Buffalo Milk Production Research Articles

MONITORING OF QUALITATIVE PROFILE OF BUFFALO MILK IN BRAZIL

The production and consumption of buffalo milk have reached great nutritional importance and economic relevance in Brazil, which makes monitoring the quality of the raw material an essential aspect of this production. Nonetheless, little has been discussed about this matter, with only one state legislation regulating the quality of buffalo milk in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of raw milk from 30 farms in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to trace a qualitative profile of buffalo milk production in the region. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) of milk were evaluated over 11 months. Titratable acidity and fat content (16.68% and 5.74%, respectively) were above the established minimum levels. While microbiological parameters were high, the mean SCC was below the established limit. There were no physicochemical changes in raw milk; however, there was a high count of microorganisms, related to inadequate hygiene in the production process. Results showed that the microbiological parameters are not adequate for the production of buffalo milk in the region. Therefore, the raw buffalo milk produced on the farms showed low microbiological quality during the monitoring period.

Evaluation of feed quality for sustainable production and quality of buffalo milk in Siborong-Borong farm

Buffalo is one of the livestock that produces milk with good quality protein and fat contents. The production and quality of milk produced by livestock are influenced by several factors, one of which is the quality of feed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of feed in Siborong-Borong farms. The animals are using in this research are six buffalo. The variables in this research were nutrient contents of feed (crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat, and dry matter contents), milk production, milk quality (pH, protein, fat, and contamination of Escherichia coli), and buffalo body weight. The result shows that the quality of feed is still low, especially the quality of the forage. It has low protein (6.34%) and high fibre (49.56%). High ratio of concentrate in the ration also affects to the quality of milk. The milk production is 4.68 ± 0.17 L/head/day, and protein and fat contents in buffaloes milk are 3.72 ± 0.68 and 3.54 ±1.15 respectively. The low milk production is caused by the quality of forage and month lactation. Escherichia coli contamination of milk up to 8.7 APM/mL. It is caused by low hygiene during milking.

Nutritional and therapeutic aspects of fermented buffalo milk produced by Lactiplantibacillus pentosus HBUAS53657

Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strain HBUAS53657 was used as a starter in the production of fermented buffalo milk, with citrus added as a prebiotic to improve taste and antioxidant levels. Fermented milk products containing 6% starter L. pentosus HBUAS53657 and 20% orange juice produced the best results in physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic tests. This fermented milk product will also be used for intervention testing research to overcome children’s nutritional problems. This is a descriptive study. This study aimed to analyse the composition of macro (protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre and total energy) and micronutrients (Ca, Na, K, Zn and phosphorus) content of fermented milk Lactiplantacillus pentosus strain HBUAS53657 with 20% orange juice. The data on the characteristics of macro and micronutrients were analysed quantitatively with descriptive analysis, presenting the data from the study using tables and graphs. The result shows the fermented milk served contains macro and micronutrients. Plain fermented milk has a high protein and calorie content compared to fermented milk with the addition of orange juice, while the mineral content is almost the same. Plain fermented milk is more recommended to overcome nutritional deficiencies.The findings of this study can be used to promote increased consumption or fermentation of milk

Genetic parameters and association between longevity and milk production in buffaloes using the ssGBLUP method

Genetic parameters and association between longevity and milk production in buffaloes using the ssGBLUP method

Whole blood transcriptome analysis of lactating Murrah buffaloes divergent to contrasting genetic merits for milk yield

