Summary

The introduction of Bulgarian Murrah Buffalo to Australia to upgrade Dairy Buffalo using imported semen from Bulgaria. Heat detecting in buffalo cows using a vasectomised bull, instead of drug induced synchronization. Both methods to be used for comparison.

Program

Buffalo

Research Organisation

Victorian Buffalo Industry Council

Objective Summary

The objective of the research project is to upgrade the quality of milking buffalo in Australia and to provide a pool of genetic material for buffalo dairy farmers in Australia. This is to be done via artificial insemination using imported Bulgarian Murrah Buffalo semen, which will be sourced from the Bulgarian Government Dairy Farms. The expertise of Dr George Malinov will be utilized to carry out the procedures in the capacity of Principal Investigator. It is proposed to enable the participation of all individuals and associations affiliated with the Australian Buffalo Industry Council (ABIC). A vasectomised bull will be used for heat detection instead of drug inducement as commonly used in Australia. The objective being to improve the conception rate for artificial insemination of buffalo in Australia, which currently is below a desirable level. The Murrah was selected because of its milking qualities, conformation, size and its ability to upgrade the milking quality of non-descript buffalo. Although the Bulgarian Murrah is slightly different to the Indian Murrah they have similar qualities and look more like dairy cattle. In Australia, because of different weather conditions, we would expect different requirements to that of India and Bulgaria Murrah. Murrah breed of buffalo, the pride of Haryana, is a milk type animal. The home tract of Murrah buffalo is Rohtak, Jind and Hisar districts of Haryana (India). It is also found in Nabha and Patiala districts of Punjab (India) and around Delhi.The physical characters of Murrah.