THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

ased) and Cabagan, Isabela (corn-based) were selected
for the study. The year-round feeding practices, monthly
changes in body weight of work animals, and training
practices for work animals were recorded and documented.
The average monthly weights of the animals increased
from the start of the study (August) until December, then
leveled-off thereafter up to April when available feed
resource was minimal which is typical during dry months.
The average monthly weights tended to increase from
May up to July as feed become abundant. Tethering was
the most common feeding system being practiced by
farmer-cooperators. In Solana, Cagayan, the animals
were tethered for an average of 5.59 + 0.73 hours daily
while in Cabagan, Isabela, the average daily tethering
time ranged from 5.2 + 0.89 to 6.68 + 0.9 hours.
Supplemented of extra roughage after tethering was
practiced by some farmer-cooperators. In Solana,
Cagayan, carabaos were trained for work when they are
3-4 years old while n Cabagan, Isabela, training started
before they reached 3 years old. It took an average 17.28
training hours on staggered basis before carabaos were
considered fully trained.
Keywords: draft carabaos, feeding systems, tethering,
training practices
*Philippine Journal Veterinary Animal Science, 10(3&4):48.
Also in Annotated Bibliography on Philippine Biodiversity:
Livestock and Poultry (Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997,
Carabaos (2002) p. 157
D-7
WORK PERSISTENCY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
RESPONSES OF PHILIPPINE CARABAO AND
CROSSBRED BUFFALO IN CRUSHING
SUGARCANE*
N. T. Rigor, Student, DAS-CA, CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
F. A. Ching, Professor, DAS-CA, CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
D. D. Lorenzo, Associate Professor, DAS-CA, CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva
Ecija
Two treatment groups consisting of three Philippine carabaos
and three buffalo crossbreds (Philippine carabao x Murrah
buffalo) were used to crush sugarcane stems to evaluate
their work performance and determine their physiological
responses during morning and afternoon working periods
and before, during and after work sessions. Results
indicated no significant variations in the pulse rate, respiration
rate and body temperature (PRTs) between the two breeds.
However, the mean body temperature of crossbreds was
found to be significantly higher than that of the Philippine
carabaos when subjected to work in the afternoon. The
94
ABSTRACT OF RESEARCHES ON
THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO
PRTs of both breeds increased significantly during and
after the work. The time efficiency of the Philippine
carabaos and crossbreds to crush the cartload (350 kg) of
sugarcane were not significantly different to each other.
However, the crossbred buffaloes took around 7 more
minutes to finish the work. Furthermore, both breeds spent
more time crushing the same quantity of sugarcane in the
afternoon. The results suggested that Philippine carabao
and crossbred buffalo have comparable performance in
crushing sugarcane using the traditional village-type crusher.
Keywords: work persistency, PRT responses, Philippine
carabao, crossbred buffalo
*Proceedings of the 34 th Annual Convention, Philippine
Society of Animal Science, October 23-24, 1997, Manila,
Philippines. p. 274-278. Also in Annotated Bibliography
on Philippine Biodiversity: Livetsock and Poultry
(Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos (2002) p. 398.
D-8
INFLUENCE OF DRAFT WORK, DAYLIGHT HEAT
AND PARASITIC LOAD ON THE MEAN EOSINOPHIL
COUNT OF ADULT MALE PHILIPPINE SWAMP
BUFFALO (Bubalus Bubalis)*
E. F. San Pedro, Undergraduate Student, CVSM, CLSU
A total of thirty mature male Philippine carabao (PC) were
used in the study. Fresh fecal samples for fecalysis and
blood smears to determine the eosinophil percentage was
collected for two consecutive days during the predeworming
period and postdeworming period. Eosinophil count of
20.7% in the morning and 24.04% in the afternoon of the
first day of the predeworming collection were recorded.
An eosinophil count of 18.4% and 24.3% in the morning
and afternoon, respectively, were recorded for the second
day of collection. The animals during these period of blood
smear collection were rested and fed on a cut-and-carry
basis or pastured as compared to postdeworming collection
wherein these animals were used for draftwork. During
the postdeworming period, the eosinophil count of 24.04%
and 26.43% in the morning and afternoon, respectively,
were recorded. On the second day of collection, 26.67%
in the morning and 26.74% in the afternoon were recorded.
During predeworming and postdeworming periods, 250.7
eggs per gram (EPG) and 132 EPG were recorded,
respectively.
Keywords: adult male Philippine swamp buffalo, eosinophil
count
*Undergraduate Thesis. College of Veterinary Medicine,
CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (1987). Also in Abstracts of