| Titles |
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English :
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Effect of frequency of heat detection in buffaloes on length of service period and herd profitability
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| Abstract |
An empirical study was concluded to investigate the effect of frequency of heat detection on profitability of buffalo herds. Three herds of non-pregnant buffalo heifers (n=100/herd) were generated. Managerial practices were assumed to be similar in the three herds except for the numbers of heat detections per day. Heat detection was done once (R1), or twice as a control (R2), or thrice (R3) or four times daily (R4) daily. With the exception of the extra cost of more heat detection rounds, feeding, permanent labor, and veterinary services were considered similar in the three herds. The temporary labor of each test of heat detection was estimated as LE 2.5 Egyptian pounds (equals US$ 0.29). Cost of inputs and revenues were calculated using the prevailing farm-gate prices. Heat detection was stopped just after the percentage of conceived animals reached 80%. Gross margin and benefit/cost rations were used as criteria for evaluating herd profitability.
Results showed that increasing the frequency of detection shortened the length of service period (P<0.05) from 59.43 ± 2.13 d to 34.65 ± 2.13 d. the annual cost per head also decreased from LE 993.91 to 936.98.
Expected annual gross output per head increased from LE 2101 to 2319. the increase in gross output followed the increase of the frequency of heat detection. Detecting estrus three times daily scored the highest gross margin/heat reaching 16% as compared to two times daily which is common practice in buffalo herds, as well as the highest benefit/ cost ratio.
Keywords: Buffalos, heat detection frequency, service period length, herd profitability
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| Publication year |
2000
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| Pages |
67-76
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شار ع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)
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| serial title |
Egyptian Journal Animal Production
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| External authors (outside ARC) |
على مصطفى أحمد
مركز بحوث الصحراء
أمال كمال العشيرى
جامعة القاهرة
اشرف هشام برقاوى
جامعة القاهرة
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| Agris Categories |
Animal husbandry
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Oestrus detection.
Water buffaloes.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
service period length;herd profitability;buffalo heifer;
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| Publication Type |
Journal
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