Productivity of swamp buffaloes under three production systems

The productivity of swamp buffaloes under three production systems namely intensive, semi-intensive and integrated with oil palm was evaluated. Birth, weaning, and yearling weights were 26.8, 85.7 and 137.4 kg for calves under intensive; 27.2, 125.2 and 217.2 kg for calves under semi-intensive; and 24.7, 118.9 and 205.3 kg for calves under integrated production systems respectively. The average daily gain from birth to one year old and preweaning calf mortality were 0.3 kg/day and 25.6% under intensive; 0.52 kg/day and 12.7% under semiintensive; and 0.51 kg/day and 7% under integrated production systems respectively. Calving rate and calving interval of the dams were 57.3% and 481 days under intensive; 66.7% and 439 days under semi-intensive; and 47.2% and 496 days under integrated production systems respectively. Results of the study showed that reproductive performance of swamp buffaloes can be improved through semi-intensive production system and nutrition was implicated for the improved reproductive performance.