Performance of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and its economic implications in selected areas
1990
De la Cruz, L.C.
According to type of animal milked, the native caracow gave the lowest milk yield (average of 3.9 kg per day) while crossbreds were 4.4 kg and 6.0 kg for 50:50 and 75:25 blood compositions, respectively. Milkfat content was 8.8 +- 1% for the native and 7.5 +- 3% for the 50:50 crossbreds or an average of 8.4 +- 1% for both types of animals. There was a highly significant difference (P0.01) in the milk yield performances of the three (3) types of buffaloes milked while least significant difference (LSD) test revealed that the means of the total milk yield of these animals were significantly different (P0.05). Mean age at first calving was 4.6 +-.8 years for all types of animal (range of 3.5-6.5 years) while calving interval was 652.6 +- 242.6 days. The native caracows had 739.5 +- 249.1 days calving interval while the crosses had 663.9 +- 240.7 and 545 +- 179.5 days for 50:50 and 75:25 blood composition, respectively. The analysis of variance revealed a highly significant difference (P0.01) in the ages at first calving of the three types of buffaloes studied. Net income was highest (P904 per farmer per month) for farmers raising crossbreds of 75:25 Murrah x Native followed by the 50:50 crossbreds (P502) and the lowest for the native caracows (P381). Cost and return analysis showed of P1,605 per farmer per month as compared to P1,201 using a hypothetical 1-carabuffalo model where all costs incurred were considered. With feed supplementation given to the animals, net income was P781 per farmer per month which was lower than the net income of P995 per month derived by the farmer if sole roughages were fed to the animals.
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