Kalahandi buffalo breed, a distinct breed found in South Orissa State in India, has been studied. This paper describes the habitat, husbandry practices, physical conformation and performance of the breed.

This study revealed that amphistome infection with Ceylonocotyle scoliocoelium in buffaloes was associated with the development of persistent diarrhoea and death in seven animals. At postmortem the immature parasites were found to be responsible for duodenitis and severe hepatic damage. Hepatic lesions caused by the amphistome fluke are described and discussed.

Buffalo diseases were the same as those of cattle with few differences in their prevalence, pathogenicity and symptomatology. Parasitic diseases are the most prevalent. Neoascaris vitulorum is the most common helminthosis of young buffalo calves. Coccidial infection, louse infestation, psoroptic mange, trypanosomiasis, haemorrhagic cutaneous filariasis has been diagnosed in the Amazon Valley. Among the infections and contagious disease to which buffaloes are subjected, the following can be detected: foot-and-mouth disease, haemorrhagic septicaemia, brucellosis, tuberculosis, rabies and blackleg. Also present in this region were the non-infections diseases: hypophosphataemia, hypocalcaemia and plant poisoning. Details related to categorization of these diseases are discussed.

Of 4450 Murrah buffaloes, 17 (0.4 %) exhibited a total of 229 warts on their skins. Higher prevalence was recorrded in male buffaloes. The nunber of lesions in individual animals varied from 1 to 78 with a mean of 13.3 +- 20.9 SD. The diameter of the lesions ranged from 0.2 - 2.0 cm with an average of 0.5 +- 0.2 SD. The average affected area of the skin was 3.0 +- 4.2 DS with a range of 0.2 - 16.6 sq.cm. The lesions were observed on 13 different sites with a higher frequency on the shoulder, chest, and neck.

Total of 678 buffalo carcasses were evaluated subjectively for conformation, bruises, contamination and cuts at six different slaughter houses with different slaughter and dressing procedures. Irregular casting of animals and quartering of carcasses on the slaughter floor was found detrimental to the production of hygienic meat compared to regular line casting and quartering outside the slaughter hall or lifting (hoisting) of carcasses for dressing and cutting. Average carcass conformation score was 3.18, indicating a fair grade and scope for improvement by effective culling. Bruising was observed to the extent of 58 percent, contamination with extraneous material to the extent of 49 percent and cuts on the carcasses were observed to the extent of 23 percent. The study suggested that proper care and handling of live animals and lifting of carcasses for dressing and quartering purposes (by way of a semi-modern abattoir system) will contribute to a great extent in the production of hygienic buffalo meat.