The species "Bubalus bubalis" includes nineteen breeds. Three of the most economically important ones are present in Argentina: Mediterranean (70%), Murrah and Jafarabadi. The three of them are double purpose breeds (milk and beef), and sometimes they also serve as labour animals. The first bubalines to arrive in thecountry crossed the Uruguay River, mainly from Brazil, in the 1910’s.
MURRAH BREED: Native from the north-west of India, these animals are jet black, with white spots only in the tip of the tail, solid, strong, with a deep and wide bone structure, short limbs and weighty bones. Good lower back and excellent beef carcass conformation. Horns are short, dosed-spiral shaped. Short ears. Well developed udders, dearly visible veins and firm rear ends. Nipples are easily handled and pulled. Milk flows swiftly. All of which contributes to turning out a superior dairy cow. Hides are thick. Its adaptability to cold temperatures is unparalleled by other breeds
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JAFARABADI BREED: Its name derives from the town of Jafarabadi. It is black too. Horns are heavy and wide, tilted downward, and they curl up and backwards at the tip. Average weights for adult males is 700-1000 k, 700 k for females. The breed is most appropriate for areas with long and abundant grass, not necessarily green. It needs great volume to generate energy. When feeding diminishes, calf crops are strung out, and rebreeding is postponed. In spite of that, its beef carcass conformation is excellent and so is its milk production (very large chest).
MEDITERRANEAN BREED: It is also native from India although it actually became a breed in Europe. It is black; white spots are not accepted. Horns are medium sized, tips are turned backwards and inwards, forming a crescent. Its face is long and narrow, with long hairs in the lower jaw. Its body is comparatively wider than longer, limbs are short and stout. Prominent withers, higher than the sacrum, deep chest and large abdomen.
The tail is short but it reaches the hock because it is set low down. In general, it is a solid, muscular and deep animal. The top butt has a good structure. Average weight for adult males is 600-800 k and 600 k for females.
The average age of the first calving is 40 months. Very good beef carcass conformation and milk production. Its feed efficiency and resistance to high temperatures causes them to gain weight fast and produce milk efficiently in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
The natural interruption of service during the autumn contributes to match their needs with the roughage curve in the Sub-tropics. Cows do not need the blushing of green grass during spring to go in estrous; when summer temperatures go down, cows go on heat between March and June, feeding on grass with a high fibre content (there must be a minimum volume, though). Estrous ends when low temperatures settle down. This trait of the bubaline allows it to produce milk and beef, not only in temperate zones but also in the sub-tropics (as long as the carrying capacity during the winter season is carefully handled: on average, each buffalo is equivalent to 1.2 cow).
As regards beef yield, calves reared in pastoral farming in sub-tropical conditions show an uninterrupted growth and weight gain curve from birth (between January and April, average March) to 15 months of age.
At this moment, they enter their second winter, but with no serious consequences because they have not yet teethed (the 5rst pair of permanent incisors comes out at 30-36 months of age). This means that by 27-30 months of age (when their third winter starts), slaughter weight amounts to 500-550 kilos live weight. Most bubaline cattle in Argentina is oriented towards beef production, as in Brazil too. There are only 4 dairy farms; the first one dates from 1992. In Italy and India, breeds are oriented towards dairy conformation.
Genetic evaluations are carried by some producers on their own, with the help of AACB. The Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA) sees to Herd Books for Basic Crosses (1st generation = P1, and 2nd generation = P2) as well as to the Official Herd Books (F) (last step of a grading-up breeding programme: animals are considered "Purebreed" with +87% of the original breed blood. Four hundred animals have been registered (150 per year). Grade up Herd Books (multiple sired population approved by a breed association inspection) are run by the AACB (B1 and B2). There are 250 entries per year, with a total of 1,600 animals registered to date.
There is no contact with the International Federation as regards Herd Books and /or improvement programmes, except the acknowledgement of the SRA and AACB Herd Books by National Breeders Associations in Italy and Brazil.
AACB is a member of the Buffalo Breeders Association for the Americas and it is one of the founding members of the International Buffalo Federation which is the world institution for breeders and researchers of this breed. Exports are sent to Brazil, Italy and Vietnam.
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