Draft and reproductive performance of the swamp buffalo in an oil palm plantation

Zainuddin, Zainal Zahari (1985) Draft and reproductive performance of the swamp buffalo in an oil palm plantation. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

The physiological reaponses, draft performance and feeding behaviour were studied in eighteen draft buffaloes (one animal per day) in an oil palm plantation. In addition, the records maintained by the breeding unit for the period 1977-1983 were analysed for birth weights, calving intervals end calf crop. The climatic data were obtained from the estate weather unit. The total number of fresh fruit bunch hauled daily average 175 which was equivalent to a work load of 4550 kg transported over a distance of 1.19 km. The work period averaged 5.3 hour daily. The mean maximum and minimum ambient temperatures were 32. and 22.6 C respectively. The relative humidity averaged 95% at 0700 h, 80.4% at 1000 h and 70.9 % at 1500 h. The average body temperature, pulse and respiration rates/minute before work (0700h) were 37.8 c, 41 and 25 respectively. There was a gradual increase in rectal temperature, pulse and respiration rates during work and reached 38.8 c, 62 and 26 respectively at 1230h. The time spent on grazing was 26% of the entire working period. The composition of plant population in the inter-rows was native grasses (81%), broadleaves (13%) and ferns (6%). Of 215 calves born, the mean birthweight was 28,3 kg. for males and 26.2 kg· for females with an overall mean of 26.5 kg The overall mean calving interval was 483 days with 44% of the calving intervals ranging from 375 to 474 days. The calving interval decreased with increasing parity. No significant relationship existed between calving pattern and rainfall, month or year. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that (1) The body temperature, pulse and respiration rate of draft buffaloes remain within normal limits during work, (2) the buffalo is more efficient than other traditional systems currently used in harvesting fresh fruits bunches in oil palm plantations (3) both oil palm byproducts and fodder in the inter-rows in palm oil plantations are enormous feed resources for buffaloes, (4) herd of 50 breeding females are needed to provide the annual replacement requirements of 15, 2-year old males for draft for every 750 ha of oil palm, and (5) smallholder farmers in oil palm schemes should be encouraged to use the buffalo in harvesting as it would increase their income.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms. Nordeena Abdul Aziz
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2025 07:15
Last Modified:	30 Oct 2025 07:15
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2485

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