Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LV
Written by MOSTAFA ABDEL RAHMAN IBRAHIM
The total number of buffaloes in Egypt reached about 5.317million in 2011, of which 42 percent were dairy cows, 6 percent buffalo bulls, 32 percent heifers less than two years old and 20 percent male calves less than two years old. While the annual growth rate for the buffalo population approached 3 percent over the last two decades, it still only accounts for 1 percent of the cattle population. The aggregate share of buffalo milk, from all types of production systems is about 81 percent of total milk production in Egypt. The cost of milk production from buffaloes is also less than the cost of reconstituted imported powdered milk at the international market price. Most common name: Baladi Other local name: Beheri, Menufi, Egyptian. Livestock population is in great part located in the Nile delta and Nile valle, Total population size 5371000. The distinction between different types of Egyptian buffaloes is only environmental. It is the most important and popular livestock for milk production in Egypt. Buffalo productivity in Egypt is about 210-280 days/lactation, an average of seven lactations and a milk yielding of 1 600 kg. The age at the first calving is 34-41 months. The average animal production per year represented 30.8% of national agricultural production, the average annual red meat production reached 495,000 ton during the same period, contributing by 45% to overall meat produced. Artificial insemination is used in one percent of the medium to large herds. There are six AI stations owned by the Government and one by the University, possessing a total of 70 bulls. Artificial insemination is still performed at research level; usually only one semen dose is offered at each oestrus, conception at the first oestrus being 30 percent. Milking is done by hand, twice a day, mainly by women. Average slaughter weight is 500 kg, at the age of 18-24 months. Carcass yield is 51 percent. Overall growth rate is 700 g/day. Dairy performance: Lactation duration 210-280 days Milk yield 1 200-2 100 kg Milk fat 6.5-7.0 percent. Buffalo exceed cattle in their ability to convert poor quality and forage to meat or milk. The greatest buffalo losses are often among calves. Newborn buffalo calves, like cattle calves, can die in large numbers due to viruses, bacteria, and poor nutrition. Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, cloning. Biotechnology is important to improve feed utilization and disease control for the next generation.
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{tag}meta name="citation_title" content="Water buffalo for our next generation in Egypt and in the world"{/tag} {tag}meta name="citation_journal_title" content="Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science"{/tag} {tag}meta name="citation_publication_date" content="2012"{/tag} {tag}meta name="citation_author" content="MOSTAFA ABDEL RAHMAN IBRAHIM" {/tag}
artificial insemination
