• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.551-560
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• 2014

Twenty-four male 1-year old swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were randomly allocated to 4 groups. One group grazed on guinea grass (GG) and another on guinea grass and the legume Stylosanthes guianensis (GL). The other two groups were kept in pens and fed freshly cut guinea grass and concentrate at an amount of 1.5% (GC1.5) and 2.0% (GC2.0) of body weight, respectively. The effect of the different feeding intensities on carcass characteristics and meat quality were assessed. The mean body weight at slaughter was 398 (${\pm}16$) kg. Average daily gain was higher in concentrate-supplemented groups (570 and 540 g/d in GC1.5 and GC2.0, respectively) when compared to GG (316 g/d) and GL (354 g/d) (p<0.01). Likewise, the warm carcass weight was higher in GC1.5 and GC2.0 compared to GG and GL. Dressing percentage was 48.1% and 49.5% in GC1.5 and GC2.0 in comparison to 42.9% and 44.8% observed in GG and GL, respectively. Meat of Longissimus throracis from GC1.5 and GC2.0 was redder in color (p<0.01), while water holding capacity (drip and thawing loss) was improved in pasture-fed groups (p<0.05). Protein and fat content of Longissimus thoracis was higher in animals supplemented with concentrate (p<0.01), as was cholesterol content (p<0.05), whereas PUFA:SFA ratio was higher and n-6/n-3 ratio lower (p<0.01) in pasture-fed buffaloes. Results of the present study showed that the supplementation of pasture with concentrate enhances the growth and carcass characteristics of swamp buffaloes expressed in superior dressing percentage, better muscling, and redder meat with a higher content of protein and fat, whereas animals grazing only on pasture had a more favorable fatty acid profile and water holding capacity. In conclusion, the supplementation of concentrate at a rate of about 1.5% of body weight is recommended to improve the performance and carcass quality of buffaloes.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.949-954
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• 2022

Objective: The present study is aimed at phenotypic characterization and mitochondrial d-loop analysis of indigenous "Diara" buffalo population, which are mostly confined to the villages on the South and North Gangetic marshy plains in the Bihar state of India. These buffaloes are well adapted and are best suited for ploughing and puddling the wet fields meant for paddy cultivation. Methods: Biometric data on 172 buffaloes were collected using a standard flexible tape measure. Animals are medium in size; the typical morphometric features are long head with a broad forehead and moderately long and erect ears. Genomic DNA was isolated from unrelated animals. The mtDNA d-loop 358-bp sequence data was generated and compared with 338 sequences belonging to riverine and swamp buffaloes. Results: Based on the mitochondrial d-loop analysis the Diara buffaloes were grouped along with the haplotypes reported for riverine buffalo. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of 7 mitochondrial D loop haplotypes with haplotype diversity of 0.9643. Five of the haplotypes were shared with established swamp breeds and with Buffalo population of Orissa in India. Conclusion: Morphometric analyses clearly shows distinguishing features like long and broad forehead which may be useful in identification. The germplasm of Diara buffalo is much adapted to the marshy banks of river Ganga and its tributaries. It constitutes a valuable genetic resource which needs to be conserved on priority basis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1060-1068
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• 2009

The buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an important contributor to milk, meat, power, fuel and leather production in many developing countries. Buffaloes can be categorized into Asian and Mediterranean buffaloes. Asian buffalo includes two subspecies known as Riverine and Swamp types. Riverine (water buffalo) and Swamp buffaloes possess different genetics (50 vs. 48 chromosomes, respectively), morphology (body frame, body weight, horn shape and skin color) and behavior (wallowing in mud or water) and thus, are reared and used for different purposes. Low per head milk yield, poor reproductive performance (seasonal breeding behavior, anestrous, and longer calving interval) and low growth rate in buffaloes have been attributed to insufficient supply of nutrients. In many parts of Asia, where the buffalo is an integral part of the food chain and rural economy, irregular and inadequate availability of quality feedstuffs and their utilization are hampering the performance of this unique animal. Balanced nutrition and better management can enhance buffalo productivity. Many efforts have been made in the last few decades to improve nutrient supply and utilization in buffaloes. Recent research on locally available feed resources such as crop residues, and industrial by-products, dietary addition of micronutrients, use of performance modifiers and use of ruminally protected fat and protein sources have shown significant potential to improve growth, milk yield and reproductive performance of buffaloes. However, a number of issues, including establishment of nutrient requirements for dairy and beef, development of buffalo calf feeding systems, nutritional management of metabolic and reproductive anomalies, and understanding and exploitation of the buffalo gut ecosystem, need to be addressed. Extensive coordinated research and extension efforts are required for improved buffalo nutrition in developing countries.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.952-960
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in swamp buffaloes. Four, 4-yr old rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes were randomly assigned to receive four dietary treatments according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Factor A was carbohydrate source; cassava chip (CC) and CC+rice bran at a ratio 3:1 (CR3:1), and factor B was level of cottonseed meal (CM); 109 g CP/kg (LCM) and 328 g CP/kg (HCM) in isonitrogenous diets (490 g CP/kg). Buffaloes received urea-treated rice straw ad libitum and supplemented with 5 g concentrate/kg BW. It was found that carbohydrate source did not affect feed intake, nutrient intake, digested nutrients, nutrient digestibility, ammonia nitrogen concentration, fungi and bacterial populations, or microbial protein synthesis (p>0.05). Ruminal pH at 6 h after feeding and the population of protozoa at 4 h after feeding were higher when buffalo were fed with CC than in the CR3:1 treatment (p<0.05). Buffalo fed with HCM had a lower roughage intake, nutrient intake, population of total viable and cellulolytic bacteria and microbial nitrogen supply than the LCM fed group (p<0.05). However, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia concentration, population of protozoa and fungi, and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were not affected by cottonseed meal levels (p>0.05). Based on this experiment, concentrate with a low level of cottonseed meal could be fed with cassava chips as an energy source in swamp buffalo receiving rice straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.504-510
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• 2003

Rumen ecology plays an important role in the fermentation process and in providing end-products for ruminants. These studies were carried out to investigate variations in rumen factors namely pH, $NH_3-N$ and microorganisms in cattle and swamp buffaloes. Furthermore, studies on diurnal patterns of rumen fermentation and the effect of rumen digesta transfer from buffalo to cattle was conducted. Based on these studies, diurnal fermentation patterns in both cattle and buffaloes were revealed. It was found that rumen NH3-N was a major limiting factor. Rumen digesta transfer from buffalo to cattle from buffalo to cattle was achievable. Monitoring rumen digesta for 14d after transfer showed an improved rumen ecology in cattle as compared to that of original cattle and buffalo. It is probable that buffalo rumen digesta could be transferred. However, further research should be undertaken in these regards in order to improve rumen ecology especially for buffalo-based rumen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.281-283
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• 1989

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.471-476
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• 2007

Little is known about the origin and genetic diversity of swamp buffaloes in China. To obtain more knowledge on genetics of the water buffalo in China, the complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences of 30 samples from 6 native types were investigated. The results revealed 12 mitochondrial haplotypes with 50 polymorphic sites. Among these polymorphic sites, there were 49 transitions and 1 transversion. The average nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity estimated from mtDNA D-loop region in 6 Chinese water buffalo types were 0.00684 and 0.798, respectively, showing rather abundant mitochondrial genetic diversity. The Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree of mtDNA of Chinese water buffaloes was constructed according to the 12 haplotypes. The NJ tree indicated two lineages being designated lineage A and lineage B, in which lineage A was predominant, and lineage B was at low frequency. The new lineage B was first discovered and defined in 6 Chinese water buffalo types. These results showed that two different maternal lineages were involved in the origin of domestic swamp buffaloes in China and the lineage B was probably an introgression from Southeast Asian buffaloes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.631-639
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• 2001

