THE WATER BUFFALO

Cow  Coca-Cola - 830 kg. Buffalo calf  150 days - 216 kegs.

ORIGIN The water buffalo (bubalus bubalus) was introduced into Brazil at the end of the last century. They came primarily from Asia and went to Marajó's Island, in Pará. Presently, the biggest part of the national herd, estimated at 3.0 million (1995), is in the Amazon region. CHARACTERISTICS With a high fertility rate (13% increase a year), we hope that by the 21st century, the water buffalo will be an important livestock animal in the agricultural economy of the country. Because of their gentle dispositions, adaptability to different ambient and local conditions, physical toughness and long useful life (15 years) they are an excellent livestock investment. Good fertility, allied to a birth rate of more than 80% and mortality less than 3% in a year, and high returns of milk, meat and work production, mean an excellent economic return. As a work animal, the water buffalo also produces a greater return than cattle. Its body structure, especially the distribution of body weight over the feet and legs, is an important advantage. Its large boxy hooves allow it excellent traction on muddy wet ground. The water buffalo also has very flexible pastern and fetlock joints in the lower leg so that it can bend back its hooves and step over obstacles more easily than cattle. BREEDS In Brazil, most water buffalo are the Mediterranean type. Murrah, Jafarabadi and Philippine Carabao are represented as well as a local type known as Baio. There are 19 breeds and many local and regional types, scattered throughout more than 40 countries of the world.

PRODUCTION OF MEAT


Depending on pasture conditions, the water buffalo can attain as much as 500 kg live weight at 2 years of age. Young intact males or steers are grown for its purpose. This animals produce a greater profit productivity and a greater value from the herd.

MILK PRODUCTION

An average milk yield of 2,500 kg was produced by buffalo cows, belonged to the herd of CPATU/Embrapa, in a pasture bases feed system. (Source: Criação de Búfalos - Cristo Nascimento e Luiz Otávio Moura Carvalho - page 214)
This buffalo milk represents a commercial value of milk products 40% greater than cattle milk. Buffalo milk contains less water, more protein and slightly more lactose than cattle milk. It is thicker than cattle milk because it generally contains about 25% more total solids. Mineral content is similar except for phosphorus which is about twice. Fat content is usually 50-60% higher than that of cattle milk. fourteen (14) liters of buffalo milk can produce 1 kg of butter. To have the same production with cattle milk, 20 liters are necessary.
Recently the Brazilian tecnicals (ABCZ) that visited India was moved by the milk productivity of the water buffalo cow  of breed Murrah and Jafarabadi. Too much work was done there with the water buffalo, because its not a holy animal.

RESEARCHES

Research in nutrition, management, genetic improvement, animal health, husbandry and equipment, has produced major improvements in meat production, milk, milk products and work.

BABY BUFFALO

The water buffalo meat is unique because it constitute one rich source of protein and it presents less fat and less cholesterol also.
If breeder in especial conditions without hormone and anabolic steroid, and   slaughter young (calf until 18 months age), the "baby buffalo" is also different from the common water buffalo. The meat is smooth, delicious and 100% healthy.

The Santa Izabel's Farm participate in the project "Baby Buffalo" as a member of the APCB - Pará's State Water Buffaloes Breeders Association. It's a partnership between a Local Supermarket (Nazaré Supermarket) and the APCB with the goal of diffusion the water buffalo's meat qualities to the population of Belém.

The partnership have in view, work with precocious animals, slaughter with  400 kg of weight with a maximum 18 months aged. Therefore a product with superior quality. In return, the supermarket is making the market of the properties of  the water buffalo's meat and showing the people to its advantage of low level of cholesterol and fat.

We believe it's a victorious project and it will bring many benefits to the breed of water buffalo in the Pará's State.

	APCB - Pará's State Water Buffaloes Breeders Association
Baby Buffalo - The unique with the source stamped on it