Effect of intensive or extensive systems on buffalo heifers performances: Body measurements and respective indices

Abstract

Twenty-six buffalo heifers, reared in Roman area (42 latitude North) were randomly assigned to two groups: intensive feeding (IF, n=13) or to pasture system (PS, n=13) and followed until the onset of puberty. The average age at the beginning of the experiment was 223 days and the average weight was 133 kg, without significant differences between groups. At the end of the trial, when heifers reached puberty (IF=599 days, 462 kg and BCS=7.65; PS= 610 days, 375 kg and BCS=6.15), live weight and 19 body linear measurements were recorded on all animals; afterwards 6 relative indices were calculated. Significant differences were found between IF and PS animals: in width chest (46.3 vs 37.7 cm), thoracic circumference (195.3 vs 176,5 cm ); width fore pelvis (50.8 vs 47.4 cm); withers height (126.4 vs 122.7 cm), sacrum (132.3 vs 127.4 cm ), ileum (126.1 vs 121.7 cm) and ischium height (118.6 vs 113.6 cm) and in rump length (46.8 vs 44.2 cm ). Rearing systems significantly affected also some relative zoometric indices. No significant differences were found in any of feet parameters. In conclusion, rearing systems significantly affected body linear measurements and relative indices which could play a significant role in evaluating the buffaloes performances.

Keywords

• Buffalo, Rearing systems, Body measurements