Two experiments were carried out concerning the effects of urea-molasses cake (UMC) and its separate components as supplements on rumen environment, in sacco feed degradability and intake of swamp buffaloes fed rice straw, grasses or a mixture of grasses and rice straw. Experiment 1 was a change-over design with 4 animals and 6 treatments. The buffaloes were fed rice straw ad libitum, and the experimental treatments were: no supplementation (R); 700 g of the complete urea-molasses cake (RUMC); 53.2 g urea (RU); 276 g rice bran and 52.5 coconut meal (RRC); 26.6 g salt, 26.6 g bone meal and 2.1 g trace minerals (RMi); and 25 g molasses (RMo). Experiment 2 was a Latin square design with four diets and four animals. The treatments were: rice straw ad libitum and mixed grass (RG) at 2.5 g dry matter per kg live weight (LW); RG plus 700 g urea-molasses cake (RGUMC); mixed grass ad libitum (G); and G plus 700 g cake (GUMC). In both experiments the supplements were fed once daily. In Exp. 1 although the rumen pH was significantly different (p<0.05) among diets, it varied only from 6.90 to 7.06. The ruminal ammonia was also significantly (p<0.05) different among the diets with RUMC significantly higher than R. Total bacterial and protozoal counts were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the RUMC, RU, RMo and RRC diets. Total feed and rice straw intakes were highest for RUMC (p<0.05) and lowest for the RMi and RMo diets, but in sacco degradability of four different roughages were not significantly different among diets. In Exp. 2, rumen pHs of the diets differed significantly and (p<0.01) ranged from 7.04 - 7.19. Ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentrations (mg/100 ml) were also significantly different (p<0.05), and higher for the RGUMC, G and GUMC diets. The total counts of bacteria and protozoa were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the RGUMC, G and GUMC diets. The total feed intake and roughage intake were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the RGUMC, G and GUMC diets compared to the RG diet. Correspondingly, LW changes also differed among treatments (p=0.06). It was concluded that there were significant increases in rumen $NH_3-N$ concentration, microbial populations and feed intake in the buffaloes by UMC supplementation, whereas the significant difference in in sacco DM degradation was not found by any type of supplementation. There seemed to be a need of a combination of urea, molasses, minerals and other protein nitrogen sources to enhance rice straw intake. Adding grass to the rice straw diet at 0.25% LW (DM) should also be considered to maintain buffalo rumen function and production with UMC supplementation, when rice straw is the main roughage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 1991

Four male swamp buffaloes weighing $460.5{\pm}44.6kg$ were used to study the effects of different cooling techniques on draught capacity. Each animal carted an 882 kg load on the same asphalt road for one hour during four different time periods: 9:00-10:00 A.M., 10:30-11:30 A.M., 2:00-3:00 P.M. and 3:30-4:30 P.M. Simultaneously, all animals were subjected to five different treatments on five days of similar environmental conditions. In Treatment 1, animals were put stationary in a field and did no work; in Treatment 2, animals were worked without any cooling method; in Treatment 3, fifteen-minute wallow was allowed to animals prior to working; in Treatment 4, animals were covered with wetted jute bags while working, and in Treatment 5, two buckets of water were poured over the buffaloes' trunks just prior to working. The experiment was conducted from April to July 1989, when the weather was very hot. It was found that cooling methods and working times did not affect the draught efficiency of buffaloes during the one hour, but did affect physiological traits. The work load had a larger partial effect on physiological responses of buffalo other than respiration rate than did climatic variables except on the respiration rate of the buffaloes. One cooling technique that seemed to slow the increase of body temperature while working was covering the buffalo's back with wetted jute bags. Animals working at different times had significant differences in the increase of physiological traits except pulse rate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.617-622
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• 1992

Four rumen-fistulated swamp buffaloes steers were used in a change-over experiment. This experiment was designed to provide a comparison of the effect of urea-ammonia treatment of rice straw with untreated rice straw. Nitrogen, mineral and trace elements were supplied at adequate levels to both diets in order to overcome deficiencies which may have otherwise confounded a direct comparison. There was a 46% increase in the intake of digestible organic matter (OM) with the urea-ammonia treated diet. This was contributed by a 17% increase in the digestibility of OM and a 25% increase in the voluntary intake of OM. Of the cell wall fraction, the digestibility of hemicellulose increased by the greatest amount (26%). There was an increased rate of passage of particulate matter out of the rumen for the treated straw, along with the increased rate of OM fermentation resulted in a 9% decrease in the amount of digesta dry matter (DM) contained in the rumen. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) pool in the rumen was 24% higher for the treated diet.