Background, relevance and potential benefits

Buffalo have been in Australia since the early settlements in the NT during the 1800’s.

Buffalo are able to utilise poor quality feeds in marginal cattle areas, swampy country, etc. and are now happily producing in all states of Australia. They are also able to handle good pasture conditions on a par with cattle, particularly with the new importation of River buffalo during the mid 1990’s. The Riverine breeds have given new life to the buffalo industry in crossbreeding, for both meat and milk potential.

The ability to AI successfully will allow much faster implementation of the genetics and the greater potential for buffalo to enter the dairy industry via crossbreeding and upgrading to higher Riverine percentages. The current availability of imported Italian semen from dairy animals should speed up the process. Concurrently the meat potential of the crosses can be explored. At present bull numbers of purebreds are low but building, however AI has the capacity to speed up adoption greatly, as long as good rates of conception are achieved.

In cheese making, buffalo milk has twice the recovery value of cows’ milk, although milk yields are significantly lower when compared to high yielding dairy cow breeds. It is expected that the dietary requirements of buffalo will be much less onerous to provide.

(i) Objectives/aims of the proposed research

To analyse the existing swamp buffalo data collected at Beatrice Hill since 1983 and derive heritability estimates for the Australian swamp buffalo. Breedplan EBV’s are to be allocated.

Review and recommend a suitable database system to take the Buffalo Industry (meat, milk and stud) satisfactorily into the next 10 years.

Review Australian and world literature and implement AI protocol that suits Australian conditions over multiple locations. Test out protocols for AI in as many States as possible.

(ii) Outcomes of the proposed research

1. Analysis of swamp buffalo genetic data

2. Database establishment

3. Milk recording scheme

4. Description of growth and reproductive performance of crossbred herds

5. Milk production in riverine crossbreds

6. Improved AI procedures

7. Performance recording system

(iii) Deliverables/outputs of the proposed research

1. Annual progress reports

2. Final RIRDC report

3. Improved AI protocols for industry

4. DRDPRFR Agnote/Technotes

5. ABIC newsletter articles