Resilience of Murrah buffaloes for adaptation and round the year cyclicity in agro-climatic conditions of Meghalaya.
The changing climate is posing both direct and indirect effects on farm animals.The effects are not always negative only but there are some positive effects too .Considering the changing climatic conditions of the region and potential of buffaloes to adjust to a wide range of agrarian and diversified agro–climatic situations.
The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya has introduced the Murrah buffalo germ plasm for the first time in march 2012 as a pilot study with an aim to access the suitability of Murrah germ plasm. As a component of integrated farming system to address the acute deficiency of milk and meat in the region as this riverine buffalo is a triple purpose species contributing milk, draft-power and meat, compared to the swamp buffalo which is considered a dual-purpose species — draft and meat only. The study on adaptability of Murrah buffaloes in this region showed a marked loss of body score, and weight loss up to 12-15% in the initial 30 days but recovered well in the 30-60 days period with improved feeding and manage mental adjustments and adapted well subsequently. The buffalo calves showed an average daily weight gain over and above 550 gm/day during first two years period. The age and weight of puberty of buffalo heifers averaged 710 ± 28days and 310 ± 26 kg respectively, age at first service 752 ± 35days,gestation period averaged 308± 05 days,. Lactating buffaloes resumed reproductive cyclicity within 58 ± 18 days post – partum .
The animals showed regular cyclicity even in the months of April, May and June which was also validated by estrus symptoms, per rectal examination as well as by ultrasonography. This round the year cyclicity was a unique finding under agro climatic conditions of Meghalaya (Avg.Temp max.250C,Avg.Temp.min.130C , RH 60-90%,Altitude 900mamsl., Rainfall 2360mm) in contrast to the buffaloes in its home tract in North India (Haryana ) where they show higher incidence of summer anoestrus during these hotter months indicating that these Murrah buffaloes may be utilised for enhancing the reproductive efficiency using Assisted Reproductive Technologies(ARTs) during this period and may be a part of integrated farming system of north east region and may contribute significantly to ensure food and nutritional security of the region by supplementing qualit y animal protein through milk and meat if managed with proper nutritional and manage mental skills including scientific interventions .
(Source: Division of Animal Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103)
