Background and situational diagnosis of raising buffalo in Valle Sacta, Cochabamba, Plurinational State of Bolivia

Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a species that, in recent years, its importance has increased due to its ecological benefits in terms of adaptation and adaptability to tropical areas, also for its nutritional qualities of milk and meat. Currently buffalo occur in the Fundo Valle Sacta, Race Tropical Agriculture and Renewable Resources Management, Faculty of Agricultural and Pecuary Sciences of the University of San Simón (UMSS) department of Cochabamba, Plurinational State of Bolivia. The purpose of this paper is to report the background and analysis of the situation of these buffaloes, raised in an extensive system of grazing native pastures mostly with cattle on an area of 40 hectares, located mostly in and low-lying areas. Such breeding is managed for conservation, production, research and social interaction. From 1978 to date Mediterranean buffaloes are raised. Twenty five to thirty five discards bufalinas units are sold annually, milk and cheese Catren type (cheese pressing unripe), are also sold to generate resources for the Academic Unit of Valle Sacta. Since 2013, there have been an important development in research specially focused on management issues, food, health, agro-tourism and traction. This relevant development was possible with the help of researcher-professors and undergraduate students. The new information obtained throughout research is used as teaching material, and the participation in fairs encourages the production of buffalo in the area. The current population of buffaloes in the Fundo Valle Sacta is 95 buffaloes. The exemplary management and health that is performed is similar to cattle. As for milk production are obtained usually 1.5 to 2 liters / buffalo / day, and in some cases up to 4 liters on extensive system with native grass and supplementation based Creatilia sp., Axonopus escoparius and Musa paradisiaca. With 10 liters of milk are processed cheese 1.8 kg and 1.5 kg Catren type mozzarella cheese. As for meat production, channels with average weights of 125 kg of bubilllos a year and a half old were obtained, fed only pasture. As for health preventions against FMD, clostridiosis and rabia are made similary of bovine. With regard to parasitic diseases we have verminosis in calves, being Neoascaris vitolorum, Strongyloides sp. and trinchostrongyliodes. External parasites are present in the dry season (July to November). In addition sucking lice they are Haematophinus eurysternus, and Dermatobia honminnis furunculosas causing