Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Anais/Proceedings
V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas
IV Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium
LANAGRO-MG, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brazil
12 a14 de agosto de 2009
ISSN 2175-4012
Colégio Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA)
Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil, 2009
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas/IV Europe and America’s Buffalo Symposium
12 a14 de agosto de 2009, LANAGRO/MG, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brasil
Comitê Organizador/Organizing Committee
Rômulo Cerqueira Leite (Escola de Veterinária - UFMG/CBRA) – Presidente/Chair
Elcio Reis (Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalos) – Vice President/Vice-Chair
Denise A. Andrade de Oliveira (Escola de Veterinária - UFMG) – Secretário Geral/General
Secretary
Eduardo Bastianetto (Associação Mineira de Bubalinocultores) – Tesoureiro/Treasurer
Comitê Científico/Scientific Committee
Rômulo Cerqueira Leite (Escola de Veterinária/UFMG, CBRA)
Denise A. Andrade de Oliveira (Escola de Veterinária/UFMG)
Eduardo Bastianetto (Associação Mineira de Bubalinocultores)
Marc Henry (Escola de Veterinária/UFMG, CBRA)
Secretaria do Simpósio/Symposium Secretariat
Marcelo Yukio Kuabara (Coordinator)
Eunice de Faria Lopes
Maria Helena Chaves da Silva
Marta Lúcia de Oliveira Paiva
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +55(31)3409-2178; Fax: +55(31)3491-3963
Os textos foram reproduzidos conforme os originais enviados, sendo de total
responsabilidade dos autores todo e qualquer conteúdo apresentado.
The texts were reproduced according to the original files received. Therefore, the
authors have full responsibility for the contents presented.
Colégio Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA)
Alameda das Princesas, 1275 - Belo Horizonte, MG - CEP 31275-180, Brasil
Tel:+55(31)3491-7122 - Fax:+55(31)3491-7025 - Site: www.cbra.org.br – Email:[email protected]
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5./Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4. (2009 : Pedro
Leopoldo, MG, Brazil)
Anais/Proceedings / V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas/IV Europe and America's Buffalo
Symposium – Belo Horizonte, MG : CBRA : 2009.
ISSN: 2175-4012 (CD-ROM)
1. Búfalos – Congresso. I. Colégio Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal.
CDD – 636.293 006 3
Sumário/Summary
Apresentação/Presentation
5
Programa/Program
6
Palestras/Papers
Housing and management of lactanting buffaloes - C.S. Thomas
Recent advances in rumen ecology, digestion and feeding strategies of swamp
buffaloes - Wanapat, M. and V. Chanthakhoun
27
Sistemas de produção sustentável de búfalos – F.S.V. Ramos Filho
37
Buffalo production in India: An animal welfare perspective - S.A. Rahman
Current knowledge on buffalo reproduction and challenges for future research O. Perera
Factors affecting embryonic implantation in buffalo - G. Neglia, D. Vecchio, G.
Campanile
53
Possibilidade de avaliação genética para bubalinos leiteiros na América do SulH.Tonhati, M.F. Cerón-Muñoz, N.A. Hurtado-Lugo, R.R. Aspilcueta-Borquis, F. Baldi,
L.G. Albuquerque
Características de criações de búfalos no Brasil e a contribuição do marketing no
agronegócio bubalino - O. Gonçalves
11
54
69
83
90
Resumos/Abstracts
Test day yield in Buffalypso/Carabao crossbred females - A. Mitat, A. MenéndezBuxadera, D. González-Peña, F. Ramos
108
Conjugated linoleic acid and omega 6 and 3 in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk in
Corrientes, Argentina - E.M. Patiño, A.M. Judis, C. Guanziroli Stefani, M. Sánchez
N., D. Pochon, J.F. Cedrés, M.M. Doval, A. Romero, G.A. Crudeli, G. Rebak
109
Exploring the river buffalo genome using a large-insert genomic library – N.B.
Stafuzza, M.E.J. Amaral
110
Diagnosis of buffalo breeding farms in the Recôncavo Baiano for Genetic
Improvement Program - K.N. Oliveira, C.R. Marcondes, J.R.F. Marques,
R.S. Cerqueira, M.V. Andrea
Progesterone of 3º USE and eCG, in Buffaloes during the unfavorable reproductive
season in Northeast Paraense Amazonia, Brazil - H.F.L. Ribeiro, S.M. Tanaka,
S.T. Rolim Filho, E.M. Barbosa, K.B. Nunes, W.G. Vale
DNA extraction and evaluation specie-specific of the composition of water buffalo
and bovine cheeses, read-meat and its meat derivative products by PCR-RFLP
technique – L.V. Teixeira, J.N. Vieira, C.S. Teixeira, D.A.A. Oliveira
Serum levels of phosphorus in buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) from Marajó Island,
Pará, Brazil – C.H.S. Oliveira, C.P. Pinheiro, K.F. Campos, A.S.B. Reis, Carlos M.C.
Oliveira, M.D. Duarte, J.D. Barbosa
Total digestibility and intake of roughage based diet with propolis for buffaloes J.B.G. Costa Junior, L.M. Zeoula, L.P.M. Pontara , S.L. Franco, M.V. Velandio, A.L.
Neves, R. Bruscagim
Buffaloes photosensitization diagnosed in Minas Gerais State – M.M. Melo, M.C.
Pinto, E. Bastianetto
Estimation of genetic parameters for buffaloes milk yield and milk quality using
bayesian inference - H. Tonhati, R. Aspilcueta-Borquis, F. Baldi, F.R. Araújo Neto, Jo.
Ramírez-Díaz, L. Albuquerque
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
Genetic parameters for milk yield and reproductive traits in buffaloes, using
bayesian inference - R. Aspilcueta-Borquis, F.R. Araújo Neto, J. Ramírez-Diaz, L.G.
Albuquerque, H. Tonhati
Association of seroprevalence to Neospora caninum by age and bread in buffaloes
(Bubalus bubalis) of Argentinean Northeastern Konrad, J. L., Crudeli, G. A.,Caspe, S.,Cano, D.,Leunda, M., Odeon, A, Campero,
C., Olazarri, M.
119
Microbial protein synthesis in bovine and buffaloes fed a diet with yeast culture or
ionophore - L.M. Zeoula, F.L. Simioni, L.P. Rigolon, L.J.V. Geron, J.R.F. Beleze, M.Y.
Makatu
120
Factors affecting the milk yield in cross-breed buffaloes in the state of Sao Paulo,
Brazil - J. Ramirez-Diaz, R.Aspilcueta-Borquis, L. González-Herrera, H. Tonhati
The effect the number of calving in maternal behavior of dairy buffaloes D.A. Rodrigues, L.M. Toledo, H. Tonhati
118
121
122
Carcass characteristics of buffaloes slaughtered at two different average weights
raised in grazing pasture grass – T.C. Alves, R. Franzolin, A.S.C. Pereira
123
Chemical characterization of the milk buffaloes that is going to the industry of milk
in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Preliminary results - V.N.V. Fernandez, R.V. Campos,
M.B. Zanela, L.C. Canellas, M.E.R. Ribeiro
124
Variance components estimation and breeding values prediction of Murrah
buffaloes using random regression models - C.V. Araújo, L.C.S. Chaves, A.S.
Schierholt, E.R. Daher, C.P. Silva, R.R.P. Schneider, E.S. Aquino Junior, L.G. Lima
Neto, M.L.G. Carvalho, B.C. Flores, T.R. Oliveira, A.A. Ramos
In vitro embryo production in buffalo (preliminary results) - W.P. Saliba, R.M.
Drumond, M.T.T. Alvim, P.S. Baruselli, L.U. Gimenes, R.C. Leite, E. Bastianetto,
B. Gasparrini
125
Reproductive and productive performance of water buffaloes in Central Brazil V.A. Nascimento, T.M.M. Machado, M. Dias, C. Barbosa
127
The Water Buffalo Ranching in Pará State, Brazil – N.G.S. Barbosa, S.K. Garcia,
N.M. Rodriguez, P.C.C. Fernandes, B.S. Nahúm, N.A. Costa, A.R. Garcia, R.B. Viana
128
Arrested development and scrotum torsion in Murrah buffaloes - W.G. Vale, S.T.
Rolim-Filho, A.O.A. Silva, J.S. Sousa, H.F.L. Ribeiro
129
Potassium serum levels of buffalo calves parasitized and non parasitized by
Eimeria sp. - E. Bastianetto, M.M. Melo, M.C. Pinto, C.R. Labarrere, A. G.S Daniel,
J.M.S. Soares, R.C. Leite
130
Effect of castration on yield and carcass composition in river buffaloes (Buffalypso)
- O. Fundora, V. Torres, J.L. Medina, M.E. González
Alimentary behaviour of river buffaloes and beef 5/8 Holstein- 3/8 zebu O. Fundora, M.E. González, W. Rivadineira, F. Alfonso, A. Zamora, A.M. Vera, O. Tuero
Índice de autores/Author index
126
131
132
133
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas/IV Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium
12 a 14 de agosto de 2009, LANAGRO-MG, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brazil
Apresentação
Por deferência da INTERNACIONAL BUFFALO FEDERATION e graças à efetiva
colaboração e participação da Escola de Veterinária da UFMG, apoio do Governo do Estado de
Minas Gerais por intermédio da Secretaria de Estado de Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento e
da Secretaria de Estado de Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, do LANAGRO/MG do
Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, a participação efetiva dos dirigentes da
Associação Mineira de Bubalinocultores e da Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalo
viabiliza-se a realização do V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas e IV Simpósio de Búfalos da
Europa e das Américas.
Pesquisadores e técnicos do Brasil, dos Estados Unidos, da Argentina, da Colômbia, da
Venezuela, da Índia, da Itália, da Tailândia, de Sri Lanka farão a exposição de temas sobre a
nutrição e alimentação, doenças, inovação tecnológica na reprodução e melhoramento genético,
bem estar animal, mercadologia, rastreabilidade e certificação.
Convido todos os criadores, estudantes, técnicos e pesquisadores interessados a participarem
deste, que é um dos mais importantes eventos deste setor.
Elcio Reis
Presidente da Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalos e
Vice-Presidente dos Eventos.
Presentation
With the condescendence of the INTERNACIONAL BUFFALO FEDERATION and with the
collaboration of the Veterinay College of the Federal University of Minas Gerais State, support
from the Minas Gerais State Government and from LANAGRO/MG of the Agriculture State
Department (Federal Government), and with the participation of the State and National Water
Buffalo Breeders Associations, it was possible to organize the V America’s Buffalo Symposium
and the IV Europe and America’s Buffalo Symposium.
Researchers and technicians from Brazil, United States, Argentine, Colombia, Venezuela, India,
Thailand and Sri Lanka will talk about feed and nutrition, diseases, new technologies in
reproduction and animal breeding, animal well fare, market, traceability and certification.
I invite breeders, students, technicians and researchers to attend to one of the most important
event in this field.
Elcio Reis
President of Water Buffalo Breeders Association and
Vice-President of the Events.
5
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas/IV Europe and America’s Buffalo Symposium
12 a 14 de agosto de 2009, LANAGRO, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brasil
PROGRAMA
12/08/2009 - Quarta
8:30 - 9:30
9:30 - 10:00
Montagem dos Pôsteres/ Entrega de material
Abertura: Dr. Gilman Viana Rodrigues, Secretário de Estado de Agricultura,
Pecuária e Abastecimento
Aspectos da nutrição e alimentação de búfalos
Coordenação: Dr. Raul Franzolin, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da USP
10:00 - 11:00 Planejamento e gerenciamento de propriedades produtoras de leite de
búfala. (Dr. C.S. Thomas, DeLaval Company, India)
11:00 - 12:00 Recentes avanços da digestão, fermentação e ecologia ruminal em
bubalinos (Dr. Metha Wanapat - Tropical Feed Resources Research and
Development Center (TROFREC), Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen
University, Khon Kaen 40002, Tailândia)
12:00 - 13:30 Almoço
13:30 - 14:30 Sistema de produção sustentável para bubalinos (Dr. Fábio Ramos –
Agrosuisse Consultoria em Agropecuária)
14:30 - 15:30 Produção de búfalos na India: uma perspective do bem estar animal (Dr.
Sira Abdul Rahman – Membro do OIE Working Group on Animal Welfare Secretary Commonwealth Vet. Association, India)
15:30 - 16:00 Café e exibição de pôsteres
Uma análise crítica da pesquisa em reprodução de búfalos
Coordenação: Dr. Marc Roger Jean Marie Henry - Escola de Veterinária, UFMG
16:00 - 18:00 Conhecimentos atuais em reprodução de búfalos e desafios para as
pesquisas futuras / Problemas reprodutivos em búfalos nos sistemas de
criação Asiáticos e abordagens para melhorar a fertilidade (Dr. Oswin
Perera - Faculty of Vet.Medicine & Animal Science, Univ. Peradeniya, Sri
Lanka)
13/08/2009 - Quinta
Reprodução e melhoramento genético em bubalinocultura
Coordenação: Dr. Gianluca Neglia - Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Itália
10:00 - 11:00 Seleção para qualidade do leite da búfala e rendimento lácteo (Dra. Rossella
Di Palo - Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Itália)
11:00 - 12:00 Fatores que afetam a implantação embrionária em búfalos (Dr. Gianluca
Neglia - Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Itália)
12:00 - 13:30 Almoço
Certificação e rastreabilidade
Coordenação – Dra. Juliana Laender – Ministério Agricultura, Pecuária e do Abastecimento,
Horizonte, MG
13:30 - 14:30 Rastreabilidade em bubalinos (Dra. Juliana Laender, Ministério Agricultura,
Pecuária e do Abastecimento, Horizonte, MG)
14:30 - 15:30 Certificação de produtos cárneos e lácteos de origem bubalina. (Dr. Luiz
Felipe Ramos – Departamento de Saúde Animal, Ministério da Agricultura,
6
Sumário/Summary
15:30 - 16:00
Índice autores/Author index
Pecuária e do Abastecimento, Brasília, DF
Café e exibição de pôsteres
Genética e melhoramento em bubalinocultura
Coordenação: Humberto Tonhati - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP
16:00 - 16:50 O genoma do búfalo (Dr. James Womack – Texas A&M University, USA)
16:50 - 17:40 Programa americano de melhoramento genético em bubalinos (Dr.
Humberto Tonhati – Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP,
Jaboticabal)
17:40 - 18:20 Programa gestor leite (Dra. Jeanne Duarte, Gerente Programa Melhoramento
Genético – Leite, CRV Lagoa, Sertãozinho, SP)
14/08/2009 – Sexta
Doenças em búfalos
Coordenação: Dr. Rômulo Cerqueira Leite – Escola de Veterinária, UFMG
10:00 - 11:00 Doenças infecciosas em búfalos (Dr. Diomedes Barbosa Neto – Centro
Agropecuário, UFPA e Dr. Rômulo Cerqueira Leite – Escola de Veterinária,
UFMG)
11:00 - 12:00 Doenças não-infecciosas em búfalos (Dr. Diomedes Barbosa Neto - Centro
Agropecuário, UFPA e Dr. Rômulo Cerqueira Leite - Escola de Veterinária,
UFMG)
12:00 - 13:30 Almoço
Experiência Sul Americana de mercadologia para carne e leite bubalinos
Coordenação: Dr. João Ghaspar de Almeida (RS), Vice-presidente de Relações Internacionais
da ABCB
13:30 - 15:30 Argentina (Dr. Frederico Romero)
Colômbia (Dr. Ricardo Botero)
15:30 - 16:00 Café e exibição de pôsteres
16:00 - 17:00 Venezuela (Dr. Hector Scannone)
Brasil (Dr. Osmar Gonçalves)
17:00 - 17:30 Proposta de criação da Federação Americana de criadores de búfalos (Dr.
Otávio Bernardes (SP), Presidente do Conselho Administrativo da ABCB
Encerramento
17:30 - 18:00 Encerramento: Deputado Virgílio Guimarães
18:30
Encontro de confraternização – Fazenda Modelo de Pedro Leopoldo
7
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
V Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas/IV Europe and America’s Buffalo Symposium
12 a 14 de agosto de 2009, LANAGRO, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brasil
PROGRAM
12/Aug/2009 - Wednesday
08:30–09:30
09:30–10:00
Poster mounting/Registration
Opening Ceremony: Dr. Gilman Viana Rodrigues, Secretário de Estado de
Agricultura,Pecuária e Abastecimento
Feed and nutrition in buffaloes
Coordination: Dr. Raul Franzolin, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da USP
10:00–11:00 Farm planning and management in buffalo milk production (Dr.C.S.
Thomas, DeLaval Company, India)
11:00–12:00 Recent advances in buffalo digestion, fermentation and rumen ecology (Dr.
Metha Wanapat - Tropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center
(TROFREC), Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002
Thailand)
12:00–13:30
Lunch
Animal welfare and challenges in buffalo breeding
Coordination: Dr. Sira Abdul Rahman – Membro do OIE Working Group on Animal Welfare;
Secretary Commonwealth Veterinary Association, India
13:30-14:30 Sustainable production systems for Water Buffaloes (Dr. Fábio Ramos –
Agrosuisse Consultoria em Agropecuária)
14:30-15:30 Buffalo production in India: An animal welfare perspective (Dr. Sira Abdul
Rahman – Membro do OIE Working Group on Animal Welfare; Secretary
Commonwealth Veterinary Association, India)
15:30–16:00
Coffee break and poster exhibition
A critical analysis of research in buffalo’s reproduction
Coordination: Dr. Marc Roger Jean Marie Henry - Escola de Veterinária, UFMG
16:00–18:00 Current knowledge on buffalo reproduction and challenges for future
research/Reproductive problems in buffalo under Asian farming systems
and approaches to improving fertility (Dr. Oswin Perera - Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science, Univ. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
13/Aug/2009 – Thursday
Reproduction and genetic improvement
Coordination: Dr. Gianluca Neglia - Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Itália
10:00–11:00 Selection for buffalo milk quality and yield (Dr. Rossella Di Palo - Università
degli Studi di Napoli Federico II , Itália)
11:00–12:00 Factors affecting embryonic implantation in buffalo (Dr. Gianluca Neglia –
Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Itália)
12:00–13:30
Lunch
Certification and traceability
Coordination: Dr. Juliana Laender – Min.da Agricultura, Pecuária e do Abastecimento, Belo
Horizonte, MG
8
Sumário/Summary
13:30-14:30
Índice autores/Author index
14:30-15:30
Traceability (Dr. Juliana Laender, Min. Agricultura, Pecuária e do
Abastecimento, Belo Horizonte, MG)
Certification of buffalo milk and meat products (Dr. Luiz Felipe Ramos –
Departamento de Saúde Animal, Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e do
Abastecimento, Brasília, DF)
15:30–16:00
Coffee break and poster exhibition
Genetics and animal breeding
Coordination: Dr. Humberto Tonhati - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP,
Jaboticabal, SP
16:00–16:50 Water buffalo genome (Dr. James Womack – Texas A&M University, USA)
16:50 –17:40 American program of water buffalo genetic improvement (Dr. Humberto
Tonhati –Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP, Jaboticabal,
SP)
17:40–18:20 Program milk manager (Dr. Jeanne Duarte, Gerente Programa Melhoramento
Genético – Leite, CRV Lagoa, Sertãozinho, SP)
14/Aug/2009 – Friday
Buffaloes diseases
Coordination: Dr. Rômulo Cerqueira Leite – Escola de Veterinária, UFMG, Belo Horizonte,
MG
10:00–11:00 Buffaloes infectious diseases (Dr. Diomedes Barbosa Neto – Centro
Agropecuário, UFPA, Belém, PA and Dr. Rômulo Cerqueira Leite, Escola de
Veterinária, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG)
11:00–12:00 Buffaloes non-infectious diseases (Dr. Diomedes Barbosa Neto – Centro
Agropecuário, UFPA, Belém, PA and Dr. Rômulo Cerqueira Leite, Escola de
Veterinária, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG)
12:00–13:30
Lunch
South American marketing experience in buffalo’s meat and cheese
Coordination: Dr.João Ghaspar de Almeida - Vice-presidente de Relações Internacionais da
ABCB
13:30-15:30 Argentina (Dr. Frederico Romero)
Colômbia (Dr. Ricardo Botero)
15:30–16:00 Coffee break and poster exhibition
16:00-17:00 Venezuela (Dr. Hector Scannone)
Brasil (Dr. Osmar Gonçalves)
17:00–17:30 Proposal to establish the American Buffalo Breeders Foundation (Dr.
Otávio Bernardes (SP) - Presidente do Conselho Administrativo da ABCB)
Closure
17:30–18:00
18:30
Closure: Deputy Virgílio Guimarães
Farewell cocktail – Fazenda Modelo de Pedro Leopoldo
9
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Palestras/Papers
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Housing and management of lactating buffaloes
C.S. Thomas
M.Sc. Ph.D. Animal Nutrition & Management, S.L.U, Sweden.
System Manager Buffaloes – DeLaval International AB, Sweden. Located At: DeLaval India Pvt Ltd.
A3, Abhimanshree Sty, Pashan Rd, Pune – 411027 – India; Tel. +91 (0) 20 25675881 Mob. +91 (0) 9850093842.
Email: [email protected]/www.delaval.com
Abstract
This review paper focuses on the basic requirements that need to be considered while
planning housing and management of buffaloes in an intensive milk production system. The
social behaviour including temperament, ranking and hierarchy have been addressed and the
impact of this on the selection of a suitable housing system has been highlighted. The
Maintenance behaviour of buffalos including the time spent on different activities like lying,
sleeping, eating etc., and their circadian rhythm has also been discussed. The physiological
importance of the wallowing behaviour in an intensive production system and the possible
alternatives to satisfy this behaviour have been looked into. Space requirement of lactating
buffaloes with regards to lying, resting, ruminating and movement have been discussed. Feeding
behaviour of buffaloes and its impact on planning of feeding facilities in an intensive production
system has also been discussed. Milking requirements and the special needs of buffaloes while
planning machine milking has been covered.
Introduction
Buffaloes are closer to wild ruminants than their bovine counterparts. The fact that only a
very small percentage of buffaloes worldwide are artificially inseminated is evidence to the fact
that genetic progress in this species is limited when compared to dairy cows. However the
increase in demand for buffalo milk and milk products has led to several large dairy farms
developing in different parts of the world. Today you can find several large buffalo farms with
herd sizes ranging from 500 to 5000 buffaloes in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Colombia, Venezuela,
Brazil, Italy and the UK. Among buffaloes it predominantly the riverine type that is used for
large scale milk production. While planning large dairy farms it is important to consider that the
“buffalo is not a black cow “and that she has her own species specific requirement that are
influenced by her, anatomy, physiology, behavior and temperament. Thus it is important to
design systems that will best accommodate the basic needs of the animals making it easy for
buffaloes to adapt well to a given system. On the other had improper systems will lead to
behavioral changes and could also lead to disease and injury. In this review some aspects related
to the behaviour of grown up animals that have an impact on the housing system have been
discussed.
Picture 1. Organized buffalo farms in Italy
11
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Intensive buffalo production
Italy is the country where intensive and mechanized buffalo production has been
introduced for over three decades. Within the intensive production several several techniques
have been applied like machine milking, automated milk yield recording, herd management,
automated feeding, free stall barns, resting cubicles, concreat floor, slated floors, automatic calf
feeding and the latest entrant being automatic milking. However almost all of these techniques
have been developed for dairy cows. In terms of milk production the buffaloes are extensively
used world wide especially in India and Pakistan however in terms of productive and
reproductive traits as well as natural behaviour buffaloes are quite different from dairy cows
especially Bos taurus. According to Campanile et al. 1998 when making a morphologically and
metabolic comparison buffaloes have more similarities to beef cattle than dairy cattle. Like cows,
buffaloes can be selected for high milk production and we have several example of buffaloes
producing close to 5000 liters of milk/ in 270 to 300 days in India, Pakistan and Italy. Although
the main popular produce of buffaloes is like in the case of dairy cows which is whole milk,
yoghurt, ice-cream and mozzarella made from milk. To treat the buffalo with the same
conditions of housing, feeding, reproduction and management like a Holstein or Jersey cow may
not produce optimum results.
Different aspects from the intensive production system could have negative influence on
the behaviour and welfare of buffaloes. Several incidences of uterine and viginal prolapse are
observed on organized farms in Indian, Pakistan and Italy. In Italy it has been reported that
improper rations nutrition that was not adjusted to the needs of the buffalo from the calf stage
lead to reduced pelvis development Zicarelli, (2000). Similarly reduced resting space due to
demands intensive production has led to welfare problems like shorter lying times and bent legs
in calves, trampling (Grasso et al. 2001, Napolitano et al., 2004). Milking buffaloes in intensive
production conditions exposes them to stress by way of calf separation, bad hand milking
routines and poorly maintained milking machines and bad milking routines with milking
machine this could lead to higher somatic cell counts and impaired udder health Thomas et al
2004a. From the study done in India by Thomas et al 2004b where different management
systems were compared that irrespective of whether the buffaloes are hand milked or machine
milked the larger more intensive production farms had a higher incidence of udder infections and
higher somatic cell counts. In buffaloes it is also reported both in India and Italy that oxytocin
injections have to be used to induce milk ejection. In India Verma and Sastry (1994) reported
that more than 13 percent of farms in their survey used oxytocin injection for milk letdown.
Saltalamacchia et al 2005 reported that usage oxytocin was quite common in buffalo herds in
Italy and this had lead to lengthening of lactations in buffaloes but milk yield and protein content
in milk had decreased. Several workers have reported that if buffaloes are deprived from their
natural wallowing behaviour especially in the warmer parts of the world and this is known to
lead to reduced fertility (Di Palo et al., 2001; Zicarelli et al., 2001; Zicarelli et al., 2005).
Buffalo housing world wide
There are 170 million buffalo in the world today: 97% in Asia, 2% in Africa – mainly in
Egypt, and 0.2% in Europe – mainly in Italy. India has 56%, Pakistan 14% and China 13% of the
world buffalo population. Nearly 98% of water buffalo in Asia and the Pacific region are raised
by small farmers owning less than two hectares of land and fewer than five buffalo
(Chantalakhana and Falvey, 1999). Majority of the worlds buffaloes are found in India and
Pakistan and 99% are housed in tied up barns. There are several large buffalo farms in the
vicinity of cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata in India and Lahore and Peshawar in Pakistan.
On most of these farms the buffaloes are tied up to chains and are in rows tied up head to head in
most cases. In terms of animal welfare the conditions of most of these animals are despicable as
12
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
they are tied up at a distance of 1 meter (neck to neck), there are no partitions between the
buffaloes so the buffaloes move from side to side defecating and urinating all over the resting
area this leads to very unhealthy conditions. The roofs of most of these shed is very low and
there is very little ventilation as these shed are located at a distance of less than two or three
meters from each other further restricting air flow. The manure disposal in most of these barns is
very badly handled and as most of these barns are located in big cities all the manure and wash
water from these farms go to the local drainage thus clogging the drains during rains.
These farms are hazardous for the health of both people working there and the people
living in their vicinity. There is a major move by the government in these countries to relocate
these farms out of the cities and several farms are now moving out of the cities and setting up
more organized farms.
In Italy it is the opposite of what is seen in India and Pakistan. 95% of the buffaloes farms
are loose housing farms with some free stall and some deep litter barns. Most of these farms are
located in the southern region close to Naples. In Latin America a large majority of farms have
buffaloes that are pasture fed and free ranging (Picture 1).
Needs of buffaloes with respect housing and management
Today buffaloes compete with the best of dairy cows in terms of productivity under a
given environment. Most buffaloes are reared in regions where nutrition is poor and disease is
rampant, if improved conditions are provided for buffaloes with respect to their natural behavior,
buffaloes could further improve their productivity.
Social behavior
Buffaloes like dairy cows are gregarious animals and are found in small and larger herds
in the natural conditions. Each herd usually consists of bulls, lactating and dry or pregnant
females and calves. Buffaloes prefer to be in groups than in isolated conditions, they
communicate via different visuals signals, sent, sounds and touch. Although a lot of information
is genetically passed on which are interpreted as instincts there are important phases of an
individuals life that learning’s and social interactions are important especially in the early life.
Calves that are deprived of interaction with other calves when very young find it difficult to
adjust to a herd even after growing up.
Temperament
A comparison between Murrah buffaloes, crossbred cows and Red Sindhi cows was
made, regarding temperament score based on a score card for measurement of temperament in
farm animals. The results showed that the buffaloes had a higher percentage of docile animals
(Nayak and Mishra, 1984). The docile group of Murrah buffaloes was the largest, with almost 50
percent of the studied animals in this group, and the group of aggressive animals was the
smallest (7 percent). The rest were classed as restless or nervous animals (Nayak and Mishra,
1984). However, in another study by Roy and Nagpaul (1984), Murrah buffaloes were compared
with Karan Swiss and Karan Fries dairy cows. It was found that the buffaloes had higher
temperament score (more aggressive temperament) than the dairy cows. The temperaments
scores for all three groups decreased with increasing parity and between 3rd and 5th lactation
(Roy and Nagpaul, 1984).
Effects of different temperaments of buffaloes have been seen on various aspects, such as
on concentrate intake, milking behaviour, milk production, and milk composition of milk (Nayak
and Mishra, 1984). It has been reported that the temperament of lactating Murrah buffaloes has a
significant effect on their feeding behaviour. Docile buffaloes are preferred over nervous and
13
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
aggressive animals, as the docile animals are easier to milk, to handle and to manage, and they
produce more milk of relatively better quality than aggressive buffaloes (Nayak and Mishra,
1984; Gupta et al., 1985). In a comparison between docile, restless, nervous and aggressive
buffaloes of Murrah breed, it was found that the docile individuals had a higher rate of
concentrate intake, shorter let-down time, slightly longer milking time, higher daily milk yield,
higher milk flow rate and a higher percentage of milk fat than the other groups of buffaloes
(Nayak and Mishra, 1984).
Ranking and hierarchy
Social ranking and hierarchy is very evident in buffaloes and the fact that most buffalo
farmers like to retain the horns make it important consider the influence of ranking in buffaloes
(Picture2). Like in dairy cows the ranking of each animal depends upon different factors like age,
body weight, temperament and possession of horns.
Picture 2. Buffaloes in a fight
Picture 2. Buffaloes in fight
The rank is usually established in the early growing months through subtle gestures and
posturing rather than aggressive interactions (Grasso et al., 2004). In tied up conditions the
hierarchy dose not have a big impact except that that the animals tied next to the dominant
animals will be stressed and its feed in take is influenced if the dominant animal is stealing its
feed. In such circumstances it is best to locate the aggressive buffalo to one side. If the animals
are permitted social contact frequently like once in a day like for instance when they are allowed
to go and drink water at a common water trough or pond the hierarchy continues to be
maintained and it becomes relatively easy to allow them to operate in a group when shifting from
tied up housing to loose housing systems. This could also applicable when moving the buffaloes
out into pasture after housing them in a tied up barn in winter or during the rainy season.
The rank order or hierarchy is usually stable and each individual adjusts to its position
quite well. In cases where buffaloes are housed in loose housing systems and free stall barns it
very important to not change the buffaloes in a group frequently as this disturbs the harmony in
the herd. In a loose housing system if the animals have to be changed always do it in a group.
The newly introduced buffaloes in a herd will always have a low ranking and these animals will
be stressed due to continuous harassment and usually they will have low production. Buffaloes
are much more aggressive to new comers than dairy cattle and since they have horns in a loose
housing situation it could lead to injuries, abortions, traumatic mastitis and even high mortality
in the new animals. There is no information on the optimal group size for buffaloes but usually
in most farms with loose housing in Italy and India it is limited to about 70 to 80 buffaloes.
14
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Circadian rhythm
Buffaloes like other gregarious animals have a distinct circadian rhythm where they carry
out most of their maintenance activities like feeding, resting, rumination and movement Both
river and swamp buffaloes found in the wild are observed to be carry out most of their
maintenance behaviour in the day time however in the summer they are found to be grazing
more in the early mornings and the late evenings, nocturnal grazing is also quite common in wild
buffaloes. (Pathak 1992). Although it is not documented well it is reported that in buffaloes
diurnal oestrous behaviour is common in buffaloes and a majority breed in the cooler hours of
the morning and evening and sometimes during night (Pathak 1992). The rhythm of different
maintenance activities in a 24 hour period was recently reported by Thomas et al 2005, Fig 1.
Figure 1. Daily pattern of maintenance behaviour of eating,
ruminating, resting and standing in murrah buffaloes (n= 14).
Maintenance behaviour
Few studies have been made on the behaviour of buffaloes. Thind and Gill (1986) made
24-hour observations on lactating buffaloes kept under loose housing system. The study was
carried out during one year, divided into five seasonal periods. The buffaloes were eating the
most after morning and evening milking, and also moderately around noon and midnight.
Ruminating behaviour was most intense after each peak of eating behaviour. Some variations
between the seasonal periods were seen. The buffaloes took water three times during a 24-hour
period in the cooler seasonal periods, and 4 times during a 24- hour period during the warmer
seasons (Thind and Gill, 1986). In a study by Schultz et al. (1977) on behaviour in buffaloes, on
average 27 percent of the time was spent on feeding, 39 percent on ruminating and 34 percent on
resting (while lying or standing). A similar study on grazing buffaloes gave the results 37-54
percent of the time spent on feeding, 28 percent on ruminating and the remaining time on resting,
walking and wallowing (Bud et al., 1985).
Another behavioral study on Murrah buffaloes under loose housing system was made by
Odyou et al. (1994). The results from this study showed that the buffaloes spent significantly
more time on eating, idling (other behaviours than eating, ruminating or sleeping) and walking
during daytime and significantly more time on ruminating and sleeping during nighttime. Peaks
in eating behaviour in the lactating buffaloes were observed around 4 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
and 7 p.m. ruminating behaviour was the lowest during the hours around noon and highest
15
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
during early morning and late evening. The highest peaks of sleeping behaviour were seen
around 3 a.m. and 11 p.m. Idling time peaked around noon.
Figure 2. Average time (%) spent on rumination, resting, standing
and walking and eating in a loose housing barn.
In a more recent study Thomas et al. 2005 studied the maintenance behaviour of
buffaloes in a mechanized farm with a milking parlour, in parlour and out of parlour automatic
concentrate feeding systems, hydraulic manure scrapers and automated milking parlours. On an
average buffaloes spent about 33% of a 24 hour period on lying, 6% on sleeping and 23% of the
time eating roughage and concentrates from the AFS, The rest of the time (38 %) was spent on
other activities like standing, walking, visiting the concentrate feeder or drinking water (Fig 2).
Maintenance behaviour of buffaloes and its diurnal variation in this study was similar to what
was reported in loose housing systems without mechanization (Shultz et al.,1977; Bud et al.,
1985; Odyou et al., 1994), and to findings regarding cattle (Arnold and Dudzinski, 1978). Eating
and resting behaviour (lying and sleeping) of buffaloes was also similar to earlier findings in
cattle (Friend et al., 1977; Grant and Albright, 1995). Thus, mechanized management system did
not alter the maintenance behaviour of buffaloes. The eating behaviour was most intense in the
hottest part of the day which is in contrast to reports that buffaloes ate most after morning and
evening milking in the cooler part of the day, and moderately around noon and midnight (Thind
and Gill, 1986). Thermal stress is known to affect feed intake in buffaloes (Sastry and Tripathi,
1998). The more intense eating seen in the current study in the hottest part of the day could thus
be an effect of the water sprinkling and cooling system was switched on during this period. This
is also in line with earlier reports on the effects of sprinkling with water during the hottest part of
the day (Sastry and Tripathi, 1998). When much of the concentrates are fed through an automatic
computerized feeding system. There is much competition for the feed and the highly ranked
buffaloes would be found to be guarding the feeding stations. The younger and lowered ranked
buffaloes would be attacked by the higher ranked buffaloes leading to several cases of traumatic
mastitis on a farm in India where this equipment was installed. However this problem was
reduced considerably after installing a protective gate protecting the buffaloes.
