Genetic Analysis of First Lactation Monthly Test Day Milk Yields, Peak Yield and 305 Days Milk Yield in Murrah Buffaloes

Abstract

Background: The estimates of genetic parameters are useful in determining the appropriate method of selection that could further be implemented in the breed improvement programmes. The present study was, therefore, conducted to estimate the genetic parameters (heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations) for monthly test day (TD) milk yields, peak yield (PY) and first lactation 305 days milk yield (FL305DMY) in Murrah buffaloes.Methods: Paternal half-sib correlation method was carried out by least-squares maximum likelihood programme to estimate genetic parameters of first lactation 4,209 and 408 records of monthly test day milk yield and peak yield, respectively, of 408 Murrah buffaloes (sired by 62 bulls) calved in between 1993 and 2017 at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.Result: Heritability of FL305DMY and peak yield was estimated as 0.35±0.17 and 0.33±0.16, respectively. Heritability estimates for mid-lactation monthly test day milk yields were found to be moderate. Genetic correlation of monthly test day milk yields with FL305DMY was positive and highly significant for TD-4 to TD-9 and TD-11. Peak yield showed high genetic and phenotypic association with FL305DMY. High genetic and phenotypic correlation among monthly test day milk yields, peak yield and FL305DMY suggested that TD-4 to TD-9 and TD-11 test day milk yields and peak yield could be used for the selection of elite animals.