INTRODUCTION

Cattle and buffaloes play an important role for small farmers for providing milk, meat and draught power. When cattle and buffalo are kept under similar conditions, it has been reported that buffaloes digest feed more efficiently than cattle, the difference being typically 2 to 3 percentage units higher (Wanapat 2001). Several experiments in India reported that ruminal characteristics of buffaloes are more favorable to ammonia-nitrogen utilization (Ludri and Razdan 1987, cited by Ligda 1998). Buffaloes digested crude protein less well than cattle in one trial but increased their body nitrogen more even thought they were being fed only 40% of the recommended daily intake of crude protein. Thu (2005) suggested that the better performance of buffaloes fed coarse fodder may not be related to a superior capacity for fiber digestion, but rather that they are less discriminating against plants not readily eaten by cattle.

Buffalo production is traditionally very important in rice culture and meat production as well as being a capital resource of farmers of the Mekong delta (MD). Most buffaloes in this region are of the ‘swamp’ type. Recently, the number of buffaloes has decreased considerably with the introduction of tractors and reduction of available grazing land (Ly, 2001). However, many farmers still continue to raise buffaloes for working and as sources of income from sale of calves and meat. Recently the economic value of the local buffalo appears to be increasing for work and even meat. Results from recent studies of local buffaloes have been promising. Farmers in the MD have traditionally had experience in buffalo raising but techniques are often primitive. Scientific management practices are seldom applied in rural areas to exploit their great potential for supplying draught power, beef, milk and manure for sustainable farming systems. There has been a limitation of studies of local buffaloes, particularly on nutrition, performance and economic return of the buffaloes compared to cattle in Vietnam. Therefore this study aims to provide an understanding of the present situation regarding swamp buffaloes and to make suggestions for future research and development to help farmers in raising buffaloes more effectively which should also result in income improvement.

Objectives

• To establish a primary reference for buffalo development in term of meat, draught and income.
• To provide an understanding of feed and nitrogen utilization and growth rate of the growing buffaloes compared to those of cattle.
• To make suggestions for further research and development programs to help farmers raising buffaloes for a sustainable agriculture in the MD.

References

Ligda, David J 1998 The water buffalo. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/djligda/wbfacts4.htm.

Ly, L.V., 2001. Buffalo development in Vietnam: Constrain and prospects. MEKARN proceedings of International Workshop on Swamp Buffalo. Ed: TR Preston and R Sansoucy. Hanoi 17-18 Dec, 2001.

Thu, N.V, 2005. A study of performance, physiological parameters and economic efficiency of working buffaloes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

Wanapat M 2001 Swamp Buffalo Rumen Ecology and Its Manipulation. Paper presented at National workshop on swamp buffalo development - Hanoi 16-17/12/2001 ttp://www.vcn.vnn.vn/sp_pape/spec_20_12_2001_8.htm.