Buffalo Farming

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="045005a0dkbliw.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BuffaloMilk.co.uk "><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99FFFF" FACE="Mirror" ><B>  </B><B>BuffaloMilk.co.uk </B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U><B>About Us</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Products and Services"><U><B>Our Products and Services</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sercaia Herd"><U><B>Sercaia Herd</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Buffalo For Sale"><U><B>Buffalo For Sale</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Buffalo Farming</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>A Brief Guide</B></div> <div> <B>to Buffalo Farming</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>click on any of the following categories to get further information</U></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#what_is_a_buffalo" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>What is a Buffalo</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#regulations__uk_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>Regulations (UK</U></A>)</div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#husbandry___management" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>Husbandry & Management</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#milk_production" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>Milk Production</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#meat_production" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>Meat Production</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#financial_data" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>Financial Data</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#the_water_buffalo_co_operative_limited" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>The Water Buffalo Co-operative</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26_m.htm#useful_contacts_and_further_reading" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Buffalo Farming"><U>Useful contacts & further reading</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> THE BENEFITS</div> <div>  for </div> <div> Milk Production</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">No Milk Quota required</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Typical yield 1850 Ltrs<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Lucida Sans" > (NMR national ave. 1846 kg) </FONT>@ BF8.0% : P4.5%  : L5.0%</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Low cell counts</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Low cholesterol (43% lower than cows)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Very high calcium levels (65% higher than cows)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Excellent forage conversion</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Extremely docile, hardy and long living</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> for</div> <div> Meat Production</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Red Meat with a Green Attitude</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Superb eating quality (joints and cooks like beef)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Low fat & cholesterol</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">BSE free species</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Excellent poorer forage conversion with little need for protein supplements</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Calving problems almost nonexistent</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c84c336600.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Qualify for BSPS, SCPS, HLCA, ExPs and SPS. </div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="what_is_a_buffalo"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>What is a Buffalo</U></div> <bR> <div> Buffalo are members of the bovine group of animals. They are cloven footed ruminants with four teats. Buffalo can not interbreed with cattle.</div> <div>  <IMG SRC="066e7d70.jpg" border=0 width="231" height="215" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> There are two species of buffalo. The African Buffalo (Syncerus) which are wild and Asian Buffalo (Bubalus) which for the most are domesticated (Bubalus bubalis). Within the Asian Buffalo there are two distinct types ~ Swamp and River buffalo. Swamp buffalo tend to be indigenous to those parts of Asia which do not have a great culture from drinking milk or eating milk based products. This covers Indonesia northwards to China. River buffalo tend to be found in those countries where milk plays a more important part in the human populations diet. The range of this from India through Pakistan into the middle east round the Caucasus and into the Balkans.</div> <bR> <div> River buffalo are primarily a triple purpose animal producing milk, meat and draught power, whilst the swamp buffalo are kept in the main for meat and draught.</div> <bR> <div> Buffaloes vary greatly in size. The single greatest reason for this variation is environmental. In areas where animal feed is scarce then animals tend to be smaller than in those where it is more plentiful. Typically adult females can range anything between 350kg, high in the Himalayans, to 800kg in Bulgaria and Italy.</div> <bR> <div> As buffalo are capable of surviving on very little they are often fed very little!</div> <bR> <div> Latest estimates of the world population of water (domestic) buffaloes is around 150,000,000 animals in 50 countries worldwide. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="regulations__uk_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><U>Regulations (UK)</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Water Buffalo should not be confused with bison (which are commonly and erroneously called buffalo). Unlike bison which is ostensibly a wild animal, Buffalo are highly domesticated animals governed by standard cattle regulations.</div> <bR> <div> No special licenses are required to keep buffalo but premises used for milking do need to be licensed under Milk and Dairies Regulations. Also, as with cattle, you need to be registered with your local Animal Health Office and register all buffaloes with British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS).</div> <div>   </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="husbandry___management"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><U>Husbandry & Management</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Buffalo are generally very <B>docile</B> and easy to handle. They rarely show aggression to people but can be very aggressive to one another.</div> <bR> <div> In general the husbandry of buffalo is not that dissimilar to that of cattle.</div> <bR> <div> A buffalo is capable of <B>breeding</B> throughout the year and having a calf every year. They carry their calf for 10 months; twin calves and calving difficulties are very rare.</div> <bR> <div> Buffaloes are very hardy and tolerant of UK weather conditions. They are extremely <B>disease resistant</B>. Calves especially rarely suffer from pneumonia or non-nutritional scours. Lameness <IMG SRC="067d13b0.jpg" border=0 width="209" height="315" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="11">and clinical mastitis is also rare in adults. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Prolapse</B>, vaginal and uterine, are the only major health problem effecting buffaloes. The reasons for this are unknown. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Longevity</B> is an important feature of Buffalo. Even in large herds (300+) it is not uncommon to find animals well over 20 years old still being milked next to freshly calved heifers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Higher intelligence levels of Buffalo, compared to cattle can cause problems such as willful <B>destruction</B> of hedges and gates. However a single strand of high tensile electric fence or a "R" pin on a gate hanger will soon solve these problems.</div> <bR> <div> While Buffalo love to <B>wallow</B> in water it is not necessary to provide them with a facility to do so.</div> <bR> <div> <B>De-horning</B> is not recommended as the horns provide a mechanism for body heat loss.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Housing</B>, provided it is well constructed, can be loose yard or cubicles.</div> <bR> <div> Traditionally Buffalo have been fed poor quality <B>forage</B> as they have the ability to convert this to meat or milk. This fact should not be overlooked when formulating a diet. By increasing the quality of a ration will not necessarily be beneficial. As a rough guide a buffalo will consume 2.5% of its body weight as a daily dry matter intake.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> In general <B>stocking rates </B>for buffalo can be 10-20% higher than for cattle. Buffalo prefer to graze a shorter sward to cattle, nearer to that for sheep. Nitrogen inputs have been significantly reduced on most farms where they have switched to buffalo rearing.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" >Heat detection in Buffalo can be very difficult. For that reason very little artificial insemination is carried out. However, the technique is similar to cattle. We recommend that if you do <B>AI</B> this is carried on synchronized animals using estrumate or prids. The retention rate with prids is lower than in cattle. This is mainly due to other buffalo pulling them out via the strings ~ so cut these short. The success rates with AI are quiet variable. In the UK high (>90%) conception rates can be achieved in the winter (especially February and March) whilst they can be disappointingly low ( <10%) in the summer months. </FONT>[ <A NAME="semen_availability"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="id19_semen___embryos.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Products and Services"><U>Semen availability</U></A>]</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="milk_production"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Milk Production</U></div> <bR> <div> The smooth creamy <B>texture</B> of buffalo milk makes it ideal for many types of dairy product. The high levels of solids make processing very much more cost effective when compared to cows milk.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="329" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="COLS" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 36 WIDTH="309"><div> <B>Comparison of </B></div> <div> <B>Buffalo & Cows Milks</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 21 WIDTH="115"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="21" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="115" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> Buffalo</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> Cows</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="115"><div> Butterfat %</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> 8.0%</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> 3.9%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="115"><div> Protein %</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> 4.5%</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> 3.3%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> Cholesterol</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> 8mg</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> 14mg</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="115"><div> Colour</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Pure white</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> Creamy</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="115"><div> Texture</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> Smooth</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Less smooth</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="115"><div> Taste</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> Sweet</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> Salty</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> Cell Counts</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> Very low</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> Higher</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="115"><div> Yield/Lact'n Kg</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> 1850</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><div> 5500</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="115"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="115" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="82" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="106"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="106" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Demand</B> for buffalo milk, high in calcium and protein yet lower in cholesterol is very strong. In the UK the milk is used to make a range of products including mozzarella, matured cheese, yogurts, ice creams, khoa and drinking milks.</div> <bR> <div> Conservative estimates of UK <B>market size</B> for buffalo milk is 25 million litres pa.</div> <bR> <div> Within the EU buffalo milk is outside of the CAP <B>Milk Quota</B> Scheme. There is no intervention support and hence no milk quotas are required. Most of the milk produced in the UK is marketed through the Water Buffalo Co-opertative. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="06d14c60.jpg" border=0 width="276" height="454" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><B>Milking</B> can be carried out in conventional cattle milking parlours, with little or no modification. Buffalo are more difficult to parlour train than cattle, especially when buffalo milking commences for the first time on a farm. This can be very frustrating at first, but becomes less of a problem when subsequent batches are introduced. In fact, experiences at the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sercaia Herd"><U>Sercaia Herd</U></A></FONT> indicate that after 10 years the homebred heifers may even be easier to train than cattle heifers! </div> <bR> <div> Milk <B>letdown</B> can be a problem, especially if an animal is stressed. Oxytocin (<1.0ml) cures this problem, but care should be taken to ensure animals do not become dependent on it.</div> <bR> <div> Without doubt, those people who have <B>started off</B> milking buffaloes in a small way and milk the animals themselves have been significantly more successful than those who have commenced milking with large numbers and hired labour.  What also has to be remembered is that the tanker does not collect the milk, the producer has to deliver. