THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO
THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO
THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO
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DA p. 108-109. Also in Annotated Bibliography on Philippine<br />
Biodiversity: Livestock and Poultry (Agrobiodiversity)<br />
1949-1997, Carabaos (2002) p. 369.<br />
D-11<br />
FARMERS’ PREFERENCE FOR A DRAFT <strong>WATER</strong><br />
<strong>BUFFALO</strong>*<br />
A. S. Sarabia, Supervising Science Research Specialist, PCC-UPLB<br />
V. G. Momongan, Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB<br />
The carabao is mainly used as draft animal in the<br />
Philippines, thus, the smallholder farmers’ acceptance of<br />
the crossbreed as a draft animal is a critical factor in deciding<br />
whether or not to push the policy of crossbreeding the<br />
carabao with Murrah buffalo. The study was to determine<br />
the preference of the farmers for a draft water buffalo in<br />
different areas of the country. A total of 137 respondents<br />
that are cooperators of the former Philippine Carabao<br />
Research and Development Center (PCRDC) now<br />
Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) from five distinct areas<br />
of the country, namely, (1) Musuan, Bukidnon, (2) Ubay,<br />
Bohol, (3) La Carlota, Negros Occidental, (4) Muñoz,<br />
Nueva Ecija, and (5) Lucban, Quezon. The questionnaire<br />
used was pre-tested prior to the actual conduct of the survey.<br />
Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of the data.<br />
Majority of the respondents were married men (93.45%)<br />
with an average age of 45.4 years. The average schooling<br />
was 6.6 years, with average farming experience of 25.8<br />
years. The average farm size being worked on by the<br />
respondents varied with location related to the farming<br />
system of the area. The use of carabao/buffalo as a<br />
means of cultivating the land was still predominant in Bohol,<br />
Quezon and Bukidnon and none of the farmer respondents<br />
claimed to use tractor solely for farm cultivation. Farmers<br />
from different locations have varied responses, based on<br />
their experience, as the farmer-respondents (ave. = 92%)<br />
in all locations prefer Murrah-crossbred as draft animal.<br />
Very few farmers (ave.=7.3%), mainly from the province<br />
of Bohol (22.6%), to which breed type (carabao or<br />
crossbreed) was easier to train for draft. Majority of preferred<br />
the Philippine carabao as draft animal. Except from Negros<br />
Occidental (80%), majority (ave.=71.5%) would prefer a<br />
female draft animal. Majority of the respondents in all<br />
locations, cited size and strength as the primary reason for<br />
selecting crossbreeds as draft water buffalo. The survey<br />
also showed that the crossbreeds were preferred due to its<br />
endurance to heat, work, can be used at an early age for<br />
draft, has high market value and could be used for breeding<br />
purposes. Relatively, it is also a fast worker and easy to<br />
handle. Only farmer-respondents from Nueva Ecija<br />
recognized the usefulness of the crossbreed as source of milk.<br />
96<br />
ABSTRACT OF RESEARCHES ON<br />
<strong>THE</strong> <strong>PHILIPPINE</strong> <strong>WATER</strong> <strong>BUFFALO</strong><br />
Keywords: Philippine carabao, Murrah crossbred, draft<br />
preference<br />
*Animal Production Technology Journal, 12(1):11-15.<br />
D-12<br />
DRAFT ABILITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RES-<br />
PONSES OF <strong>THE</strong> <strong>PHILIPPINE</strong> CARABAO, PHIL-<br />
MURRAH CORSSBRED AND MURRAH-CAMBODIAN<br />
CROSSBREED TO WORK STRESS*<br />
A. S. Sarabia, Supervising Science Research Specialist, PCC-DA, UPLB<br />
V. G. Momongan, Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB<br />
E. C. Castro, Agricultural Engineer, IRRI<br />
The study was conducted to compare the draft ability and<br />
physiological responses of the Philippine carabao (PC)<br />
and Phil-Murrah or PM (Murrah buffalo x PC) and Murrah-<br />
Cambodian or CM (Murrah buffalo x Cambodian buffalo)<br />
crossbreeds to work stress. Twelve (12) intact bulls (4-8<br />
years old) consisting of four each of PC, PM and CM<br />
were used in the plowing operation by thee plow-operators<br />
for a 12- day experiment. Data on draft animal power<br />
(DAP) were analyzed using ANOVA in a replicated Latin<br />
Square Design (LSD) while physiological responses were<br />
analyzed using ANOVA following a Split-Plot in LSD with<br />
breed types as the whole plot and the time of taking PRT<br />
(pulse respiration and rectal temperature) as the subplot.<br />
Results of the study showed that the PC could plow a<br />
significantly bigger area, work faster and produced higher<br />
draft power than the PM and CM crossbreeds. The most<br />
sensitive thermoregulatory index to assess the responses<br />
of the different buffalo breed types to stressful stimuli was<br />
rectal temperature. The PC registered significantly higher<br />
increases in rectal temperatures immediately after plowing<br />
compared to crossbreeds. It took a buffalo more than one<br />
hour of rest to return its PRT to its pre-work values. The<br />
data indicated that the PM and CM crossbreeds responded<br />
to and overcame work stress equally, if not better than the PC.<br />
Keywords: draft power performance, field capacity,<br />
Murrah-Cambodian crossbreed, Philippine carabao, Phil-<br />
Murrah crossbreed, physiological responses<br />
*Proceedings of the 2 nd Asian Buffalo Association Congress,<br />
October 9-12, 1996, Shangri-La Hotel Manila, Makati City,<br />
Philippines. pp 129-137. Also in Abstracts of Completed<br />
Studies 1981-1996. PCC-UPLB, College, Laguna. p.<br />
38-39. Also in Abstracts of Water Buffalo Researches in<br />
the Philippines 1981-1995. (1996) PCC-DA. p. 109. Also<br />
in Philippine Carabao R & D Highlights 1994-1996. (1997)<br />
PCC-DA. Also in Annotated Bibliography on Philippine<br />
Biodiversity: Livestock and Poultry (Agrobiodiversity)<br />
1949-1997, Carabaos (2002) p. 362.
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