There is very little information on the responses of tied up buffaloes. Using a feeding
regime consisting mainly of chooped green Panicum maximum it was reported that buffaloes
spent 27% of their time feeding, 39% of their time ruminating and 34% of their time resting
either in standing or lying position (Shultz et al 1977).
Wallowing behavior and heat stress
Buffaloes are a semi aquatic species and this is why they are able to withstand the harsh
hot and humid conditions as most of them are located in the warmest parts of the world (Picture
3). The buffalo has developed its own mechanism too cope up with its natural environmental
conditions it lives in. The black skin of buffaloes attracts solar radiations easily. The black colour
of the skin is due to the melanin pigmentation that protects it from UV radiation. The buffalo
16
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
skin is thicker than in cattle which limits heat loss. The density of hair on the body surface is
much lower than in cattle (100 to 200/cm2 in buffaloes compared to 1000/cm2 in dairy cattle)
and thus the number sweat glands per centimeter of body surface is lower than in cattle, this
limits heat dissipation by sweat evaporation (Hafez et al. 1955). Sebum secretion in buffaloes is
also three times of that in cattle thus providing a effective protection to the skin while they role
in mud ponds (Hafez et al. 1955). Thus when buffaloes are exposed to solar radiations for a log
period of time their rectal and skin temperatures increase rapidly. Buffaloes seeks water to and
immerses it body in it or roles in a mud pool so that it’s covered with wet mud. Thus in buffaloes
unlike in dairy cattle heat dissipation is also via conduction (direct contact of the skin with the
water/mud) and water evaporation. Heat stress due to over exposure to sun influences feed
intake, growth rate, milk production and fertility negatively. Buffaloes also have higher water
turn over rate than dairy cattle (Siebert and MacFarlane, 1969). Buffaloes are also reported to be less
efficient users of water as they have a higher water intake per unit dry matter intake. They have also
have higher urine output and lower percentage of kidney reabsorption (Moran, 1978: Moran et al
1979).
Picture 3 Buffalo wallowing in a mud pool and alternative cooling method
with a shower.
Permitting animals to wallow has a good influence on milk production this was
effectively demonstrated by DeRosa et al 2007 (Fig3). In a study two groups of animals with
comparative nutrition and management conditions were compared, however one group had no
access to a pool (NP) while another had accesses to a pool. The results showed higher yield in
the NP animals especially in the warmest parts of the year. It was also demonstrated that the NP
animals had a significantly higher number of pregnant animals. However wallowing comes with
the risk of hazardous consequences especially if the water is not flowing. Buffaloes tend to
defecate and urinate in the water and this water could become a source of contagious diseases
like tuberculosis and brucellosis.
The comfort or thermo neutral zone is described as the environmental temperature range
in which no apparent demands are made upon physiological thermoregulatory mechanisms
(Schein and Hafez, 1969). This temperature range is from 2 to 21°C for Bos taurus and 10 to
27°C for Bos indicus and 15 to 20 for buffaloes Shafie (1985). Buffalo become more restless,
nervous and aggressive during hot-dry and hot-humid climatic conditions. The percentage of
restless, nervous and aggressive buffalo increases with increasing atmospheric temperature.
During dry, hot and humid seasons almost all nervous and aggressive buffalo and more of the
docile buffalo need oxytocin injections for milk letdown (Pathak, 1992). Buffalo seem to tolerate
cold better than is commonly supposed. However, cold winds and rapid drops in temperature
17
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
appear to have caused illness, pneumonia and even death (BSTID, 1981). A study on the effect
of certain summer management practices on lactating Murrah buffalo indicate that there is a
definite increase in yield of about 20 to 25% by providing cooled drinking water and showering
the animals during the afternoons (Radadia et al., 1980). A distinct improvement in the summer
breeding of buffalo following managerial changes in farm practices has been reported (Roy et
al., 1968). A higher conception rate, of 80%, was obtained in animals given showers in addition
to wallowing facilities. Showers may prevent early embryonic mortality. This study further
established that there is no quiescence of reproduction rhythm during summer. Buffalo heifers
whose age at puberty coincides with onset of summer can also be located in heat and can
conceive during summer (Raizada and Pandey, 1972). Resting animals under a tree instead of the
hot sun could also prevent pre-natal mortality.
Figure 3. Influence of access to wallowing pool on milk yield in
two groups of buffaloes. WP had access to wallowing pools and
group NP had no access to wallowing pools.
Lying and resting
Lactating buffaloes spend about 9 to 11 hours of a day lying and resting while they may
spend only about1 to 1 ½ hours a day sleeping with their eyes closed. Buffaloes also dose of or
close their eyes while standing and ruminating. Buffaloes lay down 40 to 50 times a day. In the
loose housing system most of the animals choose to lay down in the resting cubicles and not in
the walking alleys or resting alleys.
It is common that most buffaloes rest within a short while after feeding, the resting period
ranged from fifteen minute to around three hours and longer sleeping time was observed in the
nights and mid day when the temperature were warmer. Results from a 24 hour behavioral study
done by Nordstrom 2003 showed a high lying frequency during night time, starting after
afternoon milking and ending around 7 a.m. the following morning, this was also reported by
Odyou et al. (1994). The next high frequency of lying took place between morning and afternoon
milking, with a peak about three to four hours after morning milking.
The natural lying down process of buffaloes is similar to dairy cows by bending its
forlegs, kneeling and moving one hind leg under the body and lying on it. While getting upit
similarly first raises its knees and consequently the rest of the body. While designingthe resting
space of buffaloes one must consider the body dimensions of buffaloes.
In general they are quite comparable to cows and can be as mentioned in Table 1.
Thedimensions of an adult lactating buffalo weighing about 500 Kg’s would be as describedin
Fig 4.
The resting place should accommodate the lunging movement while sitting down and
18
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
astride forward while raising up that is similar to cows. Like cows buffaloes make use ofabout 3
to 3.20 meters while raising and sitting down of which the full length of the cowwhile sitting
down will be about 2.25 to 2.35 meters. Too narrow stalling will producestress for the animals
and can lead to complications like mastitis (Picture 4).
Figure 4. Body dimensions of an adult lactation buffaloes weighing between 450 and 550 kg’s.
In tied up systems it is good to provide partitions between buffaloes and provided
adistance of at least 1.2 meters between the buffaloes. Head to head systems with a
centralfeeding alley is more convenient for handling activities like feeding, manure handlingand
animals as well. I tied up systems it is also convenient to gave some kind of a feed rack
restricting the animal from stealing food from its neighboring animals.
Table 1. Body measurement that is relevant for buffaloes and dairy cows.
Period
0-14 days
14 d – 3months
3m – 6m
6m – 1 year
1y – 2 years
Weight
(Kg)
40
50
85
120
135
160
180
220
250
300
350
400
450
500
L1
76
85
91
95
106
113
117
124
129
135
143
151
156
158
L2
105
118
128
132
148
158
165
173
183
190
200
210
215
220
Dimensions (CM)
L3
11
22
25
29
32
38
39
40
44
190
47
200
50
210
53
215
59
220
62
225
63
12
80
80
80
80
100
105
H
77
81
87
89
98
103
103
107
111
115
120
125
128
131
19
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
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Movement
Like cattle buffaloes also need exercise for the proper function of their systems. In the
village conditions buffaloes easily walk about 2 to 3 km’s every day. Buffaloes spend between 2
to 5 % of their time walking in confined conditions (Odyuo et al 1994, Thomas et al 2005).
However they spend about 10 to 12% of their time walking and probably searching for food
while they are free to roam on pasture (Napolitano et al., 2007). However buffaloes have much
larger hoof and have relatively fewer hoof problems when compared cows under the same
conditions. Their body structure is slightly different when compared to cows, they are known to
be slow movers this has to be considered while designing milking parlours and in free stall
housing systems. It is however important to have anti skid flooring if concrete floors are used. In
free stall barns the cross over channels should be wide enough to occupy at least two buffaloes at
a time and should never be less than three meters. Considering that buffaloes have horns and that
they are slightly more aggressive in comparison to dairy cattle it is good to make the walking
alley and the feeding alley 8 to 10% wider than what is usual for cows.
Picture 4. Resting areas not designed to the buffaloes size will led to discomfort and Injuries
Feeding & Rumination
Buffaloes are good grazers and browse only during fodder scarcity. Bud et al (1985)
showed that in a 16 hour grazing period, adult females spent about 37-54% of time resting,
walking and wallowing. Buffaloes like cows do not lower the front part of its body while eating
so like in the case of cows it is convenient raise the feeding table by 10 to 12 cm above the
ground level where the buffalo is standing. Similarly the reach of the buffalo on the feeding table
is about 50 to 60 cm from the edge of the feed trough. The eating rate in buffaloes is
significantly influenced by the quality if the feed (Pant & Roy 1969). In tied up conditions if
buffaloes are given two meals a day (morning and evening) they consume 63% of forenoon meal
and within 30 min of offering. About 23% is eaten during the next hour and the remaining 14%
is slowly eaten in another 1.5 hours, the rate of eating is lower in the evening. During restricted
feeding buffaloes consume 75% of their feeds in the first 1.5 h (Garg and Nangia, 1979). When
Ad lib feeding is available buffaloes consumed 63% of the feed in the first 6 hours and the
remaining 37% is eaten slowly during the remaining 18h. The rate is fast in the beginning but
decreases sharply after 3 hrs after feed is offered h (Garg and Nangia, 1981).
In loose housing conditions if a feed mixer wagon is used for feeding or feed is deposited
in the feeding table once or twice a day there is severe competition for feeds and the new and
lower ranked animals will be deprived. It is therefore important to provide enough space per
animal and also enough standing places as per number of animal. Nordstrom 2003 observed that
in a loose housing system the lower ranked buffaloes ate much later than the higher ranked
individual when these rested even if there was feed in the feeding table. The lower ranked
buffaloes were chased away by the higher ranked individuals when they approached the feeding
table. Grasso et al 2004 has concluded from his studies that primiparopus animals and low
20
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
ranking animal should be removed from groups where they have problems as these animals will
otherwise be prone to frequent problems of skin lesions and injuries to the udder. In the natural
conditions buffaloes have much more individual space. However in confined condition of a loose
housing system buffaloes are usually kept in barns with a space of 5 to 10 m2/buffalo or with out
door paddocks with 8 to 14 m2/ buffalo it definitely no advisable to restrict the space further to
this. However since the possibilities for flight and escape for the lower ranked individuals are
limited several farms are now dehorning buffaloes to limit injuries.
Restricting feeding increases competition and this leads to further stress for lower ranked
animals. When feeding is restricted animals are found to be standing for longer periods of time
and also searching for food. Where as when larger quantities of feed are made available or
buffaloes rested longer clearly indicating that this reduces the stress and competition Nordstrom
2003. Therefore ad lib feeding should be more suitable for buffaloes with horns in confined
conditions. Buffaloes ruminated between 1 to 2 hours after a bout of eating ended.
Buffaloes ruminate between 25 to 30% of their time ranging from 5 to 8 hours Odyou et
al (1994). In the study done by Nordstrom 2003 the pattern of ruminating behaviour showed
higher and more distinct peaks when buffaloes had restricted feeding. Ruminating is higher in
the night than day Odyou et al. (1994).
Water intake
The type of feed, the environmental temperature and physiological functions effect water
intake in buffaloes. It reported that water consumption in buffaloes is higher in buffaloes than
dairy cows. As mentioned buffaloes are less efficient users of water as they have a higher water
intake per unit dry matter intake (Moran, 1978: Moran et al 1979). Buffaloe calves weighing
about 270 kg were reported to consume approximately 20 liters/ day of water during winter and
36 literes/ day during the heat of summer. The losses through evaporation was about 5 and 9liters
/day during winter and summer, respectively (Ranjhan. 1992).
In a study done by Svanfelt 2006 animals were fed the same ration but had restricted
access twice a day or free access for 24 hours to water (Fig 4). Buffaloes with free access to
water had an average water intake of 53 to 60 litres per day. They consumed most water between
10.00 to 14.00 hours (figure 1). Animals that drank from buckets twice a day (restricted access)
consumed between 56 and 59 litres of water per day.
Figure 4. Consumption of water for animals with free access to water
distributed over a 24-hour period.
21
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Milking Management
Milking management can be regarded as one of the most important and crucial activities
in the milk production chain. Much work has been done on the milking management of dairy
cattle, sheep and goat, but comparatively little research data is available on the milking
management of buffaloes. In general buffaloes are known to be difficult to milk.
A number of researchers from different parts of the world have reported the problem of
disturbed milk ejection and rapid termination of lactation in cases where the calves die or the
usual milker is replaced (for review see Sastry & Tripathi, 1998) As mentioned earlier, although
not documented, it is well known from practice that in large buffalo herds, oxytocin injection is
frequently used to achieve milk let down. The disadvantages with this have been reported
recently where it is evident that continuous oxytocin treatment could lead to addiction
(Bruckmaier 2003). To avoid unnecessary side-effects of these treatments, it is necessary to
understand the factors that influence the efficient removal of milk in buffaloes, such as milk
accumulation, storage of milk, and milk ejection.
Milk accumulation and storage in buffaloes
Among the prominent dairy species, like cattle, goats and sheep, as milk secretes it is
transferred within the gland via the ducts into a large cisterns that drains out from a single orifice
for each lobule (cluster of alveoli). As a consequence, a relatively large portion of the secreted
milk is stored as the cisternal fraction of milk in these species. The cisternal area of the
mammary gland in the dairy species is referred to as two separate cavities, the teat and gland
cistern. Of the total milk secreted in 10 to 12 hours in cows, the cisternal fraction has been
reported to be between 20 to 40% while in goats and sheep, the cisternal cavities are relatively
larger than in cows. However recent studies on buffaloes where the cisternal and alveolar
fractions were measured separately revealed that in buffaloes 95% of the milk secreted between
milking is stored in the secretory tissue (Picture 5, Thomas et al., 2004c).
Picture 5. Ultrasound cross-section of the right half of a buffalo udder, a. right fore udder cistern,
b. right hind udder cistern, c. right fore teatcistern and d. right hind teat cistern.
The rate of milk secretion and the process of milk removal are both influenced by the
sizeof the cistern. In both sheep and cattle, it is established that animals with large cisterns are
better producers of milk and are adapted to milking routines with longer milking intervals and
short stimulation. It is also reported that animals with small cisterns are more susceptible to the
short-term autocrine inhibition of milk secretion where the presence of milk in large quantities in
22
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
the secretory tissue leads to reduced milk secretion. This effect is less intense if the milk is
accumulated in the cisternal area and not in close proximity to the secretory tissue. In buffaloes
the cisternal area is relatively much smaller compared to cattle, sheep and goat hence it could be
possible that if large portions of milk are left unremoved in the secreatory tissue it could lead to
immediate drop in milk yield. There for it is crucial to empty the udder of buffaloes efficiently
during milking.
Milk ejection and milk removal
Buffaloes have not been selectively bred to the extent the dairy cattle have been, hence
the maternal instinct is prominent in them and similarly they can be easily be disturbed by even
small changes in milking routines. As buffaloes have very little milk in their cisterns prior to
milk ejection if they are disturbed and milk ejection is inhibited it results in more than 95% of
the secreted milk remaining in the secretory tissue. Thus it is possible if the buffaloes are
repeatedly disturbed during milking the milk secreation could be retarded through the short-term
autocrine inhibition of milk secretion.
It is therefore crucial to introduce machine milking gradually along with good milking
procedures to buffaloes who have not been machine milked before. Delaval has done studies on
developing techniques for conditioning buffaloes to machine milking and we have observed that
it takes about five to seven days to completely accustom buffaloes to machine milking and to
obtain normal milk yields (Lind et al., 1997).
Efficient milking of buffaloes
Buffaloes have longer teats and long teat canals compared to dairy cows, which is
important to consider when machine milking them (Picture 6, Thomas et al., 2004). This is one
of the reasons why a different vacuum level has to be used while machine milking buffaloes. In
the absence of cisternal fraction of milk the teats of buffaloes would be empty, and thus while
machine milking they could be similar to the teats of dairy cattle towards the end of milking. In
the absence of the cisternal fraction if the milking unit is applied prior to milk ejection the teats
are exposed to vacuum and the vacuum enters the teat canal and milk ducts causing it to collapse
and preventing further milk flow. This is also painful for the animal and could lead to inhibition
of milk ejection. While milking with the DeLaval milking system for buffaloes that has the
Duovac™ as part of the milking unit, the impact of milking on empty teats is minimised. The
Duovac™ is milk flow controlled milking system which synchronises with each individual
animals milk ejection and milk flow pattern When the Duovac™ milking unit is applied machine
with the DeLaval milking system for buffaloes that has the Duovac™ as part of the milking unit,
the impact of milking on empty teats is minimised. The Duovac™ is milk flow controlled
milking system which synchronises with each individual animals milk ejection and milk flow
pattern When the Duovac™ milking unit is applied machine milking commences on low vacuum
(33kPa) and when the milk flow from the udder increases above 200ml/min the vacuum
automatically increases to the normal milking vacuum and stays that way until the milk flow
falls bellow 200 ml/min towards the end of each milking. This milking system is ideally suited to
the physiology of milk ejection and milk flow of buffaloes. In buffaloes as prior to milk ejection
the teats are usually empty, if they are milked using the Duovac™ it is not stressful for the
animals. Further to this using an electronic pulsator the pulsation ratio can be modified where in
the initial low vacuum phase during Duovac™ milking the massage time can be increased so that
the teats are massaged longer while there is no milk in the teats. This is also beneficial to the
animal as it causes minimum accumulation of tissue fluids at the teat tip.
In most developed dairy countries where buffalo milk production exists machine milking
has been successfully practiced for more than 30 to 40 years successfully. In India more and
23
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
more buffalo farms all over the country have now started using machines to milk there buffalo
herds. There are many references where herd sizes of 300 to 500 buffaloes are now machine
milked (Picture 2, Thomas 2004c). In the coming days there will be a major shift towards
machine milking in large and small buffalo farms all over India owing to the advantages and
convenience of machine milking buffaloes. This change will be driven by several important
factors. It is more economical to machine milk buffaloes in commercial dairy herds. Apart from
the economical benefit there are several other benefits such ease of operation (ergonomics), as
the milker dose not have to sit crouched under buffaloes, improved milking hygiene, improved
milk quality etc.
Picture 6. Udder shapes and teat sizes in Murrah buffaloes
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26
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Recent advances in rumen ecology, digestion and feeding strategies
of swamp buffaloes
M. Wanapat, V. Chanthakhoun
Tropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
Kkon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,
E-mail: [email protected],[email protected]
Abstract
In Asia, swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are raised by smallholder integrated farmers
for multipurpose in agricultural production. It is the main source of drought power in cultivation
of crop and paddy rice field preparation, transportation, fertilizer and meat supply for small farm
holders. Agricultural crop-residues and industrial by-products are abundantly available as onfarm feed resources, and used by the buffaloes, as farmers still engage in crop-livestock
production system. Their contributions to dry season feeding are utmost important since
conventional feed resources are generally scarce. However, improvement and efficient feeding
methods either through treatment methods and/or supplementation need to be considered.
Moreover, the uses of these resources to improve rumen ecology would be efficient means to
enhance the buffalo productivity. Development of simple and practical feeds and concentrate
mixtures based on on-farm resources could be mixed as an home-made concentrate (HHC) and
to be used efficiently both to reduce production costs and to enhance profitability and
sustainability of the buffalo production. Currently, developments of food-feed-systems (FFS)
have been usefully implemented and should be widely disseminated for smallholder farmers.
Keywords: Buffaloes, food-feed-system, feeds, rumen ecology, supplementation.
Introduction
There is a rapidly growing demand for swamp buffalo commodities worldwide as human
population pressure and incomes increased. Swamp buffaloes are raised all over Asia and
contribute directly to human nutrition and socio-economic welfare and to the productivity of
mixed crop-livestock production systems, national resources management and the security of
resource-poor farmers. Swamp buffaloes have played a very important role of providing draught
power, manure as fertilizer and meat for people. Moreover, buffalo meat has been wellconsumed by the many of local people (Chantalakhana, 1991; Wanapat et al., 1994). As a
consequence, illegal slaughtering of both male and female buffaloes has been found in many
places. Even more in areas where buffalo fetuses are preferably consumed, which remarkably
decreased the buffalo population. As reproductive efficiency is low with longer production
cycle, the buffalo population has been dramatically decreased. If situation allowed to continue
like this the buffalo population would be declined dramatically.
Rumen fermentation is essential in degrading substrates especially those of structural
carbohydrates to produce fermentation end-products, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as well as
providing carbon (C) skeletals for further microbial protein synthesis. Major anaerobic rumen
fermentation (glycolysis) is Embden Myerhof Parnas Pathway in which glucose is a main initial
substrate in producing acetate (C2) propionate (C3) and butyrate (C4) through intracellular
microbial enzymes-linked reactions. Hydrogens (H2) are generated through C2 production while
H2 being incorporated for C3 and C4 syntheses (H2 sink). Main pathway for C3 production is via
oxaloacetate-succinate while acrylate route is possible when pH is low and lactates are
predominant. It is noted that when H2 are highly available, it is predisposing to use it for methane
27
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
(CH4) production (methanogenesis). Hence, methanogenesis could be reduced if either H2
concentration is low and/or H2 trapped for C3 and C4 syntheses. Rumen microbes of native cattle
and swamp buffalo raised in the common feeding practice have been found to be different that
buffalo exhibited higher cellulolytic bacteria and fungal zoospores but lower in protozoal
population (Wanapat et al., 2000b). However in the tropics, most ruminants have been fed on
low-quality roughages, agricultural crop-residues, industrial by-products which basically
contained high levels of ligno-cellulosic materials, a low level of fermentable carbohydrate and a
low level of good-quality protein. In addition, long dry seasons, a prevailing harsh environment,
especially high temperature, low soil fertility and lees feeds available throughout the year, all
influence rumen fermentation. Recently, Wanapat (2000) reported on rumen fermentation to
increase the efficient use of local feed resources and productivity of ruminants in the topics.
The contribution of food-feed-system (FFS) to ruminant production, particularly from the
points of review of their overall high nutritive values, and positive effects on rumen, the
expansion and intensification of these systems is a realistic objective given the extent of farmer
experience, the collapse of world prices for plantation commodities and the projected demands
for animal products in the future (Devendra, 2002; Wanapat, 2009). Furthermore, FFS has been
increasingly receiving more attention under smallholder farming system, and demonstrated in the
successful and profitable production (Wanapat, 2009).
Seasonal feeding systems for ruminants
Feeding of ruminants in the tropical area, could be separated in to two seasons,
particularly, dry and rainy season. However, these ruminants often encounter low productivity
because of deficiencies in feed supply, in both quality and quantity (Wanapat and Devendra,
1992). The use of rice straw as a feed in the dry season, in spite of its low nutritive value, has
been a common feeding system, generally practiced by smallholder farmers when green forages
are often scarce (Wanapat, 1999). Available local feed resources have been recommended for
uses under smallholder farming (Wanapat, 2009).
Ruminant feeding systems are based on unrestricted grazing, tethering or stall-feeding.
Free grazing, sometimes under the control of herders, is common in countries with native
grasslands and fallows. Tethering and stall-feeding are practiced in areas where there is limited
land and with cropping. In many situations, there appeared to be roughage limitations for
animals in the stall-feeding and tethering systems. On dairy farms, particularly in north-east
Thailand, concentrates were probably being fed in excess to compensate for the relatively low
intake of roughages (Wanapat, 1999; Devendra, 1997).
Generally, low-quality roughages or crop residue type-roughages contain lower essential
nutritive values hence, in order to improve better uses; some treatment methods and/or
supplementation could be used. Three treatment methods have been categorized; physical,
chemical and biological methods. However, relevant uses and suitability of each method depends
on each location with regards to type of animal production, availability of crop-residues, length
of feed scarcity, environmental conditions, economical viability, technological feasibility as well
as farmers’ perceptions and acceptances. Detailed experiments were conducted to compare their
energy values and digestibility of rice straw as affected by treatment methods (Wanapat et al.,
1985; Wanapat et al., 1986). Significant differences were found when urea-treated rice straw was
used as a roughage in buffaloes and especially when concentrate supplementation was used and
compared to untreated rice straw (Wanapat and Wachirapakorn, 1989).
Rumen ecology of swamp buffaloes
It has been reported that when cattle and buffaloes were kept under similar conditions,
buffaloes utilize feed more efficiently with the digestibility of feeds being typical 2-3 percentage
28
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
unit’s higher (Wanapat, 1989: Wanapat et al., 1994; Kennedy and Hogan, 1994). Ruminal
ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) has been reported to be an important nutrient in supporting efficient
rumen fermentation. Satter and Styter (1974) earlier reported that 5 mg% ruminal NH3-N was
optimum for microbial fermentation in mixed culture in a closed system while Erdman et al.
(1986) found that a higher level would be required to achieve a maximum rate of fermentation in
vivo, depending on the potential fermentability of feeds. In cattle fed low quality roughage,
Boniface et al. (1986) and Perdok and Leng (1990) found a higher level of ruminal NH3-N (15 to
20 mg%) increased digestibility and intake. Although a number of researchers including
Devendra (1985) and Wanapat et al. (1994) showed that swamp buffaloes were more efficient
than cattle in may aspects, namely N-recycling and fiber digestion, ruminal NH3-N level in
relation to efficient fermentation and intake. Suwanlee and Wanapat (1994) reported that when
ruminal NH3-N increased, from 1.7 to 5.6 mg%, total bacterial count, digestibilities of DM,
NDF, ADF were increased. Wanapat and Pimpa (1999) reported that increasing level of ruminal
NH3-N to 17.6 mg% resulted in increased DM intake, protozoal population and highest
concentration of urinary allantoin. Therefore, level of ruminal NH3-N of 14 mg% was
recommended as optimal in swamp buffaloes.
A comparative study on rumen bacterial and protozoal population and fungal zoospores
in cattle (Brahman x Native) and swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was conducted. Forty
animals, twenty of each, with same sex and similar age which were raised under similar
condition in the Northeast of Thailand, were used. Rumen digesta were sampled bacterial
population were higher in swamp buffalo than those in cattle (1.6 vs 1.36 x108 cells/ml) having
more population of cocci, rods and ovals. Lower rumen protozoal population in swamp buffaloes
with lower numbers of Holotrichs and Entodiniomorphs were found as compared to those in
cattle. Significant higher fungal zoospore counts were in swamp buffalo than those in cattle
being 7.30 and 3.78 x106, respectively. Study under electron microscope, revealed Anaeromyces
sp. with acuminate apex were more predominant in the rumen of swamp buffalo. With these
findings, cattle and swamp buffaloes showing differences in rumen bacterial, protozoal
population and fungal zoospore counts, offer new additional information as why swamp
buffaloes exhibit conditionally body weight better than cattle especially during long dry season
without green grass (Wanapat et al., 2000). Studies on diurnal patterns of rumen fermentation
and the effect of rumen digesta transfer from buffalo to cattle were conducted. Based on these
studies, diurnal fermentation patterns in both cattle and buffaloes were revealed. It was found
that rumen NH3-N was a major limiting factor. Rumen digesta transfer from buffalo to cattle was
achievable. Monitoring rumen digesta for 14d after transferred showed improved rumen ecology
in cattle as compared to that of original cattle and buffalo. It is probable that buffalo rumen
digesta could be transferred to others. However, further research should be undertaken in these
regards in order to improve rumen ecology especially for buffalo-based rumen (Wanapat et al.,
2003).
Purine derivatives concentrations and proportions in swamp buffaloes
Recent studies were conducted to investigate effect of urea level with energy sources
(Wanapat and Pilajun, 2008) and effect of roughage to concentrate ratio (Wanapat and
Cherdthong, 2008), in swamp buffaloes using PCR-DGGE and Real-time PCR technique. Under
this study, methanogenic bacterial diversity were found and population of predominant
cellulolytic bacteria were found with higher population of F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens and
R. albus in both rumen digesta and fluid, respectively. With regards to urinary excretion of
purine derivatives (PD) and tissue xanthine oxidase in swamp buffalo and cattle, Chen et al.
(1996) conducted a comprehensive experiment for such species comparison. It was reported that
activities of xanthine oxidases were found in plasma, liver and intestinal tissues, respectively and
patterns of PD (allantoin and uric acid) excreted were similar between buffalo and cattle. It was
29
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
also reported by Liang et al. (1994) that swamp buffalo significantly excreted less urinary
allantoin and total purine derivative as compared to those of Malaysian Kedah cattle. In
connection with this regard, Thanh and Ørskov (2006) clearly showed that difference in purine
derivative excretion in buffalo was due to lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) spending more
time in the blood thus recycling more to the rumen and metabolized by bacteria or the
permeability from the blood to rumen was greater in buffalo than in cattle and was in contrast
with earlier work reported by Pimpa et al. (2007).
Chen et al. (1996) conducted a comprehensive experiment for such species comparison. It
was reported that activities of xanthine oxidases were found in plasma, liver and intestinal
tissues, respectively and patterns of PD excreted were similar. However, in animals fed below
maintenance level, the relationship between duodenal purine input and urinary PD output would
reflect the biochemical feedback on the de novo synthesis process by the salvage of absorbed
exogenous purine by tissues (Nolan, 1999) rather than exogenous absorption. However, the
excretion of urinary purine derivatives (PD; i.e., allantoin and uric acid) may constitute an
alternative noninvasive technique based on the principle that the bulk urinary PD is derived from
microbial nucleic acid flowing out from rumen. Several authors (Chen et al., 1990b; Balcells et
al., 1991; Giesecke et al., 1994; Orellana-Boero et al., 2001) have confirmed the relationship
between the duodenal supply of RNA and the urinary excretion of PD, although such a
relationship is usually obscured by an endogenous fraction coming from the turnover of nucleic
acid in tissues and the incomplete urinary recovery of infused purines.
Comparative nutritional studies between buffaloes and cattle
Wanapat et al. (2009) reported that in four ruminally fistulated swamp buffalo and
crossbreds (Brahman native) beef cattle were randomly assigned to receive rice straw on ad
libitium and concentrate supplement was provided at 0.3% of body weight. It was found that
there are remarkably large differences between species while in buffaloes rumen pH, population
of bacteria and fungal zoospores were higher and protozoa were lower (P<.05). Furthermore,
diurnal ruminal NH3-N concentration of buffalo were consistently higher than those found in
cattle. Therefore, the most pronounced effects were also found in nutrient digestibilities in
buffalo than those in cattle particularly those of CP and fibrous digestibilities (NDF, ADF). In
the same experiment, Table 1 show that a real-time polymerase chain reaction approach was
determine the population of cellulolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus
albus, and Ruminococcus flavefaciens) in digesta and rumen fluid of swamp buffalo (Bubalus
bubalis) and beef cattle. It was found that the applicability of real-time PCR techniques for the
quantification of cellulolytic bacterial numbers (R. albus, and R. flavefaciens) in the digesta of
swamp were higher than those in cattle. However, at 4h R.albus were significantly higher in
buffalo than those in cattle in rumen fluid, but R. flavefaciens and f.succinogenes tended to be
higher in cattle than those in buffalo, in rumen fluid. However, the digesta sample had higher
cellulolytic bacteria than those found in the rumen fluid. This finding indicates higher ability of
buffalo in digesting low-quality roughages.
In the topics, most ruminants are fed on low-quality roughages, agricultural cropresidues/and industrial by-products which contain high levels of lingo-cellulosic materials, a low
level of fermentable carbohydrate and low level of good-quality protein. In addition, long dry
seasons, a prevailing harsh environment, high temperatures, low soil fertility and low feed
availability throughout the year, all adversely influence rumen microbes and fermentation
(Wanapat et al., 2000; Wanapat, 2004). Furthermore, Wanapat (2000) reported on the efficient
use of local feed resources which could increase rumen fermentation and productivity of
ruminants in the topics. Nitrogen utilization in swamp buffalo was found to be more efficient
than in Malaysian cattle (Devendra, 1985). This superiority is particularly noticeable in
situations where the feed supply is low quantity and/or quality. The reasons for the superior
30
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
digestive capacity of buffalo over cattle have not been fully elucidated. However it is likely that
much of the superiority may be explained by differences in the nature of rumen microbial
population which would affect the type of fermentation. Thus, any variations between cattle and
buffalo in the proportions and numbers of ruminal bacteria, protozoa and fungi might attribute to
the explanation of differences in digestive capability due to fermentation end-products available
for absorption and utilization by ruminants. In another trial by Wora-anu et al. (2000) who found
that ruminal cellulolytic, proteolytic and amylolytic bacteria of swamp buffaloes were
significantly higher than those found in cattle fed similar diets.
Table 1. Quantitative measurement, R. albus and R. favefaciens and F. succinogenes population
in rumen digesta and fluid between swamp buffalo and beef cattle using real- time PCR.
Iterms
Buffalo
Cattle
P-value
Rumen digesta
R. albus (x 108 copies/ g rumen content)
0 h-post feeding
3.27 ± 0.35
0.16 ± 0.14
<0.001
4h
5.34 ± 0.49
1.70 ± 0.98
0.04
8h
8.38 ± 2.31
4.32 ± 1.54
0.03
Mean
6.04 ± 0.84
2.92 ± 1.96
0.03
R. flavefaciens (x 108 copies/ g rumen content)
0 h-post feeding
5.65 ± 6.10
5.06 ± 6.44
0.91
4h
16.58 ± 17.98
5.76 ± 6.12
0.30
8h
1.90 ± 1.46
9.20 ± 7.70
0.18
Mean
8.31 ± 5.43
5.57 ± 4.99
0.48
Rumen fluid
R. albus (x 107 copies/ g rumen content)
0 h-post feeding
3.70 ± 2.63
1.80 ± 1.73
0.30
4h
2.34 ± 0.10
1.37 ± 0.24
0.003
Mean
3.02 ± 1.67
1.58 ±1.13
0.11
R. flavefaciens (x 107 copies/ g rumen content)
0 h-post feeding
0.11 ± 0.11
17.97 ±10.20
0.05
4h
5.07 ± 4.29
4.11 ± 1.63
0.74
Mean
2.09 ± 2.64
2.95 ± 1.29
0.64
F. succinogenes (x 108 copies/ g rumen content)
0 h-post feeding
1.90 ±1.06x104
1.53 ± 0.09
0.0021
4h
3.30 ± 0.49
24.7 ± 7.02
0.0062
Mean
1.17 ± 0.32
14.45 ± 3.88
0.0438
Source: Wanapt et al. (2009)
However, bacteria are the most numerous of these microorganisms and play a major role
in the biological degradation of dietary fiber. F. succinogenes, R. albus, and R. flavefaciens are
presently recognized as the major cellulolytic bacterial species found in the rumen (Forster et al.,
1997; Shinkai and Kobayashi, 2007). Recent advances in molecular biology techniques allow the
analysis of such bacteria without cultivation, thereby identifying many functional, but
uncultured, bacteria as new targets for basic and applied research Kobayashi (2000).
