|
MURRAH BREED: Native from the north-west of India, these animals are jet black,
with white spots only in the tip of the tail, solid, strong, with a deep and wide bone
structure, short limbs and weighty bones. Good lower back and excellent beef carcass
conformation. Horns are short, dosed-spiral shaped. Short ears. Well developed udders,
dearly visible veins and firm rear ends. Nipples are easily handled and pulled. Milk flows
swiftly. All of which contributes to turning out a superior dairy cow. Hides are thick.
Its adaptability to cold temperatures is unparalleled by other breeds.
JAFARABADI BREED: Its name derives from the town of
Jafarabadi. It is black too. Horns are heavy and wide, tilted downward, and they curl up
and backwards at the tip. Average weights for adult males is 700-1000 k, 700 k for
females. The breed is most appropriate for areas with long and abundant grass, not
necessarily green. It needs great volume to generate energy. When feeding diminishes, calf
crops are strung out, and rebreeding is postponed. In spite of that, its beef carcass
conformation is excellent and so is its milk production (very large chest).
MEDITERRANEAN BREED: It is also native from India although it actually became a
breed in Europe. It is black; white spots are not accepted. Horns are medium sized, tips
are turned backwards and inwards, forming a crescent. Its face is long and narrow, with
long hairs in the lower jaw. Its body is comparatively wider than longer, limbs are short
and stout. Prominent withers, higher than the sacrum, deep chest and large abdomen.
The tail is short but it reaches the hock because it is set low down. In general,
it is a solid, muscular and deep animal. The top butt has a good structure. Average weight
for adult males is 600-800 k and 600 k for females.
The average age of the first calving is 40 months. Very good beef carcass
conformation and milk production. Its feed efficiency and resistance to high temperatures
causes them to gain weight fast and produce milk efficiently in tropical and sub-tropical
climates.
The natural interruption of service during the autumn contributes to match their
needs with the roughage curve in the Sub-tropics. Cows do not need the blushing of green
grass during spring to go in estrous; when summer temperatures go down, cows go on heat
between March and June, feeding on grass with a high fibre content (there must be a
minimum volume, though). Estrous ends when low temperatures settle down. This trait of the
bubaline allows it to produce milk and beef, not only in temperate zones but also in the
sub-tropics (as long as the carrying capacity during the winter season is carefully
handled: on average, each buffalo is equivalent to 1.2 cow).
As regards beef yield, calves reared in pastoral farming in sub-tropical conditions
show an uninterrupted growth and weight gain curve from birth (between January and April,
average March) to 15 months of age.
At this moment, they enter their second winter, but with no serious consequences
because they have not yet teethed (the 5rst pair of permanent incisors comes out at 30-36
months of age). This means that by 27-30 months of age (when their third winter starts),
slaughter weight amounts to 500-550 kilos live weight. Most bubaline cattle in Argentina
is oriented towards beef production, as in Brazil too. There are only 4 dairy farms; the
first one dates from 1992. In Italy and India, breeds are oriented towards dairy
conformation.
Genetic evaluations are carried by some producers on their own, with the help of
AACB. The Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA) sees to Herd Books for Basic Crosses (1st
generation = P1, and 2nd generation = P2) as well as to the Official Herd Books (F) (last
step of a grading-up breeding programme: animals are considered "Purebreed" with
+87% of the original breed blood. Four hundred animals have been registered (150 per
year). Grade up Herd Books (multiple sired population approved by a breed association
inspection) are run by the AACB (B1 and B2). There are 250 entries per year, with a total
of 1,600 animals registered to date.
There is no contact with the International Federation as regards Herd Books and /or
improvement programmes, except the acknowledgement of the SRA and AACB Herd Books by
National Breeders Associations in Italy and Brazil.
AACB is a member of the Buffalo Breeders Association for the Americas and it is one
of the founding members of the International Buffalo Federation which is the world
institution for breeders and researchers of this breed. Exports are sent to Brazil, Italy
and Vietnam.
|
