Nematodes

Dairy breeds of buffalo

The scientific name of the buffalo is Bubalus bubalis. There are three types of buffalo viz

1. Cap buffalo
2. Water buffalo of the near and middle east
3. Swamp and marsh buffalo of the far east

These breeds differ in appearance, habitat, and temperament behavior. Indo-Pakistan breeds belong to the second type and also called as riverine buffalo or water buffalo and used for triple purpose i.e.,

1. Milk
2. Meat
3. Draft

But these are mainly raised for milk production. Three Pakistani buffalo breeds include

1. Kundi
2. Nili-Ravi
3. Azi-kheli

1. Kundi

This word is originated from Punjabi which means "fishhook". Horns are twisted so that looks like a fish hook.

Habitat

Found in Sindh on both sides of the Indus river along Kashmor in the north to Shahbandar in the south to the coast of the Arabian Sea, and also found in some parts of Balochistan.

Physical characteristics

• These animals are massive and jet black in color (the whole body is black without white spots).
• Horns are broad at the base and tapered upward and inward giving them a fish hock shape hence called Kundi.
• White spots on the body and straight horns are considered undesirable in this breed.
• They have a broad forehead, short and medium-sized ears.
• The average age of maturity for a male is 30 months and for a female is 36 months.
• The weight of male adults is 500-600 kg and that of a female adult is 300-400 kg.
• They have large strong udder and milk yield per lactation is 177-2200 liters with over 6.5 % butterfat.

Characteristics of the good udder

The good udder is tucked up and strongly attached to the body. The udder should be large but not pendulous and meaty. It should have more alveolar tissues for more milk secretion. The good udder is that which collapses after milking or it shrinks like a balloon.
Lactation period: It is a period in which animal is producing milk. It varies from animals to animals and the standard is 305 days.
Cattle milk has 87% water and the remaining is called total solids i.e., 13%.  
Solid, not fat (SNF): These are minerals, protein, and carbohydrates.
In cattle and buffalo milk, the main difference is in milk fat i.e.,  6.5% buffalo and 3-4% cows. Buffalo milk total solids are 18 % and water is 82 %.

2. Nili-Ravi

Its origin is Punjab. It is one of the best breeds in the world. It is also called the black gold of Pakistan.

Habitat

Its home town is Lahore, Sheikupura, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpatan, Vehari district of central Punjab, Multan, Parts of Bahawalpur and Bahawal Nagar district of southern Punjab. However, because of their well-recognized dairy qualities, these are present all over the country.

Physical characteristics

They are in great demand for other countries. Nili and Ravi were two separate breeds until 1960 when the merging of two breeds was accepted in the form of a Nili-Ravi breed.
Animals of Nili breeds belong to the Sutlej riverbank, and that of Ravi breeds belongs to the Ravi river bank.

• They are massive somewhat wedge-shaped, mostly black but often have white markings on the forehead, face, muzzle, lower parts of the leg, and switch of a tail. If spots are present on the five points of the body then called Panj Killian.
• They have small, curly horns, walleyes (iris lacks pigments) and large strong udder.
• Adult age of maturity; Female 36 months and male 30 months.
• Adult animals weigh about male 550-650 kg and female 350-450 kg.
• Milk yield is 188-2500 liters per lactation with 6.5% butterfat.
• Males may be used for drafts purpose especially for preparing land for rice cultivation and also a good source of beef meat.
• A white marking is extending above jock and knee, above the neck. The body constitutes serious disqualifications.

3. Azi-kheli

This breed is not as important.

Habitat

Belongs to swat valley, KPK. Its estimated population size is 50,000.

Physical characteristics

Its color is light brown or albino with some animals fully or partially black. Its productivity is almost in the same range as that of Kundi.