Some factors affecting milk yield and lactation length in nili ravi buffaloes
2007
Afzal, M. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan). Animal Sciences Inst.) | Anwar, M. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan). Animal Sciences Inst.) | Mirza, M.A. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan). Animal Sciences Inst.)
Effects of parity, lactation length, calving season, calf sex and service period on milk yield for 426 records in 134 Nili-Ravi buffaloes maintained at the National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad Pakistan during 1988-2004 were evaluated. The effects of parity, calving season, calf sex and service period were also recorded on lactation length of these buffaloes. The overall average milk yield was 1831.6 plus minus 530.9 liters per lactation and the average lactation length was 273.3 plus minus 52.8 days. Milk production was lower in first lactation than that in 2nd, 3rd and 4th lactations (P less than 0.05). Milk yield per lactation increased with increasing lactation length (P less than 0.05). The season of calving had significant effect on milk yield. Buffaloes calving in spring showed the highest and those calving in summer showed the lowest milk yield. Sex of calf did not affect milk yield. Milk yield of the animals conceiving with in 31-100, 101-200 and 201-300 days after calving did not differ from one another. However, milk yield of the animals conceiving greater than 300 days after calving (2045.6 plus minus 588.5 liters per lactation) was significantly higher than that of the animals conceiving within 31-100 days after calving (1846.1 plus minus 527.5 liters per lactation). The lactation length was not affected by parity, calving season, calf sex and service period. It is concluded that parity and lactation length significantly affected milk production in Nili-Ravi buffalo, however, a service period of greater than 300 days and calf sex did not affect the yield.
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