One brief report concluded that when swamp buffaloes receiving various rations of
roughage to concentrate (R:C), it was found that F. succinogenes were the highest in population
followed by R. flavefaciens and R. albus measured in rumen digesta and fluid using Real-time
PCR, respectively (Wanapat and Cherdthong, 2008). Under this study, F. succinogenes was
found highest in the digesta, and the three cellulolytic bacterial numbers were 3.21 x109, 4.55
x107, and 4.44 x106 copies/ml for F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, and R. albus, respectively.
31
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Pattern of food-feed-systems (FFS) for buffalo production
Currently, FFS has been shown to produce both foods for human and feeds to support
sustainable animal production. Moreover, intercropping with legumes can enrich nitrogen for the
soil including the implementation of Phaseolus calcaratus or Tua-mun and cassava (Manihot
Esculenta, Crantz). Cassava was harvested to produce cassava hay and was successfully fed to
ruminants (Wanapat, 2000ab; Wanapat, 2003; Khang et al., 2005). Cassava hay consists of
foliage of whole cassava crop harvested after 2-4 months of growth. The stems with leaves are
cut into 3-5 cm length and then sun-dried for 2-3 days to attain a DM of about 85% (Wanapat et
al., 1997). Cassava hay contains a high level of protein (25% of DM) and a strategic amount of
condensed tannins (4% of DM) (Wanapat et al., 1997). Moreover, cassava hay fed at 1-2 kg/hd/d
could reduce the number of parasitic eggs in buffaloes and cattle (Netpana et al., 2001;
Kiyothong and Wanapat, 2004). Condensed tannins contained in cassava hay could play an
important role in forming a tannin-protein complex which increases rumen by-pass protein and
reduces gastro-intestinal nematode egg counts. Feeding cassava hay as a supplemental highprotein source could increase milk yield and improve its composition, and significantly reduce
concentrate use. On-farm research with small-holder farmers show a promising establishment
and development of cassava hay production on farm. Harvesting of whole tops at an earlier stage
and subsequent pruning to produce hay resulted in an increased protein to energy ratio in animal
feeding. Cassava hay and cassava chips as a complete concentrate could contribute to more
sustainable crop/livestock production systems in the tropics Wanapat et al. (1997).
Wanapat et al. (2007) found that productivities of intercrops were improved with biomass
of 6.83 ton DM/ha of cassava foliage, and 0.89 ton DM/ha of cowpea residues after green pod
harvests. In addition, a legume, Stylosanthes, was also intercropped in the cassava plot, and it
produced 3.51 ton DM/ha. Technology of cassava/legumes intercropping could improve farm
productivity particularly for production of on- farm feed sources.
Phengvilaysouk and Wanapat (2007) carried out an experiment to investigate the effect of
coconut oil and cassava hay supplementation on feed intake, digestibility and rumen ecology in
swamp buffaloes. Supplementation of coconut oil improved rumen fermentation in terms of
fermentation end-products, and significantly reduced the protozoa population in the rumen. In
contrast with the reduction of protozoa, the numbers of bacteria increased. Therefore,
supplementing cassava hay in combination with coconut oil can improve rumen ecology of
swamp buffalo. Moreover, Joomjantha and Wanapat (2007) determined rumen ecology,
microbial protein synthesis and digestibility of diets with different sources of supplemental
forages: cassava hay (CH), Phaseolus calcaratus (PH), sweet potato vine hay (SH) or no
supplement (UTS). The forages replaced 50% of the UTS on DM basis. It was concluded that
50% replacement of the urea-treated straw basal diet with cassava hay was beneficial in swamp
buffaloes, as it resulted in improved ammonia-nitrogen utilization in the rumen, and increases in
nitrogen supply, efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis and P/E ratio in nutrients
available for metabolism. However, Wanapat et al. (2009) conducted an experiment to
investigate effect of urea level with energy sources (cassava chip and corn cob) on four, 3-year
old, rumen fistulated swamp buffalo bulls and found that corn cob and urea at 15 g/kg could be
efficiently utilized in the rumen and thus, could provide good fermentation end-products and
improve rumen ecology for the host swamp buffaloes.
As a result of food-feed-system, green cowpea pods were used for household
consumption, gifts for neighbors and sold for more incomes, while cowpea residues and
Stylosanthes fodder were also used as animal feeds (Wanapat et al., 2001). Legume crops have
been considered to be suitable crop to enrich soil nitrogen and for producing high protein foods
and feeds for human and animals (Polthanee et al., 2001). Phaseolus calcaratus (PC) have been
found to be a potential plant to improve foliage biomass, CT and crude protein yield
(Chanthakhoun et al., 2008). Legumes were potential for intercropping and hay making as
32
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
animal feeds while the seeds can be a protein source for human consumption. PC for ruminant
feeding has quite high protein content (17-20.4% in DM), biomass yield was 1.9 tonnes DM/ha
and CP was 18.1 %DM with NDF being 42.0 and ADF 36.1 %DM and can grow well in poor
soil and dry areas. A study revealed that after two months, PC can grow up to a height of about
60 cm (canopy), fully in bloom and produce pods at 3-4 months. The whole PC crop can be sundried as PC hay about 2-3 days. Cultivation of Phaseolus calcaratus a biomass to produce hay
was based on a first harvest of the foliage at three months after planting. Inter-cropping of
leguminous fodder as food-feed between rows of cassava, such as cassava or PC, enriches soil
fertility and provides additional fodder. However, feeding trials and digestion with buffalo
revealed high levels of DM intake (2.4% of BW) and high DM digestibility (71%) and apparent
digestibility OM (75.2%). Condensed tannins (2-3% CT) were generally found in lower
concentrations in matured PC leaf, but levels were higher in PCH harvested at a younger stage.
Reed (1995) reported that if condensed tannins in the feed exceeded 6% of dry matter, feed
intake and digestibility would be reduced. However, If the CT level was between 2-4% DM it
would help to protect protein from rumen digestion, thereby increasing by-pass protein available
in the lower gut.
Conclusions and recommendations
In order to maximise the potential production of swamp buffaloes for smallholder farms;
feeding, and management, assessment of crop residues, farm by-products and food-feed-system
(FFS) available as feeds should be established and developed. The improvement of their
utilization whether by means of pre-treatment and/or supplementation should be implemented
and further tested on farms in order to formulate practicable and acceptable recommendations,
enabling a sustainable production system based on the small farmers' available resources. Feeds
especially cassava when harvested at younger growth stage to produce cassava hay which
contains high protein with suitable level of secondary compounds (condensed tannin). Foodfeed-system (FFS) using cassava intercropped with various sources legumes (e.g. Phaseolus
calcaratus or Tua-mun, Unguiculata vigna) demonstrated potential system under smallholder
farming to provide year-round feeding. However, widely dissemination of the FFS are
recommended as it would increase livestock productivity and to ensure the sustainability of
livestock production for smallholder farmers.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express sincere thanks to the Symposium Organizing Committee for
their invitation and financial support to be able to participate in the Symposium
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36
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Sistemas de produção sustentável de búfalos
F. S.V. Ramos Filho
1
Fabio Sampaio Vianna Ramos Filho, zootecnista, crmv-rj – 0152/Z, formado pela Universidade Federal Rural do
Rio de Janeiro em 1983, MSc, sociologia econômica no Centro de Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento, Agricultura
e Sociedade, CPDA/UFRRJ, 2006; desde 1994 diretor da Agrosuisse Serviços Técnicos e Agropecuários Ltda.
E-mail: [email protected]
Resumo
O trabalho busca um debate sobre o desenvolvimento de sistemas sustentáveis de criação
búfalos a partir dos princípios da agroecologia e de acordo com a Lei 10.831, dos alimentos
orgânicos, abrindo a possibilidade de enquadrar a atividade nesta legislação, visando agregar o
valor de mercado o para os produtos alimentícios gerados pelos búfalos. A produção de
alimentos de origem animal nos princípios da agroecologia pode viabilizar o desenvolvimento de
mercado para os produtos com atributos voltados para a saúde humana e do valor nutricional e
biológico da carne e do leite de búfalos. Além disto, é evidenciada a análise comparativa sobre
os impactos ambientais causados pela atividade da pecuária bovina e dos impactos da pecuária
bubalina. A criação de búfalos tem como característica principal ocupar áreas com vegetação
nativa e não causar impactos no meio ambiente, este fato vem ao encontro com as exigências de
mercado sobre um consumo consciente. A hipótese que se coloca é a possibilidade do aumento
no rebanho de búfalos no Brasil através da oportunidade de reconhecimento, por sistemas de
garantias e processos de certificação, da qualidade dos produtos alimentícios gerados pela
atividade da bubalinocultura.
Abstract
The work seeks a debate on the development of Búffalo sustainable systems with the
principles of agroecology and in accordance with Law 10,831, organics foods, opening the
possibility to frame the activity in this legislation. Thereof, to add the market value for the food
and feasibility a buffalos milk and meat. The foods of animal origin in principles of agroecology
can facilitate the development of markets for products with biological and nutritional attributes.
When look the comparative analysis on the environmental impacts caused by livestock activity,
bovine estuary and the impacts of livestock is to hight. We can conclude that the buffalo systems
don”t have a impacts in environment. The hypotheses is that the buffalos grow up, with the
guaranties process and social and environment labels.
Introdução
A saúde é um tema importante para a sobrevivência e longevidade dos seres humanos e
do planeta Terra. O modelo de produção dos alimentos e os hábitos de consumo são dois fatores
que influenciam diretamente na saúde humana e na saúde do planeta. Tratando-se de alimentos
de origem animal, responsáveis pelo atendimento as exigências nutricionais e biológicas do nível
de proteínas que o organismo exige, e com uma importância tamanha a saúde humana.
O modelo dos sistemas de produção animal atuais, que prevalecem, são baseados em
princípios desenvolvidos pela Revolução Verde 1, aonde a produtividade por área é um indicativo
de eficiência.
Este modelo ao longo dos anos gerou diversos impactos, positivos e negativos, sociais,
1
Período pós segunda guerra mundial, no qual os modelos de produção agropecuários são desenvolvidos com base no uso de
adubos químicos solúveis, pesticidas, inseticidas, fungicidas e herbicidas, em larga escala com fins de aumentar a produtividade
nas áreas agrícolas visando o suprimento da demanda de alimentos mundial.
37
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
ambientais, técnicos e econômicos. Nos impactos relacionados ao meio ambiente, os danos são
por muitas vezes irreparáveis, promovendo um passivo permanente que também vai interferir
nos resultados e na viabilidade dos sistemas de produção.
Tendo como premissa á necessidade de repensar os modelos de produção de alimentos de
origem animal, podemos considerar o princípio que devem nortear os diversos sistemas de
produção é baseado na conservação dos recursos naturais e preservação do meio ambiente. Este
princípio, aliado à racionalização das atividades agropecuárias, tem o objetivo de obter alimentos
saudáveis garantindo segurança aos produtores e consumidores.
As tendências mundiais apontam para o consumo cada vez maior de produtos gerados por
tecnologias limpas e compatíveis com o desenvolvimento sustentável do planeta. A demanda de
consumo já indica a influencia de destes princípios no comportamento que move o consumidor a
buscar produtos éticos (produzidos com orientação dos sistemas de garantia: certificação,
sistemas de rastreabilidade, programas de boas praticas de produção e industrialização, controles
sanitários, etc) e exigir serviços que garantam responsabilidade social e ambiental.
Este cenário obriga o produtor e processador (nas diversas fases da cadeia produtiva) a
uma adequação dos modelos de produção, tanto uma revisão dos processos como uma
reavaliação dos produtos, aos novos padrões de exigências do mercado.
Existem tecnologias e modelos que podem conciliar o desenvolvimento com a
preservação e conservação dos recursos naturais. Instituições de pesquisa e organizações não
governamentais já atuam em modelos que podem viabilizar sistemas de produção sustentáveis
dos alimentos de origem animal, principalmente no setor da pecuária bovina, ovina e bubalina,
de onde provém a maior parte da proteína animal consumida no Brasil e no Mundo.
Nos países desenvolvidos, os padrões de produção consideram aspectos ambientais e
sociais em uma nova estrutura de consumo. Modificam-se as relações entre os agentes da cadeia
na direção de exigências contratuais mais responsáveis, a fim de atender a uma demanda de
consumo mais ampla. Os contratos entre agentes fornecedores e distribuidores incluem novos
atributos além do preço e da quantidade que está sendo negociada.
A complexidade pode ser visualizada pela diferença nas características tecnológicas de
cada etapa da cadeia, pela diferente distribuição do valor econômico e o valor agregado entre os
segmentos, pelo ambiente competitivo entre eles e, finalmente, como conseqüência, pelos altos
custos de transação, devido a dificuldades de negociação nas transações econômicas.
O padrão tecnológico do sistema agroindustrial tem como referência os princípios da
revolução verde, segundo Delgado (1985), uma forma de inserção da agricultura brasileira no
mercado internacional por meio do aumento das exportações de produtos elaborados. Durante os
últimos trinta anos, 1960 a 1990, todo o complexo agropecuário estava baseado nas referências
tecnológicas e nas articulações agroindustriais técnicas e de capitais, que formavam o motivador
da atividade agropecuária. 2
O debate durante a década de 90, por diversos autores 3, colocou em questão todo o
padrão tecnológico vigente na época. A partir do ano de 2000, as análises sobre o sistema
agroindustrial apontam para a necessidade de discutir mais profundamente qual o paradigma
tecnológico que deverá ser adotado. Surge uma nova forma 4 de analisar e de estudar as
influências externas e internas nos diversos segmentos da cadeia. Na complexidade de
relacionamento entre os diversos segmentos da cadeia e, considerando a sua dinâmica, pode-se
2
Miranda Costa, 1992, citado por Mazzali, 2000; Descreve que “Nesses termos, da mesma forma que, quando se fala no modelo
de substituição de importações toma-se por referência uma mudança na dinâmica da economia que, impulsionada pela demanda
externa, passa a depender do investimento interno, ao se referir ao modelo de desenvolvimento via Complexo Agroindustrial,
CAI, se está tomando por referência um determinado processo de desenvolvimento agropecuário, no qual as articulações
agroindustriais – técnicas e de capitais – constituem o fator dinamizador da atividade agropecuária. (Miranda Costa, 1992,
p.180).
3
Autores já citados neste trabalho: Mazzali, Delgado, Wilkinson, Batalha, Zylberszdjan e outros.
4
Refere-se além das análises no enfoque mesoanalitico e sistêmico citado por Batalha, 1997, no livro Gestão Agroindustrial,
GEPAI; como principalmente pela inserção de metodologias das ciências sociais em ambas as análises.
38
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
sugerir que um aprofundamento no entendimento sobre a demanda tecnológica e a demanda de
consumo.
Esta discussão, apresentada por Wilkinson 5, reflete por um lado o paradigma adotado nos
anos 60, 70 e 80, e por outro, indica um caminho de debate voltado para o paradigma da década
de 90 e que está em plena discussão a partir dos anos 2000.
A atividade da pecuária esta inserida como foco central do debate sobre o modelo de
desenvolvimento agropecuário no Brasil. Esta posição exige uma profunda discussão sobre quais
as alternativas de modelos que podem viabilizar um desenvolvimento conciliando o social, o
ambiental e o econômico. Com a pressão dos mercados consumidores e a pressão da questão
ambiental como exigência legal, surgem os sistemas de garantias para o controle dos processos
de produção através de auditorias e processos de certificação.
Os atuais programas de Boas Práticas de Produção Pecuária no Brasil foram
desenvolvidos pela Universidade do Estado de São Paulo, Campus de Jaboticabal, e pela
EMBRAPA - Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de
Gado de Corte em Campo Grande, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul 6. A recente regulamentação da
Lei n° 10.831, definiu os fundamentos da produção orgânica animal e formaliza o Programa de
Boas Práticas da Produção Orgânica Animal. Este protocolo, parte integrante da lei, deve ser
seguido por todos os sistemas de produção, e cumprida determinação pela atuação dos
mecanismos de garantia, pelos sistemas de certificação vigentes no setor dos alimentos
orgânicos.
Objetivo
O objetivo do trabalho é contribuir para o desenvolvimento de sistemas de produção
sustentável de bubalinos. A alternativa considerada baseia-se nos conceitos da agroecologia para
o desenvolvimento de sistemas de produção sustentável de Búfalos, com produção de alimentos
seguros e atributos de qualidade para atender as novas exigências e demandas do mercado
consumidor.
A Bubalinocultura no Brasil
Segundo os resultados do censo agropecuário do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e
Estatísticas, IBGE, de 2006, a bubalinocultura brasileira apresentou crescimento no seu rebanho
nos últimos dez anos de apenas 4 milhões de cabeças, mensurado pelo efetivo de bubalinos em
1996.
De acordo com as estatísticas do Instituto FNP, em 2008, o rebanho em 1999 totalizava
882.332 cabeças e em 2008, 846.469, uma redução de 35.863 cabeças, representando 4%.
Quando analisamos as tendências atuais dos sistemas de produção serem voltados para
modelos sustentáveis e com geração de um produto saudável, questionamos porque o rebanho de
búfalos cresce pouco no Brasil.
O Estado do Pará possui o maior rebanho, 341.933 cabeças, o Estado do Amapá tem
153.473 cabeças. Juntos representam 58 % de todo o rebanho nacional.
Nas regiões Norte e Nordeste o rebanho teve aumento, porem nas demais regiões, Sul,
Sudeste e Centro-Oeste, diminuiu. A região Norte concentra a metade do rebanho nacional e
representa 65 % do total. A produção de leite é maior na região Sudeste.
Os estados que mais cresceram foram Pará, Amapá e São Paulo, as maiores reduções
foram nos estados do Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso e Rio Grande do Sul.
5
Wilkinson, “A New Paradigm for Economic Analysis?”. The Brazilian National Research; Council (CNPq), at the CEDI, Paris
XIII., july, 1996.
6
Disponível em www.cnpgc.embrapa.br;
39
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
1000000
950000
900000
No Cabeças
850000
800000
750000
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Gráfico 01 – Evolução do Rebanho de Búfalos no Brasil – 1999 – 2008.
A produção de leite de búfalos cresceu 6 milhões de litros em São Paulo e 1,7 milhões de
litros em Amazonas. Nos demais estados recuou, como exemplo em Minas Gerais em 14
milhões de litros, em 10 milhões no Pará e 3 milhões no Estado do Amapá.
De acordo com o Anualpec 2008, do Instituto FNP 7:
“Os números sugerem que a bubalinocultura brasileira tende a se concentrar cada vez
mais na região Norte. As condições ambientais são mais propícias a seu desenvolvimento e as
características fundiárias são mais compatíveis com uma atividade eminentemente extensiva.”
Quando comparamos os números e constatamos que o rebanho de búfalos é menor de 1
milhão de cabeças e o de bovinos são 170 milhões, a produção de leite de búfalos é de 35
milhões de litros por ano e a produção de leite dos bovinos é de 25 bilhões de litros por ano.
Estes dados indicam a dificuldade para a expansão da atividade, que depende do aumento na
demanda dos produtos e o seu preço no mercado. Com isto evidencia-se a necessidade de estudar
caminhos que permitam o crescimento do rebanho de búfalos pelo aumento da demanda do
mercado.
Este caminho pode ser explorado através dos atributos da criação dos búfalos e seus
produtos para atender os mercados atuais que exigem garantias de origem sobre o sistema de
produção e qualificação e segurança do produto final, carne e leite.
As características e a aptidão do búfalo é similar a do bovino, europeu e indiano, como
produtores que igualmente são de leite, de carne e de energia transformada em trabalho.
(FONSECA,W.1987). O búfalo também é amplamente utilizado em serviços no campo, seja para
montaria, aração de terras, tração em charretes e carroças. Sua capacidade de tração é bem maior
do que dos bovinos e, segundo Phillips 8. Os búfalos possuem boas características de docilidade e
de longevidade para o trabalho e para a reprodução. O búfalo tem capacidade de conversão de
alimentos de baixa qualidade em produtos como leite e carne. Existem trabalhos 9 há bastante
tempo que destaca a capacidade digestiva da celulose pelos búfalos quando comparados com os
bovinos.
A capacidade de adaptação a diferentes climas, mantendo sua sanidade, é comprovada
pela presença de búfalos nas diversas faixas climáticas existentes, das regiões tropicais e quentes
da África até regiões frias na Ásia.
Todos estes atributos são suficientes para sustentar a hipótese sobre o desenvolvimento
da criação de búfalos com bases nas suas características e vantagens competitivas, adaptação ao
ambiente natural e seus produtos que atendem nos novos anseios do mercado consumidor, que é
a saúde.
7
Artigo, “O Búfalo Parou”, de Jose Vicente Ferraz, retrata a situação dos búfalos no Brasil nos últimos 10 anos e analisa a
produção de carne, que não aumentou, e a produção de leite, que diminuiu.
8
Citado pelo Ministério da Agricultura, C.N.P.L., A criação de Búfalos Para Fomento da Produção Leiteira na Amazônia, Rio de
Janeiro, 1958;
9
Ray e Mugdal, , Rúmen Metabalism Studies in Cattle and Buffalo. Anais do XVI International Dairy Congress. Vol A.
Conpenhage. 1962.
Brehm, C.L, Tierleben, VolI. Leipzig, Alemanha, 1893.
40
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Para aprofundar a analise sobre o desenvolvimento de criação de búfalos com objetivos
de atender a demanda de mercado que exige a preservação do meio ambiente e a conservação
dos recursos naturais, alem de um produto diferenciado. Para isto consideramos os princípios da
agroecologia como base para os sistemas de produção e a legislação dos alimentos orgânicos
como base legal para a expansão de mercado, com os conceitos dos sistemas de garantias e
avaliação da conformidade.
Os princípios da Agroecologia
O vocábulo agroecologia nasceu na década de 1970 com o significado de uma ciência
multidisciplinar com princípios aplicáveis na organização social e na introdução e manutenção
de novas formas de relacionamento da sociedade com a natureza. A Agroecologia propõe o
rompimento da ciência reducionista, incorporando e validando os conhecimentos tradicionais,
cotidianos, a dúvida, a incerteza e a complexidade dos fenômenos naturais. A Agroecologia é
uma ciência objetivando a sustentabilidade ecológica, econômica, social, cultural, política e
ética.
A Agroecologia é importante pelas praticas na dinâmica da natureza aí incluída a
restauração do solo, sem o uso de fertilizantes químicos, e a abolição dos produtos agrotóxicos
para o controle das pragas e doenças. Dentre suas preocupações incluem-se a preservação dos
recursos hídricos, da vida silvestre e dos ecossistemas naturais, ao mesmo tempo, garantindo a
segurança alimentar. A agricultura orgânica, a agricultura natural, a biodinâmica, assim como a
agrofloresta e outros conceitos estão inseridos no universo da Agroecologia.
A atividade de produção agroecológica pode definir a relação entre o desempenho
financeiro e o ambiental. A relação entre a unidade de valor do produto e/ou do serviço
ambiental com o impacto ambiental provocado representa o resultado final da eficiência
ecológica do sistema. Além dos indicadores econômicos de produção, volume de vendas,
participação no PIB, faturamento bruto, receita liquida, lucro operacional, valor agregado e
tributos; os indicadores ambientais de um sistema orgânico de produção podem incluir o
consumo de energia, por tipo de combustível utilizado, pela fonte energética (renovável ou não),
pelas emissões de gases e pelo beneficio econômico gerado. O consumo de recursos naturais
(hídricos, florestais e minerais) indica a eficiência ecológica do sistema, refletido no uso do solo
que contribui para a conservação da biodiversidade, na fonte (renovável) e uso da água.
Os produtos oriundos de sistemas agroecológicos de produção podem atender as
expectativas de consumidores que exigem alimentos provenientes de sistemas que respeitaram as
questões relacionadas com o bem estar animal e o manejo adotado. Todos estes com o objetivo
de garantir uma qualidade superior através de processos de controle, rastreabilidade, certificação,
informação no rotulo, mensagem ao consumidor, etc.
O principal objetivo é criar sistemas de produção sustentáveis e integrados sob os
aspectos ambientais, econômicos e humanos que potencialize os recursos renováveis originados
na fazenda e o manejo de processos biológicos, ecológicos e suas interações, de modo a fornecer
níveis aceitáveis de nutrição humana, vegetal e animal, proteção contra pragas e doenças e
retorno apropriado para os recursos humanos e outros recursos empregados no processo
produtivo. (Souza, 1998).
Legislação da Produção Orgânica do Brasil
A legislação da agricultura orgânica no Brasil tem como marco inicial a Instrução
Normativa número 007 publicada em 17 de maio de 1999. A instrução 007 define os conceitos
iniciais para a posterior construção do Projeto Lei:
“Estabelece as normas de produção, tipificação, processamento, envasse, distribuição,
identificação e de certificação da qualidade para os produtos orgânicos de origem
vegetal e animal.”
41
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
O Projeto de Lei 659, publicado em julho de 2000, descreve o conceito de produto
orgânico de forma mais ampla e define o seguinte:
“Considera-se sistema orgânico de produção agropecuária todo aquele em que se
adotam técnicas específicas, mediante a otimização do uso dos recursos naturais e
socioeconômicos disponíveis, tendo por objetivo a sustentabilidade econômica e ecológica, a
maximização dos benefícios sociais, a minimização ou a eliminação da dependência de
energia não-renovável
e de insumos sintéticos e a proteção do meio ambiente.”
A Lei 10.831, publicada em 23 de dezembro de 2003, descreve detalhadamente os
conceitos que vão reger a agricultura orgânica no Brasil. A Lei demonstra um conceito bem mais
abrangente, incluindo os aspectos de responsabilidade social, ambiental e econômico.
“Considera-se sistema orgânico de produção agropecuária todo aquele em que se
adotam técnicas específicas, mediante a otimização do uso dos recursos naturais e
socioeconômicos disponíveis e o respeito à integridade cultural das comunidades rurais, tendo
por objetivo a sustentabilidade econômica e ecológica, a maximização dos benefícios sociais, a
minimização
da dependência de energia não-renovável, empregando, sempre que possível, métodos
culturais, biológicos e mecânicos, em contraposição ao uso de materiais sintéticos, a
eliminação do uso de organismos geneticamente modificados e radiações ionizantes, em
qualquer fase do processo de produção, processamento, armazenamento, distribuição e
comercialização, e a proteção do meio ambiente.”
Decreto 6.232: regulamenta a Lei 10.831.
Capitulo 2, artigo 3º, diretrizes:
I - contribuição da rede de produção orgânica ao desenvolvimento local, social e econômico
sustentáveis;
II - manutenção de esforços contínuos da rede de produção orgânica no cumprimento da
legislação ambiental e trabalhista pertinentes na unidade de produção, considerada na sua
totalidade;
III - desenvolvimento de sistemas agropecuários baseados em recursos renováveis e
organizados localmente;
IV - incentivo à integração da rede de produção orgânica e à regionalização da produção e
comércio dos produtos, estimulando a relação direta entre o produtor e o consumidor final;
V - inclusão de práticas sustentáveis em todo o seu processo, desde a escolha do produto a ser
cultivado até sua colocação no mercado, incluindo o manejo dos sistemas de produção e dos
resíduos gerados;
VI - preservação da diversidade biológica dos ecossistemas naturais e a recomposição ou
incremento da diversidade biológica dos ecossistemas modificados em que se insere o sistema
de produção, com especial atenção às espécies ameaçadas de extinção;
VII - relações de trabalho baseadas no tratamento com justiça, dignidade e eqüidade,
independentemente das formas de contrato de trabalho;
VIII - consumo responsável, comércio justo e solidário baseados em procedimentos éticos;
IX - oferta de produtos saudáveis, isentos de contaminantes, oriundos do emprego intencional
de produtos e processos que possam gerá-los e que ponham em risco o meio ambiente e a
saúde do produtor, do trabalhador ou do consumidor;
X - uso de boas práticas de manuseio e processamento com o propósito de manter a
integridade orgânica e as qualidades vitais do produto em todas as etapas;
XI - adoção de práticas na unidade de produção que contemplem o uso saudável do solo, da
água e do ar, de modo a reduzir ao mínimo todas as formas de contaminação e desperdícios
desses elementos;
42
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
XII - utilização de práticas de manejo produtivo que preservem as condições de bem-estar dos
animais;
XIII - incremento dos meios necessários ao desenvolvimento e equilíbrio da atividade
biológica do solo;
XIV - emprego de produtos e processos que mantenham ou incrementem a fertilidade do solo
em longo prazo;
XV - reciclagem de resíduos de origem orgânica, reduzindo ao mínimo o emprego de recursos
não-renováveis; e
XVI - conversão progressiva de toda a unidade de produção para o sistema orgânico.
Boas práticas de produção pecuária
As Boas Práticas de Produção Pecuária aplicáveis aos criatórios de Búfalos, é descrita
pelo Manual que consta no anexo III, da Instrução Normativa que trata da produção vegetal e
produção animal. O resumo é apresentado a seguir:
MANUAL DE BOAS PRÁTICAS DA PRODUÇÃO ORGÂNICA ANIMAL –
DIRETRIZES
Objetivo - Definir o código de boas práticas a ser adotado na produção orgânica animal.
FUNDAMENTOS DA PRODUÇÃO ORGÂNICA ANIMAL
1. Os animais deverão provir de unidades de produção orgânicas, prioritariamente autosuficientes quanto à geração de alimentos, em processo integrado com a produção vegetal.
2. Para efetivação da sustentabilidade, os sistemas de produção orgânica animal deverão
obedecer aos requisitos:
I. manutenção da higiene em todo o processo da produção de acordo com o previsto nos
regulamentos técnicos sanitários vigentes;
II. adoção de técnicas sanitárias preventivas e/ou com a utilização de produtos previstos nos
regulamentos técnicos;
III. oferta de alimentação nutritiva, sadia e farta, incluindo-se água. Fica restrito o uso de
aditivos sintéticos.
IV. construção de instalações higiênicas, funcionais e confortáveis;
V. promoção da conservação de água e solo, assim como um manejo capaz de maximizar uma
produção de alimentos de alta qualidade;
VI. utilização de melhoramento genético que vise conferir adaptabilidade às condições
ambientais locais;
VII.destinação de resíduos da produção de forma ambientalmente sustentável.
NUTRIÇÃO NO SISTEMA DE PRODUÇÃO ANIMAL ORGÂNICO
1. A nutrição nos sistemas de produção animal orgânico deverá assegurar uma alimentação
balanceada aos animais, correspondente à sua fisiologia e comportamento próprio.
2. A produção de volumosos deverá ser suficiente para alimentar o rebanho durante todo o
ano, e a produção de concentrados suficiente para diminuir ou eliminar a dependência
externa de alimentos.
3. As pastagens deverão ter diversificação de espécies forrageiras, associação de gramíneas e
leguminosas, espécies arbóreas e arbustivas.
DOS CRIATÓRIOS E INSTALAÇÕES
1. O criatório e suas instalações deverão suprir as necessidades de higiene, conforto,
funcionalidade e saúde dos animais com espaço suficiente para as necessidades biológicas
e do comportamento natural da espécie.
2. As instalações deverão ser adequadas a cada criação, no tocante à insolação, refrigeração,
calefação, iluminação e ventilação natural, fácil acesso à água e alimentos;
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
I. seu projeto e construção deverão garantir a circulação de ar, umidade relativa e
concentração de gases dentro de limites que não prejudiquem a saúde ou para que não
ocorram situações de estresse, preservando o bem estar;
II. as instalações deverão ser construídas de forma a permitir uma higienização adequada,
vislumbrando as normas de biosegurança para a espécie animal a ser criada, para que seja
garantida a saúde dos animais.
SISTEMAS E PRÁTICAS DE MANEJO ORGÂNICO
As práticas de criação deverão garantir o bem-estar animal, aliando produtividade aos
princípios agroecológicos.
1. O alojamento dos animais deverá sempre levar em conta a densidade (incluir no glossário),
considerando fatores como espécie, raça, tamanho ou peso, sexo e idade.
2. A criação de animais a pasto deverá ser, preferencialmente, em sistema de rotação racional,
respeitando um limite máximo de densidade que não promova a degradação da pastagem e
não comprometa o desempenho animal.
3. Na escolha das raças deverá ser levada em conta a produtividade, a adaptação às condições
locais e a preservação do patrimônio genético nacional.
4. Sempre que as condições permitam, deverá ser promovida a diversificação das espécies
desde que não traga prejuízos à saúde das mesmas e colabore com o incremento da
produção.
5. A unidade de produção orgânica deverá ter registro de todos os animais e o devido controle
zootécnico da produção, assim como das práticas de manejo, das áreas de produção animal,
dos insumos utilizados e da saída.
6. Deverão ser utilizados, preferencialmente, métodos naturais de reprodução.
SANIDADE ANIMAL
1. Os cuidados com a saúde dos animais na produção pecuária orgânica deverão basear-se
nos seguintes princípios:
I. escolha de raças apropriadas, adaptadas e resistentes;
II. manejo apropriado às necessidades de cada espécie e raça animal, favorecendo
resistência a doenças e prevenção a infecções;
III. fornecimento de dieta isenta de contaminantes que atenda às exigências nutricionais;
IV. acesso a pastos ou áreas livres;
V. assegurar densidade que permita o bem estar animal.
2. Os medicamentos utilizados para tratamento de qualquer enfermidade inerente ao processo
produtivo deverão ter, preferencialmente, origem orgânica.
Sistemas de garantia
As legislações relacionadas aos alimentos esta, cada vez mais, baseada em exigências
quanto ás garantias de segurança do alimento e sua qualidade, visando atender o consumidor
final da melhor forma possível.
Considerando o trabalho desenvolvido por Medaets e Fonseca (2005), nas abordagens
sobre a regulamentação nacional e internacional da produção orgânica, os sistemas de garantias
devem estar balizados por uma Avaliação da Conformidade. Essa forma prioriza a qualidade do
processo e do produto final e os princípios da auditoria de qualidade representa um instrumento
fundamental.
Mills (1994) conceitua o Sistema de Qualidade como ¨a documentação e implementação
de todas as atividades que tem alguma relação com a qualidade do produto, serviço ou processo
fornecido pela organização.¨ O autor, citado por Metaeds e Fonseca (2005), estabelece uma
tipologia na qual descreve um conjunto de auditorias externas (inclui as certificações) e um
conjunto de auditorias internas (inclui as inspeções). No primeiro conjunto, insere Certificação
de sistemas em que se audita o Sistema de Qualidade de uma organização com referencia a
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
normas nacionais e internacionais emitindo-se o registro ou homologação para os diferentes
programas; e a Certificação de produto, onde se inspecionam e testam os itens produzidos. Os
atributos ou características inspecionados e testados, os procedimentos ou métodos, bem como a
periodicidade de inspeção e teste, são geralmente definidos na norma do produto. E, por fim, a
certificação do processo tem as mesmas características daquela realizada para os produtos, sendo
que seu objeto é a avaliação das instalações e procedimentos. (METAEDS e FONSECA, 2005).
Avaliação da conformidade
A avaliação da conformidade pode ser representada pelo principio de padrões da
International Organisation dor Standardisation (ISO), que define padrão como: ¨acordos
documentados contendo especificações técnicas ou outros critérios precisos para serem usados
como regras, guias, ou definições de características, para assegurar que materiais, produtos,
processos e serviços estejam adequados aos seus propósitos¨. (MEDAETS e FONSECA, 2005).
