Effect of some non-genetic factors on productive and reproductive traits of Mehsana buffaloes

Abstract

The records of 7782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 sires maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana, Gujarat born during 1989 to 2012 were collected and analysed to examine the effect of non-genetic factors viz. period and season of calving and age at first calving. The least squares analysis was used for estimation of various non-genetic factors on First Lactation Milk Yield (FLMY), First Lactation Fat Yield (FLFY), Average Fat Percentage (AFP) and Age at First Calving (AFC). The least squares mean with standard error of FLMY, FLMY, AFP and AFC were estimated to be 1900.68±7.65 lit., 135.04±0.57 kg, 7.11±0.11 percentage and 1407.18±4.36 days, respectively. Highly significant (P≤0.01) effect of all the non-genetic factors (period and season of calving and age at first alving group) under study was observed on FLMY, FLMY and AFP in Mehsana buffaloes. Further, highly significant (P≤0.01) effect of season and period of birth was recorded on AFC. It is worthy to note that in Mehsana breed evaluation programme these factors should be considered as they have great influence of them.