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="meat_production"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Meat Production</U></div> <bR> <div> Buffalo meat, like the milk is lower in cholesterol and higher in mineral content than that from cows. Lean buffalo meat has less than half (44%) the total fat content of lean beef and has proportionately less saturated fat. In addition to these obvious health benefits there is the added bonus for those who are concerned about BSE ~ there has been no incidence of BSE in any buffalo anywhere in the world. When cooked there is little noticeable difference in the two meats, either visually or in <B>taste</B> or texture.</div> <bR> <div> The optimum <B>weights</B> for killing young bulls appears to range between 420 and 520kg (attained at 24-30 months of age). Due to the heavier head, hide and feet the killing out percentage is lower than cattle and is around 47-48%. This however is easily compensated for by  paid for premium paid the healthier meat. Care should however be taken to ensure that finished animals are not over fat. This is easily achieved if excessive energy is included in the diet (buffalo are amazing converters). Whilst this does not tend to manifest itself in marling it is unwanted and time consuming to remove from the carcass. It is also expensive to have put their in the first place!  </div> <bR> <div> The Water Buffalo Co-opertative is launching a programme for the <B>marketing</B> and distribution of buffalo meat.</div> <bR> <div> Provided the normal criteria are complied with bulls and steers qualify for <B>CAP</B> Payments (BSPS etc) as do buffaloes kept as suckler cows (SCPS etc).</div> <bR> <div>      </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="financial_data"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Financial Data</U></div> <bR> <div> This is always a hard one!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="311" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#A6CAF0 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="291"><div> <U>Gross Margin Guides for</U></div> <div> <U> Buffalo Enterprises</U></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="20" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="143" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Milk</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Meat</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> Yield</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> 1850 kg</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> 240 kg</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> Price/kg</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £0.60</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £3.00</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> Sales</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £1110</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £672</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> Calf Value</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £150</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £-150</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> Culls  (£270/10)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £27</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £0</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="143"><div> Replacements (£1000/10)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £-100</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £0</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> BSPS</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="20" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="71" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £108</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> Total Output</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £1187</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £630</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="143"><div> Concentrates @£100/t</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £90</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £110</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="143"><div> Milk Powder</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="20" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="71" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £30</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="143"><div> Vet, AI, Dairy consumable etc</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £85</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £15</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 47 WIDTH="143"><div> Gross Margin</div> <div> before deducting forage and transport costs</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £1012</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> £475</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Everyone's system is different, with different input costs that can often vary dramatically from one month to the next. As a very rough guide, based on December 2000 prices, <B>gross margins</B> which can be expected are given in this table. However, as with all businesses some will significantly out perform others doing very much the same thing. It is the finer details which ultimately make the difference.</div> <bR> <div> An average sort of bulling heifer is likely to cost around £800-£850, with in-calf heifers at £1000+.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Capital costs</B> are about the same as for cattle enterprises. Excepting milk quota which is not required.</div> <div>      </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Warning: </B></I></div> <div> <I>Although buffalo production commands a premium price, significantly more attention to detail and marketing skills are required. A tanker does not collect the milk you have to deliver to the dairy. Profitable Buffalo farming is a long term undertaking, it </I><I><U>will not</U></I><I> provide a quick fix to a financial crisis.</I> </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="the_water_buffalo_co_operative_limited"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>The Water Buffalo Co-operative Limited</U></div> <div> A company limited by guarantee ~ Registration No. 29047R</div> <bR> <div> The Water Buffalo Co-operative was formed by 14 founding members to facilitate the organised marketing and distribution of buffalo milk and meat. In addition<IMG SRC="06bd6e00.jpg" border=0 width="214" height="224" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">to its marketing objectives the Water Buffalo Co-operative has responsibility for pedigree performance recording and for representing the industry in repect of legislative and regulatory issues.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="useful_contacts_and_further_reading"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Useful contacts and further reading</U></div> <bR> <div> <U>Organisations</U><U>:</U></div> <bR> <div> The Water Buffalo Co-operative Limited</div> <div> Midlst Farm, Halkyn, Holywell, CH8 8DH</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U>Web Sites</U><U>:</U></div> <bR> <div> David Ligda's site at </div> <div> http://WW2.netnitco.net/users/djligda/waterbuf.htm</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U>Publications:</U></div> <bR> <div> The husbandry and health of the domestic buffalo </div> <div> Edited by W. Ross Cockrill</div> <div> Published by FAO, Rome</div> </td> </tr></table></body>