O processo de certificação das unidades produtoras (individuais ou em grupo de
pequenos produtores) e de acreditação dos organismos de certificação, segue os moldes já
consagrados internacionalmente (Codex Alimentarius e IFOAM), com adaptações as realidades
nacionais de clima, geografia e tecnologia disponível.
De acordo com o ISO/IEC Guide 2, General Terms and Definitions Concerning
Standardization and Related Activities, as avaliações de conformidade são ¨todas as atividades
utilizadas para se determinar direta ou indiretamente que requerimentos específicos estão sendo
preenchidos¨. A avaliação da conformidade pode ser aplicada através de alguns instrumentos
individuais ou combinando os instrumentos. De acordo com quadro desenvolvido por Metaets
(2003), os instrumentos são: testes, declaração de conformidade do fornecedor, auto-avaliações,
avaliações por segunda parte, inspeção, certificação, acreditação e acordos de reconhecimento
mútuo.
Pecuária sustentável
A Produção Animal Sustentável, com bases em sistemas orgânicos de produção, é um
processo de tempo transcorrido entre o início do manejo orgânico e a certificação das culturas ou
plantéis, conhecido como período de conversão. O período de conversão é necessário à
implantação de um sistema de manejo orgânico, à construção de uma relação de equilíbrio entre
a produção animal e vegetal e à capacitação dos operadores. Esse período de conversão,
entretanto, nem sempre é suficiente para melhorar a fertilidade do solo e re-estabelecer o
equilíbrio do ecossistema; porém é o período em que são praticadas todas as ações necessárias
para atingir estas metas.
Para que um agroecossistema possa funcionar satisfatoriamente, a densidade de culturas e
animais deve ser organizada de forma que todos elementos de um sistema de produção possam
interagir.
A conversão será atingida depois de determinado tempo, podendo ser efetuada
gradativamente em toda a unidade produtiva, com a introdução gradual das práticas orgânicas,
ou pela aplicação dos princípios orgânicos a somente uma parte da unidade produtiva
primeiramente. O manejo de todas as lavouras e animais deve ser convertido para o sistema
orgânico durante o período de conversão, que será definido conforme o uso anterior da unidade
de produção, o contexto ecológico e suas implicações e a experiência dos envolvidos no
processo.
A transição para o manejo orgânico deverá ser cuidadosamente planejada. Se necessário
este planejamento poderá ser atualizado e incluir todos os aspectos relevantes do processo. Os
controles dos órgãos certificadores oficiais devem atestar os procedimentos da conversão,
conforme todos os parâmetros relativos ao “conjunto” da propriedade.
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Os produtos orgânicos de origem animal têm por princípio o bem-estar, que consiste em
permitir, em condições de manejo produtivo, os animais serem livres de dor, sofrimento,
angústia e de viver em um ambiente em que possa expressar proximidade com o comportamento
de seu habitat original: movimentação, território definido, vadiagem, descanso e ritual
reprodutivo. Devem provir de unidades de produção, prioritariamente auto-suficientes quanto à
geração de alimentos para os animais em processo integrado com a produção vegetal. Para a
efetivação da sustentabilidade, esses sistemas devem obedecer aos seguintes requisitos:
a) Manter um nível higiênico em todo o processo criatório, compatível com as normas de
saúde pública vigentes;
b) Adotar técnicas sanitárias preventivas sem o emprego de produtos proibidos;
c) Garantir uma alimentação, nutritiva, sadia e farta, incluindo-se a água, sem a presença de
aditivos químicos;
d) Dispor de instalações higiênicas, funcionais e confortáveis;
e) Praticar um manejo capaz de maximizar uma produção de alta qualidade biológica e
econômica; e
f) Utilizar raças adaptadas, seus cruzamentos e o melhoramento genético adequado ás
condições ambientais e como estímulo à biodiversidade.
Nutrição no sistema de produção animal orgânico
Princípios gerais
Deve se assegurar uma alimentação balanceada aos animais, correspondente a sua fisiologia
e comportamento próprio. Na formação e manejo das pastagens e capineiras e na produção
de silagem e feno devem ser seguidos os princípios de produção orgânica.
Recomendações
a) É recomendado que a produção de volumosos seja suficiente para alimentar o rebanho
durante todo o ano, e a produção de concentrados também em volumes suficientes, para
diminuir ou eliminar a dependência externa de alimentos;
b) A alimentação diária de herbívoros deve constar em maior quantidade de forragens,
silagens e vegetais frescos em relação à matéria seca;
Normas
a) Os ingredientes de origem mineral, oligoelementos, vitaminas e provitaminas só podem ser
utilizados se provenientes de fontes naturais; em caso de escassez ou em circunstâncias
excepcionais poderá usar substâncias químicas análogas, desde que bem definidas e por
prazo determinado a critério da Comissão Estadual;
b) Todos os sistemas de criação devem fornecer o nível ótimo de 100% de alimentação
orgânica em condições especiais será permitido o uso de até 5% de Matéria Seca total
fornecida aos animais de alimentos convencionais mediante a autorização do Órgão
Certificador Oficial.
c) No período de conversão do sistema, é permitida a aquisição de alimentos não certificados
orgânicos, equivalente até 20% e 15% do total da matéria seca de alimentos para animais
monogástricos e para animais ruminantes, respectivamente.
d) Não devem ser fornecidos alimentos de origem animal, com exceção de leite, produtos
lácteos, farinha de ostra e ossos calcinados.
e) Não devem ser utilizados nitrogênio sintético e compostos não protéicos de nitrogênio
f) É permitido o uso de suplementos, desde que os seus componentes não sejam preparados
com solventes ou tratamentos químicos. Podem ser utilizados: sal marinho e sal de rocha.
g) Todos os animais devem ter amplo acesso à água de boa qualidade e isenta de agentes
químicos e biológicos que possam comprometer a saúde e vigor dos animais, a qualidade
dos produtos e os recursos naturais, de acordo com os parâmetros especificados pela
legislação vigente;
h) Alimentação forçada é proibida.
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i) Os mamíferos jovens devem ser amamentados pela mãe ou por fêmea substituta, ou na
impossibilidade do aleitamento natural, é permitido o uso de alimentação artificial desde
que com leite da mesma espécie animal.
j) São permitidos apenas os aditivos provenientes de fontes naturais. Podem ser utilizados
como suplementos soro, açúcar ou produtos derivados tais como melaço e mel oriundos de
produção orgânica.
k) Não devem ser utilizados aditivos antibióticos como promotores de crescimento.
l) Os aditivos e coadjuvantes de fabricação não poderão ser derivados de organismos
geneticamente modificados ou submetidos à engenharia genética.
m) Podem ser utilizadas como aditivos na produção de silagem, bactérias lácticas, acéticas,
fórmicas e propiônicas ou seu produto natural ácido, quando as condições não permitam a
fermentação natural, com necessidade de autorização do órgão certificador oficial;
Criatórios e instalações
O criatório e suas instalações devem cumprir com as necessidades de higiene, conforto,
funcionalidade e saúde dos animais com espaço suficiente para o desenvolvimento das
necessidades biológicas e do comportamento natural da espécie.
Recomendações
a) As instalações devem ser adequadas a cada criação, no tocante à insolação, refrigeração,
calefação, iluminação e ventilação natural, fácil acesso à água e alimentos sempre que o
desejarem e garantir a circulação de ar, umidade relativa e concentração de gases dentro de
limites que não prejudiquem a saúde ou para que não ocorram situações de estresse;
b) A instalação deve ser construída de forma que seja permitida sua completa higienização
vislumbrando as normas de biossegurança para a espécie animal a ser criada, para que
dessa forma seja garantida a saúde do plantel.
c) Recomenda-se que os pastos tenham diversificação de espécies forrageiras e associação de
gramíneas e leguminosas para proporcionar uma fonte variada de nutrientes, além da
presença de árvores e arbustos para proteger o solo da erosão, quebra-vento, sombreamento
e proteção dos animais;
Princípios do bem estar animal
No conceito do bem estar animal os animais, tem direitos a cinco liberdades; livre de
sede, fome e subnutrição; livre de desconforto; livre de dor, injúria e doença; livre para expressar
comportamento normal e livre de estresse e medo.
De acordo com Broom (1986):
BEM ESTAR é o estado do organismo durante suas tentativas de se ajustar ao seu meio
ambiente.
Sabendo estes conceitos, devemos direcionar a seleção de nossos animais, entre outras
características, para adaptabilidade ao meio associado ao potencial produtivo.
Na pecuária comercial deseja-se o máximo de produtividade ao menor custo possível.
Uma vez que a lucratividade = renda bruta – custos totais, ou ainda, produtividade =
faturamento/custos, quanto menos for necessário investir na manutenção de animais e / ou
instalações onerosos, melhor vai ser o rendimento no final do ciclo produtivo.
Nos sistemas intensivos de produção animal, ocorrem mudanças ambientais significativas
pela alta quantidade de dejeções concentradas em determinados espaços. Além disto, há outras
conseqüências: menor produtividade, aumento da agressividade, vícios comportamentais,
doenças, transtornos reprodutivos, expectativa de vida reduzida, menor habilidade para crescer e
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reproduzir-se, traumatismos e lesões físicas e imunossupressão.
Manejo geral
No manejo com os animais, os tratadores têm que ter muita calma e paciência para lidar
com os animais. Do contrário eles tendem a ficarem assustados e dificilmente colaborarão com
aquilo que se deseja deles. Animais que tiveram pouco contato com humanos ou que em contatos
anteriores tenham ocorrido situações traumáticas, têm menor tendência a colaborar. Nessas
situações é que a calma e o cuidado devem ser redobrados no manejo.
De modo geral os técnicos e criadores só se preocupam em selecionar animais de
produção baseados em índices de produtividade, ganho de peso, etc. A seleção genética por
temperamento é de grande importância, pois é um fator transmissível entre gerações e que pode
ser de grande importância, uma vez que animais mais dóceis se estressam e machucam menos e
como conseqüência disto há menos perdas no abatedouro por lesões e manchas nas carcaças,
além de obter-se uma carne mais dura. Animais agressivos têm uma média de 10-14% a menos
no ganho de peso.
Os animais possuem o chamado PONTO DE BALANÇO, que é um ponto que passa
perpendicular à escápula do animal, logo atrás do ombro, e que pode ser usado para estimular a
movimentação do animal na direção que se deseja.
Para estimular a locomoção do animal usando o ponto de balanço, temos que conhecer o
conceito de ZONA DE FUGA, que é uma área em torno do animal, que ele considera como sendo
uma extensão de seu próprio corpo. Se invadirmos essa região, ele se afasta e se essa invasão
persistir, ele foge se for possível ou vira-se e encara quem está ameaçando-o e se for necessário o
ataca, mesmo que seja maior do que ele.
Nos animais gregários, outro método de defesa é o agrupamento ao menor sinal de
ameaça. Nestes animais há um forte instinto de seguir o líder do rebanho.
Manejo genético
Para o desenvolvimento de um empreendimento com objetivos de atuar no setor da
produção animal, mas precisamente, na área de genética animal, é fundamental um entendimento
sobre os princípios e premissas técnicas que norteiam a área de atuação.
O manejo genético deve seguir a diretriz da utilização de raças e animais com níveis
de rusticidade e resistência e, principalmente, com Adaptabilidade ao meio ambiente
local.O uso de raça apropriadas as condições locais é fundamental para obter os resultados
esperados.
O manejo da reprodução e a seleção e melhoramento genético, são responsáveis pelo
êxito nos acasalamentos e respectivos ganho genético obtidos com os novos produtos, ou seja, é
através das técnicas utilizadas que pode-se obter ganhos ou mesmo, ter perdas.
Manejo sanitário
No aspecto sanitário, a prevenção é a melhor medida a ser adotada.
A maneira de evitar ao máximo problemas dessa natureza e despesas desnecessárias e
escolher animais resistentes e adaptados ao meio em que estarão inseridos.
A alimentação adequada também auxilia para conferir-lhes resistência e imunidade. É
importante fornecer alimentos de alto valor biológico de modo que o organismo tem condições
de elaborar suas próprias defesas e estas serem quantitativa e qualitativamente eficientes. A
rotação de pastagens, seja qual for a metodologia (Voisin, Manejão, Rotacionado simples),
contribui não só na conservação do solo, como também na quebra do ciclo de parasitos de
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importância econômica dos rebanhos, como: carrapatos, mosca-do chifre, vermes intestinais, etc.
Caso seja necessário medicar os animais, as terapêuticas a serem empregadas são
preferencialmente Homeopatia, Fitoterapia e/ou Acupuntura. Outras terapêuticas não
convencionais também podem ser usadas. Medicamentos convencionais são de uso restrito a
situações nas quais ocorra risco de morte do animal e não haja disponibilidade de métodos
permitidos ou já tenham sido tentados sem sucesso.
Caso os animais medicados sejam certificados, a certificadora deverá ser comunicada por
escrito do fato ocorrido e os animais medicados deverão aguardar um período de carência, sob
quarentena, até poderem recuperar sua condição de orgânicos ou biodinâmicos. Essa quarentena
deverá ser o dobro do tempo da carência especificada na bula do medicamento. Se algum animal
ou lote tiver 3 ou mais incidências de medicação com drogas convencionais, eles perderão sua
condição de certificados orgânicos ou biodinâmicos.
Nos manejos de produção animal agroecológicos, as questões dos tratamentos sanitários
preventivos ou curativos esbarram no impedimento da utilização de métodos convencionais
disponíveis no mercado e com os quais os técnicos, produtores e tratadores estão bastante
habituados.
O uso de antibióticos, antiinflamatórios esteróides e não esteróides, vitaminas sintéticas,
antiparasitários e outros medicamentos, só deverão ser empregados em propriedades orgânicas
ou biodinâmicas em caso de impossibilidade de acesso às outras terapêuticas permitidas, no caso
de já terem sido usadas sem resultados satisfatórios e o animal ou animais correm risco de morte.
Hormônios e produtos derivados de organismos geneticamente modificados não serão tolerados,
e as vacinações que forem obrigatórias por lei deverão ser aplicadas, assim como vacinações
contra problemas sanitários regionais.
O uso de terapias não convencionais para animais, principalmente de produção, ainda se
encontra engatinhando em nosso meio e até mesmo encontrar profissionais que realmente
dominem essas maneiras de tratar ainda não é muito fácil.
Já a Homeopatia e a Fitoterapia podem ser administradas pelo produtor ou tratador sob
orientação à distância, de um Médico Veterinário Homeopata e Fitoterapeuta. Para as
propriedades leiteiras os exames de brucelose e tuberculose anuais são obrigatórios.
Manejo nutricional
Os pastos e culturas destinadas à alimentação animal devem ser cultivados de forma
orgânica ou biodinâmica. A rotação de pastagens é um manejo muito eficiente na quebra do ciclo
de vida de endo e ectoparasitos, além de descansar o solo e plantas do pisoteio intenso dos
animais e uniformizar a distribuição de esterco nos piquetes.
Há o círculo Adubo Æ Solo Æ Planta Æ Animal, que é denominado de RECICLAGEM.
A consorciação de leguminosas nas pastagens e a distribuição adequada do esterco
colaboram na conservação e aumento de fertilidade do solo. Outro aspecto importante é avaliar
corretamente a capacidade de suporte da propriedade, pois nesses sistemas de produção, as
entradas de alimentos de outras procedências especialmente se forem convencionais, é limitada a
certas quantidades de acordo com o tipo de criação animal.
Podem ser adquiridos animais de origem convencional e após ingressarem na
propriedade, eles devem entrar em um período de conversão que varia de acordo com o tipo de
alimento que ele produzirá. Os períodos de conversão para que os animais convencionais possam
ser considerados orgânicos são:
• Bovinos de Corte: já devem nascer sob manejo orgânico e as matrizes devem estar
sendo manejadas organicamente no mínimo nos últimos 90 dias da gestação
• Animais leiteiros: 6 meses de manejo orgânico
São proibidos animais oriundos de transplante de embriões e OGMs.
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A renovação do rebanho (matrizes) com animais de fora deverá ser no máximo de 10%
para bovinos e de até 20% para suínos e pequenos ruminantes. A não ser em casos de catástrofes
naturais, alguma enfermidade que cause a morte de número significativo de animais ou expansão
do rebanho além da capacidade de autocrescimento.
Devem-se atender as necessidades de espaço, movimentação, abrigo de sol, ventos e frio,
acesso à água e alimento e manifestação de comportamento próprio de cada espécie, com o
objetivo de diminuir o estresse ao máximo. O estudo do comportamento animal recebe o nome
de ETOLOGIA.
Bovinos e Bubalinos
≤ 100kg
> 100kg
Vacas leiteiras
Touros reprodutores
Pequenos ruminantes
Área cobertura (m²)./cabeça)
1,5
1,5 m²/100kg p.v
6
10
1,5 m²/adulto
0,35 m²/jovem
Área (m² /cabeça) exceto pastagens
1,1
Mínimo 1 m²/100kg p.v.
4,5
30
2,5 m²/adulto
2,0 m²/jovem
As regras gerais de alimentação para as diferentes espécies de animais são as seguintes:
• RUMINANTES:
− Fornecer no máximo 10% de alimentos convencionais e 0% de transgênicos ao longo
de 12 meses
− Pode fornecer até 25% de alimentos convencionais e 0% de transgênicos em períodos
concentrados de tempo (3-4 meses), desde que não ultrapasse a média de 10% no
período de 12 meses.
− Diversificar a dieta ao máximo com pastagens, capineiras, banco de proteínas,
tubérculos, feno, silagem, restos de hortas, etc.
− O uso de tortas, polpas e farelos é permitido desde que seja feito um controle de
origem e que não sejam comprovadamente de oriundas de culturas transgênicas
− São proibidos: derivados de origem animal (cama de frango, resíduo de matadouros,
farinha de ossos) exceto derivados de peixes e crustáceos
− Animais lactentes devem mamar no mínimo até 90 dias para bovinos e bubalinos e 45
dias para caprinos e ovinos.
− O volumoso deve representar pelo menos 60% da dieta diária, para vacas em lactação
durante o 1º trimestre, pode ser uma porcentagem de 50% da dieta diária.
IDENTIFICAÇÃO DOS ANIMAIS E POA (Produtos de Origem Animal)
Os dados de controle zootécnico dos animais que são abatidos devem acompanhar a
documentação que é encaminhada ao matadouro, tal como procedência, tipo de manejo, peso,
idade, sexo, tipo de alimentação, etc. Os POAs também devem ter uma identificação que
identifique a origem de matéria prima, metodologia de processamento, lote, data de
processamento, etc. Este procedimento garante a localização de um eventual problema em
qualquer etapa do processamento.
A esse conjunto de dados que permitem identificar todas as etapas do processo produtivo,
denomina-se RASTREABILIDADE. Atualmente está muito em moda falar sobre rastreabilidade,
no entanto, é uma prática amplamente difundida nas produções orgânica e biodinâmica, porque
através delas podemos identificar todas as etapas do processo produtivo e garantir a procedência
dos produtos, principalmente os certificados.
Transporte e abate
Durante estes processos devem-se minimizar ao máximo as causas de estresse aos
animais. No procedimento de transporte observar a distância até o destino, o meio de transporte
50
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adequado para cada categoria e espécie animal, fornecimento de água e comida durante longos
percursos, temperatura ambiental durante o translado e lotação adequada do veículo.
No matadouro, evitar que animais vivos tenham qualquer tipo de contato com animais
abatidos, a insensibilização por dióxido de carbono é proibida, assim como abates lentos e
ritualísticos e não conduzir os animais com agulhões ou bastões elétricos.
Os animais destinados a consumo humano devem ser abatidos seguindo procedimentos
técnicos e científicos que garantam seu bem estar desde o embarque na propriedade até a
operação de sangria no matadouro. A estes cuidados nesta etapa da produção animal denominase: ABATE HUMANITÁRIO.
Os cuidados que devem ser tomados no embarque e desembarque dos animais deve ser
em relação às rampas, que não devem ter mais que 20º de inclinação para ruminantes e
preferencialmente retas para suínos. O chão deve ser de material antiderrapante ou com
pequenos degraus que impeçam que os animais escorreguem.
Tomar cuidado para evitar que portões, cercas e grades não apresentem pontas ou
saliências agudas que traumatizem os animais durante sua movimentação.
Durante o transporte os principais fatores de estresse são o medo e a dor, além de mau manejo,
contenção inadequada, restrições de alimento e água, exposição a temperaturas extremas e lesões.
De acordo com a distância a ser percorrida, deve-se planejar a viagem para horários em
que a temperatura não seja muito elevada principalmente no verão, além de paradas periódicas
para alimentar e oferecer água para os animais. O ideal é que o local de abate seja no máximo a
200 km de distância do local de embarque.
Sob estresse o comportamento dos animais costuma manifestar-se por tentativa de fuga,
vocalizações, escoicear e debater-se.
As benfeitorias devem ser planejadas e dimensionadas de modo a que dêem segurança,
conforto e sejam de fácil limpeza. Para essa operação podem-se usar: permanganato de potássio,
cal, amoníaco, vapor, vassoura-de-fogo, cloro, hidróxido de sódio e de potássio. A luminosidade
natural deve ser priorizada, não pelo fato de não ter custo, como o Sol é um dos melhores
agentes desinfetantes que podemos ter.
Comentários finais
A adoção dos princípios da agroecologia, na produção de alimentos de origem animal
representa garantias para um alimento seguro e de qualidade superior. A criação de búfalos é
perfeitamente adequada á agroecologia e em atender a Lei número 10.831 que segue as diretrizes
da FAO e as normas dos mercados mais exigentes.
A possibilidade da produção de produtos, carne e leite de búfalos, representa uma
oportunidade na cadeia dos alimentos orgânicos e atendimento aos consumidores que desejam
uma alimentação saudável.
Bibliografia consultada
Batalha M.O. (Coordenador). Gestão Agroindustrial. In: GEPAI- Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas
Agroindustriais. Vol. 1. Editora Atlas S.A., São Paulo, (p.24-47), 1997....Input: Silva e Batalha.
BRASIL. Lei nº 10.831. Apostila – Anexo V – Produção Animal, dez., 2003.
BRASIL. Leis, decretos, etc. Lei nº 10.831 de 27 de novembro de 2003 do Congresso Nacional.
Diário Oficial da União, 24 de dezembro de 2003. (Dispõe sobre a agricultura orgânica e dá
outras providências).
BRASIL. Ministério da Agricultura. Regulamento da Inspeção Industrial e Sanitária de Produtos
de Origem Animal – RIISPOA. Decreto nº 30.691 de 29/03/52, alterado pelo Decreto nº 1255 de
25/06/62. Brasília – DF, 1980.
BRASIL. Ministério da Agricultura. Regulamento Técnico sobre as Condições HigiênicoSanitárias e de Boas Práticas de Fabricação. Lei nº 7889 de 23/11/89. Brasília, 1989.
51
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
BRASIL. Ministério de Estado da Agricultura e do Abastecimento. Instrução Normativa nº 007,
de 17 de maio de 1999. Agrosuisse. Ltda. (p.37-49).
BRASIL. Ministério de Estado da Agricultura, Desenvolvimento Rural e Pescas. Plano Nacional
para o Desenvolvimento da Agricultura Biológica (2004-2007). Resumo. Maio, 2004.
EMBRAPA. Agroecologia. Princípios e técnicas para uma agricultura orgânica sustentável.
Aquino, Adriana Maria de.; Assis, Renato Linhares de. (Editores Técnicos). Brasília, DF,
2005....In put: ap. 9, Agricultura Orgânica na União Européia, NEVES, MARIA CRISTINA
PRATA.
Fonseca, Maria Fernanda. A Institucionalização dos Mercados de Orgânicos no Mundo e no
Brasil: uma interpretação, Rio de Janeiro. UFRuralRJ. ICHS, 2005, 425 p., Tese de Doutorado
em Sociologia Rural.
Fonseca, Maria Fernanda. Certificação de sistemas de produção e processa mento de produtos
orgânicos de origem animal: história e perspectivas. Cadernos de Ciência & Tecnologia. Brasília,
v.19, nº 2, (p.267-297), maio/ago. 2002.
_______. A Institucionalização dos Mercados Orgânicos no mundo e no Brasil: uma
interpretação. Rio de Janeiro. UFRuralRJ: ICHS 2005.
_______. Alternative certification and ‘inspection’: a network conformity assessment approach.
IFOAM. Basic standards for organic production and processing. Tholey-Theley: 2002c. Disponível
em: <http://www.ifoam.org/standard/index_neu.html>. Acesso em: 25 de janeiro de 2004.
Instituto Biodinâmico de Desenvolvimento Rural. “Diretrizes para o padrão de qualidade
orgânico.” 15ª edição. Ano 2009.
ISO. The ISO survey of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certificates: eight cycle - 1999. Geneve,
2000b. Disponível em: <http://www.iso.ch/9000e/9k14k2.htm>. Acesso em: jan., 2002.
METAEDS, Jean Pierre. Produção orgânica: regulamentação nacional e internacional/Jean
Pierre Medaets, Maria Fernanda de A.C.Fonseca – Brasília: Ministério do Desenvolvimento
Agrário :NEAD, 2005.
Perfil do Brasil Orgânico – Resultados do Levantamento de Dados/Sebrae, RJ, 2004.
Ramos Filho, Fabio S.V. - Qualidade na Cadeia da Carne Bovina; O Caso da Carne Orgânica.
2006; 167 f.
Ramos Filho, Fabio S.V. Alimentos Orgânicos – Produção e Consumo, Agrosuisse Ltda., Publit
Soluções Editoriais, Rio de Janeiro, 2006.
Wilkinson, J. “Da Ditadura da Oferta a Democracia da Demanda, Orgânicos e Transgênicos no
Sistema Agroalimentar”, Teoria e Sociedade, out 2000.
Zylberstaijn, D. e Fava Neves, M. Econômica e Gestão dos Negócios Agroalimentares,
Capítulo I – “Conceitos Gerais, Evolução e Apresentação do Sistema Agroindustrial”,
Pioneira 2000, São Paulo.
Zylberstaijn, Decio. “Cinco Ensaios sobre Gestão de Qualidade no Agribusiness”. In: IX
Seminário Internacional PENSA de Agribusiness - A Gestão da Qualidade dos Alimentos,
setembro, 1999.
Artigos: Manejo Sustentável de Pastagens – Pastagem Ecológicauma alternativa racional para
a pecuária da Amazônia; Pastoreio Voisin e Pastagem Ecológica e Bases para uma Pecuária
Sustentável; Pastagens sustentáveis: um sonho possível, de Jurandir Melado:
http://www.fazendaecologica.com.br/news/news.asp?codigo=323
Demais consultas no período de março a maio de 2009
Lei no 10.831, de 23 de dezembro de 2003
Lei no 9.784, de 29 de janeiro de 1999
Decreto Nº6.323, de 27 de dezembro de 2007
http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/commodity/livestock/poultry/poultry+organic.htm
http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/February07/Findings/Organic.htm
www.planetaorganico.com.br.
52
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Buffalo production in India: An animal welfare perspective
S. Abdul Rahman
Retd. Dean, Veterinary College, Bangalore, India
Secretary, Commonwealth Veterinary Association
Abstract
India has 28% of the world’s large ruminants and with an annual milk production of 91
million tones ranks first in the world. India has 98 million buffaloes which are reared for milk or
draft purposes. Buffaloes form about 30 percent of the cattle population and contribute to about
52 percent of the total milk yield.
Buffaloes which are slaughtered for meat purposes, are spent animals from work or milk
production. There is no special breeding or feeding of animals for meat production, except by
export oriented plants. The per capita consumption of beef/buffalo in India is 2.8 kg. The current
production levels of buffalo meat are estimated at 1.5 million tonnes annually. Of this, about
24% is exported. The export of buffalo meat has increased from 176,328 MT in 1997-98 to
450,000 MT valued to US$ 500 million in 2007.
The handling, loading,transport and slaughter of animals has a great effect on the welfare
of animals. Thousands of animals are transported both legally and illegally throughout the
country and into neighbouring countries by trekking, trucks and trains in the most inhumane way
under primitive and cruel conditions.
At the slaughterhouse they are subjected to severe cruelty wherein they are killed in front
of other waiting animals and use of sharp sticks into the anus or vagina to force them on to the
slaughter platforms. Stunning has not been introduced and the slaughter houses are poorly
designed and unhygienic. Most of them are illegal.
Having envisaged a surge in meat consumption and also an increase in export of meat and
meat products in India, the production and slaughtering of animals is bound to compromise
animal welfare both during transport and at slaughter. Prompt measures need to be initiated by
Governments to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised in any way by controlling and
regulating the meat trade and by strictly enforcing the existing rules and regulations during
transport and slaughter of animals.
OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines on Land Transport and Slaughter of Animals for Human
Consumption need to be strictly implemented by the Governments. Animal Welfare
Organisations will have to play a key role in the education of the stakeholders in the proper
methods of animal welfare and act as pressure groups for the implementation of international
standards and guidelines of animal welfare.
Keywords: buffalo, animal welfare, transport, legislation, slaughter, animal production.
53
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
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Current knowledge on buffalo reproduction and challenges
for future research
Oswin Perera
B.M.A., Professor of Farm Animal Production and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
E-mail: [email protected]
Introduction
Research on buffalo reproduction up to the end of the last millennium was
comprehensively reviewed by Madan et al. (1996), Zicarelli (1997a) and Perera (1999).
Subsequent reviews on reproduction and reproductive technologies during the past decade
include those by Borghese (2005), Vale and Ribeiro (2005), Ohashi et al. (2006), Baruselli et al.
(2007a), Presicce (2007) and Perera (2008). Therefore, this paper will not attempt to
comprehensively review all aspects of buffalo reproduction. Its objective is to (a) critically
review selected areas that are important for practical applications, and (b) identify some of the
challenges that need to be addressed in the future.
Identifying challenges in research requires answers to the two questions: “research for
whom?” and “research to achieve what?” In my opinion, the answer to the first question is “the
buffalo farmer”, and to the second question is “to maximize productivity using the available
resources”. Therefore, before determining research priorities it is necessary to clearly
characterize the farming system that we are dealing with, and to identify the needs as well as
limitations of the farmers in that system. One way that this can be done is to use the farming
systems research approach, including participatory rural appraisal, so that farmers themselves
identify their problems and formulate potential solutions. Unfortunately, researchers often tend
to assume that they know best and formulate research programmes that they think are needed,
but then find that their research results are not relevant to, and therefore not adopted by, the
farmers who are the intended end-users.
A third question is, “what can be considered as optimum reproduction in buffalo?” The
answer to this depends on the farming system and what the farmer expects from his animals.
From a broad perspective, normal reproductive function in females involves: growing rapidly
from birth until puberty and attaining puberty at an early age; conceiving readily to a fertile
mating and producing a viable calf; producing adequate milk for the calf and more for sale;
returning to oestrus early during the postpartum period and conceiving; and continuing to
produce calves and milk at regular intervals over a long productive life. For breeding bulls, in
addition to rapid growth and early puberty, they must have: normal and well developed
reproductive organs; produce good quality semen with low percentage of abnormalities; have
good libido and be able to mount and serve females efficiently; and be free from transmissible
genetic defects or infectious diseases. If they are to be use in artificial insemination (AI), they
must also produce semen of excellent quality that has the ability to withstand freezing and
thawing.
Finally, it is necessary to ask the questions “what are the Critical Points in the above
events at which problems arise, and what do we know about these problems?”, and “what are the
Research Needs for filling the gaps in knowledge?” This paper will try to answer these two
questions under different aspects of reproduction in the buffalo.
Reproductive characteristics and fertility indices of buffalo
The main reproductive characteristics of buffalo, based on reports from various countries
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on river and swamp types under a wide range of management systems, are summarized in Table
1 (Perera, 2008).
Table 1.Summary of reproductive characteristics of buffalo (from Perera, 2008).
Parameter
Mean
Range
Age at puberty (months)
30
16-46
Weight at puberty (kg)
275
200-350
Length of oestrous cycle (days)
21
17-26
Length of oestrus (hr)
10
5-27
Time of ovulation:
34
24-48
− After onset of oestrus (hr)
14
6-21
− After end of oestrus (hr)
Length of gestation (days):
310
300-320
− River type
330
320-340
− Swamp type
Birth weight of calves (kg)
26
22-36
Involution of uterus (days)
30
25-35
In many farming systems, buffalo have low fertility (Jainudeen and Hafez, 1993; Barile,
2005; Borghese, 2005) manifested as late maturity, long postpartum anoestrus, poor expression
of oestrous signs, low conception rates (CR) and long calving intervals. However, they can have
good fertility, provided that genotypes are matched to the environment and they are managed and
fed properly, as shown by studies in Sri Lanka (Perera et al., 1987), Pakistan (Usmani et al.,
1990) and Brazil (Vale, 1996).
Table 2 summarizes the fertility indices or reproductive efficiency of buffalo that can be
achieved under optimum conditions, and the indices that can be considered ‘acceptable’ under
practical small-holder farming conditions in tropical countries (Perera, 1999).
Table 2. Fertility indices for buffalo under optimum conditions and suggested acceptable
performance under practical smallholder systems in tropics (from Perera, 1999).
Fertility Index
Optimum
Acceptable
Age at puberty (m)
< 30
< 36
Age at first calving (m)
< 42
< 48
Calving to first service (d)
< 60
< 90
Calving to conception (d)
< 85
< 115
Calving Interval (m)
13-14
14-15
First service conception rate (%)
> 55
> 50
Overall conception rate (%)
> 75
> 70
Calving rate (%)
> 70
> 65
Services per conception
< 1.8
< 2.0
Critical Points: There is high variation in reproductive efficiency of buffalo between different
farming systems in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Thus the values suggested in Table 2
will not be achievable under the more harsh environments where resources are severely
limited, but there are many smallholder systems which can readily achieve these targets
cost-effectively, through the use of appropriate genotypes, strategic changes in nutrition
and better reproductive management.
Research Needs: Within each farming system, define the most appropriate genotype and develop
55
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a package of management practices and interventions that will optimize reproductive
efficiency and overall productivity, using the available resources.
Female buffalo
Puberty and sexual maturity
The age at which buffalo heifers attain puberty is highly variable (Table 1), but this is usually
when they reach about 55-60 % of their adult body weight, which is around 200-300 kg for
swamp types and 250-350 kg for river types (Jainudeen and Hafez, 1993). Under favourable
conditions river types exhibit first oestrus at 15-18 months, while swamp types do so at 21-24
months (Borghese, 2005).
Critical Points: Delayed puberty is a common problem and is influenced by genotype, nutrition,
management, social environment, climate, year or season of birth and diseases.
Research Needs: Develop management practices and interventions that farmers can use to
achieve an acceptable age at puberty depending on the farming system.
Ovarian cycles and the follicular system
The duration of the oestrous cycle in buffalo is from 17-26 days with a mean of around
21 days (Jainudeen and Hafez, 1993) and, compared to cattle, is more variable with higher
incidence of both abnormally short and long cycles (Kaur and Arora, 1982; Nanda et al., 2003).
The duration of oestrus varies between 5-27 hr and ovulation occurs about 24-48 hr (mean 34 hr)
after onset of oestrus, or 6-21 hr (mean 14 hr) after the end of oestrus (Kanai et al., 1990; Perera,
1999). In Italian buffalo lengths of the oestrous cycle have been categorized by Zicarelli (1997a)
as short (<12 hr), medium (13-24 hr), long (24-48 hr) and very long (>48 hr), with a large
individual variation in duration of oestrus from 5 to 57 hours and ovulation occurring 55 hours
after the onset of oestrus.
