Vol. 2, Issue 5, Part A (2017)

Author(s): ME Kabir, MR Ahmed and M Sultana

Abstract: The current study was designed to assess the productive and reproductive performances of buffaloes, as well as the profitability of rearing buffaloes at the household farming level in two coastal districts (Bhola and Patuakhali) of Bangladesh. A total of 80 households (of those farmers who had a buffalo at least completed one lactation length) were surveyed directly using a pre-designed questionnaire during the period of April to September 2016. The average daily milk yield of indigenous buffalo was 2.79±0.31 litres, with an average lactation yield of 714.69±129.32 litres over 256.30±14.37 days of lactation. The average peak yield of buffalo was found to be 4.33±0.46 litres, with the 3rd and 4th months being the most likely to reach peak milk yield. Buffaloes had an average dry period of 193±21.10 days. The average age at first heat, age at first pregnancy, age at first calving, post-partum heat period, number of services per conception, inter-calving period, gestation period were 38.79±4.07 months, 41.85±3.15 months, 49.84±3.28 months, 147.91±19.96 days, 2.23±0.19 times, 545.37±39.11 days and 313.47±8.77 days, respectively, as recorded in this investigation. The annual production cost per buffalo was Tk. 5610.00, whereas the annual gross return per buffalo was Tk. 22890.00. The study revealed that buffalo farming is a profitable practice in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The outcomes of this study may help farmers, researchers, and policymakers for the improvement of buffalo in the future.