Comparison of feed intake, digestibility and fattening performance of Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Twenty growing crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo (carabao) with an average age of 22 (18–24 months) months were equally distributed into two treatment groups according to species. The animals were fed with the same ration made up of corn silage (50%) + wet brewer's spent grain (30%) + concentrate mixture (20%), and their fattening performance was monitored. The digestibilities of the different nutrients were likewise determined. The economics of raising the animals under intensive production system was calculated. Species differences did not influence total dry matter intake of the animals, when expressed as percentage of the bodyweight and per metabolic body size. There were no significant differences in digestion coefficients of the different nutrients, except for crude protein in crossbred water buffalo and crossbred cattle, although the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen free extract tended to be high in the former than in the latter. Likewise, average daily gain (ADG) was similar, although crossbred water buffalo had numerically higher ADG (828.6 vs 785.5 g) than crossbred cattle during the 6 months feeding. During the first 3 months of feeding (1–90 days), the ADG of crossbred water buffalo was 1066.1 g compared to 940.1 g for crossbred cattle. From 91 to 180 days, the crossbred cattle had slightly higher ADG (630.1 vs 591.1 g) but also the difference was not significant. The return above feed cost was comparable for crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo during the first 90 days of feeding. However, extending the feeding period from 91 to 180 days, income over feed cost was higher (P < 0.05) for crossbred cattle by PhP 5.3/kg gain than crossbred water buffalo. Results showed that crossbred water buffalo could attain similar growth rate with that of crossbred cattle under intensive system, when fed with high quality feed materials.

The comparative study digestion and metabolism of nitrogen and purine derivatives in male, Thai, Swamp buffalo and Thai, Brahman cattle

“…The coefficient of whole tract apparent digestibility of DM and OM was not affected by N source in either animal species. But whole tract apparent digestibility of NDF was significantly higher in both animal species when urea‐N in the diet was fed as the main source of N. The digestibility of DM (buffalo 0.74–0.77 and cattle 0.78–0.78), OM (buffalo 0.75–0.78 and cattle 0.79–0.80) were similar in both animal species, and this was in agreement with reports by Lapitan et al . (2004) and Liang and Young (1995) who found no significant differences in DM and OM digestion when comparing buffaloes and cattle.…”

Efficiency to reach age of puberty and behaviour of buffalo heifers (Bubalus bubalis) kept on pasture or in confinement

“…In addition, Granum et al (2007) observed that the intake at pasture, in terms of per cent of BW, is higher in Swamp buffaloes than in cattle. Lapitan et al (2004) observed that the apparent digestibility of organic matter in Swamp buffaloes was 70%. However, no studies are available on the effect of grazing on organic matter digestibility in river buffaloes.…”

Effects of species and sex on plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations in crossbred Brahman cattle and crossbred water buffalo

“…This study is part of experiments conducted to compare the growth and fattening performance and meat characteristics of crossbred cattle and buffaloes of a similar age and nutritional status (Lapitan et al, 2004).…”