Although water buffalo is a farm animal species that has a tremendous influence on the welfare of many millions of people, it is rather unknown in Sweden. Additionally, there is a remarkable lack of knowledge based on scientific studies, especially regarding the biology and behaviour of water buffalo, but also regarding nutrition, management, production and health aspects such as infections and parasites.
The first import of water buffalo heifers to Sweden is planned to take place in March 2009. To prepare for the introduction of a new species in Sweden a workshop was arranged on the 2-3 March, 2009, at the premises of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry in Stockholm. Inviters were the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with DeLaval International and the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.
Swedish stakeholders in the food production sector representing industry, science, education, extension, environment and ministerial departments, listened to lectures by water buffalo experts from India, Italy, UK and Sweden, and participated in discussions.
The reason for introducing water buffalo in Sweden is to obtain high quality milk and meat in combination with the ability to graze wetlands, that otherwise tend to become overgrown and loose their biological values. Scientists welcome the opportunity to do research on water buffalo in Sweden.
This report is a summary of the workshop and written by Maria Larsson, Liv Journalistik.
Uppsala, 2009–04–01
Ingrid Redbo and Kerstin Svennersten-Sjaunja
Read the report "Water buffalo – identifying questions and possibilities from a Swedish perspective" here (pdf-file)>> |