A Detailed Guide to Buffalo Farming Techniques and Feeding Management Methods

Buffalo Farming Techniques

Feed types: Buffalo mainly eat green fodder, with concentrate as a supplement. The grass and feed provided should be sufficient and reasonably matched to meet the buffalo's growth, development and production needs. Normally, sufficient green fodder is enough; when producing milk, supplement some concentrate.

Feed sources: Buffalo can consume large amounts of roughage and are relatively easy to raise. Generally, dry rice straw is fed in winter, and green grass is fed in spring, summer and autumn. Under grazing or barn feeding conditions, green and rough fodder generally meets nutritional needs; for heavy work, concentrate must be supplemented, and high-yielding dairy buffalo must be given more concentrate.

1. Planting forage grass: For each dairy buffalo raised, 0.067 hectares of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) need to be planted.

2. Feed silage: Cut sugarcane tops, forage grass, etc. into 2-3 cm lengths, press tightly and seal to make silage.

3. Straw ammoniation: Cut straw into 2-3 cm lengths, and ammoniate in a ratio of 50-60 kg water and 3-5 kg urea per 100 kg straw.

Management techniques: Pay attention to feeding techniques and provide thorough, meticulous management. Feed at fixed times and in fixed amounts, give small amounts frequently, keep feed clean and fresh without impurities, allow a 1-week transition period when changing feed, and ensure sufficient drinking water. Do not feed spoiled, moldy or contaminated feed or dirty, foul water. Because buffalo have poor body temperature regulation, special attention must be paid to cold and heat protection. In summer, give them sufficient water for bathing; letting them roll in mud in ponds, the mud layer on their bodies not only prevents direct sunlight but also avoids bites from mosquitoes and horseflies.

Buffalo Feeding Management

Buffalo can consume large amounts of roughage and are relatively easy to raise. Generally, dry rice straw is fed in winter, and green grass is fed in spring, summer and autumn. Under grazing or barn feeding conditions, green and rough fodder generally meets nutritional needs; for heavy work, concentrate must be supplemented. High-yielding dairy buffalo must be given more concentrate. Because their body temperature regulation is poor, special attention must be paid to cold and heat protection. In summer, give them sufficient water for bathing; letting them roll in mud in ponds, the mud layer on their bodies not only prevents direct sunlight but also avoids bites from mosquitoes and horseflies.