DAIRY PRODUCTION OF BUFFALOES AND ITS PARTICULARITIES COMPARED TO THOSE OF CATTLES

Abstract

Brazil has the largest herd of buffaloes in the western world, with the Murrah breed predominant, adapting well in various locations. Buffalo milk has peculiarities in relation to bovine milk, being rich in nutrients such as lipids, proteins, lactose, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The production of buffalo milk derivatives has been well received in Brazil, due to the capacity for transformation into derivative products and the demand for these products. Buffalo milk is around 40-50% more productive in the production of derivatives such as cheese, yogurt and dulce de leche, compared to bovine milk, due to the higher fat content. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the characteristics between cow's and buffalo's milk, thereby showing the profitability that buffalo milk can generate and highlighting improvements in products, as well as data that can contribute to the development of by-products (derivatives) of the buffalo milk for society. Agribusiness plays a fundamental role in the profitability of buffalo farming, showing that buffalo milk can be a profitable business due to better remuneration for the industry and greater added value of the derivatives.