The changes in progesterone and oestradiol-17β levels in blood during the oestrous cycle
are similar to those in cattle, but the peak concentrations are relatively lower (Dobson and
Kamonpatana, 1986; Perera et al., 1987; Singh et al., 2001; Avenell et al., 1985; Kanai et al.,
1990). Studies on Italian buffalo have shown no differences in the endocrine profiles of those
with overt and silent oestrus (Zicarelli, 1997a; Borghese, 2005). The temporal patterns of both
LH and FSH are basically similar to those in cattle (Avenell et al., 1985; Kanai et al., 1990), with
a preovulatory LH surge occurring on the day of oestrus and lasting 7-12 hr. In Italian buffalo
the interval from peak LH concentration to ovulation was 25±13 hr in animals that conceived to
AI and 46±18 hr in those that did not (Moioli et al., 1998).
The ovaries of cyclic buffalo heifers have a reservoir of only 10,000 to 20,000 primordial
follicles (Danell, 1987) compared with over 100,000 in cattle. The mature ovaries are smaller
than in cattle, weighing around 2.5 g when inactive and 4 g when active, with fewer tertiary
follicles (Danell, 1987; Zicarelli, 1997a). During the oestrous cycle waves of follicular
recruitment, growth and regression occur as in cattle (Manik et al., 2002). The mean diameter of
follicles at the time of deviation between dominant and subordinate follicles is 6.2 and 5.8 mm,
respectively, and is larger than in zebu cattle but smaller than in taurine cattle (Gimenes et al.,
2007).
The number of follicular waves per cycle in Murrah buffalo in Brazil was one in 3% of
animals, two in 63% and three in 33% (Baruselli et al., 1997). The cycles with two and three
follicular waves differed in the mean length of the luteal phase (10.4 vs 12.7 days) and the
interval between ovulations (22.3 vs 24.5 days). In contrast, a study on suckled Indian buffalo
56
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(Awasthi et al., 2006) found that the majority of animals had a single wave of follicular growth,
while the others had two waves. On the other hand, a study on Egyptian buffalo found that the
majority of cycles (54%) had three follicular waves (Barkawi et al., 2009). In Italian buffalo,
differences in follicular dynamics occur between nulliparous heifers and mixed parity cows
subjected to an oestrous synchronization protocol using progesterone and prostaglandin
(Presicce, 2004), with heifers exhibiting one, two or three wave cycles of length 8–12, 20–26 and
25 days, respectively, and parous cows having a two-wave cycle ranging from 19 to 25 days.
Critical Points: There are important and as yet unexplained differences reported from buffalo in
different countries in the number of follicular waves per cycle, characteristics of
follicular growth and regression, duration of the oestrous cycle and oestrus, and timing
of ovulation.
Research Needs: Determine the reasons for the differences observed, examine whether they
influence the quality of the oocyte in the dominant follicle that is destined for ovulation,
and establish the optimum time for AI in relation to onset of oestrus and the LH surge.
Seasonal differences in ovarian activity
Although buffalo are capable of breeding throughout the year, a seasonal pattern of breeding
activity, resulting in seasonal calvings, has been observed in many countries. In tropical
locations where photoperiod is relatively constant, annual changes in rainfall appear to influence
cyclicity, acting through the availability and quality of herbage. Such effects have been
documented in India (Kaur and Arora, 1982), Sri Lanka (Perera et al., 1987) and Brazil (Vale et
al., 1990; Ribeiro, 2006). Heat stress during the hot summer months in some countries is a major
cause of acyclicity in buffalo and is associated with high prolactin concentrations in blood,
which is thought to influence ovarian activity as well as cause subfertility and repeat breeding by
lowering progesterone secretion (Roy and Prakash, 2007). In temperate regions such as Italy,
however, where buffalo are fed with a constant balanced diet, a distinct seasonal reproductive
pattern is also found, and the inference from a series of studies is that seasonality is influenced
by photoperiod, mediated by melatonin secretion (Zicarelli, 1997b; Borghese, 2005).
Critical Points: Different factors (e.g. genotype, nutrition, thermal environment and
photoperiod) appear to influence the seasonal pattern of reproduction observed in
different countries.
Research Needs: Characterize the underlying reasons and mechanisms, and determine methods
for optimizing reproduction depending on the needs of the farming system.
Oestrus signs and detection
Difficulty in detecting oestrus is a major problem in buffalo husbandry in most countries,
and is due to the absence of homosexual behaviour between females and a low degree of
manifestation in other behavioural as well as physical signs (Danell, 1987; Perera, 1987; Vale et
al., 1990). The main behavioural signs are restlessness, bellowing and frequent voiding of small
quantities of urine, but these are not consistently exhibited by all animals. Physical changes
around the time of oestrus include reddening of the vestibular mucosa and swelling of the vulva,
the latter resulting in effacement of the horizontal wrinkles which are present on its external
surface. These changes can be detected by regular examination of individual animals under
confined systems. Mucus secreted from the cervix during oestrus is less copious than in cattle,
does not usually hang as strands from the vulva, but tends to accumulate on the floor of the
57
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
vagina and be discharged either when the animal is lying down (Perera et al., 1977) or with the
urine (Kanai et al., 1990). During periods of high ambient temperature the duration of heat may
be shorter and the signs exhibited only during the night or early morning.
Heat detection aids used in cattle such as KaMaR and tail paint have been used in buffalo,
but require the presence of a teaser bull, and can be unreliable when wallowing is practiced.
More advanced automated systems such as pressure sensing radiotelemetric detectors
(HeatWatch system) developed for cattle could be applicable under improved management
systems, where the costs can be justified. The use of electronic devices such as pedometers (Di
Palo et al., 1999) and probes to measure vaginal electrical resistance (Gupta and Purohit, 2001)
have yielded good results under some conditions.
Critical Points: Heat detection in buffalo is a universal problem, that has lead to the search for
methods to circumvent the problem (e.g. oestrous synchronization), which in turn pose
further problems.
Research Needs: Develop simple, practical and cost-effective methods for detecting heat that can
be applied under different management systems.
Pregnancy and parturition
The duration of gestation in the buffalo ranges from 300 to 330 days with a mean of
about 310 days for river types and 320 days for swamp types (Perera and de Silva 1985; Vale,
2006). Early diagnosis of pregnancy can be done by ultrasound scanning from about 20 days
onwards (Presicce et al. 2001) and by rectal palpation from about 45 days onwards. The
techniques are basically similar to those routinely used in cattle, but the longer gestation period
has to be taken account of in assessing the stage of pregnancy. Measurement of progesterone in
blood or milk 20-23 days after breeding is reliable for the diagnosis of non-pregnancy (Perera et
al. 1980).
The process of parturition and the changes occurring in hormones such as progesterone,
oestrone and the main metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) around the period of parturition
in buffalo are similar to those in cattle (Perera et al., 1981).
Critical Points and Research Needs: There are no major critical points in these phases of
reproduction, and therefore no urgent research needs.
The post-partum period
Post-partum involution of the uterus is usually completed in 25-35 days after calving (Perera et
al., 1987, Lohan et al., 2004) and is influenced by various factors including climate,
management, body condition, suckling and calving problems (Usmani et al., 1990; Vale and
Ribeiro, 2005).
The period of postpartum anoestrus or acyclicity is highly variable in the buffalo and is usually
longer than in cattle under comparative management conditions. Under good conditions buffalo
can resume cyclicity by 30 to 90 days, but factors such as poor nutrition and body condition
(Baruselli et al., 2001), suckling management (Perera et al., 1987; Usmani et al., 1990) and
climate (Nanda et al., 2003), which also influences nutrition through feed quality and
availability, can delay this considerably. For example, indigenous buffalo in Sri Lanka raised
under free-grazing conditions with abundant natural feed and suckling restricted to once per day
resumed cyclicity by 30-60 days after calving, but those under harsh conditions with free
suckling by the calves remained acyclic for 150-200 days (Perera et al., 1987).
58
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Prolonged post-partum anoestrus is a major problem in many countries. Nanda et al.
(2003) found an incidence of 20-80% in herds in India, with the highest incidence during hot
summers. El-Wishy (2007) reviewing results from Egypt, India and Pakistan shoed that only 3449% of buffalo showed oestrus during the first 90 days after calving, and 31-42% remained
anoestrous for more than 150 days. The first postpartum ovulation was frequently followed by
one or more short oestrous cycles (<18 days). Cessation of cyclicity occurred after the first or
second ovulation in 25% of animals due to ovarian inactivity and in 8-11% due to prolonged
luteal activity.
LH secretion in buffalo remains low during the early postpartum period and episodic
pulses become detectable a few weeks before ovarian activity commences, with animals that are
subjected to better nutrition and restricted suckling commencing LH pulsatility earlier than those
under poor nutrition or free suckling (Mohan et al., 1990). The response of LH secretion to a
challenge of exogenous GnRH at 25-35 days postpartum, measured as peak concentration and
area under the curve, is greater in non-suckled than suckled buffalo (Singh et al., 2006).
Husbandry practices that are recommended for overcoming prolonged postpartum
anoestrus in buffalo include adequate nutrition before and after calving, restricting the suckling
by calves and alleviating heat stress by permitting wallowing or use of water sprinklers (Nanda
et al., 2003; Perera et al., 2005). The presence of buffalo bulls in a herd also has a biostimulatory
effect, reducing cyclic irregularities and advancing the time of ovulation (Moioli et al., 1998).
Treatment with hormones using various regimes, based on those developed for cattle,
have included Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) or its analogues and progesterone or
synthetic progestagens, the latter being placed intravaginally or subcutaneously for 10-12 days
followed by eCG or GnRH at the time of withdrawal (Borghese, 2005; Baruselli et al., 2007b).
Variable results have been reported, with some successful trials showing induction of cyclicity in
81% of acyclic animals with a conception rate of 74% at the end of the breeding period,
compared with 54% for controls (Zicarelli, 1997b). However, results were poor in some trials,
particularly when other underlying causes of infertility such as inhibitory effects of climate,
management, nutrition, low BCS and diseases had not been addressed before undertaking
hormonal manipulations. Treatment with progestagens in conjunction with eCG can induce the
resumption of oestrus in anoestrous buffalo cows, yielding pregnancy rates close to 30% (Neglia
et al., 2003). Higher conception rates have been obtained by keeping the progestagen implants in
place for 10–14 days rather than 8 days, followed by AI at observed oestrus (Sing, 2003).
Critical Points: Delayed resumption of post-partum ovarian activity is a problem under many
management systems, and the main causes are well understood.
Research Needs: Formulate a package of management practices that promote early resumption
of ovarian activity, and determine the most cost-effective methods for treating those
animals that do not respond to such improvements.
Male buffalo
Reproduction in the male buffalo has been reviewed by Ohashi et al. (2007). The age and
body weight at puberty in males is as variable as in females and is determined more by body
weight than age. Under good conditions, progressive increase in scrotal circumference and
diameter of seminiferous tubules is followed by spermatogenic cell divisions commencing at
about 10-14 months of age. Although active spermatogenesis can be seen by 14-16 months, the
ejaculate may not contain viable spermatozoa until after 24-30 months of age (Perera, 1999). The
concentration of testosterone is at basal level from 2-16 months, commences elevation around
18-24 months, and reaches adult levels thereafter (Ohashi et al., 2007). These studies indicate
that the buffalo mature more slowly than male cattle and have a longer time lag between onset of
59
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
spermatogenesis and the achievement of puberty.
Buffalo bulls are capable of breeding throughout the year, but some seasonal fluctuation
in reproductive functions is evident in most countries. In India, semen volume, density and initial
sperm motility did not differ significantly between different seasons, but post-freezing motility
varied significantly, being lowest during summer and highest during winter (Bahga and Khokar,
1991). The authors concluded that summer spermatozoa may be fragile and unable to withstand
freezing stress, and recommend that semen should be frozen only during winter and spring.
The concentration of testosterone in blood of buffalo bulls show the typical episodic or
pulsatile pattern of secretion that is seen in cattle (Perera et al., 1979; Agarwal et al., 1983).
Androgen secretion is influenced by seasonal factors and is stimulated by contact with females
(Malfatti et al., 2006).
Evaluation of breeding soundness of bulls has revealed various pathological conditions
that are congenital as well as acquired (Vale et al., 2008), and is essential for selection of the
most fertile and genetically suitable males for use as semen donors as well as for natural mating.
Some of the hereditary defects observed could be attributed to the high inbreeding that is present
in some herds in Brazil (Vale et al., 2008). There is also high individual variation between bulls
in the fertility of their semen after freezing and thawing, and this aspect should also be
considered in selecting bulls for use in AI.
Results from traditional tests for semen evaluation such as motility and vigour often do
not correlate well with fertility, and other tests based on functional aspects (Barros et al., 2007)
should be evaluated for predicting fertilizing ability of semen samples before and after freezing.
Critical Points: A comprehensive evaluation of breeding soundness is essential for males that
are to be used for AI as well as natural mating.
Research Needs: Develop a standardized protocol for selection of breeding bulls that can be
used across countries and management systems.
Reproductive technologies
AI & semen technologies
The procedures for processing and using buffalo semen for AI are based mainly on
techniques developed for cattle with some modifications (Vale, 1997; IAEA, 2005). The main
differences are in the semen diluents, with TRIS and TES buffers, egg yolk, skim milk and
coconut water being commonly used as ingredients for preserving semen in both chilled (+4oC)
and deep-frozen forms. The cryoprotective agent used for freezing buffalo semen is glycerol, at a
final concentration of 6.5-7.0%. Various additives have been investigated for possible beneficial
effects on buffalo spermatozoa during freezing and thawing, and two that help maintain higher
post-thaw motility are oviductal proteins (Kumaresan et al., 2005) and Bradykinin (Shukla and
Misra, 2007).
Buffalo spermatozoa subjected to freezing and thawing appear to have a shorter fertile
life span inside the female tract than those in fresh semen (Moioli et al., 1998). Thus proper
detection of heat and timing of AI become critical when frozen semen is used and may be one
reason for the lower conception rates, while another could be the narrow cervix of the buffalo,
which makes AI more difficult.
Apart from the technical aspects, there are many constraints which influence the success
of AI in buffalo, especially in developing countries. These include factors that impede the
effective and timely delivery of services, such as poor communication, lack of transport and
inadequate remuneration for AI technicians, and limitations of small-holder farming systems,
such as poor nutrition and reproductive management of cows.
60
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Separation of X and Y bearing sperms has been attempted using Percoll gradients with
limited success (Mota et al., 2007). The method that has been successful is high-speed flow
cytometric cell sorting, but the low yield of sorted sperm makes it expensive for routine AI.
However, use of low dose deep AI, using 2.5 million frozen thawed sex-sorted sperm, with
deposition near the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) using the Ghent device, resulted in 43%
conception rate with eight out of nine foetuses corresponding to the predicted sex (Presicce et al.,
2005). Sex-sorted sperm has also been used successfully for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and
embryo transfer (Lu et al., 2007).
Critical Points: Buffalo spermatozoa appear to have lower freezability and post thaw fertility
than that of cattle.
Research Needs: Develop improved methods for freezing buffalo sperm and optimize the
protocols for AI in buffalo cows.
Oestrus synchronization
Early studies on oestrous synchronization in buffalo, in order to permit fixed-time AI
(FTAI) and overcome the problems in heat detection, were aimed at either inducing premature
luteolysis using prostaglandins or prolonging the luteal phase using progestagens (Perera, 1987).
However, recent knowledge on the effect of follicular dynamics on the outcome of these
procedures (Zicarelli et al., 1997; Brito et al., 2002) have prompted studies aimed at
manipulating follicular development to achieve better synchrony and improved fertility
(Baruselli et al., 2007b; De Rensis and Lopez-Gatius, 2007).
A review of studies using various treatment protocols (Borghese, 2005) shows that CR
achieved with prostaglandins either alone or in combination with GnRH ranged from 7-56%,
while CR with progesterone releasing devices either alone or in combination with eCG, and in
some cases further supplemented with hCG or GnRH, ranged from 8-64%. The ‘Ovsynch’
protocol (GnRH followed by prostaglandin 7 days later and a second GnRH 2 days later) has
been used successfully in buffalo, with synchronization of ovulation in 70-90% and CR of 3360% (Baruselli et al., 1999; Paul and Prakash, 2005; Baruselli and Carvalho, 2005). A third dose
of GnRH given 6 days after insemination to induce accessory CLs has been reported to increase
CR and birth rate (Carvalho et al., 2007).
In most studies the success rate was lower when treatment was done during the periods of
low breeding activity or seasonal anoestrus, and various modified protocols have been tried in
order to overcome this problem. The two most effective approaches appear to be the Ovsynch
protocol supplemented by administration of progesterone for 7 days between the first GnRH and
prostaglandin treatments, and progesterone based regimes of 10-14 days with either GnRH or
oestradiol treatment at the time of progesterone implant and prostaglandin plus eCG treatment at
implant removal (Baruselli et al., 2007b; De Rensis and Lopez-Gatius, 2007).
In addition to the type of protocol selected, the following factors must also be addressed
to achieve success in buffalo (Perera, 2008): (a) selection of animals that are in good nutritional
condition and free from disease; (b) prevention of stress during the procedures for treatment and
AI, especially under tropical conditions, when animals may be herded together, tethered or
moved to other locations; and (d) where seasonal differences exist, scheduling treatment for the
more favourable periods or high breeding season when the majority of animals are likely to be
cycling.
Critical Points: Reliable protocols for synchronizing oestrus and FTAI in buffalo are now
available, but important pre-requisites must be satisfied for success.
Research Needs: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different treatment protocols and develop
61
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
low-cost regimes that can be applied under small-farm conditions.
Embryo technologies
The status of multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) and other advanced
reproductive technologies were recently reviewed by Ohashi et al. (2006), Baruselli et al.
(2007a) and Drost (2007). Buffalo have a lower superovulatory response than cattle, attributed
mainly to the smaller population of recruitable follicles in the ovary (Madan et al., 1996; Manik
et al., 2002). A further limitation appears to be the relatively low rate of transfer of oocytes to the
oviduct and/or impaired transport of ova and embryos in the reproductive tract (Baruselli et al.,
2000). In a large scale MOET operation in India (Misra et al., 1994), the transfer of 469 embryos
resulted in a pregnancy rate of 17% and a calving rate of 9.8%. In Italy, Campanile et al. (1995)
transferred 76 buffalo embryos and obtained a pregnancy rate of 30%, with no significant
difference between fresh or frozen-thawed embryos and between morulae or blastocysts.
However, the overall rate of success in terms of calves born per superovulation is still too low
for MOET to be widely applicable under practical farming conditions. Two situations in which it
might have a role are for establishing nucleus breeding stocks or for conservation of genetic
resources.
As an alternative approach to achieving rapid genetic improvement, in vitro embryo
production (IVEP) technologies have become of increasing interest. The sequence of procedures
involving recovery of oocytes from slaughtered animals by direct aspiration or from live animals
by ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovum pick-up (OPU), followed by in vitro maturation (IVM),
in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) have been studied over the past decade
(Boni et al., 1996; Madan et al., 1996; Hufana-Duran et al., 2004) but the success rates are lower
than those achieved in cattle. The collection of immature oocytes from slaughtered buffalo by
aspiration of antral follicles can yield 1-3 oocytes per ovary that are suitable for IVEP. The OPU
technique can be used for repeatedly collecting oocytes in cycling buffalo once or twice every
week (Boni et al., 1996; Manik et al., 2006) or in prepubertal heifers and cyclic cows after
treatment with Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (Techakumphu et al., 2004). The yield of
cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) using OPU in non-superovulated buffalo is about 1-2 per
ovary per collection, whereas after FSH treatment it is about 2-3 per ovary (Boni et al., 1997;
Promdireg et al., 2005). The cleavage rate of oocytes selected as suitable for IVEP is around
50%, but only about 10% develop into morulae and blastocysts (Manik et al., 2006). Treatment
with bovine somatotrophin (bST) does not appear to improve yield or cleavage rate (Ferraz,
2007).
Results from transfer of fresh embryos derived from repeated OPU in China show that a
calving rate of 35% was obtained when recipients were normally cycling, compared with 15% in
those subjected to synchronization (Liang et al., 2007). Methods for cryopreservation of ooytes
using vitrification are more successful than slow freezing, with ethylene glycol as the
cryoprotectant (Boonkusol et al., 2007). Transfer of vitrified embryos derived from oocytes
collected from slaughtered river type animals resulted in a pregnancy rate of 16% and a calving
rate of 10-11% in swamp and river type recipients (Hufana-Duran et al., 2004 and 2007).
Cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in buffalo is still in its early stages, but
some basic understanding has been achieved regarding parthenogenetic, in vitro and in vivo
development of embryos reconstructed by transferring donor nuclei from foetal and adult
fibroblast cells to enucleated buffalo oocytes. Embryos reconstructed using foetal fibroblasts
were capable of developing to blastocyst stage (Meena and Das, 2006) and some pregnancies
were detected after the transfer of cloned blastocysts into recipients, but none were carried to
term (Saikhun et al., 2004). Cloned embryos that are capable of developing to the morula and
blastocyst stages have also been constructed using enucleated rabbit oocytes as recipient
cytoplasm and cow, swamp buffalo, pig, and elephant fibroblasts as donor nuclei (Numchaisirika
62
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
et al., 2007).
When cloning technology does become established in the buffalo, problems that have
been encountered in other species, such as high incidence of developmental abnormalities, will
need to be addressed before it can have wide practical applications.
Critical Points: Embryo technologies in buffalo yield lower success rates than in cattle.
Research Needs: Determine the reasons for lower success in buffalo and develop methods to
overcome the limitations. These, however, will have limited practical applications in most
buffalo farming systems.
Conclusions
The domestic buffalo plays an important role in providing milk, meat and draught power
in many agricultural systems, particularly in the developing countries. Although buffalo can
adapt to harsh environments and live on low quality forage, their reproductive efficiency is often
compromised by such conditions. Various factors including climatic stress depress ovarian
cyclicity, oestrous expression and conception rates. Poor nutrition, often related to seasonal
fluctuations in availability and quality of feed, delays puberty and increases the duration of
postpartum anoestrus. Management factors such as the system of grazing (free, tethered or none)
and sucking by calves (restricted or ad libitum) also modulate reproductive functions. The
relative importance of these factors varies greatly depending on ecological conditions and
production systems. However, buffalo can have good fertility when genotypes are matched to the
environment and they are managed and fed properly. Therefore, improvement of reproductive
efficiency requires the identification of specific limiting factors under a given situation and the
development and field testing of strategies for improvements and interventions that are
sustainable with available local resources.
A major factor limiting wider uptake of AI by buffalo farmers is the difficulty in
detecting oestrus. Although improved protocols of oestrus synchronization can overcome this
problem, there are many other factors such as nutritional status, seasonality and reproductive
management that need to be addressed to achieve success.
Embryo technologies that include MOET and IVEP have been vigorously studied over
the past two decades, but the success rates remain below that achieved in cattle due to many
inherent biological features that are unique to the buffalo. Once the technological problems are
overcome, the successful practical application of these methods will need to be preceded by
measure to overcome the managerial and nutritional causes of infertility that are common in the
majority of current buffalo farming systems.
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Factors affecting embryonic implantation in buffalo
G. Neglia, D. Vecchio, G. Campanile
DISCIZIA – Department of Scienze Zootecniche ed Ispezione degli Alimenti, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Via
F. Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Tel. 081 2536063/Fax: 081 292981
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
In mammalians following fertilization and fusion of gametes, the zygote undergoes
subsequent mitotic divisions, which determines the formation of the blastomeres. These
phenomena occur initially into the oviduct and subsequently into the uterus. Usually, embryos
reach the uterus at morula stage and undergone continue divisions until blastocyst formation.
The rupture of zona pellucida represents the event for a new stage of the embryo. In this moment
the hatched blastocyst survival is strictly dependent by the uterine environment and the
conceptus exposes the surface of trophectoderm directly to the uterus. Starting from this
moment, the cross-talk between mother and embryo is fundamental in order to guarantee
embryonic development and attachment. Several factors can affect these stages in all mammalian
species, leading to the phenomenon of embryonic and foetal mortality. Buffalo species, because
of its reproductive characteristics, can show a high incidence of embryonic mortality, in
particular in some periods of the year. In this review the main factors involved in these
phenomena in buffalo will be analysed and discussed.
Buffalo reproductive characteristics
Buffaloes are spread between 31°N parallel and 2°S and hence they are adapted to hot,
humid macro or microclimates (Shafie, 1985). Regarding to its reproductive characteristics,
buffalo species has to be considered a photoperiodic animal and in particular a "short day"
species, similarly to sheep (Zicarelli, 1997). The animals show heats throughout the year but are
more fertile when daylight hours decrease. According to Zicarelli (Zicarelli, 1995), this
characteristic is due to the tropical origin of the species, that coincides with the Indo Valley (the
region localized between the actual India and Pakistan). In these areas forage availability is
usually found after the rain season and hence it coincides with the period in which dark hours
decrease. It has to be hypothesized that the animals that deliver in the most suitable period for
the survival of the offspring have been able to hand down the reproductive seasonal
characteristics. Hence, the buffaloes maintained these characteristics even when they have been
transferred to countries, like Italy, where forage is always available (Zicarelli, 1995; Zicarelli,
1997). However, in Italy there is a requirement for carrying out the mating programs in buffaloes
only during specific periods of the year (Out of Breeding Season Mating Technique). In fact, in
order to meet the yearly peak demand for buffalo milk for the manufacture of mozzarella cheese,
the mating period is restricted to March-September (Zicarelli, 1997), creating a potential conflict
between the seasonal nadir in reproduction and the need to establish pregnancies. Nevertheless,
when the out-of-season technique has been applied for long periods a lower loss of fertility has
been observed (15% vs. 30%) compared to the farms in which it has been adopted for shorter
periods (Campanile, 1997). These results are also due to the renewal of the herd that is very
frequent on farms that apply the out-of-breeding-season mating technique (Campanile, 1997).
Moreover, the season-dependent reproduction phenomenon is more frequent in older buffaloes
(Zicarelli et al., 1988a) that are more sensitive to the bull effect and show more easily seasonal
acyclia.
69
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In general, buffalo reproduction is characterized by delayed puberty, silent oestrus, long
post-partum ovarian inactivity, and, on the whole, poor fertility (Singh, 1988; Madan et al.,
1994; Singla et al., 1996). These considerations are valid if the out of breeding season mating
technique or other reproductive biotechnologies (artificial insemination, multiple ovulations and
embryo transfer, ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production) are applied (Zicarelli, 1997;
Gasparrini B., 2002). In fact, if buffalo are bred without modification of their natural seasonality
and without controlled breeding, an inter-calving period of less than 400 days and a culling rate
of less than 12% has been observed in Italy, Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina (Zicarelli et al.,
1993).
The delivery represents a key point in the reproductive activity of mammalians. In fact,
after that several physiological modifications occur, in order to create the conditions for the
establishment of new pregnancy. Maintenance of appropriate calving interval requires rapid
involution of the uterus accompanied by the return of normal cyclic activity. Hence, the main
steps that have to be considered are the resumption of ovarian cycle and the uterine involution.
The ovarian cycle is blocked during pregnancy by progesterone (P4), which avoids other
ovulations and maintains hypotonic the uterus. In buffalo species, the resumption of ovarian
activity is affected by the calving season. In fact, buffaloes that calve between January and
March showed a longer intercalving period, compared to those that deliver in the last two
quarters, probably because the resumption of ovarian activity in the last subjects coincides with
the decreasing day length (Zicarelli et al., 2007). On the contrary, in the animals that calve
during the winter period, when day light length increases, the resumption of ovarian activity is
delayed (Zicarelli et al., 2007). Another factor that affects this phenomenon is the parity. In fact,
buffaloes that deliver during the spring period, show an intercalving period on average longer by
30 or 70 days, respectively if they are pluriparous or primiparous (Zicarelli, 1994). This
condition is observed until the delivery occurs during the July-August period. Usually, after 90
days of lactation during the spring period, 44% of pluriparous and 80% of primiparous are
acyclic (Zicarelli, 1994). As demonstrated in cattle (Montiel and Ahuja, 2005), also in buffalo
species the body condition score of the buffaloes at the calving period has a fundamental role in
the resumption of ovarian activity and the likelihood of pregnancy (Campanile et al., 2006).
The reproductive activity of Italian buffalo cows is also influenced by climatic variation.
As regards spontaneous heats, temperatures lower than 8°C and continuous light for more than
11 hours cause a delay in ovulation, starting from the end of heats. This is probably a delay in the
pituitary response to ovarian steroid secretion (Zicarelli et al., 1988a). Thermal excursions higher
than 7°C and 9°C appreciably increase the incidence of double ovulation in both spontaneous
oestrus and prostaglandin-induced oestrus (Zicarelli et al., 1988b). Such conditions limit the
adoption of A.I. during specific periods of the year. Moreover, Sastry and Georgie (Sastry and
Georgie, 1978) found a correlation between conceptions and temperature, relative humidity or
rainfall. Specifically, a lower temperature and increased rainfall improve the conception rate.
Obviously, rainfall during the three months previous to the conceptions improves the availability
of herbage, meeting productive requirements. This represents an indirect effect of climate on
buffalo reproduction; a hot climate, in fact, affects living and reproductive behaviour directly by
its effect on systemic functions and indirectly by governing the availability of nutrients.
The second key condition that has to be considered is the uterine involution. The period
of time that is required for the complete uterine and cervical involution in buffalo species is very
variable from 21 to 74 days post partum (Ramoun et al., 2006). Several factors may act affecting
the uterine involution period, such as abnormal parturition, subclinical uterine infections,
suckling, season, nutrition, parity and milk production (El-Wishy, 2007). Furthermore,
controversial reports are present in literature, regarding the correlations between uterine
involution and reproductive parameters. In fact, some authors highlight significant correlations
between uterine involution and both time to first ovulation [El-Keraby et al., 1981; Qureshi et al.,
70
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
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1998) and first postpartum estrus [El-Keraby et al., 1981), whereas others did not find any
correlation [Ali Mohamed et al., 1980).
Embryonic development
Following fertilization and fusion of gametes, the zygote undergoes subsequent mitotic
divisions, which determines the formation of the blastomeres. These cells, at least in the early
stages of development, can be considered totipotent, because they have the ability of developing
into two separate embryos. This characteristic has been demonstrated until the 8-cells stage in
cattle [Senger, 2005), and it is thought to be similar in buffalo.
This stage of development (8-16 cells) is fundamental. In fact, in this period the
activation of the embryonic genome, that is essential for achieving implantation competency,
occurs. Once the embryonic genome is activated, the embryo grows rapidly to form a blastocyst.
However, if the chronological events of in vivo embryo development are well studied in bovine
[Betteridge and Flechon, 1988), only few information are available in buffalo. In particular,
some studies performed on the development of preimplantation embryos in superovulated
buffalo [Chantaraprateep et al., 1989; Anwar and Ullah, 1998; Misra et al., 1998) indicate a
faster rate of development than in cattle. These results have been confirmed from further
researches carried out in vitro, that demonstrate that buffalo embryos are 12 to 24 h more
advanced than the bovine counterpart developing in parallel (Neglia et al., 2001). Oocytes and
embryos in buffaloes remain in oviduct for a period varying from 74 and 100 hours postfertilization (Karaivanov et al., 1987) and hence reach the uterus 4.5-5 days after fertilization.
These information were extrapolated by performing flushing on oviducts and uteri of
superovulated subjects at different hours post-insemination. Similarly, in Nili-Ravi buffaloes
(Anwar and Ullah, 1998), at 85 hours post insemination the embryos are in the oviduct, whereas
at 108 hours most of the embryos (78%) descend from the oviduct into the uterus. It seems that
buffalo embryos are at morula stage when they reach the uterus (Anwar and Ullah, 1998),
similarly to that described in bovine at 120 hours (Betteridge and Flechon, 1988). This would
confirm that the descent of embryos into the uterus may occur a few hours earlier in buffalo than
in cattle. Compact morulae are observed from 125 to 152 h post-estrus and blastocysts from 141
hours. Similar data have been reported also in Nili Ravi buffaloes, in which the recovery of
compact morulae occurs at about 132 h post estrus (Mehmood et al., 1989).
Although there are differences in the timing of these events and where they occur in the
reproductive tract of the mother, blastocyst formation is generally initiated when the conceptus
reaches the uterus. The rupture of zona pellucida represents the event for a new stage of the
embryo. In this moment the hatched blastocyst survival is strictly dependent by the uterine
environment and the conceptus exposes the other surface of trophectoderm directly to the uterine
environment. Therefore, an adequate progesterone production and the responsiveness of the
uterus to progesterone are considered necessary for embryo survival. Unfortunately, no data are
available on embryo development from the blastocyst hatching to the implantation in buffalo
species. It can be supposed that phenomena similar to those recorded in other ruminants, such as
cattle and sheep, may occur (for review see Senger, 2005). According to that described in these
species, after hatching, a logarithmic growth and an elongation of the conceptus is observed
(Geisert and Malayer, 2000). The filamentous embryo is able to occupy the controlateral horn
since day 18 of pregnancy. The progressive hyperplasia and expansion of trophoblast cells, is on
the basis of this event, allowing the development of extra-embryonic membranes throughout the
uterus. By this mechanism, the embryo is able to block the synthesis of PGF2α and avoid the
luteolysis. In fact, it is known that in cattle, the maternal recognition of pregnancy occurs
between days 16 and 19 of post-insemination (Thatcher et al., 1995; Roberts et al., 1996), and it
is probably similar in buffalo. This process is mediated by several molecules. The first
messenger that has to be recorded is the Interferon-Tau (IFN-τ), which is produced by the
71
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
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elongated conceptus. The IFN-τ, recognized for the first time in sheep with the name of
trophoblastin (Martal et al., 1979), was subsequently isolated in other ruminants (for review see
Spencer and Bazer, 2004a; 2004b) and plays a fundamental role in this process, by its binding to
the endometrium and the inhibition of oxytocin receptors synthesis. At the same time, IFN-τ is
able to induce the production of several proteins, by binding to the apical portion of the uterine
glands. The synthesis of these proteins improves the uterine environment and favours embryo
survival (Senger, 2005). IFN-τ is not able to act on the corpus luteum for increasing progesterone
production. For this reason it can not be considered as a luteotrophic agent.
Attachment and implantation
A close cross talk between the conceptus and the mother is on the basis of the
implantation process. As previously mentioned, an adequate luteal activity, and consequently an
adequate progesterone concentration, induces an appropriate uterine environment together with a
sufficient elongated embryo, that are the essential counterparts in this phenomenon. The
synchronization of the embryo with the status of the uterus is critical for a successfully
implantation (Dey, 1996).
The phenomenon of implantation occurs in different modalities in mammalians. A real
implantation is described only in rodents and humans, in which the embryo is able to erode the
endometrium and anchor itself; in ruminants, this process is characterized by a superficial
contact between the embryo and the uterine endometrium (Senger, 2005). According to that
described by Guillomot and collaborators (Guillomot et al., 1981) in sheep, three different stages
are highlighted from the descent of the embryo in uterus to the formation of placenta.
The first stage is defined as pre-attachment period, during which the free floating
blastocyst undergoes a significant elongation as described above.
