In the tropics, likewise in Thailand, buffaloes and cattle
are raised as an integral part of the crop production system,
especially where rice is the main commodity (Chantalakana,
2001). According to Wanapat (1995) buffaloes are raised in
subsistence systems and beef cattle in semi-intensive
systems utilizing grazing and supplementation with on-farm
resources. Farmers raise cattle for sale while buffaloes are
raised for draft power as well as for sale thereafter. Wanapat
et al. (1999) and Kennedy and Hogan (1994) have reviewed
the major differences between buffaloes and cattle in terms
of nutrition, it was found that buffaloes could utilize feed
more efficiently, particularly where the feed supply is of
low quantity and/or quality, with the digestibility of feed
being typically 2-3 percentage units higher than cattle.
Wanapat et al. (2000b) suggested that this may be explained
that buffaloes had a different rumen ecology than that in
cattle by means of having higher population of cellulolytic
bacteria and fungal zoospores and the ability to recycle nitrogen to the rumen.
An inadequate feed supply is one of the most limiting
constraints for livestock growth, reproduction and
production in Thailand (Wanapat and Devendra, 1999).
Forage quality is important in the context of digestibility
and the requirement for additional nutrients. It has been
found that buffaloes and cattle raised under village
condition suffer from nutritional adequacy during periods
with low forage quantity and/or quality (Scholz et al., 1989).
The very low nitrogen intake makes energy use less
efficient, and considerable protein catabolism occurs to
meet energy requirements. Under these conditions the
animals may also be more susceptible to infectious or
parasitic diseases.