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.

Dry matter requirement was estimated on 24 growing Indian buffalo calves fed concentrate and wheat straw to supply two levels (75 and 100 %) of protein and three levels (90, 100 and 110 %) of energy as per NRC (1976) for 500 g daily gain in a 2x3 factorial design. The dry matter intake (DMI) recorded at about 100 kg and 250 kg mean body weight was used for deriving multiple regression using DMI (Y) an independent variable and body weight or metabolic body weight (X1) and average daily gain (X2) as dependent variables. The prediction equations were: 1) Y= -0.9956+0.1036 X1 +0.0015 X2, 2. Y= -0.0489+0.02344 X1 +0.0015 X2, 3) Y= -4.9946+0.1315 X1 +0.002665 X2 and 4) Y= -1.782+0.019 X1 +0.00355 X2. There was positive correlation between DMI with body weight or metabolic body weight and ADG for all the 4 equations and R2 was 0.32; 0.32; 0.66 and 0.56 respectively. In spite of great differences in correlation coefficients, equations 2, 3 and 4 were found to be useful for predicting dry matter requirement from 100 to 400 kg body weight and from zero to 750 g ADG. However, equation 1 may be useful for 100 to 200 kg body weight