Effect of Season and Age at First Calving on Early Performance Traits in Murrah Buffaloes

Abstract

The present investigation was carried on 659 Murrah buffaloes, sired by 188 bulls, maintained at Directorate of Livestock Farms, Guru AngadDev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, for the duration of 27 years (1991-2017). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of non-genetic factors like season and age at first calving on early reproductive and productive traits like age at first calving (AFC), first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI) and age at puberty (AAP), 305 day milk yield (305MY), first lactation length (FLL), first peak yield (FPY), first days to attain peak yield (DPY) and first dry period (FDP). Season of calving had highly significant influence on FSP, FCI and FDP, significant effect on AFC, AAP, 305MY, FLL and FPY and non-significant effect on DPY. Age at first calving had non-significant effect on all the studied traits.