Pesos e ganhos em peso de búfalos Bubalus bubalis l. em pastagens nativas de várzea.

Abstract

This work is part of a larger project developed in the Experimental Field of the Lower Amazon - CEPA, of EMBRAPA-CPATU, in the municipality of Monte Alegre-Pa, in native pastures of floodable land (low floodplain). The climate type is characterized as rainy tropical with a short dry period. The coordinates are: 20 00 30" south latitude and 540 04 13" longitude 10'. Gr., with an altitude of 30 m. The studies involve the breeds Carabao, Jafarabadi, Mediterranean and Murrah, plus the Baio type, raised in Production Systems modules. Data for weights and weight gains at various ages were collected from April to December 1992. The results obtained for average weights (Kg) of adult male and female animals, respectively, were: Baio 690.5 128.4, 514.0 120.0; Carabão- 588.7 113.5, 538.1 112.6; Jafarabadi- 754.7 122.5, 557.0 127.8; Mediterrâneo- 558.42 117.1 and Murrah- 714.0 t44.7, 602.4 t22.2. The average weight gains according to Steers and Calves categories and breeds studied were respectively: 0.382 tO.38, 0.400 t0.41, 0.396 ±0.74 and 0.397 t0.74 for Baio type; 0.378 10.20, 0.389 t0.32, 0.448 t0.59 and 0.392 ±0.52 for Carabao; 0.490 ±0.31, 0.377 ±0.24, 0.430 10.70 and 0.439 ±0.72 for Jafarabadi; 0.515 ±0.47, 0.445 ±0.32, 0.522 t0.10 and 0.513 10.69 for Murrah; and -, 0.512 ±0.41, 0.649 ±0.95 and 0.595 10.83 for Mediterranean, it is observed, with respect to males, a greater size of the Jafarabadi and Murrah animals with a large variation in the others. In the females there is a balance between the adult weights of Jafarabadi, Murrah and Mediterranean. The Baias females presented smaller size. With regard to weight gain, perhaps the advantage shown by Murrah and Mediterranean was due to the better quality they grazed on their retreats and the low availability of forage during the less rainy season in the others.