Buffalo Dairy Production: A Review

Abstract

Worldwide production of buffalo milk is steadily increasing. In this chapter,the worldwide distribution of buffalo milk production is described, with emphasis onproduction styles and characteristics by region. Representative buffalo breeds aredescribed, along with production levels and general herd management. Relevant factorssuch as heat stress, animal nutrition, conversion efficiency, health management, calfrearing systems and sanitary milk production conditions are outlined. Factorsinfluencing buffalo milk performance and production are also outlined in this chaptersuch as sexual maturity, calving interval, days in lactation, residual milk andperformance according to age groups.