao Processing and Utilization

• General rules for slaughter include: animals at least 3 years old, healthy and well-finished, not pregnant, rest, fast for 24 hours with constant water supply, prevent excitement and fatigue during handling. Prevent improper handling.

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Carabao Meat

• Data comparing carabao meat to beef shows key chemical differences. Values presented in the article include water content, protein, fat, cholesterol, ash, and pH.

Test your knowledge on carabao production in the Philippines as of 2023. This quiz covers various aspects such as types of carabao, their uses in farming, and production statistics. See how well you understand the impact of carabao on small farmers and the challenges they face.