Reproductive characteristics of female swamp buffalo reared under Kalang production system in South Kalimantan

Abstract

Swamp buffalo has been an integral component of society in the swamp area in South Kalimantan. The system is characterized by 2-5 farmers rearing herds semi intensively in one shared kalang, a traditional wooden shelter on swamp area. This study was aimed to determine the reproductive characteristics of female swamp buffalo under kalang systems in Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, The Province of South Kalimantan. The data of reproductive characteristics and farming systems were collected through interviewing 21 farmers in 4 kalang groups who kept 351 buffaloes (153 of them were females). The observed parameters were average of productive females ages, age at first mating, calving interval, post-partum estrus (PPE), percentages of pregnant and lactating cows. Results showed that the average of productive female buffalo ages was 9.9 ± 0.99 years; female swamp buffaloes were first mating at 51.4 months; first calving at 63.4 months; calving interval was 16.5±0.70 months; PPE was 4.9±0.64 month; gestating and lactating cows were 21.6% and 60.1%, of the productive female population, respectively. We concluded reproductive characteristics of female swamp buffalo under kalang production systems can be enhanced through improvements of the production system, including pre-weaning calf management, feed supplementation, and health care practices.