Turkey Creek
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Every Where but in the U.S. ?
Domesticated for seven thousand years water buffalo are one of the oldest breeds in the world. They are distributed through out the world and it has been said that they are also one of the most adaptable animals. Although considered an exotic in the U.S. they are a regular farm animal in the rest of the world.
With a world population of 180 million , water buffalo can hardly be considered an exotic. However, the U.S. population consists of roughly 3,500 - animals. There is a lot of confusion when people hear we raise water buffalo- many people think of either American buffalo (a misnomer for bison) or cape buffalo. Quite unlike either of these domesticated water buffalo are very intelligent and docile animals. And unlike their name implies- they don't live in water !
Water buffalo are a very durable and hardy breed. Ranging from the lowlands of Southeast Asia to the arid lands of Egypt and north throughout the Balkan countries and Italy. In fact they can thrive in areas where cattle will starve. This is one of the reasons for their explosion in numbers throughout South America. Docile? In China ,Thailand and all of S.E. Asia one will often see the water buffalo cared for by the youngest in the family.
Basically, there are two types of water buffalo . The swamp type is found in Southeast Asia, China, Philippines and Australia. They are characterized by massive outward growing horns. They have a slate gray color and two distinctive chevrons in the chest area Mature weights range from a 1,000- to 1600- pounds. In their native lands they are considered a work and meat animal.
The second type is the River. There are approximately 18 different types of river breeds. Usually they are dark in color or coal black. River type horns are usually tightly coiled. Rivers fall into the dual purpose categories of dairy and meat although in many areas they are also used as a work animal. Weights of the Rivers range from 1,200 to 2,000 - pounds.
Interestingly, Swamps have 48 chromosomes and Rivers have 50 pairs. They will cross and do produce a wonderful cross breed. However, they will not cross with cattle or bovines which have 60 chromosomes. They will coexist peacefully in the same pasture and water buffalo do not need any specialized type of fencing.
Water Buffalo meat is very tasty. There is less marbling and correspondingly less cholesterol - about 50% less. It is a naturally lean red meat.( see chart ) We like to say 'its beefier than beef" when describing the taste. It can be substituted for any regular beef dish. In fact in most countries, the processing plants do not differentiate water buffalo meat from regular cattle meat. Buffalo Meat - Fat & Cholesterol Chart
Water Buffalo milk is rich ! With 18% total milk solids and 7 -9% butter fat. Perhaps the most famous products Italy's china - white Mozzarella. There are many more products - butter, ice cream, yogurt, condensed and evaporated milk to name but a few. Venezuela makes a particular good product "Bufeto creme de leche" a caramelized treat.
Other worthy attributes of this animal are their life span, rate of gain, and their disease resistance.Water buffalo have a life span of 30 to 35 years! In this country water buffalo have produced a calf at two years and on for sixteen years. As the oldest cow here is sixteen years old nobody really knows how long they will produce. It is not unusual to have calves weigh 500 to 600 at seven months and yearlings at 700 + pounds. These weights are easily attainable without creep feeding or ' good ' pasture. Perhaps the most remarkable attribute to us has been their disease resistance. We don't need to spray for flies or ticks. We have never had a case of foot rot , pink eye or worms. In fact in ten years we have had only one case of dystocia!
Now with this basic background information your probably wondering how we at Turkey Creek ever got involved with these animals. In 1985 we - my parents and I - were looking for something more to keep our interest at the ranch. We looked at llamas, ostrich, emu, alligators but none of these really seemed to feel "right". About this time my father received a phone call from a person looking for some plywood. Well, as these things often happen, we found out that they were raising water buffalo.
We decided to try 2 young bulls and were enchanted. Friendly, fast growing ,and each with their own personality. We bought four pregnant heifers and basically let them be while building up the ranch. The years went by - we sold some ,bought some and so on. We noticed our vet bills and our time spent on husbandry dropping drastically. We also noticed the water buffalo calves weighing considerably more and that they spent a lot time browsing as well as grazing. In 1990 we liquidated our cattle herd and went solely with the water buffalo.
Amazed at their easy weight gain we in 1989 started tracking birth weights and other performance data. Vaccinations are given twice a year and are the same as with cattle. We have been building up our herd - both in numbers and by quality. Today we have over a hundred and have them in three separate herds. We are producing a pure River line - black beauties , a pure swamp line and a cross-bred line. We have been selecting animals on three merits - their performance data, personality, and conformation. We also give careful attention to their genetic background. Usually we sell a bred heifer or two with a bull that is from a different genetic base. This allows somebody starting out a lot of flexibility in their breeding program. Also , the bull is genetically serviceable for many years.
We have been so impressed with these animals that we tell people if they don't work out for you just bring them back. To date not one has been returned. Their range in the States is well - all over . With some type of shelter they can take a Minnesota winter. They truly are adaptable - living in west Texas, New York, Oregon, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, California, Minnesota, Utah, Indiana, south west Arizona, and many more states.
In 1988 the American Water Buffalo Association was formed at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Since then the association has moved to Gainesville, Florida. Our association is also a member of the International Water Buffalo Association. They hold congresses every three years which are attended by scientists and interested participants world wide. It is not within the constraints of this article to disseminate the contribution of water buffalo worldwide, however, perhaps a proverb shall suffice - A Chinese woman admonishing her children said - " if I die you will weep but if the water buffalo dies you will starve".
With over 100 million cows in this country alone we -as water buffalo breeders - are not looking to compete with them. We firmly believe that water buffalo complement the cattle industry and have many niches to fulfill in the market place. With 180 million water buffalo worldwide this is not a temporary or a get rich quick industry. You know the saying - what is right will prevail - usually holds true and we believe especially so for water buffalo in this country.
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