Victorian Buffalo Industry Council (VicBIC)

History of Buffalo in Victoria

Swamp buffalo were first introduced to Victoria in the early 1970's. The first buffalo originated from Ban Ban Spring in the Northern Territory. Bob Steer was one of the early pioneers to graze buffalo here . In the early years there were large loses due to the harsh winter weather. It was concluded that swamp buffalo needed shelter from both the winter cold and the summer heat. A Western District farmer later imported Riverine Buffalo from Italy and Bulgaria to start a Buffalo Dairy for the making of specialised cheeses, yogurt and icecream. New breeders in Victoria are now introducing the Riverine breed to Victoria through A.I. programs and animals sourced from the Northern Territory and Queensland.

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Contacts in the VicBIC

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VicBIC is recommending all southern breeders consider Riverine and Riverine cross animals for their ability to handle climatic conditions (including drought) and the dual purposes for both meat and dairy products.

Buffalo Products in Victoria

Eddy’s Family Farm Café & Local Produce Store:
Located on Goulburn Valley Highway, Wunghnu 3635, Phone 03 5862 3358.
Visit their Website for full details www.eddybuffalomeat.com.au

Buffalo Hand Made Artisan Cheese:
call Calendar Cheese, Phone 03 9646 1971 or
Shaw River Buffalo Cheese, Phone 03 5568 4321

St Kilda Farmers Market:
1st Sunday every month :: 8 am -1 pm, Corner of Chaucer and Spencer Streets.

Victorian BUFFALO Dairies
Sale of Buffalo Milk

Robyn & Chris Richmond & Jack Blow milk Buffalo at Koondrook in Victoria. With 60+ dairy buffalo cows & heifers in calf, the future supply of milk is excellent.

Selected hand raised Bulls are available for purchase.

Hand raised steers for meat are also available.

For orders or information please contact us on 03 54 533 305
or EMail shannkirst@bigpond.com.

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The Victorian Buffalo Industry Council has been approved to conduct a research project to introduce Bulgarian Murrah Buffalo to Australia with an aim to upgrade Dairy Buffalo in Australia. The project will use imported semen from Bulgaria and detect heat in buffalo cows by using a vasectomised bull, instead of drug-induced synchronization. With buffalo being shy breeders, it is hoped to achieve higher conception rates using the vasectomised bull. Both methods to be used for comparison. (read more)

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Useful links for VicBIC

Interested in animals or equipment? Visit the Victorian Buffalo Trading Post (New!!!) Are You Interested in Becoming a BUFFALO FARMER? Read about the Buffalo Starter Kit. This has been designed to help new entrants in the market. Would you like to become a Buffalo Dairy Farmer? Read more about our Victorian Dairy Buffalo Group.

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