Herd structure, performance traits, calving and culling patterns and economics of milk production in Jaffrabadi buffaloes

unknown. Influence of herd structure on herd performance traits and economic aspect of milk production in Jaffrabadibuffalo were studied using 120 monthly data over a period of 10 years (2001-2010). Variation in composition,strength and herd performance traits of the herd, monthly trend in calving rate, % milch animals, wet average,herd average, economics of milk production, pattern of calving and culling in the Jaffrabadi herd, associationamong the herd structure and performance traits of the herd, optimum herd composition for the herd wereinvestigated. The Jaffrabadi herd consisted of 35.63% buffaloes, 21.30 % breedable heifers, 18.01% calves(female + male), 13.73 % males above 1 year and 8.98% heifers of 1-2 year. The total strength and totaladult units in the Jaffrabadi herd averaged 203.19± 2.25 and 142.75±1.42, respectively. The total femalespresent in the herd were 75.78±0.25%. The wet average, herd average, % milch buffaloes and number ofmilch buffaloes in the herd were 7.13±0.09 lit/d/head, 3.24±0.07 lit/d/head, 46.11±0.98 and 33.07±0.76,respectively. Wet average and herd average varied, respectively, from 4.20 to 9.25 and 1.25 to 4.89 lit/d/head during different months. Effect of month was significant on herd average. All herd performance traitsof the buffaloes were significantly influenced by year. The % return over feed cost at variable feed costand based on variable actual sale price and market rate of milk were estimated to be 56.08±2.36 and134.97±1.78, respectively. The correlation coefficients of total buffaloes with wet average, herd averageand % R.O.F.C. were -0.24 to -0.32 (P<0.05). The % milch cows and herd average showed correlationvalue of -0.37 to -0.38 (P<0.05) with total breedable females. Calving significantly (P<0.01) differed dueto month but distinctly there were calving period (July to November) and non-calving period (Decemberto June). About 71 % of the buffaloes and 87.83% heifers calved during July to November months. Morethan 21% buffaloes calved in September. Of the total (246) animals disposed of, maximum no. of growing/entire males were sold, 44.31% (10.90 / year) for breeding purpose followed by buffalo category, 36.99 %(9.1 per year) on account of different reasons. Maximum buffaloes 32.67% were disposed of in their 3rdand 4th lactation, followed by those in 5th and 6th (27.72 %) and 1st and 2nd 24.65%) lactation. The old agei.e., more than 6 lactations (29.69 %) , low yield (24.75 %), loss of 1 quarters / teat problem in 18.81 %and reproductive problem 15.84% were the major reasons of culling in buffaloes. Under the facilities andresources of the farm, the herd with 30-35% (65 -70) buffaloes and 20 to 25% (35-45) breedable heifers.,i.e., 55 to 60 % (107 to 112) total breedable females and total strength of 190 to 205 resulted in wet average> 7.5 lit/d, herd average > 3.50 lit/d, % milch buffaloes >55 and % R.O.F.C. > 140.