Caracterização de sistemas produtivos de bubalinos do Estado do Pará

Abstract

Global population growth presents major challenges to food security, demanding increased efficiency in agricultural production, especially in meeting the rising demand for animal protein. In this context, the state of Pará stands out as one of Brazil's leading centers of buffalo farming, significantly contributing to the country's buffalo meat and milk production. This study aimed to characterize the buffalo production systems in Pará, evaluating feeding strategies, management practices, and their effects on productivity and sustainability.. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with closed questions, covering aspects such as animal identification and control, production systems, supplementation, pasture management, and herd structure. Results show that most properties are located on Marajó Island, have medium to large land areas, and operate under extensive systems, despite maintaining relatively small herds. Animal identification is primarily done with conventional ear tags and branding, although the absence of individual records and zootechnical control is common. Technical assistance is present in many farms, predominantly provided by veterinarians. Production purposes are equally divided between milk and meat, and feeding is mainly based on native and cultivated pastures, along with mineral salt offered year-round at 0.3% of body weight, often without differentiation by animal category. The use of agro-industrial by-products is minimal, and the most common forages include native grasses such as "rabo-de-rato," "canarana-de-pico," and Brachiaria humidicola (known locally as Amazonian kikuyu). Grazing is evenly split between rotational and continuous systems. Although the adoption of specific nutritional technologies remains limited, milk production is consistently distributed within mid-range levels, highlighting the productive potential of buffalo farming in Pará whensupported by improved nutritional and technical management.