Summary

To continue AI in order to refine procedures and test in more locations. This will involve other drug synchronising protocols and during the off-breeding season so that dairies can even out their seasonal production. Carry out a minimum of 2 rounds per year for3 years on local and interstate herds.
To carry out meat tenderness tests on a range of TenderBuff meat samples from various ages of animals and rates of growth to help determine the acceptable maximum age/size targets for TenderBuff. During 2008 season collect 20 samples of 4 wt/age classes between 180 kg and 280 kg to determine changes in Tenderness with wt/age using shear and compression testing at a Meat Testing Laboratory eg Cannon Hill
To encourage a studbook registry by providing a data entry service based in Darwin using DPIFM facilities and a casual data entry person as required, and subsidise the registry costs per animal by 50% to encourage early registration in the first 2 years of establishment.
Tp prepare for publication a “Best Practice Manual for Water Buffalo in Australia”. The time line for this would be post the final report by 3 months so that both are not due simultaneously.

Program

Buffalo

Research Organisation

Northern Territory of Australia represented by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Objective Summary

To continue AI in order to refine procedures and test in more locations. This will involve other drug synchronising protocols and during the off-breeding season so that dairies can even out their seasonal production. Carry out a minimum of 2 rounds per year for3 years on local and interstate herds.
To carry out meat tenderness tests on a range of TenderBuff meat samples from various ages of animals and rates of growth to help determine the acceptable maximum age/size targets for TenderBuff. During 2008 season collect 20 samples of 4 wt/age classes between 180 kg and 280 kg to determine changes in Tenderness with wt/age using shear and compression testing at a Meat Testing Laboratory eg Cannon Hill
To encourage a studbook registry by providing a data entry service based in Darwin using DPIFM facilities and a casual data entry person as required, and subsidise the registry costs per animal by 50% to encourage early registration in the first 2 years of establishment.
Tp prepare for publication a “Best Practice Manual for Water Buffalo in Australia”. The time line for this would be post the final report by 3 months so that both are not due simultaneously.