The second phase, defined as transitory attachment, is considered of primary importance
in ruminants. The transitory attachment occurs between 16-18 days of pregnancy until 25-30 in
various ruminants. A negative role, throughout this process, is played by a transmembrane
glycoprotein called Mucine-one (MUC-1). MUC-1 has been described in several mammalian
species, included buffalo (Perucatti et al., 2006). The synthesis of this protein during the nonreceptive period for the uterine epithelium is very high, whereas it shows a drastic reduction
when the endometrium undergone the action of progesterone. In fact, it has been demonstrated in
cattle that the presence of progesterone for 8-10 days is able to block the receptors on the
endometrium and, consequently, the endometrial cells are not yet responsive to the progesterone
stimulation (Geisert and Malayer, 2000). This process results in the block of MUC-1 synthesis
for a negative feed-back mechanism. Hence, the embryo is able to attach the uterine epithelium
by the interaction between some adhesive factors (Geisert and Malayer, 2000).
In this stage the conceptus projects developed structure like villi into the crypts of uterine
glands. The role of these structures favours complete attachment progression and furnishes a
temporary anchor and adsorpitive structures for the conceptus. Furthermore, these structures
allow the absorption of the endometrial glandular secrete, a complex of histotrophic substances
and proteins (Spencer and Bazer, 2004b). These growth factors, enzymes, cytokines,
lymphokines, hormones, transport proteins and other substances have a key role in embryo
nutrition and development, allowing the production of the first signals for maternal recognition
of pregnancy.
Within the chorionic villi, either in buffaloes and other ruminants, it is possible to
distinguish two different cellular populations, which can be identified throughout pregnancy: the
mononucleate trophoblast cells and the binucleate trophoblast giant cells (BNCs). These cellular
populations have different morphology and functions. The Mononucleate Trophoblast Cells are
localized at the level of the basal lamina and are characterized by the presence of one irregularly
shaped nucleus with dispersed chromatin (Boshier and Halloway, 1977). In the cytoplasm of
72
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
these cells, no periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive granules are observed and they are in
connection by strong junction, recognized as desmosomes and tight junctions, with the adjacent
cells (Carvalho AF et al., 2006). The number of mononucleate cells in buffalo, such as in other
ruminants (Igwebuike, 2006), is definitely higher than that of BNCs, since they represent around
80% of the total number of trofectoderm cells (Carvalho AF et al., 2006). However, they show
cuboidal to columnar shape and smaller dimensions compared to BNCs. The main
morphological characteristic of these cells, is the surface of their apical membrane, which is
organized to constitute microvillar processes. The role of these villi is to get in contact with
similar digitations that originate from the maternal uterine epithelial cells, constituting the
attachment zones. The main function of these cells is to guarantee nutrients exchanges between
the embryo and the mother. In fact, the presence of microvilli on the apical surface of the
mononucleate trophoblast cells allows to increase the area of contact between the uterine
epithelium and the foetal chorioallontois (King et al., 1980), since the microvilli are
morphological features common to all the cells. Furthermore, the cells are strictly bound each
other by tight junctions and desmosomes (Dent, 1973): this particular architecture of the
ruminant placenta, allows to contemporary increase the absorption surface and maintain separate
the circulations of fetus and mother (Igwebuike, 2006).
The binucleate trophoblast giant cells (BNCs) are typical of the ruminant placenta and
they probably originate from the mononucleate trophoblast cells by acytokinetic mitoses (Klisch
et al., 1999): the mononucleate trophoblast cells undergo consecutive nuclear divisions, without
the subsequent cytokinesis. They are spherical in shape and a high number of PAS-positive
granules, characterized by heterogeneous dimensions and electron density, are present in their
cytoplasm. These cells appear around day 17 in a particular intraepithelial position: they are
localized among the mononucleate cells, but have not contact with both the basal membrane and
the apical microvillar surface of the trophectoderm. In a second phase, they mature and undergo
a peculiar migration through the tight junctions of the mononucleate cells, without interrupting
them. After migration, the BNCs fuse with the underlying uterine epithelium surface (Morgan
and Wooding, 1983; Wooding, 1992), to form tri- or multinucleate hybrid cells and, sometimes,
syncytia. These syncytia have a primary role in the immunological protection of the conceptus
during the first stages of attachment, while no barrier or structural role has the subsequent
migration of BNCs during pregnancy (Wooding, 1992). The main accredited hypothesis for
explaining migration, is that in this way they have the possibility of delivering the PAS-granules,
closely to the maternal blood circulation. The granules show a high affinity with specific antisera
against bovine placental lactogen (PL), prolactin-related protein-1 (PRP-I) and pregnancyassociated glycoproteins (PAGs) by immune histochemistry. The first two proteins are members
of the prolactin/growth hormone family (Anthony et al., 1995) and have several actions. In
particular, the PL seems to have mammotrophic, luteotrophic, and somatotrophic activities
(Anthony et al., 1995), for its prolactin and growth hormone affinity, that gives the possibility of
binding the receptors of these hormones. Furthermore, the first expression of PL allows the
beginning of production of uterine milk protein by the glandular epithelium of the endometrium,
and it is thought to play a primary role in the differentiation of the uterine glands throughout
pregnancy (Igwebuike, 2006). The function of PRP-I is still not known, since it does not have the
capability of linking the receptors for prolactin and growth hormone (Kessler and Schuler, 1997).
The PAGs regulate progesterone production, by inducing the synthesis of prostaglandin E in
luteal cells (Weems et al., 1999), and the release of granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 in the
bovine endometrium (Austin et al., 1999). This function is usually performed by the IFN-τ
during the first stages of pregnancy. Therefore, it has been supposed that they can substitute this
molecule during the late stages of pregnancy.
After the transitory attachment of the embryo to the endometrium surface, migration of
BNCs and formation of syncytia and trinucleate cells, the formation of placenta takes place. This
is the third, final stage (Guillomot et al., 1981) that completes embryo attachment. In fact, prior
73
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
to day 16 in the sheep and day 25 in cattle, the placenta is essentially diffuse (Senger, 2005). At
this time the chorion begins the attachment to the caruncules of the uterus. It is likely that in
buffalo species embryo attachment and placenta formation starts later than in bovine, probably
around 30-35 days.
Embryonic mortality in buffalo
According to that said above, pregnancy maintenance is due to either the embryo capacity
of signalling its presence and the mother capacity of recognizing these signals and maintaining
an adequate uterine environment (Thatcher et al., 1995). Hence, interactions between the corpus
luteum, endometrium and embryo are critical to the successful establishment of pregnancy and
inadequacies will result in the mortality of the embryo (Robinson et al., 2008). In particular,
three different types of embryonic mortality can be distinguished: an early embryonic mortality
(EEM), which occurs within 21 days post-insemination, a late embryonic mortality (LEM),
between 21 and 45 days of pregnancy and a foetal mortality (FM) that occurs between 45 and 90
days of gestation. After that, the interruption of pregnancy is defined as abortion.
The EEM is usually due to the incapability of the embryo to signal its presence to the
mother and hence to block the production of PGF2α and oxytocin receptors synthesis (Binelli et
al., 2001). For these reasons the luteolysis occurs and usually the animal returns in estrus 21 days
after insemination. In this case the interruption of pregnancy is very difficult to evaluate. It has
been reported in cattle that the incidence of this phenomenon can reach 30% of the inseminated
animals, representing one of the main causes of reproductive failure in this species (Diskin and
Sreenan, 1980; Robinson et al., 2008). No data are available in buffalo species regarding the
incidence of EEM, while several reports confirms a high incidence of LEM, that is usually
considered a remote eventuality in cattle (Vasconcelos et al., 1997). The incidence of FM is
usually between 5 and 14% (Russo et al., 2009).
Several factors can cause embryonic loss in buffalo species. In particular, the seasonality
is considered one of the main causes (Campanile et al., 2005). In Italy, in fact, the application of
the out of breeding season mating technique guarantees milk production in accordance with
market requirements, but it forces the breeders to mate buffaloes during the less favourable
periods (Zicarelli, 1997). This condition is often responsible of embryonic loss, and, in
particular, of LEM. In fact, it has been observed that embryonic loss in animals mated by
artificial insemination (AI) is 20-40% during seasons characterized by high number of light
hours (Campanile et al., 2005; Campanile et al., 2007a; Campanile et al., 2007b), whereas values
of around 7% were recorded in Brazil during decreasing light days (Baruselli et al., 1997). On
the contrary, an embryonic mortality rate of 20% has been reported for buffaloes close to the
equator (Vale et al., 1989). The effect of seasonality on embryonic mortality has also been
observed in natural mating (Vecchio et al., 2007). In buffaloes naturally mated, independently
from the conception period, 8.8% and 13.4% showed respectively embryonic mortality between
28-45 days and between 46-90 days of pregnancy (Vecchio et al., 2007). In this work no
differences were found between the incidence of EM in relation to the conception period, while a
high incidence (P<0.01) of FM was found during a period of increasing daylight length
(transitional period: December-March) compared to the April-July period. It has been
hypothesized that this condition is due to the presence, in the transitional period, of subjects that
become pregnant, even if they have a lower function of the corpus luteum because they are
going into anoestrus. In the subsequent months (April-July) an increased incidence of acyclic
buffaloes is observed and, hence, only the subjects that are not sensitive to the photoperiod are
cyclic and become pregnant. In fact, the incidence of FM is similar to that observed in the
decreasing daylight length period (August-November), that is the favourable period for
reproductive activity. These data are in accordance with Baruselli (personal communication),
74
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
that found an embryonic mortality (after 30 days from AI) of 13.2% and 7.0% respectively in
decreasing and increasing daylight length period.
In any case, in contrast to that reported in cattle, a high incidence of LEM is observed in
buffalo species (Campanile et al., 2005). LEM is not affected by age, parity or lactation stage
and infectious agents explained only about 2-8% of the cases (Campanile et al., 2005; Campanile
et al., 2007a). Corpus luteum activity, and hence P4 levels, seems to be one of the main factors
involved in this phenomenon. Campanile et al. (Campanile et al., 2005) found a higher P4 plasma
levels in pregnant buffaloes than in buffaloes which showed embryonic mortality since day 10
after AI, whilst P4 in non-pregnant buffaloes was intermediate. Pregnant buffaloes had also
higher plasma P4 on day 20 than both non-pregnant buffaloes and buffaloes that showed
embryonic mortality. P4 plasma concentration significantly decreased only in non-pregnant
buffaloes between day 10 and 20. In a further trial, it has been observed that pregnant buffaloes
show higher concentrations of P4 milk whey than both animals showing embryonic mortality and
non-pregnant buffaloes on day 20 and day 25 but only than non-pregnant buffaloes on Day 10
(Campanile et al., 2007b).
The role of P4 in pregnancy maintenance has been previously demonstrated in cattle and
sheep, in which low levels of this hormone have been associated with EEM (Garret et al., 1988;
Mann and Lamming, 1999; Mann and Lamming, 2001). Impaired P4 secretion has been linked
with a reduced capacity of the developing embryo to secrete IFN-τ at threshold amounts
necessary to prevent luteolysis (Wathes et al., 1998). The importance of corpus luteum activity in
buffalo species has been confirmed in a recent trial performed on 288 multiparous Italian
Mediterranean Buffalo cows (Russo et al., 2009). In this study corpus luteum size and blood
flow were determined by real-time B-mode⁄colour-Doppler on day 10 after AI and the resistive
index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were recorded at the time. Corpus luteum blood flow on Day
10 after AI showed higher RI and PI values in buffaloes that subsequently were not pregnant on
Day 25 compared with pregnant buffaloes. Buffaloes that were not pregnant on Day 45 also had
a higher RI value on Day 10 than pregnant buffaloes, whilst PI values on Day 10 did not differ
for the two groups of buffaloes.
Finally, it can not be ruled out that P4 may have also an effect on the endometrium. In
fact, it has been reported above that the action of P4, on the uterine epithelium reduces the
synthesis of the MUC-1 glycoprotein, favouring embryo attachment (Geisert and Malayer,
2000). It is likely that in buffalo species, where a high incidence of LEM has been observed, the
reduced activity of corpus luteum and hence low P4 levels, may be not sufficient for blocking the
synthesis of this protein, impairing embryo attachment.
Another factor that can be involved in the phenomenon of embryonic mortality is gamete
quality. Oocyte quality is able to affect embryo development and interfere with the following
gestation. In buffalo species this phenomenon may be more frequent during the seasonal
anoestrus, which coincides with day length increase (Campanile et al., 2005) and, consequently,
with the resumption of sexual promiscuity in the farms in which the out of breeding season
mating technique is applied. Campanile et al. (Campanile et al., 2005) demonstrated that 51% of
buffaloes which showed embryonic mortality had P4 concentrations on days 10 and 20 similar to
those of animals which maintained pregnancy. Therefore, it is possible that other factors, rather
than reduced circulating P4 concentrations, also contributed to embryonic mortality. With this
regard, it was reported that oocyte quality, judged as the capacity to result in embryonic
development and pregnancy, is worse in buffaloes during the anoestrous period (Abdoon et al.,
2001), occurring when daylight length increases (Zicarelli, 1997). Furthermore, the incidence of
embryonic mortality between 40th and 60th day post AI is three times higher in buffaloes that are
acyclic 70 days post partum (Zicarelli, 1994), compared to those that are cyclic.
75
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Can the embryonic mortality be reduced?
Different strategies have been studied in order to reduce the phenomenon of embryonic
loss in buffalo species. According to several studies performed in cattle (Mann and Lamming,
2001; Mann, 2002) the presence of an early P4 peak (within 5 days after mating or AI) facilitates
the elongation of the conceptus and, consequently, the secretion of adequate IFN-τ. This can be
achieved by inducing increased endogenous secretion or by administering exogenous P4 (Mann
and Lamming, 1999; Mann, 2002). In the first case, the foremost molecules utilized were natural
sequence of GnRH, GnRH agonists or hCG. The administration of these substances stimulates
corpus luteum function, induces accessory corpus luteum formation, increases P4 and reduces
estradiol production, with a consequent positive effect on embryonic survival (Kerbler et al.,
1997; Thatcher et al., 2003; Bartolome et al., 2005).
In buffalo species there are some controversial results, regarding the best moment for
hormonal treatment. Campanile et al. (Campanile et al., 2007a) reported that treatment with
exogenous P4 (PRID®, Vetem) on day 5 after A.I gave the lowest pregnancy rate and highest
incidence of embryonic mortality, suggesting that exogenous P4 can have had a detrimental
effect on conception. It is possible that exogenous P4 may contribute to the regulation of LH and
reduce the capacity of the preformed corpus luteum to increase P4 synthesis and release. After
removal of the exogenous source of P4 the corpus luteum may not be able to secrete P4 in the
amount required to maintain pregnancy. Furthermore, the injection of 12.6 μg GnRH agonist
(buserelin) or 1500 I.U. of hCG on Day 5 after A.I. increased P4 concentrations without reducing
the incidence of embryonic mortality. It should be noted, however, that P4 in buffaloes treated
with buserelin and hCG was significantly different to control buffaloes only on Day 15 after AI.
It is therefore possible that P4 was not elevated for a sufficient time in the period after AI to have
a major effect on uterine function and embryo-maternal interactions (Campanile et al., 2007a).
The present findings are in contrast with Kumar et al. (Kumar et al., 2003), who reported an
increase in conception rate in buffaloes treated with 125 mg of 17-α hydroxyprogesterone
caproate s.c. on Day 4 after AI. It is possible that the type and mode of exogenous P4 treatment
may influence the response in buffaloes. With this regard, 341 mg of 17-α hydroxyprogesterone
caproate administered i.m. 3 times, at 4-day intervals, starting on Day 25 after AI, reduced the
incidence of embryonic mortality in a buffalo herd characterised by a high incidence of
embryonic mortality (Campanile et al., 2007b). Treatment with buserelin or hCG on Day 25
after A.I. in pregnant buffaloes also reduced the incidence of embryonic mortality in buffaloes
bred in a farm characterized by high incidence of embryonic mortality (Campanile et al., 2007b).
In cattle, treatment with hCG on Day 5 or Day 7 after AI increases P4 concentrations by
enhancing secretion from the existing corpus luteum and also by inducing ovulation and
formation of an accessory corpus luteum (Kerbler et al., 1997). In buffalo species, P4 increased
on Day 10 after injection of 1.500 I.U. of hCG. It can be speculated that in buffaloes hCG may
not increase the P4 secreting capacity of the existing corpus luteum, but can induce ovulation and
formation of an accessory corpus luteum which leads to increased P4 some time later. It is known
that hCG administered at Day 25 after AI induces ovulation in around 57% of buffaloes
(Campanile et al., 2007c) and that there is a similar response to GnRH agonists, using which
ovulation rates of 62% (Campanile et al., 2007d) and 68.6% (Campanile et al., 2007c) are
observed, respectively after administration on day 5 or 25 post AI. The mean follicular diameter
which resulted sensitive to the hormonal treatment was about 8.9 mm in both treatments, varying
between 4.2 and 13.0 mm (Campanile et al., 2007c; Campanile et al., 2007d). It is worth pointing
out that the dimensions of the follicles recorded in buffaloes responsive to the treatments were
similar to those of buffaloes in which ovulation did not occur. These data are in accordance with
those reported in bibliography in cattle (Martinez et al., 1999), regarding the incidence of
subjects responsive to the treatment with GnRH and the dimensions of responsive follicles.
Buffaloes that ovulated in response to the treatment with a GnRH agonist showed a progressive
76
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
increase in milk whey P4 concentrations on Days 10, 15 and 20, while progesterone levels
remained relatively constant for buffaloes that did not ovulate. The injection of a GnRH agonist
on Day 5 after AI increased milk whey progesterone concentrations in 97% of buffaloes
subsequently pregnant on Day 40, compared to 68% in the non-pregnant buffaloes (P<0.01). A
greater (P<0.05) proportion of the buffaloes that ovulated (96.7%), compared to buffalo that did
not ovulate (68.4%) recorded a gestational chamber on Day 40 after AI and were judged to be
pregnant (Campanile et al., 2007d). Ovulation also increased milk whey progesterone levels and
reduced embryonic mortality in buffalo cows treated with 1500 I.U. of hCG or 12.6 μg of GnRH
agonist on Day 25 after AI (Campanile et al., 2007c). However, treatments with these hormones
are not always able to reduce the incidence of embryonic loss. In fact, in a recent trial (Vecchio
et al., 2008) performed in buffaloes mated by AI, it was observed that in animals that showed
low whey progesterone concentration on day 20 and 25 after AI, the treatments by GnRH
agonist, hCG and progesterone were ineffective to increase progesterone levels and reduce the
embryonic loss. Although LEM precedes luteolysis, the possibility that luteal function is
compromised before embryos are lost can not be ruled out. In fact, as mentioned above, in a
previous study carried out in buffalo inseminated in the transitional period, Campanile et al.
(Campanile et al., 2005) found a decline in blood P4 levels on days 10 and 20 after AI in subjects
that showed EM between day 25 and 40 after AI. It can be supposed that in animals showing low
progesterone concentration on both day 20 and 25, the embryo viability is probably
compromised and hence the treatments are not sufficient to reduce the phenomenon of EM. On
the basis of this study, it is likely that the treatments would be performed earlier than day 25
post-insemination, to enlarge the range of responsive subjects.
Another new approach to increase P4 concentration is the utilization of prostaglandins. In
fact, it is well known that an injection of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) or its analogues caused
corpus luteum regression after day 6 till day 15 of the estrus cycle in cattle (Tsai et al., 1998), by
increasing the intraluteal production of vasoactive molecules, such as Endothelin-1 (ET-1;
(Ohtani et al., 1998) and Angiotensin-II (Ang-II; (Hayashi et al., 2001), both of which play a
fundamental role in the luteolytic process (Meidan et al., 1999). Contrarily, it has been recently
demonstrated in cattle that a PGF2α analogue injection on day 4 of the estrus cycle does not affect
CL formation and yet increases plasma P4 concentration yet on day 6 (Acosta et al., 2002).
Furthermore, several authors demonstrated the beneficial effect of PGF2α analogue
administration on conception rate in cattle (Rizzo et al., 2003). In a recent trial (Neglia et al.,
2008), the effects of an intravenous or intramuscular PGF2α analogue (cloprostenol)
administration on the day of estrus on progesterone concentration and pregnancy rate have been
evaluated in buffaloes synchronized and mated by AI. Buffaloes treated by PGF2α analogue,
either via intramuscular or intravenous injection, showed higher P4 concentration in milk whey
on day 11 post-insemination than control groups (Neglia et al., 2008). Furthermore, a
significantly higher (P<0.01) pregnancy rate has been observed (46.7 vs. 30.7% in treated and
control groups, respectively). These results have been only partially confirmed in another trial
performed in lactating buffaloes (Di Palo et al., 2007). In this case treatment with cloprostenol
increased pregnancy rate only in one farm (51.6 vs. 30%, in treated and control group,
respectively), whereas no differences have been observed in another farm. However, it is worth
pointing out that in the farm where no differences have been observed, the pregnancy rate in
control group was particularly high (46.1%), suggesting that the treatment may be unnecessary if
the fertility is high (Di Palo et al., 2007).
Conclusions
Embryonic mortality represents one of the major causes of fertility loss in buffalo
species, in particular in some countries, like Italy, where the animals were mated during their
unfavorable season. Several causes may be involved in this phenomenon, such as seasonality,
77
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
corpus luteum activity, gametes quality, farm management and environment. Only few of these
mechanisms are actually understood and hence is not so easy to perform strategies to reduce the
phenomenon. The treatments to induce an early P4 peak after ovulation, that have proven
successful in increasing pregnancy rates in cattle, are not necessarily applicable to buffaloes, in
which the embryonic mortality seems to occur usually later, between 25 and 45 days postinsemination. Furthermore, the treatments may be useless in farms where the fertility is very
high and the phenomenon has scarce relevance. Further studies are needed in order to better
comprehend the phases of embryo development and attachment, that probably represent two
critical moments in this species.
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Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
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Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
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82
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Possibilidade de avaliação genética para bubalinos leiteiros na América do Sul
H. Tonhati, M.F. Cerón-Muñoz, N.A. Hurtado-Lugo, R.R. Aspilcueta-Borquis,
F. Baldi, L.G. Albuquerque
Departamento de Zootecnia, FCAV, UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP
E-mail: [email protected]
Introdução
Nos programas de melhoramento genético para bubalinos no âmbito mundial, utilizam-se
diferentes critérios de seleção para produção de leite. Tradicionalmente, os países asiáticos
expressam a produção do leite com base em 305 dias de lactação (Sharma e Singh,1988;
Umrikar e Deshpande,1985), entretanto, na Itália tem-se em conta a produção de leite ajustada
até 270 dias (Rosati e Van Vleck, 2002) e no Brasil e na Colômbia utilizam-se lactações até 240
ou 270 dias (Tonhati et al., 2000; Hurtado-Lugo et al., 2006).
Trabalhos realizados por Tonhati e Ceron-Muñoz, (2002) e Hurtado-lugo et al., (2006)
demonstraram que os recursos genéticos bubalinos destes países apresentam programas de
seleção similares para a seleção de reprodutores com base na produção do leite aos 240 e 270
dias de lactação. Este fato permitiria que países em via de desenvolvimento se beneficiassem da
seleção de reprodutores entre os países envolvidos mediante estudos de Interação GenótipoAmbiente e avaliação genética conjunta (Banos e smith, 1991; Fikse, 2002 ).
A interação genótipo ambiente na produção de leite entre o Brasil e a Colômbia, está
sendo estudada e as análises serão feitas pela metodologia de modelos mistos usando modelo
animal. Determinar-se-á a existência da interação genótipo ambiente (IGA) entre países para as
diferentes características usando analises multi-características considerando-se cada país como
uma característica distinta, e serão realizadas avaliações genéticas conjuntas.
Informações gerais das fazendas bubalinas da Colômbia
As informações utilizadas no estudo foram provenientes de 4 rebanhos bubalinos
controlados e cadastrados no Programa de Controle Leiteiro, gerenciado pela FCAVUDEA/Medellín, Ant, Colômbia. Estes rebanhos têm como finalidade a exploração leiteira,
sendo caracterizados por possuir animais mestiços com alta linhagem da raça Murrah e suas
cruzas de linhas Brasileiras e Búlgaras. Os animais eram mantidos em pastagens formadas com
espécies dos gêneros Brachiaria sp. e Panicum SP e em menor percentagem alimentados com
leguminosas, recebendo sal mineral ad libitum.
Alem do mais, as ordenhas foram realizadas uma ou duas vezes ao dia (manhã e tarde)
com a presença do bezerro, permanecendo uma hora com a mãe depois da ordenha. Os controles
leiteiros foram realizados mensalmente. Em duas tem-se ordenha mecânica. No caso das
fazendas da Colômbia os partos ocorreram, em sua maioria do mês agosto até o mês janeiro. As
bases dos dados facilitadas pelos criadores apresentavam diferentes formatos eletrônicos
(softwares especiais elaborados para fazendas pecuárias, entre eles; Intertrace, Ganadero,
Interherd, e Excel). Assim, foi necessário mudar o tipo dos arquivos das fazendas com a
finalidade de processar estatisticamente as informações produtivas (tabela 1).
83
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Tabela 1. Informações gerais sobre dados das fazendas da Colômbia
Formato
Formato final
Nº de
original
Nº de
das bases dos
controles
Ítem /
Software
das
controles
dados para
leiteiros
Fazenda
utilizado
bases
leiteiros
ser
depois da
dos
iniciais
processado
depuração
dados
1
Ganadero *.mdb *.dbf e *.xls 95344
63899
2
Ganadero *.mdb *.dbf e *.xls
4882
4374
3
Ganadero *.mdb *.dbf e *.xls 74681
64929
Intertrace, Papel
4
*.dbf e *.xls 10250
3850
Interherd *.mdf
Nº de
lactações
Nº de
aprox.
Animáis
(com 9
controles)
7099,9
486,0
7214,3
2029
139
2061
427,8
171
Depois das primeiras depurações dos dados produtivos foram eliminados animais: com
registros genealógicos ou produtivos repetidos, sem número dos partos, e animais com numero
dos partos, mas sem as informações produtivas, animais que não apresentavam informações
produtivas, animais com durações das lactações menores a 40 ou maiores a 360 dias da lactação
(tabela 1).
Na tabela 2, apresentam-se as informações estatísticas descritivas das fazendas da
Colômbia. As medias de produção do leite até 240 e 270 dias da lactação encontram-se dentro
dos valores esperados para a espécie bubalina.
Tabela 2. Informações estatísticas gerais sobre dados produtivos das fazendas da Colômbia.
Variável
Media
L270
1,149,76 kg
L240
885,17 kg
DURLAC
255,27 dias
DURLAC = Duração da lactação
L270 = Produção do leite até 270 dias da lactação
L240 = Produção do leite até 240 dias da lactação
O numero de animais com informações genealógicas nas fazendas da Colômbia são
apresentadas na tabela 3. O número de reprodutores ou bubalinos brasileiros que serviram de
conectabilidade entre fazendas da Colômbia foi superior a 15 (tabela 3). Alem do mais, em cada
fazenda tem-se uma grande quantidade de descendentes dos reprodutores Brasileiros, este fato
indica a possibilidade de realizar a união dos arquivos das informações genealógicas para ambos
os países (tabela 3).
Tabela 3. Informações gerais sobre os dados genealógicos das fazendas da Colômbia.
Nº de animais
Nº animais
Nº Reprodutores Brasileiros
Nº Total de
Item/
iniciais em cada
depois da
que serviram de
touros em
Fazenda
fazenda
depuração
conectabilidade entre fazendas cada fazenda
1
25152
10255
20
262
2
7143
4311
15
150
3
26640
11475
210
22
4
1973
1208
22
105
Na tabela 4, são apresentados os 25 reprodutores brasileiros que têm descendentes nas
fazendas da Colômbia.
84
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Tabela 4. Informações gerais sobre os reprodutores brasileiros empregados nas fazendas da
Colômbia.
Nome
1
Biguá
Bingo
Bretao
Buzios
Cadilac
Friburgo
Guatamb
Iburu
Indiano
Lobo da poranga
Mandaqui
Bm43
Meia noite
Montenegro
Nobre
Banthu
Obalue
Palenque
Repique
Ritual
Rotak
Sacaraoide
Salesiano
Sacaraoide
Trovao
Trucao
Valentao pat 01
Valentao da poty
Vencedo
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Informações gerais das fazendas bubalinas do Brasil
As informações utilizadas no estudo foram provenientes de dez rebanhos controlados e
cadastrados no Programa de Controle Leiteiro de Búfalo gerenciado pelo Departamento de
Zootecnia da FCAV-UNESP/Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil. Estes rebanhos têm como finalidade a
exploração leiteira. Os animais eram mantidos em pastagens formadas com espécies dos gêneros
Brachiaria sp. e Panicum sp., recebendo concentrados na proporção de 1 kg de concentrado para
3 kg de leite produzido, bem como, suplemento volumoso, principalmente, a cana-de-açúcar no
período seco (abril-outubro) e sal mineral ad libitum. As ordenhas foram realizadas duas vezes
ao dia (manhã e tarde) com a presença do bezerro. As ordenhas foram realizadas uma ou duas
vezes ao dia (manhã e tarde) com a presença do bezerro. Os
controles
leiteiros
foram
realizados mensalmente, de maneira que o leite produzido fosse pesado depois da ordenha, além
de ordená-los em duas estações de parto dentro do ano, sendo elas de abril a setembro, onde se
observa a maior concentração dos partos e de outubro a março. Na tabela 5 são apresentadas as
85
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
informações produtivas gerais dos rebanhos Brasileiros.
Tabela 5. Informações gerais sobre dados produtivos das fazendas do Brasil.
Formato original
Nº de controles
Nº de lactações
Item /
Nº de controles
das bases dos
leiteiros depois da
aprox. (com 9
Fazenda
leiteiros iniciais
dados
1ra depuração
controles)
6
*.xls
5371
5154
5737
7
*.xls
1155
956
1062
8
*.xls
8454
7889
877
9
*.xls
5748
4988
554
10
*.xls
1880
209
2408
11
*.xls
420
47
601
12
*.xls
2576
2379
264
13
*.xls
23177
2575
24598
14
*.xls
21213
2357
23198
15
*.xls
12876
1431
14591
Depois das primeiras depurações dos dados produtivos foram eliminados animais: com
registros genealógicos ou produtivos repetidos, sem número dos partos, animais com numero dos
partos, mas sem as informações produtivas, animais que não apresentavam informações
produtivas, animais com durações das lactações menores a 40 ou maiores a 360 dias da lactação
(tabela 5).
Na tabela 6, apresentam-se as informações estatísticas descritivas das fazendas do Brasil.
As medias de produção do leite até 240 e 270 dias da lactação encontram-se dentro dos valores
esperados para a espécie bubalina.
Tabela 6. Informações estatísticas generais sobre dados produtivos das fazendas do Brasil.
Variável
Media
L270
1.634,17 kg
L240
1.560,23 kg
DURLAC
266,11 dias
DURLAC = Duração da lactação
L270 = Produção do leite até 270 dias da lactação
L240 = Produção do leite até 240 dias da lactação
O número de animais com informações genealógicas nas fazendas do Brasil são
apresentadas na tabela 7.
Os reprodutores bubalinos brasileiros têm uma boa quantidade de descendentes e
familiares nas diferentes fazendas de ambos os países, este fato o permitiria estabelecer que estes
reprodutores fossem considerados como touros de conectabilidade (tabela 3, 4,7 e 8).
Na tabela 8, são apresentados os reprodutores bubalinos brasileiros que são empregados
nas fazendas do Brasil e que têm descendentes nas fazendas da Colômbia.
86
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Tabela 7. Informações gerais sobre os dados genealógicos das fazendas do Brasil.
Nº Reprodutores Brasileiros Nº Total de
Nº de animais
Nº animais
Item /
que serviram de
touros em
iniciais em cada
depois da
Fazenda
conectabilidade entre
cada
fazenda
depuração
fazendas
fazenda
479
10
73
6
523
220
190
2
41
7
1344
1290
43
8
6
707
687
6
35
9
710
5
25
10
754
79
3
0
11
93
823
766
6
68
12
2146
11
105
13
2286
1699
14
1781
8
229
778
15
997
2
65
Tabela 8. Informações gerais sobre os reprodutores brasileiros mais empregados nas fazendas do
Brasil e com descendentes na Colômbia.
Nome
Bigua
Bingo
Bretao
Buzios
Cadilac
Friburgo
Guatambu
Iburu
Indiano
Lobo da ponga
Mandaqui
Bm43
Meia noite
Montenegro
Nobre
Banthu
Obalue
Palenque
Repique
Ritual
Rotak
Sacaraoide
Salesiano
Sacaraoide
Trovao
Trucao
Valentao pat 01
Valentao da poty
Vencedor
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
87
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Conectabilidade das informações genealógicas e produtivas dos
animais em avaliação nos dois países
Os animais em avaliação têm uma grande quantidade de informações em comum, tanto
genealógicas como produtivas, para ambos os países. Além disto, as informações foram
complementadas e corrigidas pelos registros genealógicos e produtivos da Associação Brasileira
de Criadores de Bubalinos (BCCB), pelos livros genealógicos da Associação Colombiana de
Búfalos (ACB) e os dados dos programas do controle leiteiro das universidades. Este trabalho foi
feito, com a finalidade de evitar erros nas recodificações de identificação dos animais e dos
reprodutores que servirão para conectar as bases entre as fazendas em ambos os países. Este
labor permitiu montar um mesmo arquivo para todas as informações genealógicas e produtivas
das fazendas da Colômbia e do Brasil e desta forma unificar e estandardizar todas as informações
genealógicas dos animais em avaliação.
Observa-se um grande numero das informações genealógicas, produtivas (lactações) e
numero de animais das fazendas da Colômbia (tabelas 1, 3 e 4) e do Brasil (tabelas 5, 7, 8),
respectivamente. Por enquanto, considera-se que com esta quantidade de informações, é factível
realizar uma avaliação genética conjunta para a produção do leite até 240 e 270 dias da lactação.
O próximo passo será realizar a analise final com as bases dos dados depuradas e
descritas anteriormente.
Avanços na metodologia a ser empregada
Posterior à depuração das bases de dados dos dois países, continuar-se-á com as análises
estatísticas utilizando os programas computacionais para análises genéticas MTDFREML e
WOMBAT, com a finalidade de estimar os parâmetros genéticos para a produção do leite até
240 e 270 dias da lactação.
De modo geral utilizar-se-á o seguinte modelo bi-característico:
y i = X i bi + Z i ai + Wi pei + ei
Onde:
yi
=
Vetor de observações para a i-ésima característica. i= produção de leite no
Brasil e Colômbia;
bi
=
Vetor dos efeitos fixos de fazenda e ano para a i-ésima característica;
ai
=
Vetor de efeito aleatório genético aditivo do animal para a i-ésima
característica;
pei
=
Vetor do efeito aleatório de ambiente permanente da vaca para a i-ésima
característica;
ei
=
Vetor de efeitos aleatórios residuais para a i-ésima característica.
Com este tipo de modelação espera-se estimar os componentes de variâncias, a correlação
genética e as covariâncias genéticas entre ambientes. A estimação de variâncias heterogêneas
entre ambientes poderão ser indicativos da interação genótipo-ambiente entre os rebanhos do
Brasil e da Colômbia. Será ainda considerada no estudo a comparação entre os valores genéticos
dos animais nos ambientes considerados.
