A study of performance, physiological parameters and economic efficiency of working buffaloes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

N. Van Thu

A study of performance, physiological parameters and economic efficiency of working buffaloes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

In: Working animals in agriculture and transport

Author:

N. Van Thu

N. Van Thu Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Faculty. of Agriculture, Cantho University, Vietnam

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 165–171

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086865185_016

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Working performance, physiological parameters and economic efficiency of the swamp buffaloes in Mekong provinces were continuously investigated from 1988 to1998. The average live weights of male and female buffaloes were, respectively, 31.2 and 29.3 at birth and 494 and 458 kg for the adults. The average live weights of buffalo cows in the various provinces of the Mekong delta were 453, 558, 412, 412, 480 and 411 kg for Long An, Dong Thap, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau, Can Tho and Soc Trang, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh provinces, respectively. Buffaloes can thrive in the flooding areas and they were generally larger in the fresh water regions than in brackish water regions. Both male and female buffalo are used for work in the fields. Working time was from 5.05 to 5.39 hrs per day. For male and female, respectively, the areas ploughed per day were 0.31±0.035 (mean±std) and 0.29±0.025 ha/pair/day, the areas harrowed were 0.77 ±0.170 and 0.73 ±0.17 ha/pair/day, ploughing speeds were 57.9±5.29 and 53.0±10.5 m/min, and harrowing speeds were 58.8±5.90 and 58.5±5.68 m/min. Both male and female buffaloes took from 14.3-15.1 min wallowing in water to recover after working. Their body temperature, pulse and respiration rate were all slightly higher in the afternoon compared to in the morning before working. After working the body temperature, pulse and respiration rate were all considerably higher than before work. Values recorded after work were 40.1- 40.7°C, 67.7 – 71.1 beat/min and 86.8 – 96.9 breaths/min for males and females respectively. The economic efficiencies of a pair of buffaloes in the fresh water and saline-affected water regions were calculated as 417 and 460% respectively compared to 179 and 156% for a tractor. The conclusion was that draught buffaloes were well adapted to their environment in the Mekong delta and that farmers should raise them for work and as a source of income.

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Working animals in agriculture and transport

A collection of some current research and development observations

Series: EAAP Technical Series, Volume: 6

Cover Working animals in agriculture and transport

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086865185

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 10 Oct 2003

Subjects
- Life Sciences
  - General
  - Animal & Veterinary

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A study of performance, physiological parameters and economic efficiency of working buffaloes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

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Working animals in agriculture and transport

A collection of some current research and development observations

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