Results of a zootechnical and economical survey of swamp buffalo breeding in eastern Thailand

Abstract

A case study of swamp buffalo breeding bas been carried out in 1983 in eastern Thailand. The author analyses importance of this breeding in the border region of Aranyaprathet. Herds structure, their way of feeding, the performances, the prophylaxis, the mixed farming system
and the animaals market are studied in order to determine the importance of thii type of breeding. Small breeding units are majority and 95 p. 100 of herds are less than 10 heads big. The " breeder " nature of this breeding is very clear, although the butchery animals market is important. Animals performances are low and could be improved by a richer food. The mixed farming system is primordial
insofar as animal represents the workmg tool. At last, regarding animals market, if it represents 7 000 exchanges per year in the only district of Wattana Nakhon, demand still remains upper than offer.