Water buffalo (Bubulus bubalis) is not
indigenous to Trinidad & Tobago. The first importation of 30 Jaffarabadi
buffaloes to a sugarcane estate at Tacarigua was reported to have occurred
between 1900 and 1905. Several importations occurred since, with the last
being in 1949. They were imported to haul cane and provide transport.
Presently, these animals continue to provide draught power for a few small
farmers in the sugarcane fields and are being used increasingly for beef
production. They are generally not milked.
HISTORY
Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalus) were first introduced into Trinidad
& Tobago from India in 1906.
The world population of water buffaloes however is
roughly 160 million. Half of these are found in India and are mainly
the River type. The other types known are the Swamp buffalo, commonly
found in China, the Phillipines, Indonesia, Australia and the Mediterranean
type.
Water Buffaloes are:
 |
Intelligent |
|
Easy to handle |
|
Resistant to both
internal and external parasites |
|
Resistant to diseases |
They also:
|
Thrive well on a wider
range of forages than cattle |
|
Sustain very high growth rates
even under marginal conditions |
POPULATION
The population of water buffaloes in Trinidad and Tobago is approximately
5000 head (CSO Cattle and Buffalo Survey 1986). On a national level,
the population is considered to be a closed herd, since after importation
ceased in 1949 there has not been any new introduction of genetic material
into the country. The present water buffalo is therefore considered
a crossbreed comprising a mixture of the original imported breeds.
BUFFALOES AT ARIPO
Water Buffaloes in Trinidad and Tobago have the potential to contribute
towards national milk production but evaluation of water buffaloes as
dairy animals have never been actively pursued. The water buffalo herd
at Aripo Livestock Station is currently being evaluated for milk and
meat production. Information derived can then be used to encourage farmers
to milk their buffaloes, thereby increasing national milk production.
BUFFALOES AT CARONI & SUGARCANE FEEDS
CENTRE
A selection and improvement programme for a meat type animal began in
1950 at Caroni Ltd., with a breeding programme designed to straighten
the top line and broaden the loin and rump. Studies at the Sugarcane
Feed Centre (SFC), conducted to compare growth rates between buffalo
bulls and Holstein steers, fed sugarcane/molasses based diets, showed
superior average daily weight gains for buffalo bulls.