88
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Referências bibliográficas
Banos G, Wiggans, G, Robinson J. 1992. Comparison of methods to rank bull across countries.
J. Dairy Sci. 75, p 2560-2568.
Banos G, Smith, C 1991. Selecting bulls across countries to maximize genetic improvement in
dairy cattle. J. Anim Breed Genet. 108, 174-181.
Bernardes O. Os búfalos no brasil. In: III simposio de búfalos de las américas, colombia, 2006.
Memorias del III Simp. de Búfalos de las Américas, pag 18.
Boldman K et al., A manual for use of mtdfreml. Lincoln: Department of Agricultura /
Agricultural Research Service, 1995. 120p.
Faostat. Disponível em http://faostat.fao.org/site/409/. acesso em: 10/09/2005.
Fikse F. Advances in international genetic evaluation procedures of dairy cattle. 2002. Thesis
(doctor of philosophy)-department of animal breeding and genetics, swedish university of
agricultural sciences, Uppsala.
Goddard M, Smith C. 1990. Optimum number of bull sires in dairy cattle breeding. J. Dairy
Sci. 73, 1113-1122. (ok)
Hurtado-lugo N, Cerón-Muñoz M, Gutierrez-Valencia A. Estimates of genetic parameters of
milk yield in test day analysis in buffaloes of the Colombian Atlantic coast. Livestock research
for rural development, Cali, v. 18, n. 3, 2006.
INTERBULL. National genetic evaluation programs for dairy production traits practiced in
interbull members countries. Interbull Bulletin, 2000 v.24, 111p.
Rosati A, Van Vleck LD. Estimation of genetic parameters for milk, fat, protein and mozzarella
cheese production in the italian river buffalo population. Livest. Prod. Sci., v.74, n.2, p.185-190,
2002.
SAS INSTITUTE (Cary, United States). Cary, 2002. SAS® User's Guide: Statistics
Sharma R, Singh B. Genetic studies on murrah buffaloes in livestock farms in uttar pradesh. In:
world buffalo congress, 1988, New Delhi. Proced.. P.128-133
Sanint L. in: pasado, presente y futuro del búfalo en colombia. 2006 In: Memorias del III
simposio de búfalos de las Américas, Colombia, pag 32.
Tonhati H Cerón-Muñoz, M. Milk production and quality and buffalo genetic procceding in
the state of sao paulo, brazil. In: 1st Buffalo Symposium of the Americas, Belém, PA. P 267280, 2002.
Tonhati H. et al., parâmetros genéticos para a produção de leite, gordura e proteína em
bubalinos. Rev. Bras. Zootec., v.29, n.6, p.2051-2056,. Suplem. 2000.
Umrikar OD, Deshpande, KS. Genetic studies on lactation length and dry period in murrah
buffaloes. Indian j. Anim. Sci., v.55, n.10, p.888-892, 1985.
Warwick E, Legates J. Cria y manejo del ganado. 3 ed. Mexico McGraw-Hill, 1980.
89
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Características de criações de búfalos no Brasil e a contribuição do
marketing no agronegócio Bubalino
O. Gonçalves
Academia da Força Aérea, Ministério da Defesa, Pirassununga, SP
E-mail: [email protected]
Introdução
− Crescimento da pecuária no mercado brasileiro: em especial a Bubalinocultura.
− Características diferenciais de produtividade: Precocidade, docilidade, longevidade e
adaptabilidade.
− Mudanças dos aspectos cotidianos – novos produtos.
− Avaliação do perfil de algumas unidades produtoras de bubalinos.
− Propostas de melhoria no agronegócio bubalino: Utilização de ferramentas de gestão.
Revisão da literatura
9 A Bubalinocultura
− Classificação zoológica: Ruminantes da família dos Bovidae, grupo bubalina.
9 População mundial de búfalos
− Maior concentração encontra-se nos países asiáticos (97%).
− Em 2003 o Brasil possuía 94,82% dos búfalos existentes no Continente Americano
(1.149.424).
Distribuição de búfalos nas Regiões Geográficas brasileiras – 2006.
12%
6%
10%
61%
11%
Norte
Nordeste
Sudeste
Sul
Centro-Oeste
9 Produção de Leite
− Brasil: Consumido na forma de derivados – mussarela, provolone, frescal, requeijão,
marajoara dentre outros
− A produtividade do leite de búfala supera o bovino em aproximadamente 50% na elaboração
de derivados.
90
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Derivado
Leite/Produto (L/kg)
Búfala
Bovina
Iogurte
1,20
2,0
Queijo CPATU
4,56
6,0 a 8,0
Mozzarella
5,50
8,0 a 10,0
Provolone
7,43
8,0 a 10,0
“Queijo Marajó”
6,00
10,0 a 12,0
Doce de leite
2,56
3,5
9 Produção de Carne
− Podem chegar a 530Kg em 2,5 anos em pastagens cultivadas ou 500Kg em 3,5 anos quando
em campo natural.
− Posicionamento no mercado: Qualidade de vida - oferta de carne macia e magra.
− Novas tecnologias (comercialização e qualidade): Trabalho em conjunto envolvendo
produtores, geneticistas, profissionais de mercado, dentre outros.
− Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalos (ABCB)
− Fundada em 1960: Incentivar a bubalinocultura.
− Serviço de Registro Genealógico (SRG): 1ª. no mundo.
− Objetivos do SRG: Comprovar filiação, linhagem e grau de sangue; melhoramento genético e
seleção dos reprodutores.
9 Agronegócio
- É toda relação comercial e industrial envolvendo a cadeia produtiva agrícola ou pecuária.
9 Cadeia de produção Agroindustrial
− Definida pelo produto final envolvendo operações comerciais, técnicas e logísticas e
atividades agrícolas e pecuária.
9 Sistema Agroindustrial (SAI)
- É o conjunto de atividades necessárias para a produção de bens agroindustriais.
- O SAI é composto por 6 grupos distintos.
9 Sistema Agroindustrial em um mercado competitivo
− Existência de 4 variáveis: Ambiente macroeconômico, tendências sociais, acesso à
tecnologia e regulamentações governamentais.
- Identificação da marca pelo consumidor: Origem e segurança do produto – “Baby
Búfalo”.
- Taxa de crescimento: Investimentos.
- Demanda estável pelos produtos agroindustriais.
- Oferta: Variações decorrentes à sazonalidade e ao número de produtores (mercado
interno e externo).
9 Características da Cadeia Agroindustrial
- Análise da capacidade de utilização da estrutura de produção.
- Oportunidades Tecnológicas.
- Barreiras de entrada.
91
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
9 Opções estratégicas para Empresas Agroindustriais
− Especialização: Nichos de mercado.
- Integração vertical: Suprimentos.
- Integração para frente: Controle do processo de produção e distribuição – satisfação dos
consumidores.
- Integração para trás: Qualidade e suprimento de matéria-prima.
-
Planejamento estratégico
- Determinação dos pontos fortes e fracos e análise das oportunidades e ameaças do mercado;
- Questões relacionadas ao Planejamento Estratégico:
- Onde queremos chegar? Qual o caminho?
- Quais são os fatores de sucesso?
9 Competição de mercado: Fatores que interferem na rentabilidade.
− Ameaça de entrada de novos produtos concorrentes.
- Rivalidade entre os competidores de mercado.
- Ameaça gerada pelo poder de negociação
9 Elaboração do Plano de Marketing
- Análise ou diagnóstico;
- Diretrizes: Missão, metas e políticas organizacionais;
- Estratégias: Meios necessários para o cumprimento das metas, e
- Avaliação: Mensuração do esforço de marketing.
9 Controle do Plano de Marketing
- Metas mensais ou trimestrais;
- Acompanhamento do desempenho no mercado;
- Implementação e avaliação do Plano de Marketing;
- Ações corretivas.
9 Diferenciação e Posicionamento do Produto
− Atributos percebidos pelo consumidor ajudam o posicionamento do produto no mercado.
- Oferta de animais com padrão uniforme: peso, gordura, couro etc.
- Oferta de produtos prontos (congelados) utilizando carne de búfalo.
9 Rastreabilidade e a Certificação de Processos e Produtos
- Garantia sobre a origem da carne;
- Identificação do caminho físico percorrido pela carne, insumos e processos utilizados;
- Certificação de origem: Procedência do animal – segurança da carne - SisBov: Sistema
Brasileiro de Identificação e Certificação de Origem Bovina e Bubalina.
- Certificação de conformidade: atesta os processos de produção – rebanhos ou lotes de animais.
- É importante que se perceba a credibilidade e o valor da certificação por parte do consumidor.
- ABCB: Selo de pureza dos produtos derivados do leite.
92
Sumário/Summary
autores/Author
index MG,
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's
Buffalo Symposium, Índice
4, 2009,
Pedro Leopoldo,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
9 Marketing no Agronegócio
- Associação Brasileira de Marketing Rural: Final da década de 70.
- Aplicação dos conceitos de marketing: Estabelecimento de objetivos, estratégias e táticas –
Produção e comercialização.
9 Alianças Mercadológicas
- Parceria vertical: supermercados, frigoríficos e pecuaristas oferecem produtos com certificado
de origem e qualidade.
- Dificuldades encontradas na padronização e regularidade de oferta.
9 Pesquisa de Mercado
- É o caminho para descobrir novas oportunidades de mercado;
- A utilização de questionário é a forma mais rápida de se obter informações, a baixos custos.
- Estudo do Comportamento do Consumidor: Utilização de pesquisa qualitativa.
9 Segmentação de Mercado
- Definição do mercado a atender: estratégias e esforços de marketing;
- Segmento de mercado apresenta características comuns: Clientes e necessidades.
Objetivos
− Identificar as características gerais de criações de búfalos no Brasil e de que maneira as
ferramentas de marketing podem contribuir para o reposicionamento dos produtos gerados
pela bubalinocultura.
Material e Métodos
9 Elaboração de Questionário para a Coleta de Dados: Características dos profissionais, dados
físicos das propriedades, tempo na atividade, maiores vantagens e desvantagens da
bubalinocultura.
9 Mapeamento da raça predominante e elementos que compõe a produção comercial e
composição do rebanho.
9 Investigar a produção e o destino do leite e da carne e a comercialização de fêmeas e machos.
9 Obtenção de dados ocorreu em duas fases:
1º Fase - Ferramenta teste para obtenção de dados referentes ao ano de 2005.
2º Fase - Utilização de questionário para o levantamento de dados referentes aos anos de 2006 e
2007.
9 Nesta segunda fase: Disponibilização on line de formulário através do servidor da FZEA/USP
e envio de correspondência do mesmo formulário (impresso).
9 Divulgação do formulário eletrônico na lista de discussão sobre bubalinocultura: 845
integrantes.
9 - (http://br.groups. yahoo.com/group/bufalos/) .
9 A correspondência via correio, foi encaminhada para 184 criatórios de búfalos: retornaram 33
formulários preenchidos, representando aproximadamente 18%.
9 Os dados foram tratados em planilha Excel através de análise univariada, bivariada e
multivariada.
Resultados e Discussão
-
Foram analisadas 50 propriedades em 12 Estados.
Maior freqüência das respostas: SP (28%), MG e RS (22%).
93
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
2%
28%
8% 2% 2%
2%
2%
22%
2%
22%
2% 6%
Amapá
Bahia
Ceará
Espírito Santo
Góias
Mato Grosso do Sul
Minas Gerais
Pará
Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Sul
Rondônia
São Paulo
− Estratificação das propriedades:
12,2%
22,5%
14,3%
51%
x ≤ 100 ha
100 ha <x≤ 700 ha
700 ha <x< 2000 ha
x ≥ 2000 ha
− Animais existentes nas propriedades:
Ano: 2006
24,4%
31,7%
43,9%
x ≤ 100
100 < x < 500
x ≥ 500
94
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Ano: 2007
27%
29%
44%
x ≤ 100
100 < x < 500
x ≥ 500
− Atividade rural principal desenvolvida:
4%
4%
12%
80%
Pecuária
Agricultura
Ensino e Pesquisa
Outro
− Principal finalidade da comercialização:
6%
2%
10%
22%
60%
Produção de leite
Machos para abate
Bezerros desmamados
Matrizes
Reprodutores
95
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Áreas de pastagens:
8,2%
22,4%
12,2%
57,2%
x ≤ 50 ha
50 ha < x < 450 ha
450 ha ≤ x < 1000 ha
x ≥ 1000 ha
− Composição do rebanho:
10%
16%
4%
70%
Murrah
Jafarabadi
Mediterrâneo
Mestiço
− Número de raças criadas:
0%
39%
61%
Apenas uma raça
Duas Raças
Mais de duas raças
96
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Finalidade secundária da comercialização:
4%
10%
20%
30%
30%
6%
Produção de leite
Machos para abate
Reprodutores
Bezerros desmamados
Matrizes
Outra
− Categoria do animal: Búfalas paridas.
Ano: 2006
12,8%
48,7%
38,5%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
Ano: 2007
9%
50%
41%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
97
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Categoria do animal: Bezerros (até a desmama).
Ano: 2006
18%
41%
41%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
Ano: 2007
13,6%
40,9%
45,5%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
− Categoria do animal: Novilhas (até 24 meses).
Ano: 2006
30,6%
36,1%
33,3%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
98
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Ano: 2007
20,9%
32,6%
46,5%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
− Categoria do animal: Garrotes (até 24 meses).
Ano: 2006
32,1%
39,3%
28,6%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
Ano: 2007
30,3%
36,4%
33,3%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
99
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Categoria do animal: Reprodutores.
Ano: 2006
0%
15,4%
84,6%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
Ano: 2007
0%
13%
87%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
− Categoria do animal: Búfalas em produção de leite.
Ano: 2006
12%
44%
44%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
100
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Ano: 2007
9,7%
38,7%
51,6%
x ≤ 20
20 < x < 100
x ≥ 100
− Produção média de leite por animal/dia.
Ano: 2006
4%
28%
28%
40%
x≤ 4
4 < x< 7
7 ≤ x ≤ 10
x > 10
Ano: 2007
6,6%
26,7%
26,7%
40%
x≤ 4
4 < x< 7
7 ≤ x ≤ 10
x > 10
101
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Período médio de lactação.
Ano: 2006
4%
28%
32%
36%
x ≤ 240
240 < x < 280
280 ≤ x ≤ 350
x > 350
− Destino do leite produzido.
9,4%
50%
40,6%
Laticínio
Produção de queijo na propriedade
Outro
− Comercialização de bubalinos: Fêmeas.
− Percentuais representam as unidades que consideraram a questão.
18%
38%
32%
48%
Fêmeas para recria
Fêmeas para reprodução
Fêmeas para frigorífico
Fêmeas para acougues
102
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Comercialização de bubalinos: Machos.
− Percentuais representam as unidades que responderam afirmativamente a questão.
22%
30%
46%
36%
Machos para recria
Machos para reprodução
Machos para frigorífico
Machos para açougues
− Sistema de produção: Percentuais representam as unidades que responderam afirmativamente
a questão.
6%
22%
2%
62%
60%
Somente pastagem
Pastagem rotacionada
Confinamento total de fêmeas
Confinamento parcial de fêmeas
Confinamento de machos para abate
− Suplementação alimentar: Percentuais representam as unidades que responderam
afirmativamente a questão.
42%
32%
54%
34%
10%
82%
42%
36%
46%
Suplementação com volumoso
Silagem
Feno
Capineira
Cana-de-açúcar
Sal comum
Sal mineral
Uréia
Concentrado comercial
103
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Caracterização da atividade: Tempo na atividade.
16%
84%
x≤ 5
x> 5
− Caracterização da atividade: Outras atividades.
44%
56%
Apenas bubalinocultura
Bubalinocultura e outra(s)
− Maiores despesas operacionais:
13%
35%
alimentação
manutenção
5%
37%
10%
mão-de-obra
remédios
salários
104
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
− Maiores receitas na bubalinocultura:
7%
19%
14%
55%
5%
deriados do leite
leite
leite e machos para abate
reprodução
venda para frigoríficos
− Vantagens da bubalinocultura:
20%
5%
50%
10%
15%
baixo custo de produção
exclusividade dos produtos da bubalinocultura
nicho de mercado
rendimento e valorização do leite
rusticidade, longevidade e docilidade
− Desvantagens da bubalinocultura:
15%
8%
5%
10%
15%
34%
8%
5%
administração de toda cadeia
baixa liquidez
baixos preços de abate e couro
comercialização
demora na formação do rebanho
mercado desorganizado
não há desvantagens
preconceito
105
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Conclusões
− Bubalinocultura representa uma opção de pecuária rentável:
− Facilidade de criação: precocidade, rusticidade e docilidade.
− Excelente qualidade da carne e leite.
Nos criatórios analisados existem as raças Murrah, Jafarabadi, Mediterrâneo e Mestiços,
com a predominância da raça Murrah.
Sistema de criação: baixo custo em pastagens contínua e uso de pastejo rotacionado –
pouco uso de suplementação alimentar.
9 Finalidade econômica principal: produção de leite para a fabricação do queijo mussarela.
9 Barreiras à comercialização da carne: baixo preço no mercado devido à discriminação do
búfalo pelo consumidor.
9 Existe a necessidade de desenvolvimento de uma estrutura adequada para apoiar o
bubalinocultor, através:
− Controle zootécnico e dos custos de produção;
− Emprego de técnicas de planejamento e de tecnologia de produção a fim de melhorar a oferta
de animais quanto à produtividade, qualidade e sazonalidade.
− Criação de alianças estratégicas entre os elementos da cadeia a fim de fortalecer todo o
sistema.
− Utilização de consultoria de gestão organizacional e de produção.
− Implantação de programa que bonifique os produtos com qualidade diferenciada.
− Criação de Campanhas Mercadológicas a fim de divulgar e posicionar os produtos da
bubalinocultura.
− Necessidade de maior coesão entre os produtores a fim de promover o fortalecimento da
atividade.
− A carne de búfalo é uma alternativa produtiva, viável e rentável para o combate à fome no
Brasil.
106
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Resumos/Abstracts
Sumário/Summary
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Test day yield in Buffalypso/Carabao crossbred females
Alina Mitat1, A. Menéndez-Buxadera2, Dianelys González-Peña3, F. Ramos4
1
Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), Havana, Cuba;
National Livestock Recording Center (CENCOP), Ministry of Agriculture, Cuba;
3
Research Center for Tropical Livestock Breeding (CIMAGT), Havana, Cuba
4
National Animal Breeding Direction (DNG), Ministry of Agriculture, Cuba
Contacting author's email: isamani51@ yahoo.com
2
Test day yields (TDY) in 16021 weighings of 2146 lactations, corresponding to 1067
Buffalypso/Carabao crossbred female buffaloes from two enterprises of Havana province, were
studied. Data were processed through GLM from SAS (1995) and the ASREML software
(Gilmour et al. 2000). The influence of non-genetic factors were studied using 20 models
including herd (enterprise and dairy unit), year and calving month, control year, control month,
lactation number and TDY classes. Average total milk yield was 742.25 ±219.50 kg in
229.22±36.0 days of lactation. General TDY mean was 3.21±0.92 kg and 29.3% the coefficient
of variation. TDY means increased (25.3%) until the fourth lactation, the highest yields occurred
in September and October (3.20 kg/day). All factors affected TDY in a highly significant (p
<0.001) way. The highest coefficients of determination (R2) were in the models using
contemporary groups including control date and especially when the control month was used as
season criterion. The main source of variation was the dairy unit, contributing between 42.54 and
62.19% of the total yield variability. The contemporary group including the control semester was
responsible for more than 94% of the milk yield variation. The repeatability estimations for TDY
were between 0.05 to 0.23. It is concluded that the season criteria related to the control time,
favored and established marked differences with the two group models using the calving. The
most appropriate model for TDY analysis in female buffaloes was that including the control
semester as contemporary criterion. The repeatability estimates indicate that TDY in buffaloes
can be used for their evaluation.
108
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Omega 6 and 3 in Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis)
Milk in Corrientes, Argentina
Exequiel M. Patiño1, Alicia M. Judis2, Celeste Guanziroli Stefani1, Marcial Sánchez
Negrette1, Daniel Pochon1, Jose F. Cedrés1, Marina M. Doval2, Ana Romero2,
Gustavo A. Crudeli1, Gladys Rebak1
1
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNNE, Sargento Cabral 2139, Corrientes (3400), Argentina,
2
Facultad de Agroindustrias, UNNE. Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña, Chaco, Argentina
Contacting author's email: [email protected].
The objetive of the study was increase the basal values of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and
fatty acids omega 3 in milk of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) fed with natural pastures, through a
supplementation with sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus). Was used 32 buffaloes multiparous of
race Murrah and Murrah x Mediterranea half-breed, distributed in 4 groups integrated for 8
animals each. All the groups was fed with natural pastures ad libitum; the Iº only with natural
pastures, the IIº received a diary supplement of 2 Kg. of ground corn for animal; the IIIº also of
corn received 210 ml of sunflower oil for animal and the IVº, besides corn received 420 of this
oil for animal. The test lasted 35 days. In the days 1 and 35 was obtained milk samples of all the
buffaloes (64 samples). In CLA significant differences were observed (p<0,05) between groups
II and III, with maximum values of 18, 54 mg/ g of fat for group III. There were no significant
differences of omega 6 and 3 between groups. Were recorded average levels of 9,32 and 12,76
mg /g of fat for groups II and IV respectively. While omega 3 in the group I recorded 4,45 mg/ g
of fat. There were no differences in the relation omega 6/3, which average 2,34 :1. In conclusion
the diet III increase the content of CLA and the animals fed with natural pastures improved the
relation omega 6 / 3, while diets III and IV extend this relation.
109
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Exploring the river buffalo genome using a large-insert genomic library
Nedenia B. Stafuzza, M. Elisabete J. Amaral
UNESP, São Paulo State University, São Jose do Rio Preto-SP, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
Among domestic animals, the river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) holds great promise and potential
for animal production. Currently, river buffalo can be found in many countries worldwide. The
growth of its population outside of the Asian continent is mainly related to the increasing interest
in milk production used to produce cream, butter, yogurt and many cheeses. Brazil is the largest
buffalo breeding center outside the Asian continent holding the largest buffalo herd in the
Americas. The recent development of high-density whole genome maps for the river buffalo
revealed potential regions underlying traits of economic importance when compared with the
latest bovine genome sequence. A large-insert genomic library is the tool for a deeper sequence
characterization of these potential regions allowing isolation of intact genes and gene clusters
elucidating gene organization, whole genome physical mapping, positional cloning and
identification of regulatory elements. We are generating a large-insert genomic library for the
river buffalo to characterize genes of economic and biological interest, like the major milk
protein genes. A primary fibroblast culture was established from a skin biopsy of a male animal
donor, representing the river buffalo genome with 2n=50 chromosomes. The concentration of a
cell suspension was determined using a hemocytometer chamber under optical microscope. The
cell suspension was embedded in low-melting agarose (0.5%) in PBS. Each agarose plug
contained approximately 7X106 cells. The embedded DNA was partially digested with HindIII
restriction enzyme and the DNA fragments were selected by two rounds of pulse-field gel
electrophoresis. The undergoing cloning process using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)
as the cloning vector will generate a total of 100.000 clones, necessary to cover the entire river
buffalo genome estimated in 3000 Mbp. This genomic resource for river buffalo will facilitate
further studies in this economically important specie.
110
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Diagnosis of Buffalo Breeding Farms in the Recôncavo Baiano for Genetic
Improvement Program1
Kaliane N. de Oliveira2, Cintia R. Marcondes3, José Ribamar F. Marques3,
Rogério S. Cerqueira2, Maria V. Andrea2
1
Activ. 02, PA 03, Project 02.07.07.009.00.00, Embrapa;
Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil (UFRB);
3
Eastern Amazon Embrapa, Pará, Brazil (EAO)
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
2
Brazilian buffalo farming concentrates half of the herd in the Northern region of the country, and
the remaining animals are scattered throughout all the other states. The state of Bahia is the
second largest producer in the Northeast, with nearly 20 thousand animals. Its production started
in the 1920s with the Carabao breed from the Marajó Island, which was later replaced with the
Murrah and Mediterranean breeds. Cheese and meat production supplies the local market,
especially Salvador and Feira de Santana, and one of the production centers is the region known
as Recôncavo (at Aramari, Catu and São Sebastião do Passé, respectively located at
12º04’58.22’’S and 38º29’56.27’’W; 12º21’12.13’’S and 38º22’43.53’’W; 12º30’50.00’’S and
38º29’42.64’’W). Farms in this region participate in the project "Genetic analysis applied to
buffalo selection (Bubalus bubalis) for high quality meat and milk”, which is headed by EAO, in
cooperation with the UFRB. This project’s objective is to meet part of the national demand for
high merit animals. Farms 1 and 2 are located in S. S. do Passé, farm 3 in Catu, and farm 4 in
Aramari. Farm 1 has 374 animals, 64 of which participate in the project, and farm 2 has 594
animals, 77 of which are participants. On both farms, milking takes place twice daily, and that
operation is mechanical on farm 2. The animals are kept under pasture and are fed with
concentrate after milking. As for breeding, natural mating (MN) is used on farm 1, but artificial
insemination (IA) has been gradually phased in; and farm 2 uses IA. Farm 3 has 28 animals
included in the Project. Manual milking takes place once daily, and the animals are kept under
pasture and bred through MN. Farm 4, with 60 animals, has 30 participants in the project.
Animals are kept under pasture, milking occurs once daily and MN is used for breeding. There
are differences between the farms concerning the zootechnical facilities, number and type of
milking operations and milk destination. Milk Control started in April and the project is to be
completed in 2012.
111
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Progesterone of 3º use and Ecg, in buffaloes during the unfavorable
reproductive season in Northeast Paraense, Amazonia, Brazil
Haroldo F.L. Ribeiro1, Silvia M. Tanaka4, Sebastião T. Rolim Filho3; Elizabeth M.
Barbosa2, Kim B. Nunes2, William G. Vale1
1
Professores do Setor de Reprodução Animal/ISPA/UFRA, Belém, Brasil;
2
Mestrado ciência animal;
3
Doutorado Ciência Animal, UFPA.EMBRAPA.UFRA Belém, Brasil;
4
Veterinária autônoma Belém, Brasil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
Use IATF in buffalo in the Amazon region is still very small, because the costs and the
disinterest of some farmers. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the efficiency of devices for
intra-vaginal progesterone reused (3rd use), together with the eCG, in female buffalo, outside
reproductive season. The work was conducted in the North-east Paraense in the period of low
rainfall. Were used 31 pluriparous buffaloes with body condition scoring, divided into two
groups (G1 and G2) with 15 and 16 animals respectively. The G1 received the Ovsynch protocol.
The G2 has received on the day zero (D0) a dose of GnRH (100μg) Lab Tortuga (profertil),
associated with an intravaginal progesterone device (3rd use), the 7th day, time of withdrawal, a
dose of PGF2α (150μg) Tortuga ( prostagladina) and 300UI of eCG lab Intervet (novohormo).
And the 9th day the second dose of GnRH (100μg). The G1 and G2 were inseminated 18 to 24
hours after 2nd dose of GnRH. Thirty days after the IATF had the diagnosis of pregnancy with
ultrasound. The statistical analysis was by Fisher's exact test. Thirteen of 31 buffaloes (41.94%)
were pregnancy, five (16.13%) of G1 and eight (25.81%) of G2. Among the groups the
pregnancy rate was 33.3% (5/15) in G1 and 50% (8/16) in G2, respectively. The results were
similar to those reported by Carvalho et al. (2005) using progesterone associated with Ovsynch
found rates of 33.3% in the unfavorable season and 40.5% in the favorable season. The
pregnancy rate was lower in the G1 to than the G2. According to the literature, the Ovsynch is
not recommended in the season reproductive disadvantage. The buffaloes with CC≥3.0 the
pregnancy rate was 52.94% (9/17) and CC≤3.0 the rate was 28.57% (4/14). Baruselli et al.
(1995) reported rates of 39.7% and 56.7% for animals with scores below and above 3.0
respectively. The withdrawal of P4 on the seventh day (D7), was also reported by Pallermo et al
(2005), the authors obtained rate of 40.5%. In this study, the pregnancy rate in G2 was affected
by the use of eCG and P4. Barile et al (2004) working in low reproductive season with
progestagen associated with 1000IU of PMSG found pregnancy rates of 47.8%. We conclude
that the use of progesterone to 3º use and 300UI of eCG, may be an alternative to reduce costs in
IATF of buffaloes in the Amazon.
112
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
DNA extraction and evaluation specie-specific of the composition of water
buffalo and bovine cheeses, read-meat and its meat derivative products by
PCR-RFLP technique
Lílian Viana Teixeira1, Juliana Nobre Vieira1, Cláudia Salviano Teixeira1, Denise
Aparecida Andrade de Oliveira1
1
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária, Av. Antônio Carlos, nº 6627, Caixa Postal 567, CEP
30123-970 Belo Horizonte, MG.
Contacting author's email: [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]
To evaluate the viability of the PCR-RFLP technique in the identification of intentional fraud or
accidental contamination in water buffalo cheeses or meat and processed meat, tests were
conducted and analyzed using the chi-square (χ2) statistical method. Samples of in nature
products, samples of contamination-free processed products, and samples of laboratory-made
controlled contamination processed products, homogenized and treated in autoclave, with
additions of 1%, 5%, 10% and 50% of beef meat were used in the analyses. Also were tested
three methods of DNA extraction from cheese samples. The PCR-RFLP technique presents a
high-significance of the meat species (p<0,0001). This technique presents high sensibility. The
PCR-RFLP technique was capable to detect the meat specie, with statistic significance, even for
samples treated in autoclave. The technique that uses Guanidine thiocyanate was more
appropriate for extraction and identification of intentional addition of bovine milk not declared in
buffalo cheeses. The PCR-RFPL technique can also be used for certification specie-specific.
Keywords: water buffalo meat, bovine meat, certification, DNA extraction, water buffalo’s
cheeses, fraud.
113
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Serum levels of phosphorus in buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) from
Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil
Cairo H.S. Oliveira¹, Cleyton P. Pinheiro¹, Karinny F. Campos¹, Alessandra S.B. Reis¹,
Carlos M.C. Oliveira, Marcos D. Duarte¹, José D. Barbosa¹
¹Veterinarian Diagnostic Center (CEDIVET) – Federal University of Pará
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
In the less developed areas of the country, as Amazon, the mineral deficiencies are remarkable
because they cause hard losses in the productivity as the bovine as the buffalo cattle, being a
limited factor to the creation of those animals in this region. The phosphorus deficiencies is
certainly the most important mineral lack in Brazil, this way, this deficiency occurs in many
places in Pará, especially in Marajó Island, considering the important economic losses. With the
goal to determine the serum levels of phosphorus in buffalos, were collected samples of blood
serum, through blood collection of jugular vein in 185 buffaloes, female, between two and three
years old, from extensive creation without mineral supplementation, from the towns of Soure and
Chaves, Marajó Island, state of Pará. The analyses of the samples were made in the Veterinarian
Diagnostic Center, through the reagent kits (Doles®) and read in the Bioplus set 2000. The
results revealed a media of 5,51±1,03 mg/dl of phosphorus in the studied samples. Eleven
animals showed serum levels of phosphorus under the 4 mg/dl, so it can be considered critic
worth when it is compared with bovine. Associated to that hypophosphatemia, hard clinic signals
of phosphorus deficiency, as bone chewing, rickets, osteomalacia, retarded growth, bone
weakness, spontaneous breaks were observed in some of those animals. Concluding that the
determination of the phosphorus serum levels in buffalos cattle with the deficiency clinic signals,
constitute in a satisfactory method to the diagnostic confirmation.
114
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Total digestibility and intake of roughage based diet with propolis
for buffaloes
João B. G. Costa Junior1, Lucia M. Zeoula2, Lucimar Peres de Moura Pontara2, Selma
Lucy Franco3, Maribel V. Velandio1, Andre L. Neves4, Rosane Bruscagim4
1
Master of the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science - UEM / Maringá-PR. Fellow of CAPES
2
Prof. Dr. Department of Animal Science - UEM / Maringá-PR
3
Prof. Dr. Department of Pharmacy: UEM / Maringá-PR
4
Graduate Course of Animal Science - UEM / Maringá-PR
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The objective was to evaluate the effect of propolis based products administration on intake and
total digestibility (DT) of roughage based diet in buffaloes. Propolis based products were:
LLOSC1 (0.018 mg of total flavonoids in crisin/g), LLOSC1+ (0.036 mg/g), and LLOSB3+
(0.022 mg/g); the products had two concentrations of propolis (B and C) and two alcoholic
extractions (1 and 3). Four castrated bufalloes, averaged 535.9±9.2 kg of body weight (BW),
were used in a 4X4 Latin square design (4 diets: control, LLOSC1, LLOSC1+, LLOSB3+). The
experimental ration was composited with 70.0% of roughage (Cynondon’s hay) and 30.0% of
concentrate (ground corn grain and soybean meal), with 11% of crude protein (CP). There was
no difference for intake among treatments, which averaged 8.33 kg of dry matter/day (1.56%
BW) and 0.83% BW of neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Total digestibilities of dry matter (DM),
organic matter (OM) and NDF were different among treatments. Treatments LLOSC1 (52.8%)
and LLOSC1+ (51.7%) showed higher values of DT than control diet (47.1%). The additive
LLOSC1 presented higher values of MO and NDF total digestibilities than control diet.
LLOSC1+ and LLOSB3+ showed intermediate values and did not differ from others.
Administration of propolis did not affect total digestibilities of crude protein, acid detergent
fiber, ether extract, total and non-structural carbohydrates. Thus, administration of LLOSC1 in a
roughage based diets may improve ruminal fermentation standard.
115
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Buffaloes photosensitization diagnosed in Minas Gerais State
Marilia M. Melo1, Mariana C. Pinto1, Eduardo Bastianetto1
1
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
In ruminants photosensitization may have different etiopathogenesis being the hepatic the most
common. It can be caused by esporidesmin ingestion, a toxin produced by Pithomyces chartarum
fungus, which grows in Brachiaria sp. pastures or by steroidal saponin ingestion. The out break
of serious skin injuries in young buffalos breed in a farm situated in Inhaúma town (MG), where
Brachiaria widely is used in the feed, motivate the diagnosis of the photosensitization. To
confirm this hypothesis was evaluated blood profile, skin histopathology exams and P.
chartarum spores count in different grass samples. Two animals presented pale mucous
membranes and piloerection with dermatitis (swelling, crusting, necrosis and shedding of skin).
The laboratory analysis revealed anemia, leukocytosis, increased concentrations of aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein (hyperglobulinemia),
alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and low concentrations of
albumin and urea suggesting severe liver parenchyma damage. Histologically the external
surface of skin presented purulent necrotic dermatitis, neutrophil and histiocyte infiltration and
intense vascular congestion. Liver dysfunction and biliary obstruction, detected by analysis
above, are derived from action of hepatotoxic substances, which affect the billiary excretion of
phylloerythrin, a photoactive agent, which accumulates in the body and causes skin lesions.
Other clinically healthy animals of the same herd that were monitored showed AST, ALT, GGT
and AP levels increased, demonstrating the subclinical photosensitization that usually progresses
with reduction of weight gain. Although researchers relate that, the clinical illness occurs in
other ruminants after ingestion of more then 40.000 spores/g of forage, in this study the samples
presented a count of 10.000 to 30,000 spores/g, indicating the existence of other causal factors
for the illness. One of them could be the steroidal saponins, possibly present in Brachiaria,
responsible for formation biliary crystals that act synergically with the cholestasis. Another
factor could be the greater sensitivity of the flock studied. It was concluded that the hepatic
photosensitization affects bubalinos. The constant monitoring of the flock through laboratory
examinations can prevent the evolution of the illness, since animals without skin injuries had
presented subclinical intoxication.
