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Moving Buffalo Farming beyond Traditional Areas: Performances of Animals, and Quality of Mozzarella and Forages

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Serrapica

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Felicia Masucci

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Giuseppe De Rosa

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Ada Braghieri

    (School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Fiorella Sarubbi

    (Institute for the Animal Production System in the Mediterranean Environment, National Research Council, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Francesca Garofalo

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Fernando Grasso

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Antonio Di Francia

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

Abstract

An observational case study was designed to highlight issues associated with a possible expansion of dairy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farming outside the traditional coastal plains of southern Italy. Twenty pregnant buffaloes were transferred to a hilly inland farm. After calving, production and reproduction data were collected monthly throughout lactation. From 4 to 6 months of lactation, buffaloes were enrolled in a feeding trial to evaluate the effects of locally grown forages (maize silage vs. hay) on milk production and in vivo digestibility. Sensory properties of mozzarella cheese produced at a local dairy were also evaluated. No obvious effects of diet were found. Compared to the data recorded in the previous lactation completed in the farm of origin, milk yield was reduced by 37.2%, and milk protein by 6.1%, whereas milk fat improved (+4.5%). A lower pregnancy rate (−13.3%), increased days open (+122%), and a prolonged intercalving period (+26.9%) were also observed. Lactation length was shorter than the standard value of 270 d. The results showed that peculiar reproductive characteristics, lower environmental temperatures, and the specificity of the mozzarella production process are the main problems to be addressed in an expansion of buffalo farming outside traditional areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Serrapica & Felicia Masucci & Giuseppe De Rosa & Ada Braghieri & Fiorella Sarubbi & Francesca Garofalo & Fernando Grasso & Antonio Di Francia, 2022. "Moving Buffalo Farming beyond Traditional Areas: Performances of Animals, and Quality of Mozzarella and Forages," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:8:p:1219-:d:887504
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Claudia Troiano & Maria Buglione & Simona Petrelli & Sofia Belardinelli & Antonino De Natale & Jens-Christian Svenning & Domenico Fulgione, 2021. "Traditional Free-Ranging Livestock Farming as a Management Strategy for Biological and Cultural Landscape Diversity: A Case from the Southern Apennines," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Simeanu & Răzvan-Mihail Radu-Rusu, 2023. "Animal Nutrition and Productions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-10, April.

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