Seasonal grazing of water buffaloes on grasslands and agricultural land at the area of the Lake Kerkini area, Serres Prefecture

At the area of the Lake Kerkini of Serres Prefecture the time (%) that water buffaloes spent on the activity of feeding at grasslands and agricultural land as well as the contribution of grasses, woody plants and forbs in their diet was investigated during 2013. A focal sampling technique was applied to six adult water buffaloes. It was found that the animals remained at the grazing areas more time during spring (8h 52min) and summer (10h 16min) and they devoted more time to the activity of feeding during these periods (373 and 349 min for spring and summer, respectively). Water buffaloes spent more time (P<0.05) feeding on grasslands during the summer and winter months (94.9% and 78.8%, respectively) in comparison to crop residues (5.1% and 21.2%, respectively). During autumn water buffaloes devoted significantly more time (P<0.05) to feeding on crop residues (53.9%) compared to pastures (6.0%) which were grazed only this period. Water buffaloes spent significantly more time (P<0.05) feeding on grasses (74.0%) compared to woody species (21.7%) and forbs (4.3%) throughout the year.