Presentation on Bhadawari buffalo. A breed which is known for high fat content in their milk.

1. B P Kushwaha
Principal Scientist
Network Project on Bhadawari Buffaloes
IGFRI, Jhansi-284 003
PERFORMANCE OF BHADAWARI BUFFALOES
UNDER FARM CONDITIONS

2. Characteristics

3. Morphological
Features

4. Agra
Sheopur
Bhind
Jalaun
Jhansi
Lalitpur
Morena
Tikamgarh
Auraiya
Etawah
RAJASTHAN
MADHYA PRADESH
UTTAR PRADESH
HARYANA
DELHI
Breeding Tract
Agra, Etawah,, Jalaun, Aurraiya, Bhind, Morena, Seopur
Jhansi and Lalitpur districts

5. Population
19771977 1.139 lakh1.139 lakh
19911991 0.982 lakh0.982 lakh
Pundir et. al., 1997Pundir et. al., 1997 37,78037,780
Kushwaha et. al., 2007Kushwaha et. al., 2007 30,00030,000
1818thth
livestock (breed wiselivestock (breed wise
census) 2007census) 2007
7.24 lakh7.24 lakh

6. Composition of buffaloes in the breeding
tract
8%
13%
79%
Bhadawari
Bhadawari type
Murrah & Murrah cross

7. Performance of Bhadawari buffaloes
at IGFRI Jhansi

8. Average Milk production
Lactation milk yield
(kg)
1250.5±24.6
Lactation length
(days)
291.4±4.9
300 days or less MY
(kg)
1213.5±21.6
Peak Yield (Kg) 6.96±0.10
Days to attain PY 52.8 days
Year 2003 to 2010, 206 lactation records
Maximum 300 LMY- 1973 kg

9. Milk Production Potential
Anim. No Parity 300 days or less milk
yield
126 4 1973.00
19 7 1944.00
55 2 1866.60
94 1 1840.00
88 3 1838.00
88 2 1825.00
74 2 1807.00
164 3 1780.00
126 5 1740.00
28 4 1727.00
106 4 1724.00
133 2 1710.50
137 4 1703.50
164 2 1670.00
94 2 1657.00
129 5 1656.90
6 5 1655.00
131 5 1637.50
72 2 1631.20
114 1 1624.00
107 1 1607.50
72 4 1601.50

10. Wet average (Kg)

11. Milk composition
Trait/parameter Average performance
Fat in milk 8.20 % (range 5.5 to 14 %)
Solid not fat (SNF) 10.81 %
Total solid (TS) 18.87 %
Protein 4.11 %
Calcium 205.72 mg / 100 ml
Phosphorus 140.90 mg/ 100 ml
Zink 3.82 µg/ ml
Copper 0.24 µg / ml
Manganese 0.117 µg / ml

12. Reproduction
Trait Average
Age at First calving (months) 48.53
Service period (days) 172.4±7.7
Dry Period (days) 207.80±11.3
Calving Interval (days) 505±12.1

13. 8.13
7.69
3.25
1.7
2.84
0.42
3.65
1.71
1.21
0
3.65
3.85
9.75
5.12
19.1
19.23
13.0115.81
18.69
21.79
9.34
13.25
7.31
9.4
0
5
10
15
20
25
%calving
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Month wise Calving (%) pattern in Bhadawari and Murrah buffaloes
Bhadawari Murrah
Calving pattern

14. Health and Survivability
• The Bhadawari animals are
quite hardy in nature and can
sustain in a harsh / adverse
climatic conditions.
• The overall mortality in
Bhadawari calves of 0 to 3
months and 3 to 6 months
were 6.20 and 2.09
percent, respectively
Year 0-3 months
(%)
3- 6 month (%)
Overall mean 6.20 2.09
2002-03 6.80 7.40
2003-04 0.00 0.00
2004-05 6.45 0.00
2005-06 18.42 2.63
2006-07 0.00 2.85
2007-08 4.76 0.00
2008-09 8.33 0.00
2009-10 7.69 0.00
2010-11 2.85 2.77
2011-12 0.00 4.54

15. Nutrient Utilization
• Nutrient utilization was better in Bhadawari
buff. as compared to Murrah buff. in semi
intensive system of feeding.
• Under intensive (stall fed) system nutrient
utilization was comparable in both the breeds.

16. Nutrient utilization
Bhadawari Murrah
Stall fed
(Intensive)
Grazing+
Supplementation
(Semi-intensive)
Stall fed
(Intensive)
Grazing +
Supplementation
(Semi-intensive)
Animals weight 402.5 401.2 528.33 518.2
Intake Kg/d 7.62 10.33 9.68 12.88
G/Kg W0.75 78.08 112.56 90.23 120.90
% Body weight 1.70 2.49 2.0 2.55
Digestibility %
DM 55.82 60.91 58.44 57.39
OM 58.38 62.84 60.57 59.88
CP 49.86 53.47 51.20 46.13
NDF 52.23 58.70 55.72 57.53
ADF 38.57 50.88 42.98 43.74
Cellulose 52.30 63.03 59.64 59.25
Hemi cellulose 65.32 59.54 71.48 70.94

17. Methane production Bhadawari and Murrah buffaloes
fed wheat straw-concentrate diets
Parameter Murrah Bhadawari
CH4g /d 301.80 183.42
CH4g/Kg
DMI
23.26 21.49
CH4g/Kg
DDMI
41.88 34.96
CH4 g/Kg
milk
49.96 42.78

18. Need for conservation ?
• Being a unique buffalo breed and a valuable genetic resource.
• Many characteristics of this breed have not yet been fully
studied.
• These buffaloes are well adapted to the harsh climatic
conditions of the area with medium sized body, less water
requirement, thriving well on low quality forages, better
draught ability, high milk fat content.
• This fits very well to the requirements of small and medium
farmers.
• These buffaloes are most suited to far off inaccessible areas
and ravines where milk procurement is difficult.
• The Bhadawari buffalo in these areas could very well sustain
ghee making industry having longer self life.
• Meat production from these buffaloes has remained
unexplored which needs to be understood.

19. Conservation efforts made so far

20. Conservation approach ?
• Slaughtering of Bhadawari animals should be banned.
• Up-gradation through Murrah should be discontinued in
the breeding tract
• Supply of the breeding bulls in the field be increased
• Performance of the AI in the field is very poor, needs
improvement
• Bhadawari buffaloes are more suited to the needs of
small and medium farmers and for remote/inaccessible
terrains, vigorous campaign to create awareness among
farmers should be undertaken

21. Summary
• The performance of Bhadawari buffaloes is
comparable with other breeds, except few heavy
breeds.
• High fat content in milk, low calf mortality and
comparatively low feed and fodder requirement,
better performance under grazing are specific
characteristics of the breed.
• Considering these facts, Bhadawari buffaloes are
sustainable in low input system of rearing and is
a suitable breed for resource poor farmers.

30. Farmer with his Bhadawari buffalo in Etawah district

31. Bhadawari buffaloes in animal fare in Etawah District

32. A farmer with his Bhadawari animalsA farmer with his Bhadawari animals