Nutritional requirements of buffaloes: A narrative review

In the wild, buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are divided into two categories: swamp buffalo (Carabao) and river buffalo (Murrah, Jafarabadi, Mediterranean). Given their economic, productive, and reproductive importance in Brazil river buffalo are the focus of this review. Buffaloes are known for their hardiness and adaptability to diverse soil, climatic, and environmental conditions, and for their ability to effectively convert low-quality fibrous feeds into products due to their particular digestive system. However, implementing inadequate, unbalanced, or negligent feeding programs can lead to disease and reduced productivity, resulting in significant economic losses. In this context, the nutritional needs of buffaloes must be fully met No nutritional requirements system for buffaloes is currently comparable to those for other species, such as the NRC (National Research Council) system for beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, and sheep. As a result, buffalo farmers, technicians, nutritionists, etc., are forced to research nutritional requirements in book chapters or in scientific or review articles, which are costly or difficult to access This review discusses the energy and nutritional requirements of buffaloes, a species that contributes significantly to milk and meat production for the growing global population.