116
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Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Estimation of genetic parameters for buffaloes milk yield and milk quality
using bayesian inference
Humberto Tonhati1 Rusbel Aspilcueta-Borquis1 Fernando Baldi1 Francisco Ribeiro de
Araújo Neto1 Johanna Ramírez-Díaz1 Lucia Albuquerque1
1
Departamento de Zootecnia/FCAV. São Paulo State University, Brasil.
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The knowledge of accurate genetic parameters for important economic traits in milking buffaloes
is primordial to implement a genetic evaluation program. In the present work, genetic parameters
for buffaloes accumulated 305-days milk yield (MY305), fat and protein percentage (%G and
%P) and somatic cells count of milk (SCC), from 4,907 lactations were estimated. The SCC was
transformed to a logarithmic scale (SCCt). The (co)variance components were estimated using
multi-trait analysis by Bayesian inference. The model included the fixed effects of contemporary
groups (herd-year and calving season), number of milking (two levels) and age of cow at calving
as covariable (quadratic and linear effect). The additive genetic, permanent environmental and
residual effects were included as random effects in the model. The posteriori distribution means
heritability for MY305, %G, P% and SCCt were 0.21, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.24, respectively. The
genetic correlation estimates between MY305 with %G, %P and SCCt were – 0.07; - 0.009 and –
0.05, respectively. Genetic correlation estimates between %G and %P with SCCt were -0.05 and
– 0.10, respectively. Genetic correlation estimates between %G with %P was 0.48. Heritability
estimates obtained in the present study pointed out that selection could be effective for these
traits. Simultaneously selection for higher milk yield and milk components and lower somatic
cell count is possible, since the genetic correlation among these traits is low.
117
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Genetic parameters for milk yield and reproductive traits in buffaloes, using
bayesian inference1
Rusbel Aspilcueta-Borquis2, Francisco R. de Araújo Neto2, Johanna Ramírez-Diaz2,
Lucia Galvão de Albuquerque3, Humberto Tonhati3
1
Part of doctoral thesis of first author, funded by FAPESP.
students of the Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Breeding Animal – UNESP/Jaboticabal.
3
Departamento de Zootecnia - FCAV - UNESP / Jaboticabal. Fellow of CNPq and INCT-CA.
Contacting author's email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
2
In order that the efficiency of a system of milk production is dependent not only of productive
traits as well as reproductive, this study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for the traits of first
lactation milk yield (MY), first calving interval (FCI), dry period (DP), period of service (PS)
and age at first calving (AFC) in dairy buffaloes of Murrah breed. We used data from 1,408 first
lactation of buffaloes, with deliveries between the years 1985 to 2007. The components of (co)
variances were estimated by Bayesian inference in multi-trait analysis, which included for MY,
FCI, DP and PS, the fixed effects of herd-year-season of birth, number of milkings and age of
the buffalo birth as covariate (linear and quadratic) for the ACF effect of herd-year-season of
birth and as random for all the traits the effects of animal and residual. The mean posterior in the
distributions of heritability for MY, FCI, DP, PS and AFC were obtained 0.25±0.06, 0.23±0.07,
0.16±0.07, 0.23±0.07 and 0.16±0.06 respectively. All correlations showed up positive with the
largest observed between FCI/DP (0.72), FCI/PS (0.99) and DP/PS (0.73). The others had low
correlations ranging from 0.15 (MY/DP) to 0.32 (AFC/FCI). Through of heritability estimates,
all traits may present considerable genetic gain by selection, and considering the genetic
correlations, become interesting to develop an index selection to consider the economic values
for the traits.
118
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Association of seroprevalence to Neospora caninum by age and bread in
buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of argentinean northeastern
J. L. Konrad, G. A. Crudeli, S. Caspe, D. Cano, M. Leunda, A. Odeon,
C. Campero, M. Olazarri
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The objective of this work was to know the association of seroprevalence to Neospora caninum
in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) by age and bread in establishments of argentinean northeastern.
Neospora caninum is a protozoan responsible for reproductive losses in bovine around the world
been found presence in herds for meat and milk of the country. The exploitation of the buffalo in
our country has increased in the latest years estimated its population in approximately 100.000
animals located mainly in the provinces of the argentinean northeastern. For the next study were
sampled 3 establishments in the province of Corrientes and 2 in the province of Chaco, in total
1693 females of breads Mediterranean, Murrah and Jafarabadi from 2 to 20 years old. The blood
samples were obtained by puncture of the jugular vein, sera obtained were processed using the
technique of indirect inmunofluorescence (IFI) for detection of antibodies of N. Caninum for
serum dilutions, considering as criterion of positivity a title of 1:100. Were used control sera
positive and negative at the time of microscopic evaluation. Were positive the 41% (694/1693)
of the animals, these were divided into four groups by age, <4, 4-5, 6-7 and >8 years. The analice
were releated by a logistic association, the odds ratio (OR) calculed the association between the
disease and a factor exposition, assosiating the positives results for age (OR: 1,15; CI 95%: 1,05
– 1,26) and bread (OR: 0,89; CI 95%: 0,72- 1,10). The possibility that the animals are
seropositives increased by 15% every 2 years in this study, about bread no differences were
founded. All the establishments presented seropositive animals and we see that the buffaloes are
highly exposed to N. Caninum in the fields of argentinean northeastern and that the age is a
important contributing factor at the serologic status to N. Caninum.
119
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Microbial protein synthesis in bovine and buffaloes fed a diet with yeast
culture or ionophore
Lúcia M. Zeoula1, Fabiano L. Simioni1, Luiz P. Rigolon1, Luiz J. V. Geron1, Juliano R. F.
Beleze1, Mirian Y. Makatu1
1
Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brasil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ionophore (monensin) and yeast
culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on microbial protein synthesis efficiency in bovine and
buffaloes fed a diet with 50% of concentrate. Three Murrah buffaloes (477±47 kg) and three
Holstein steers (518±56 kg), castrated, with rumen and simple duodenal cannulas, were
distributed in two Latin Square design (3 x 3) with factorial arrangement 3 x 2 (three treatments:
control, ionophore, and probiotic, and two species: bovine and buffaloes). It was used corn silage
as roughage, and concentrate fraction was composited by corn grain, soybean meal and minerals.
The diet presented 11.20% of crud protein, 34.09% of NDF, 17.84% of ADF, and 41.37% of
starch, and ingestion was restricted for 2% BW. Monensin and yeast culture were added in the
diet at feeding time (twice daily). Dry matter digested and microbial dry matter at duodenum
flows were determined by utilization of acid insoluble ash and by purine bases as markers,
respectively. The microbial synthesis efficiency was expressed as g of microbial–N/kg of
digestible organic matter apparently fermented in the rumen (DOMR) and digestible organic
matter truly fermented in the rumen (DOMTR). There was no interaction between treatments and
species. The microbial synthesis efficiency did not differ among treatments, and averaged 36.16
g of mic-N/kg of DOMR. However, it was more efficient in bovine than in buffaloes (39.2 vs
32.7 g of mic-N/kg of DOMR, respectively). Monensin treatment reduced microbial synthesis
when compared to control treatment expressed in g microbial–N/kg DOMTR (23.9 vs 25.6). The
addition of yeast culture resulted in intermediate value and did not differ from others. Ruminal
protein synthesis was higher in bovine and reduced by addition of monensin in the diet only
when expressed in g microbial–N/kg DOMTR .
120
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Factors affecting the milk yield in cross-breed buffaloes in the state of Sao
Paulo, Brazil1
Johanna Ramirez-Diaz2, Rusbel Aspilcueta-Borquis2, Luis González-Herrera2,
Humberto Tonhati3
1
This research was supported by CNPq.
Posgraduate student of Genetics and Animal Breeding, FCAV-UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
3
Department of Animal Science, FCAV-UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil. Scholarship by CNPq e INCT-CA.
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
2
This study was conducted with the aim of determine the effects of various factors on milk yield
at 270 days of length lactation (MY270) of crosss-breed buffalo (Murrah, Mediterranean and
Jafarabadi) in the state of São Paulo-Brazil. The consistency of the date was performed by
statistical software SAS®, we used only records of cows with information about with sire and
dam genetic group´s. After the consistency of the date, were used 7279 records from to 173
animals. Genetics classes were formed, considering the contribution of the Murrah (C1=Murrah,
C2= ½ Murrah, C3= ¾ Murrah, C4= ¼ Murrah ¾ Mediterranean e, C5= Mediterranean and
Jafarabadi crosses). Within the model was considered as fixed effects of contemporary group
(year and season of calving) and class, and the age of the cow at calving as covariate (linear and
quadratic). The analyses were accomplished using PROC GLM procedure (SAS, 2005),
checking the assumptions of the model. The results showed that all effects included in the model
showed significantly influenced, and the averages for the classes of MY270 were
1878.5±407.49; 1830.8±395.46; 1930.87±346.2; 2035.2±635.3 and 1774.08±410.05 for C1, C2,
C3, C4 and C5 respectively. It was found that the classes C3 and C4 had the highest mean. These
results suggest that animals with 75 percent, either Murrah or Mediterranean breed, could be
have better productive performances. Due to of the database few information was not possible to
conduct a more thorough examination of the genetic groups, however the results show the need
to consider the racial composition in studies of genetic evaluation in buffalo.
121
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
The effect the number of calving in maternal behavior of dairy buffaloes¹
Daniele A. Rodrigues2, Luciandra M. de Toledo3, Humberto Tonhati4
1
2
This research was supported by CNPq.
Posgraduate student of Animal Science, FCAV-UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
3
Animal Science Institute, APTA, São Paulo, Brazil
4
Department of Animal Science, FCAV-UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
In the first hours after birth is important coordinate behaviors of the buffaloes and calves with
purpose of the success in first suckling. The acquired experience in previous calvings can
influence the mother’s behavior in subsequent calvings. Studies with other species showed that
primiparous mothers are less inclined for taking care of the newborn and often reject them.
Aiming to investigate the effects of the class number of buffaloes calvings in their maternal
behavior, 36 female buffaloes in conjunction with its calves were observed in three dairy farms,
located in estate of São Paulo. Registers were done at the first hours after calving, using a focal
and continuous sampling collecting in births happened from August 2007 to November 2008.
The variables considered to the buffaloes was: Calves’ time contact (CTC), Lay-time (LT), Time
in Apparent Leisure (TAL) in 30-first minutes after calving. The factors considered were: Farm,
class number of calvings, calving position among the other females, the other buffaloes
interference with contact. The primiparous buffaloes took less care of their calves in 30-first
minutes after birth than multiparous buffaloes (32.06% against 62.39%), expending the greater
portion of time in Apparent Leisure (49.26% against 23.88%) and lying (33.33% against 14.95).
In two rejection cases the primiparous buffaloes did not take care of the buffalo calf at any time,
letting him receive care of other herd buffaloes. Although the other buffaloes interference with
contact like licking, smelling and taking care of the calf have effect on the time that mother took
care of the newborn, reducing it (p<0.05), was not found an association between this
interferences and class number of calvings (p>0.05), suggesting that both primiparous and
multiparous allowed this approach by other buffaloes. The results allow us to conclude that
primiparous buffaloes tend to devote less attention to the calf and need constantly monitored in
the environment of birth, since their calves could not suck or be adopted by other buffaloes,
causing inconvenience to livestock control.
122
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Carcass characteristics of buffaloes slaughtered at two different average
weights raised in grazing pasture grass
Teresa Cristina Alves1, Raul Franzolin2, Angélica Simone Cravo Pereira3
1,2
Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
3
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The weight of the buffalo slaughter is an important factor to determine the yield and carcass
quality to agribusiness. To evaluate carcass characteristics of Mediterranean buffaloes race
raised on Brachiaria brizantha grass grazing in the São Paulo State, two groups of animals with
different average weights of slaughter, called as light (L) with nine animals and heavier (H) with
eight animals were slaughtered after a fast for 18 hours. The two groups had average ages at
slaughter close to 756 days (L) and 761 days (H). Were obtained the weights of inguinal, pelvis
and perirenal fats; the hot dressing percentage (HDP) and chilled (CDP), pH and temperature of
the carcass between the 12th and 13th rib of the right half to 1 hour after slaughter and after 24
hours chilling carcass; measuring the area of the rib-eye area (REA) in Longissimus dorsi
muscle, given the thickness of subcutaneous fat (TSF) to ¾ of the distance between the medial
part of the backbone and the side of REA and the degree of lightness (L) and amount of red (a)
and yellow (b) colors in the same muscle measured by digital colorimeter. The mean slaughter
weights were significantly different (P<0.05) between light and heavy animals (517 and 568 kg)
and the weight of intern fat (11.3 and 15.0 kg), respectively. However, no significant differences
were observed (P>0.05) in the other characteristics of the carcass: HDP (52.04 and 51.40%),
CDP (51.3 and 50.7%), TSF (9, 0 and 8.75 mm), REA (62.4 and 63.8 cm); 1h pH (7.33 and
7.07), pH 24 h (5.69 and 5.70), temperature 1 h (35.1 and 36.3 °C) temperature 1 h (7.8 and 7.3
o
C), color L (33.96 and 35.35), the color a (15.61 and 15.83), color b (11.59 and 11.83). In
conclusion, we can infer that the buffaloes grazing pasture of Brachiaria grass and slaughtered
weighing around 517 kg have lower intern fat deposition and better absolute values of dressing
percentage those animals with around 568 kg BW maintaining the other carcass characteristics in
the same way in both groups.
123
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Chemical characterization of the milk buffaloes that is going to the industry of
milk in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Preliminary results
Victoria N.V. Fernandez1; Rafael V. Campos1; Maira B. Zanela1; Leticia C. Canellas2;
Maria E. R. Ribeiro3
1
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Associação Riograndense de Bubalinocultores – Cooperbúfalo, Porto Alegre, Brazil
3
Embrapa Clima Temperado - CPACT, Pelotas, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
2
The State of Rio Grande do Sul has the fourth biggest buffalo herd in the country. In the milk
productive chain, part of the production is processed by Cooperbúfalo, which collects milk from
six farms in the East region of the State for the trade of products from buffalo milk on the State
market. Researches in the dairy products area associate the sensorial traits to the chemical
composition of milk. Thus, dairy products originated from the buffalo milk have peculiar traits
(taste, odor, color, texture and solids, fat and protein contents, etc.) differentiated to those of cow
milk. The objective of this study is to characterize the chemical composition of buffalo milk that
reaches the industry for processing of dairy products, especially cheeses. Samples of buffalo
milk were collected monthly, starting in September 2008, directly from the cooling tanks of five
farms associated to Cooperbúfalo, conditioned in isothermal boxes, being an aliquot sent to the
Milk Quality Laboratory of Embrapa / CPACT, to determine the content of fat, protein, lactose
and total solids by infrared radiation. The preliminary results, up to April 2009, were analyzed
by descriptive statistics, calculating the monthly averages of components. The average contents
and the variations of the observed averages in the period for the dairy components analyzed
were: crude protein – 4,14% (varying from 3,92 to 4,32), fat - 5,79% (5,02 to 6,61), lactose –
4,84% (4,69 to 5,04) and total solids – 16,02% (15,25 to 17,11). The variation in dairy
components can be associated to the different handlings of milking, nutrition, sanitary, and
reproductive used by the farms, differences in the genetical composition of the herd, lactation
phase, time of the year, and others. The characterization of the farms and the seasonal variation
of the dairy components will be evaluated on the continuity of the project.
124
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Variance components estimation and breeding values prediction of Murrah
buffaloes using random regression models
Claudio V. Araújo1, Luciara C. S. Chaves2, Alex S. Schierholt3, Eduardo R. Daher2,
Carolina P. Silva2, Rhamses R. P. Schneider2, Edson S. Aquino Junior2, Luiz G. Lima
Neto2, Marcos L. G. Carvalho2, Bruno C. Flores2, Tiéure R. Oliveira2, Alcides A. Ramos4
1
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso - UFMT, Sinop, Brazil
Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia - UFRA, Belém, Brazil
3
Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Viçosa, Brazil
4
Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, - UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
2
Data comprising 1,719 milk yield records from 357 females (predominantly Murrah breed),
daughters of 110 sires, with births from 1974 to 2004, obtained from the Programa de
Melhoramento Genético de Bubalinos (PROMEBUL) and from records of EMBRAPA
Amazônia Oriental - EAO herd, located in Belém, Pará, Brazil, were used to compare random
regression models for estimating variance components and predicting breeding values of the
sires. The data were analyzed by different models using the Legendre’s polynomial functions
from second to fourth orders. The random regression models included the effects of herd-year,
month of parity and date of the control; regression coefficients for age of females (in order to
describe the fixed part of the lactation curve) and random regression coefficients related to the
direct genetic and permanent environment effects. The comparisons among the models were
based on the Akaike Information Criterion. The random effects regression model using third
order Legendre’s polynomials with four classes of the environmental effect were the one that
best described the additive genetic variation in milk yield. The heritability estimates varied from
0.08 to 0.40. The genetic correlation between milk yields in younger ages was close to the unit,
but in older ages it was low.
125
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
In vitro embryo production in buffalo (preliminary results)
Wilson P. Saliba1, Robert M. Drumond1, Múcio Túlio T. Alvim1, Pietro S. Baruselli2,
Lindsay U. Gimenes2, Rômulo C. Leite3, Eduardo Bastianetto3, Bianca Gasparrini4
1
Cenatte Embriões LTDA, Pedro Leopoldo - MG, Brazil
Departamento de Reprodução Animal, FMVZ-USP, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
3
Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, UFMG, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil
4
Dipartimento di Scienze Zootechniche e Ispezione degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
(UNINA), Napoli, Italy
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
2
The association of ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro embryo production (IVP) demonstrates be
promising and viable in cattle. However, in buffaloes, results obtained with both techniques are
still variable and not completely established. The present abstract shows preliminary results of
OPU-IVP in buffaloes, performed through a cooperation-project among the Laboratory Cenatte
Embriões Ltda, the University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), the Department of Animal
Reproduction of University of São Paulo (USP), and the University of Napoli Federico II
(UNINA). The aim of this research is to define a commercial protocol of IVP in buffalo species.
Therefore, 20 buffalo females were submitted to two OPU sessions 14 days apart. A total of 312
oocytes were recovered (average of 7.8 total oocytes/ donor/ OPU). Degenerated oocytes were
excluded, remaining 189 viable structures (grades 1, 2 and 3; average of 4.7 viable oocytes/
donor/ OPU). Viable oocytes were submitted to in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF),
and culture (IVC). From all presumptive zygotes, 63 cleaved, resulting in a cleavage rate of
33.3% (63 cleaved/ 189 viable oocytes). Seven days after IVF, 28 blastocysts were obtained,
resulting in a blastocyst rate of 14.8% (28 blastocysts/ 189 viable oocytes). Nine days after IVF,
26 of 28 blastocysts hatched, resulting in a hatching rate of 92.9%. Preliminary results are
indicative that is possible to produce viable embryos by IVP in buffaloes.
Acknowledgments: FAPEMIG (APQ – 0591-5.04/08)
126
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Reproductive and productive performance of water buffaloes
in Central Brazil
Vinicio A. Nascimento1, Théa M. M. Machado1, Marcia Dias1, Celso Barbosa2
1
2
Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil. (In memoriam).
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The water buffaloes reproductive were from five farms at the cities of Quirinópolis (Goiás state);
Uberlândia and Uberaba (Minas Gerais state), Sales Oliveira and Andradina (São Paulo state).
The data recorded at farms from 1985 to 2005 were tabulated and analyzed according their
availability at each zoo technical breeder control. The amount of calving incidence in the first
semester of the year was 96.3, 94.1, 67.2, 93.8 and 94.9% of the total, respectively for the
mentioned localities. The average calving interval and service period of buffalo cows was
respectively 426.1 and 111.1 days. The live weight and carcass parameters data were analyzed
for Quirinópolis and Uberlândia lots. The statistical analysis was done among animals of
different places using T-test, for the weight of cold carcass and for the forequarter retail cuts. At
weaning time, the weight of calves was 232.4 ± 30.9 kg at 265 days in Quirinópolis and
142.5±38.1 kg at 224 days in Uberlândia. The live weight at slaughter, cold carcass weight and
dressing percentage of male buffaloes were, respectively, 551.5±31.5 kg, 265.3±18.20 kg and
48.1% in Quirinópolis, 485.7±27.9 kg, 246.0±12.0 kg and 50.7% in Uberlândia. The marketable
cuts in relation to the hindquarter represented 74.9% and wasn’t different between Uberlândia
and Quirinópolis lots. The hindquarter represented 45.5% and 48.9% of the cold carcass in
Uberlândia and Quirinópolis lots, respectively. The weight gain of those buffaloes until weaning
was lower than those in Brazilian literature. The slaughter weight from 485 to 544 kg for
buffaloes averaging 27 months of age kept on pastures in central Brazil can be reference standard
to producers. The bubaline herds of Quirinópolis and Uberlândia present satisfactory
reproductive performance. The weight gain until weaning can not compares to the expected
result. It seems to be that, in bubaline, the unsatisfactory nutrition compromises the reproductive
performance less than the weight development in the milking phase, based on the Uberlândia
data. The differences attributed to castration or to the genetic group shall be examined.
127
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
The Water buffalo ranching in Pará State, Brazil
Natalia Guarino Souza Barbosa1, Simone Koprowski Garcia1, Norberto Mario Rodriguez1,
Paulo Campos Christo Fernandes2, Benjamim de Souza Nahúm, Norton Amador da
Costa2, Alexandre Rosseto Garcia2, Rinaldo Batista Viana3
1
UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
EMBRAPA AMAZÔNIA ORIENTAL, Belém, Brazil
3
UFRA, Belém, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
2
The State of Pará is the greater producer of watter buffalos in Brazil. The Agency of Farming
Defense of the State of Pará (ADEPARÁ) semester brings up to date a population data base
during the campaigns of vaccination against the Aftosa Fever, and divides the state in three
Areas: (1) free with vaccination, with 44 cities, (2) medium risk, with 67 cities, and (3) high risk
for Aftosa, with 32 cities. In area 3, which includes the island of Marajo, there are 93.7% of the
413,320 buffalos of Pará, of which 145,735 are male and 267,585 females. The number of heads
increased 12.10% in 2008 in relation to 2006. In this period, the number of properties creating
buffalos separately (3.784) or in set with bovines (1.753) increased 13%. The dispersion of the
activity in a great number of properties with relatively few buffalos in a region with periods of
high rainfall and difficult access is a challenge for the animal sanitary defense. In relation to the
commercialization, the Farming Census of the IBGE of 2006 disclosed 876 properties that
produced 6,796 thousands liters of buffalo milk. In 2007, ADEPARÁ counted 11,306 buffalos
slaughters, being 6,780 males. The exportation in the first semester of 2008 was of 21.625
buffalos, being 20,552 to Lebanon and the remain to Venezuela. In May of 2009, 3,100 females
were exported to Venezuela for genetic improvement matter, deriving mainly from Marajo
Island. The average birth rate of watter buffalos in Pará was 62,2% in 2008, with better index in
the Area 3 (63%) and minor in Area 2 (51.96%). Serious impediments for the activity in the
region exist, some of natural origin, as floods and droughts, others of structural origin, as lack of
access to the main producing polar regions, beyond the ambient legislation in the Amazon
region, that requires the preservation of 80% of each country property. However, the buffalo
ranching shows to be viable in the State, and this can be observed through the increasing number
of properties working with this activity and the number of heads itself in the State of Pará.
128
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Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Arrested development and scrotum torsion in Murrah buffaloes
W.G. Vale, S.T. Rolim-Filho, A.O.A. Silva, J.S. Sousa, H.F.L. Ribeiro
Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA)/CEBRAN-Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA). Av. Presidente
Tancredo Neves, n.2501, Montese, 66.077-530, Belém, PA
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
The scrotum or scrotal pouch, play a big role in the breeding soundness evaluation in the male of
farm ruminants including buffalo species. Its anatomic structure if formed by the skin, tunica
dartos, parietal vaginal tunic which the main function is to lodge the testis and epididymis
however also works as a thermo-sensor, swamp cooler and protective sac (Senger, 2003).
Throughout the superior lengthen of the both tunics dartos and parietal vaginal, form a superior
segment which links the inguinal region and form the spermatic cord or funiculus spermatic
which also has importance in the thermo-regulation of the testis. That being so, the anatomical
integrity of scrotum and every segments involved are important for the testicular thermo-genesis
which is performed mainly by the contraction and looseness of tunica dartos and the integrity of
the pampiniform plexus (Senger, 2003). In Brazil the Murrah breed is the most important buffalo
breed and it is used for milk and meat production. Moreover, the last importation of animals of
this breed from India was done in 1962, when four males and eight females were introduced
which were responsible for the genetic background of this breed in Brazil. Thus, the
impossibility of introduce new germoplasma due the restriction imposed by the government to
import live animals or semen from India, has occasioned a high inbreeding problems, giving
origin the presence of high number of animals born with hereditary abnormalities some of them
affecting the genital tract (Vale et al., 2005). In this way, the objective of this paper was to
report the presence of arrested development and scrotum torsion in Murrah buffalo males raised
in Brazil. 123 Murrah buffalo males, age between 20 to 50 months, were subjected to a breeding
soundness examination (BSE). The purpose of the exam was part of requirements due
commercial interest of the farmers or animals to be send to auction. The clinical examination of
the scrotum, testis and epididymis were done according to the recommendation of (Vale, 2003).
In 31 (25.2%) of the buffalo males submitted to the BSE it was observed some form of
abnormalities in the scrotum like right longitudinal torsion of the scrotum following the clock
wise 6 (4.87), left longitudinal torsion of the scrotum against the clock wise 9 (7.3%), posterior
horizontal displacement of 30º, 6 (4.87%), asymmetrical volume reduction of the right hemiscrotum 5 (4.06%), asymmetrical volume reduction of the left hemi-scrotum 3 (2.43%),
horizontal-ventral localization of the scrotum (equine scrotal pouch) 2 (1.62%). Although in the
international literature such form of abnormalities has not been described in buffaloes, so far,
other forms of abnormalities has been described in buffalo and bovine species linked to
uncontrolled inbreeding practices leading to infertility and sterility (Lagerlöf, 1936; Erickson,
1950; Ohashi et al., 1995). Thus it is recommended that the presence of any form of arrested or
abnormalities in the scrotum in the buffalo, a compulsory discharge or slaughter of sub-fertile or
sterile animals must be done.
129
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Potassium serum levels of buffalo calves parasitized and non
parasitized by Eimeria sp.
Eduardo Bastianetto1, Marilia M. Melo1, Mariana C. Pinto1, Carla. R. Labarrere1, Amanda
G.S Daniel1, Jessica M.S. Soares1, Romario. C. Leite1
1
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Contacting author's email: [email protected]
Buffalo eimeriosis is usually an asymptomatic infection and also can be manifested through
intestinal alterations followed by mucous or bloody diarrhea and dehydration. It have been
described the species Eimeria alabamensis, E. alburnensis, E. bareillyi, E. bovis, E. brasiliensis,
E. bukidonensis, E. canadensis, E. ankarensis, E. cylindrica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. subspherica, E.
wyomingensis and E. zurnii parasitizing buffaloes. The integrity of intestinal epithelium may
interfere with the absorption of different minerals particularly potassium, which is mainly
absorbed in the small intestine and colon. Potassium is an important intracellular ion that acts in
cardiac and neuromuscular electrical transmission. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate
the potassium serum levels and its relation to the Eimeria sp. parasitosis in 24 buffalo calves
distributed into two experimental groups: group 1 (n=12) infected with Eimeria sp.; and group 2
(n=12) non infected animals. Two blood and feces samples were collected per animal with
intervals of 15 days (moments I and II) to search the serum potassium concentration and the
presence of Eimeria sp. oocysts. Serum concentrations of potassium observed in animals of
groups 1 and 2 were, respectively, 52.10±4.26 and 56.48±5.54 (moment I) and 65.56±4.69 and
75.38±1, 59 (moment II). Infected animals with Eimeria sp. showed lower potassium levels and
fluid feces. Potassium depletion is usually due to gastrointestinal losses and causes reduction of
intracellular fluid, changing in membrane potential, in the cell pH and enzymatic reactions that
depend on this ion, such as reactions involving enzymes synthetase, oxiredutases,
dehydrogenases, transferases and kinases. It was concluded that the Eimeria sp. infestation in
buffalo calves leads to loss of potassium.
130
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Effect of castration on yield and carcass composition in
River buffaloes (Buffalypso)
Orlando Fundora, Verena Torres, José.L Medina, María. E. González
Institut of Animal Science. San José de Las Lajas. La Habana
Twenty four river buffaloes buffalypso was utilized from 135, 5 kg. of live weigh and 16 to 24
month of age in two sexual conditions treatment (castrated or no castrated). The animal was
killed at 15 to 24 month and the carcass was weigh at 1 hour and after that at 24 hours post
maturation in fridge. On utilized analysis of variance and covariance with initial weigh and age
for concomitant variance. The initial weigh was not significant so, on adjusted the age in
indicators of carcass with high coefficients. For know the variable most important in the
development of treatment, on utilized multivariate analyze. For analyze of the yield of carcass
and ours components on applied arcs√%. The castration, don’t affected carcass yield (48.34 a
47.05 %) first meat (28.04 a 29.43 %), second meat (29.35 a 28.84 %), born (28.73 a 29.02 %)
and lipids (13.88 a 12.71 %). It concludes that castration not affected the indicators studied.
131
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Alimentary behaviour of river buffaloes and beef 5/8 Holstein- 3/8 zebu
Orlando Fundora, María. E. González, Wilson Rivadineira, Francisco Alfonso, Andrés
Zamora, Ana M. Vera, Osvaldo Tuero
Instituto of Animal Science. San José de las Lajas. La Habana.
Four river buffaloes (Buffalypso) and four beef (5/8 Holstein- 3/8 zebu) of 16 month of age and
300- 310 kg of live weigh, was utilized for this study. The animal was alloyed in floor
individually, in a design of block of hazard, for evaluating the effect of the specie on the
alimentary behaviour and for to know the ruminant activity and her influence in the digestion of
fibrous aliments. On utilized the beef because their major knowledge of the behaviour. On
offered forage of Panicum maximum ad libintum at 8h30 and a half hours after 2 kg of aliment
concentrate with 14.8% of crude protein and 12 Mj of metabolizable energy. The animal was
adapted in a period of 21 day. In the first time on controlled for tree day the circadian activity
distribution and after that, in the second time, la quantity of aliment consumed, the number of
mandible movements for food and for rummies for two week at 15 min. for 24 hours. Buffaloes
and beef utilized 99% of all the time for eat, rumination and water consumption and the other
time for footing and only 12 min. for eating the concentrate. The time proportion at day and
night for rumination was 37,9% and 53.7% in buffaloes and 53.1% for eat in the day and 49.2%
for rumination at night in beef. The buffaloes utilized 22.4% of the time for forage ingestion and
the beef 32.9%, but the time for rumination was major in buffaloes (43.9% vs. 39.5%). The daily
forage consumption (25.2 kg), the dray matter consumption (6.6 Kg) and consumption for hour
(2 kg) was minor en buffaloes. It concludes that the alimentary behaviour from buffaloes will be
explaining the best development in comparison with beef.
132
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Índice de autores/Author index
*Palestra/Paper
Página/Page: Autor apresentador/Presenting author
Nome/Name
Albuquerque L
Albuquerque LG
Alfonso F
Alves TC
Alvim MTT
Amaral MEJ
Andrea MV
Aquino Junior ES
Araújo CV
Araújo Neto FR
Aspilcueta-Borquis R
Baldi F
Barbosa C
Barbosa EM
Barbosa JD
Barbosa NGS
Baruselli PS
Bastianetto E
Beleze JRF
Bruscagim R
Campanile G
Campero C
Campos KF
Campos RV
Canellas LC
Cano D
Carvalho MLG
Caspe S
Cedrés JF
Cerón-Muñoz MF
Cerqueira RS
Chanthakhoun V
Chaves LCS
Costa Junior JBG
Costa NA
Crudeli GA
Daher ER
Daniel AGS
Dias M
Doval MM
Drumond RM
Duarte MD
Fernandes PCC
Fernandez VNV
Página/page
117
83*, 118
132
123
126
110
111
125
125
117, 118
83*,117,118,121
83*, 117
127
112
114
128
126
116, 126, 130
120
115
69*
119
114
124
124
119
125
119
109
83*
111
27*
125
115
128
109, 119
125
130
127
109
126
114
128
124
Nome/Name
Flores BC
Franco SL
Franzolin R
Fundora O
Garcia AR
Garcia SK
Gasparrini B
Geron LJV
Gimenes LU
Gonçalves O
González ME
González-Herrera L
González-Peña D
Guanziroli Stefani C
Hurtado-Lugo NA
Judis AM
Konrad J L
Labarrere CR
Leite RC
Leunda M
Lima Neto LG
Machado TMM
Makatu MY
Marcondes CR
Marques JRF
Medina JL
Melo MM
Menéndez-Buxadera A
Mitat A
Nahúm BS
Nascimento VA
Neglia G
Neves AL
Nunes KB
Odeon A
Olazarri M
Oliveira CHS
Oliveira CMC
Oliveira DAA
Oliveira KN
Oliveira TR
Patiño EM
Pereira ASC
Perera O
Página/page
125
115
123
131, 132
128
128
126
120
126
90*
131, 132
121
108
109
83*
109
119
130
126, 130
119
125
127
120
111
111
131
116, 130
108
108
128
127
69*
115
112
119
119
114
114
113
111
125
109
123
54*
133
Sumário/Summary
Índice autores/Author index
Simpósio de Búfalos das Américas, 5; Europe and America's Buffalo Symposium, 4, 2009, Pedro Leopoldo, MG,
Brazil. Anais/Proceedings ... Belo Horizonte: CBRA, 2009. CD-ROM. ISSN:2175-4012.
Nome/Name
Pinheiro CP
Pinto MC
Pochon D
Pontara LPM
Rahman SA
Ramirez-Diaz J
Ramos AA
Ramos F
Ramos Filho FSV
Rebak G
Reis ASB
Ribeiro HFL
Ribeiro MER
Rigolon LP
Rivadineira W
Rodrigues DA
Rodriguez NM
Rolim Filho ST
Romero A
Saliba WP
Sánchez Negrette M
Schierholt AS
Schneider RRP
Silva AOA
Página/page
114
116, 130
109
115
53*
117, 118, 121
125
108
37*
109
114
112, 129
124
120
132
122
128
112, 129
109
126
109
125
125
129
Nome/Name
Silva CP
Simioni FL
Soares JMS
Sousa JS
Stafuzza NB
Tanaka SM
Teixeira CS
Teixeira LV
Thomas CS
Toledo LM
Tonhati H
Torres V
Tuero O
Vale WG
Vecchio D
Velandio MV
Vera AM
Viana RB
Vieira JN
Wanapat M
Zamora A
Zanela MB
Zeoula LM
Página/page
125
120
130
129
110
112
113
113
11*
122
83*, 117, 118, 121, 122
131
132
112, 129
69*
115
132
128
113
27*
132
124
115, 120
134