THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

D. D. Lorenzo, Instructor, Department of Animal Science, College of
Agriculture, Central Luzon State University
F. V. Mamuad, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, College
of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University
The study was conducted to establish grazing behavior of
carabaos under native pasture. Six yearling female
Philippine carabaos (PC) were allowed to graze on
Themeda pasture at stocking rates of 0.7 a.u./ha (n=3) and
0.3 a.u./ha (n=3) for one year covering both wet and dry
seasons. Observations on grazing, rumination, wallowing/
shade seeking, idling and other activities were made for 24
hours at weekly interval. Ambient temperature, relative
humidity and other atmospheric parameters were also
gathered during observation. Animals spent 38.5% of the
time grazing. This activity starts as early as 3:00 a.m.
duration being longer during dry season than during wet
season, with much of the activity concentrated during
daytime. There were indications that temperature affects
grazing behavior. Carabaos were observed to cover 3.64
m/min while in search for forage and greater distance was
traveled during the rainy season. Time spent for rumination
accounts for 35.11% of the time with grazing time: rumination
ratio of 1:0.91. On the other hand, only 10.10% of the time
spent for wallowing. Not only was wallowing more frequent
during rainy months but also the total time spent for
wallowing was greater.
Keywords: carabao grazing behavior, Themeda x stylo
mixed pasture
*Abstracts of Completed Researches. 1981-1986.
PCRDC-PCARRD, CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Also
in OED-PCC-DA Abstracts: Water Buffalo Researches in
the Philippines. 1981-1995. (1996). p. 132.
F-26
EFFECTS OF FEEDING THREE ENERGY LEVELS
ON THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE
PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CATTLE AND CARABAO
(BUBALUS BUBALIS LINN.) UNDER PHILIPPINE
CONDITION*
R. C. Cruz, Former Ph. D. Student, Department of Animal Science, College
of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños
A. L. Ordoveza, Associate Professor, Dairy Training and Research
Institute, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños
L. P. Palo, Assistant Professor, Dairy Training and Research Institute,
College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños
The experiment consisted of a digestion feeding trial. The
digestion trial was conducted prior to the feeding trial to
ascertain the digestible nutrients of the test rations. In the
feeding trial, a 2 x 3 factorial in a completely randomized
design was used involving nine dairy heifers (Holstein x
FEEDING AND NUTRITION
Red Sindhi), 5 months old, and nine carabeifers (Bubalus
bubalis Linn.) 1 ½ years old. Three dietary energy levels
were used, namely: 90, 100 and 110% of the USNRC
energy requirements for growth and reproduction. Protein
level in each treatment was maintained at 100% of the
USNRC protein requirements. The three test energy
levels were supplied by rations consisting of para grass
[Brachiaria mutica (Forsk) Staft], 42 days regrowth plus
concentrate-bagasse mixture I, II and III. Test dairy heifers
fed 90, 100 and 110% of USNRC energy requirements
had the total weight gain of 100.18, 171.82 and 179.81 kg,
respectively, while the average daily gains were 0.15,
0.26 and 0.28 kg, respectively. The total liveweight gain
and average daily gain of test daily heifers fed 100 and
110% of NRC energy requirements were significantly
(P