Buffalo Breeding: a Window of Opportunity for Animal Husbandry in Camagüey

Buffalo Breeding: a Window of Opportunity for Animal Husbandry in CamagüeyRearing water buffaloes over the last few years in Camagüey province has become an object of scientific and business interest, due to this animal’s adaptability to live rough habitats, fertility, longevity, capacity to produce meat and milk as well as its high-quality leather.

These have been good reasons to raise these animals in Camagüey. Two local companies have gotten involved in this venture: “Ganadera Camagüey”, Cuba’s second largest company in producing meat and milk; and “Maraguan” which focuses its work on genetic engineering and assisted reproduction.

Experts believe that water buffaloes might become the future of livestock in the island nation, because this is an animal which adapts well to tropical weather and illnesses. The mortality rate of this species is lower than that of the cattle, besides females deliver one calf each year, and their reproductive life lasts for up to two decades. Of course, this explains how the herd has grown so fast in a few years.    

From the environmental perspective, this species is an organic livestock, it can live in a rustic environment, and it is not necessary to use highly expensive artificial nutritious components bought on the international market to feed them when there is enough natural pasture.   

At present, stock breeders in Camagüey have been working with females belonging to swamp water buffaloes and one river male seeking to get an individual with both characteristics, a great producer of milk and a biologically strong animal.  

Water buffaloes are resistant to drought, during this season they do not lose weight and eat any kind of grass, an advantage that have made possible the herd grow.(Radio Cadena Agramonte)