Morphometrics and carcass production of Kalimantan swamp buffalo under extensive production system (kalang)

Abstract

Abstract Swamp buffaloes in Kalimantan Island are commonly kept in extensive production systems in wetland areas (Kalang). The changes in the wetland environment and social condition of wetland communities affect the ecosystem and the buffalo. This research aimed to obtain the body measurements of swamp buffalo in Kalimantan as indicators of meat producer and to compare the current with the preceding data. Surveys were conducted at slaughter houses to record heart girth (HG), whither height (WH), body length (BL), live weight (LW) and carcass percentage (CP). Results showed the average values of body measurements for males and females were as follows: HG 202 and 174 cm; WH 125 and 124 cm; BL 131 and 117 cm respectively. The LW for males and females were 380 and 312 kg; whereas their CP were 46 and 44% respectively. Compared to previous studies, the current body measurements are considerably similar; however, their LW and CP were lower. These results indicated that there was a decrease in the productivity of swamp buffaloes in lowland Kalimantan. Hence, an improvement of the existing production system is required that might involve conservation, maintenance and improvement of swamp environment, and introducing rotational mating system, feed supplement, and health care. Keywords: body measurement, buffalo meat, sustainable production system, swamp ecology