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Chilika buffaloes in Orissa: a unique germplasm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

B.N. Patro
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Orissa Veterinary College, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, Orissa, India
P.K. Mishra
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Orissa Veterinary College, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, Orissa, India
P.K. Rao
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Orissa Veterinary College, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, Orissa, India
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Summary

People in the villages situated on the bank of the famous salt lake Chilika in Orissa rear buffaloes with almost zero input. These animals, endowed with the special quality of entering deep into the lake and feeding on the vegetation that grows there, help to maintain the natural ecosystem and provide good earnings for the rural people. This biodiversity in buffalo germplasm needs to be preserved. The mean body length, girth, height at withers and weight were 122.3±0.2 cm, 169.7±0.3 cm, 123.9±2.7 cm and 320.0±0.7 kg, respectively. The mean age at first calving was 1 331.4±6.8 days. The average of the first two calving intervals was 431.7±3.6 days. The average daily milk yield of the first three lactations and lactation length was 2.6±0.01 kg and 238.7±2.1 days, respectively. Most of the economic traits had high heritability. The temperature of the habitat ranges approximately between 15°C in winter to 40°C in summer.

Resumen

Los habitantes de los poblados situados a orillas del famoso lago salado de Chilika en Orissa crían búfalos con prácticamente ningún entrante. Estos animales, que poseen la rara capacidad de entrar en el lago en profundidad para alimentarse con la vegetación que allí crece, ayudan así a mantener el ecosistema natural y aportan buenas ganancias a las poblaciones rurales. Es necesario conservar esta biodiversidad en el germoplasma del búfalo. La longitud corporal, circunferencia, altura y peso son respectivamente 122,3±0,2 cm, 169,7±0,3 cm, 123,9±2,7 cm y 320,0±0,7 kg. La edad media al primer parto ha sido de 1 331,4±6,8 días. La media de intervalo entre partos ha sido de 431,7±3,6 días. La media diaria de producción lechera y su duración en las tres primeras lactaciones ha sido de 2,6±0,01 kg y 238,7±2,1 días. La mayoría de los rasgos económicos poseen un alta heredabilidad. La temperatura del hábitat oscila aproximadamente entre 15°C en invierno hasta 40°C en verano.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2003

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References

Mishra, K.P. 1993. Studies on the productive and reproductive performance of Paralakhemundi buffaloes and its crosses. M.V.Sc thesis submitted to Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.Google Scholar
Mishra, S. 1991. Reproductive status of crossbred buffaloes (Indigenous Murrah) in Orissa. M.V.Sc. Thesis submitted to Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.Google Scholar