B P KushwahaPrincipal Scientist

Network Project on Bhadawari BuffaloesIGFRI, Jhansi-284 003

PERFORMANCE OF BHADAWARI BUFFALOES UNDER FARM CONDITIONS

Characteristics

Morphological Features

Agra

Sheopur

Bhind

Jalaun

Jhansi

Lalitpur

Morena

Tikamgarh

AuraiyaEtawah

RAJASTHAN

MADHYA PRADESH

UTTAR PRADESH

HARYANA

DELHI

Breeding Tract

Agra, Etawah,, Jalaun, Aurraiya, Bhind, Morena, Seopur Jhansi and Lalitpur districts

Population

19771977 1.139 lakh1.139 lakh

19911991 0.982 lakh0.982 lakh

Pundir et. al., 1997Pundir et. al., 1997 37,78037,780

Kushwaha et. al., 2007Kushwaha et. al., 2007 30,00030,000

1818thth livestock (breed wise livestock (breed wise census) 2007 census) 2007

7.24 lakh7.24 lakh

Composition of buffaloes in the breeding tract

8%13%

79%

Bhadawari

Bhadawari type

Murrah & Murrah cross

Performance of Bhadawari buffaloes at IGFRI Jhansi

Average Milk production

Lactation milk yield (kg)

1250.5±24.6

Lactation length (days)

291.4±4.9

300 days or less MY (kg)

1213.5±21.6

Peak Yield (Kg) 6.96±0.10

Days to attain PY 52.8 days

Year 2003 to 2010, 206 lactation records

Maximum 300 LMY- 1973 kg

Milk Production PotentialAnim. No Parity 300 days or less milk

yield126 4 1973.00

19 7 1944.0055 2 1866.6094 1 1840.0088 3 1838.0088 2 1825.0074 2 1807.00

164 3 1780.00126 5 1740.00

28 4 1727.00106 4 1724.00133 2 1710.50137 4 1703.50164 2 1670.00

94 2 1657.00129 5 1656.90

6 5 1655.00131 5 1637.50

72 2 1631.20114 1 1624.00107 1 1607.50

72 4 1601.50

Wet average (Kg)

Milk compositionTrait/parameter Average performanceFat in milk 8.20 % (range 5.5 to 14 %)Solid not fat (SNF) 10.81 %Total solid (TS) 18.87 %Protein 4.11 %Calcium 205.72 mg / 100 mlPhosphorus 140.90 mg/ 100 mlZink 3.82 µg/ mlCopper 0.24 µg / mlManganese 0.117 µg / ml

Reproduction

Trait Average

Age at First calving (months) 48.53

Service period (days) 172.4±7.7

Dry Period (days) 207.80±11.3

Calving Interval (days) 505±12.1

8.13

7.69

3.25

1.7 2.

840.

42

3.65

1.71

1.21

0

3.65 3.85

9.75

5.12

19.1

19.2

313

.01

15.8

1

18.6

921

.79

9.34

13.2

5

7.31

9.4

0

5

10

15

20

25

% c

alvi

ng

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecMonth

Month wise Calving (%) pattern in Bhadawari and Murrah buffaloes

Bhadawari Murrah

Calving pattern

Health and Survivability

• The Bhadawari animals are quite hardy in nature and can sustain in a harsh / adverse climatic conditions.

• The overall mortality in Bhadawari calves of 0 to 3 months and 3 to 6 months

were 6.20 and 2.09 percent, respectively

Year 0-3 months (%)

3- 6 month (%)

Overall mean 6.20 2.092002-03 6.80 7.402003-04 0.00 0.002004-05 6.45 0.002005-06 18.42 2.632006-07 0.00 2.852007-08 4.76 0.002008-09 8.33 0.002009-10 7.69 0.002010-11 2.85 2.772011-12 0.00 4.54

Nutrient Utilization

• Nutrient utilization was better in Bhadawari buff. as compared to Murrah buff. in semi intensive system of feeding.

• Under intensive (stall fed) system nutrient utilization was comparable in both the breeds.

Nutrient utilizationBhadawari Murrah

Stall fed(Intensive)

Grazing+ Supplementation(Semi-intensive)

Stall fed(Intensive)

Grazing + Supplementation(Semi-intensive)

Animals weight 402.5 401.2 528.33 518.2

Intake Kg/d 7.62 10.33 9.68 12.88

G/Kg W0.75 78.08 112.56 90.23 120.90

% Body weight 1.70 2.49 2.0 2.55

Digestibility %

DM 55.82 60.91 58.44 57.39

OM 58.38 62.84 60.57 59.88

CP 49.86 53.47 51.20 46.13

NDF 52.23 58.70 55.72 57.53

ADF 38.57 50.88 42.98 43.74

Cellulose 52.30 63.03 59.64 59.25

Hemi cellulose 65.32 59.54 71.48 70.94

Methane production Bhadawari and Murrah buffaloes fed wheat straw-concentrate diets

Parameter Murrah Bhadawari

CH4g /d 301.80 183.42

CH4g/Kg DMI

23.26 21.49

CH4g/Kg DDMI

41.88 34.96

CH4 g/Kg milk

49.96 42.78

Need for conservation ?• Being a unique buffalo breed and a valuable genetic resource. • Many characteristics of this breed have not yet been fully

studied.• These buffaloes are well adapted to the harsh climatic

conditions of the area with medium sized body, less water requirement, thriving well on low quality forages, better draught ability, high milk fat content.

• This fits very well to the requirements of small and medium farmers.

• These buffaloes are most suited to far off inaccessible areas and ravines where milk procurement is difficult.

• The Bhadawari buffalo in these areas could very well sustain ghee making industry having longer self life.

• Meat production from these buffaloes has remained unexplored which needs to be understood.

Conservation efforts made so far

Conservation approach ?• Slaughtering of Bhadawari animals should be banned.• Up-gradation through Murrah should be discontinued in

the breeding tract• Supply of the breeding bulls in the field be increased• Performance of the AI in the field is very poor, needs

improvement• Bhadawari buffaloes are more suited to the needs of

small and medium farmers and for remote/inaccessible terrains, vigorous campaign to create awareness among farmers should be undertaken

Summary • The performance of Bhadawari buffaloes is

comparable with other breeds, except few heavy breeds.

• High fat content in milk, low calf mortality and comparatively low feed and fodder requirement, better performance under grazing are specific characteristics of the breed.

• Considering these facts, Bhadawari buffaloes are sustainable in low input system of rearing and is a suitable breed for resource poor farmers.

Farmer with his Bhadawari buffalo in Etawah district

Bhadawari buffaloes in animal fare in Etawah District

A farmer with his Bhadawari animals