Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) da raça Murrah no pós-parto e durante período lactacional criadas em sistema semi-intensivo

Abstract

The largest production chain of buffaloes in the northeast region is in the state of Maranhao. The environmental and historical characteristics of the state’s lowland have promoted the expansion and creation of buffaloes in the region where it is still necessary to gather information about the biological and behavioral peculiarities of these animals so that the activity is well established and contributes even more to the annual collection with the livestock of the state. 19 buffalo females of the Murrah breed from a property located in Vitoria do Mearim were evaluated. It was observed the ponderal development of the animals over a year; dairy productive activity of the same animals in a lactation; reproductive events in two consecutive pregnancies; and their clinical-parasitological status throughout lactation. In this study it was noticed that the variation of buffalo body weight, even with trough supplementation, undergoes the seasonality of native pastures. It was observed that the average lactation duration of these animals was approximately nine months; the mean daily milk production was 4.21 kg and with handling of two milking 7.08 kg; and the average total milk production per cow was 1,603 kg. In relation to breeding, the animals had a mean interval among births of 17.37 months and an annual effect on fertility was not observed, distributing their mating in all months of the year. Regarding parasitological evaluation, a small part of the animals were found with the presence of gastrointestinal parasites and, despite that, it was not enough to cause damages to these animals productivity.