Long-Term Breeding Strategies for Genetic Improvement of Buffaloes in Developing Countries - Review -

Chantalakhana, C.,Skunmun, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.7

Buffalo raising to produce milk, meat, and draught power as well as other products continues to be important in Asia and other parts of the world in the next century due to an increase in the demand for such products and the unique roles of buffaloes in rural economy. Long-term breeding strategies with special relevance to present and future farming systems prevailing in developing countries are proposed. Some important considerations in the choice of certain breeding strategies for long-term genetic improvement in buffaloes are discussed. Some recent research results in genetic selection and crossbreeding of buffaloes are highlighted. A review of genetic inheritance of buffalo traits is presented as well as a discussion Of certain quality traits of buffaloes which deserve future research for improvement.

Environmental Conditions and Resource Management in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Thailand. II. Effects of Dairy Wastes on Water and Soil

Chantalakhana, C.,Korpraditsakul, R.,Skunmun, P.,Poondusit, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.2

The environmental conditions in smallholder dairy farms especially the effects of dairy wastes on waters and soil were the main objectives of this investigation. Forty-three dairy farms from an older dairy cooperative (Nongpho Dairy Cooperative, NP) were compared with four dairy fauns from relatively new dairy cooperative (Kamphaengsaen Dairy Cooperative, KS) for the quality parameters of water and soil samples during a 12-month period. Forty-three farms at NP were from three geographical areas and three levels farm crowdedness. The results from this study clearly showed that the waste waters from older dairy barns contained much higher levels of organic and inorganic substances which could create environmental pollution if not properly managed. The differences in waste water qualities due to areas and seasons were not significant, while waste water samples from crowded farms tended to contain higher averages of waste water parameters such as COD and BOD. Highly significant correlations between pairs of waste water parameters indicated that certain parameters can be used without the need for chemical analysis of some other parameters. The qualities of well water on dairy farms as well as water samples from public waterways nearby indicated some contamination of dairy wastes such as manure. Storage and sun-drying of dairy manure on bare soil surface could result in the contamination of underground water and nearby water sources. Some recommendations from this study if implemented can prevent environmental pollution in smallholder dairy farms.

The Adoption of Recommended Practices by Dairy Farmers in Southern Thailand

Srinoy, B.,Chantalakhana, C.,Saithanoo, S.,Pattamarakha, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.7

Raising dairy cattle for milk production has been promoted and supported by the Thai government in recent years. The extent to which dairy farmers in southern Thailand use the practices recommended by government officers is not known and was investigated in this study. With dairy farming in southern Thailand mainly concentrated in the Phatthalung province, the entire population of dairy farmers in this province was studied. A total of 114 dairy farmers were studied by personal interviews. The results showed that the farmers varied widely in their use of the practices for dairy production in southern Thailand. The study identified that the major problems in dairy production in southern Thailand were low rates of conception to artificial insemination, the high price of feedstuffs and a shortage of roughage in the dry summer months.

Comparative Feeding of Male Dairy, Beef Cattle and Swamp Buffalo I. Economics of Beef Production

Skunmun, P.,Chantalakhana, C.,Pungchai, R.,Poondusit, T.,Prucsasri, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.6

Due to rising trend of beef demand in Asia in the next two decades it is necessary to find additional sources of beef supply. In most Southeast Asian countries, male dairy and swamp buffalo have not yet been raised for a primary purpose of quality beef production. This study was aimed to compare growth and feeding performances as well as economic returns from feeding male dairy, beef cattle and swamp buffalo for quality beef. Thirty-six animals, 12 of each breed group, were used in feeding trial to compare the cost of beef production. Two levels of concentrate feeding, 1.75% of body weight (BW) and 1.00% of BW, were used for each breed group in order to compare feeding methods i.e. high and low levels. Within each breed group two animals of similar initial BW were randomly assigned to the two levels of feeding. The animals were fed from about 150 kg BW until reaching the final weight of about 400 kg. The results from this study showed that under the prevailing economic conditions in Thailand the cost of beef production from buffalo was lowest due to very low cost of feeder stocks, followed by dairy and beef. However, the cost of feeding per kg of BW gain was lowest in beef and highest in buffalo i.e. when disregarding the differences in cost of feeder stocks. Beef calves grew faster than dairy and buffalo, with better feed efficiencies. The results indicated that beef cattle could be more suitable for beef production for high-quality beef market, while buffalo could be more suitable for small farms where high roughage feeding is common. Male dairy calves appeared to require higher level of concentrate feeding than 1% BW in order to maintain good body conditions.

Environmental Conditions and Resource Management in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Thailand. I. Production Systems and Management of Resources

Skunmun, P.,Boonsom, J.,Kaewsuwan, S.,Chantalakhana, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.2

This study aims to make detail examination of smallholder dairy farming systems in the Nongpho Dairy Cooperative. Forty-three dairy farms were selected from three geographical areas i.e. irrigated area, municipality area, and factory area. Within each area some number of sample farms were selected from each of the three levels of farm and animal crowdedness (very crowded, crowded, and not crowded farms). Detail data were collected during 1996 to 1997, they were socio-economic conditions of the sample farms and farmers, dairy production systems and management of resources (animals, bam, feeds, stocking rates, herd structure, animal body conditions, milk yield and milk quality, manure and farm wastes management, and other related items). Detail information useful for the improvement of farm production efficiency were discussed. It was very clear that much improvement of smallholder dairy production can be achieved if the recommendations given by this study were implemented.

Costs and Returns in Raising Male Calves from Smallholder Dairy Farms for Beef Production

Buaphun, S.,Skunmun, P.,Prasanpanich, S.,Buathong, N.,Chantalakhana, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.10

The use of the dairy male calf for beef production has been found to be economically unprofitable during the past due to high cost of feeds and relatively low beef price. However, due to current shortage of domestic beef supply and rising beef price, this research aimed to assess feeding methods and costs and returns in raising dairy male calves for beef production under changing economic conditions. Two diets were compared: calves on an optimal feeding level were given milk replacer for 44 d and a concentrate (with ad lib. hay) to 150 kg bodyweight that contained 16% crude protein; those given a sub-optimal diet, more appropriate for smallholder farms, received milk replacer for 30 d and 14% CP concentrate. Twelve pairs of dairy male calves (average age 32 days) of Holstein-Friesian high grades were used, each pair having similar influencing factors such as weight, age, and genotype. Each animal was kept in a separate feeding stall until reaching the final weight of 150 kg. The results from this experiment showed that the differences of traits concerning growth performance and feed efficiency of the animals raised under the two feeding regimes were statistically nonsignificant. The optimal group was just slightly better, but the cost of production of the sub-optimal group was 24 percent lower (4,667 vs. 6,144 baht per animal) and the cost difference was highly significant. The results from this investigation showed that beef production from dairy male calves can be economically viable when sub-optimal feeding method is used and market beef price is at current level.