Functional genome profiling of Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) was performed for milk-production trait by whole blood transcriptome analysis comparing RNA-seq data assembled from high and low milk producing multiparous (5 -6 parity) animals. These buffaloes reflected the genetic merit inherited as daughters born to extremely high- and low-end bulls evaluated under a progeny testing scheme and ranked by the estimated breeding value. The average standard milk yield (SMY) over the 305 d during the parity was recorded as 2909.50L ± 492.63 and 1869.57 ± 189.36L in high- and low-performance buffaloes, respectively. The “reference” assembly data was assembled from transcriptome libraries of a group of buffaloes (n=16), comprising of animals in different physiological states. Replicates selected within each category of the high and low genetic merit animals showed a correlation coefficient of high order (R2=0.98) while comparing with the `reference' assembly. The sequence data of selected buffaloes, mapped over the Mediterranean water buffalo genome, revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) distinctly depicted via heat maps and volcano plots obtained for two categories of animals, determining more than 25,000 genes via the Cufflink analysis. DEGs included 83 down-regulating and 142 up-regulating genes (p<0.05, FDR<0.05). Functional classification of the DEGs revealed a fine networking of biological processes, primarily cell signaling, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, RNA splicing, fat metabolism, and inflammasome generation. These processes are regulated by transcription factors and binding proteins covered under the network of TNF alpha signaling, NF-kappa B signaling and MAPK PI3K-AKT signaling pathways/ cascade emerged as main biological pathways. Emerged pathways revealed remarkably intricate tuning of metabolic and cell development processes converging into milk production in buffaloes. Segregated patterns of gene expression obtained for high and low milk producing buffaloes using the non-invasive method of whole blood transcriptome analysis has emerged as a promising resource comprising gene network and protein -protein interactions, primarily involved in lactation. Synergism of transcription factors and binding proteins promoting epigenetic regulation at all development stages of mammary tissue induce mammogenic and lactogenic responses for subsequent milk secretion under optimum feeding management. These findings may help improve breeding strategies to achieve the desired milk yield in Murrah buffaloes.

Association of Body Condition Score with Lactation and Reproductive Performance in Murrah Cross Buffaloes in Chitwan, Nepal

Body condition score (BCS) is a precise method for determining the stored energy reserves of dairy animals, which are located in the form of subcutaneous fat tissue, indicated by the animal’s degree of accomplished nutrition, and could be used as a management and selection tool to improve reproductive performance. The objective of this research was to investigate and quantify relationships between BCS and milk production, milk composition, and reproductive performance in Murrah cross buffalo. For this purpose, a semi-structured questionnaire was created and BCS was calculated using a visual technique based on a BCS chart. The sampling approach employed was a completely randomized design. A total of 165 Murrah cross buffaloes from 59 household farms were used in the study, where 130 milk samples were collected and used to assess the milk parameters by lacto-scan. Four BCS groups were namely 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99, and 4.0-4.99 where the BCS score was found to grow during the dry period until calving, then decreased as milk production increased. BCS group (3.5-3.99) had higher performance during all the lactation periods with a peak milk yield of 11.4 ± 1.1 kg. At the late lactation stage BCS group (3.5-3.99) showed higher values of SNF (9.77), protein (4.01), and lactose (3.82), followed by BCS groups 4.0-4.49, 3.0-3.49, and 2.5-2.99. At the early, lactation stages, the BCS group (3.5-3.99) had the highest (P<0.01) average milk yield of 10.28, 9.50, 9.37 kg, and the BCS group (4- 4.49) had highest (P<0.01) average fat percent of 9.19, 10.20, and 10.32, respectively. The buffaloes of BCS group 3.5-3.99 had shorter post-partum estrus (61.14days) (P<0.01), fewer services for conception (1.30) (P<0.01) and higher first service conception rate (79.87%) (P<0.01). Similarly, the incidence of associated reproductive disorders such as uterine prolapse, retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis are lowest in BCS group 3.5-3.99 with values of 7.69%, 3.44%, 3.44%, and 6.89% respectively. It can be concluded that the BCS group (3.5–3.99) provided the greatest production results in both milk and reproductive function. For optimal animal lactation and reproductive performance, the nutrition management of dairy cows should be necessarily monitored using the BCS score.

Effects of fermenting with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG on quality attributes and storage stability of buffalo milk yogurt incorporated with bael (Aegle marmelos) fruit pulp

BackgroundProducing functional food by adding fruits or fruit pulps have attracted great attention. Simultaneously, buffalo milk is gaining an increasing demand as an alternative to cow milk. Thus, value addition and diversification of buffalo milk products have gained much commercial and research interest. Hence, we aimed to investigate the potentials of developing and characterizing probiotic enriched buffalo milk yogurts with bael fruit pulp using exopolysaccharides producing probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). MethodsFour types of buffalo milk yogurts were tested, e.g. fermenting with the yogurt starter culture only (e.g., control) and fermenting with the combination of yogurt starter culture and LGG with varying levels (w/v) of bael fruit pulp incorporations, i.e., 0%, 5% and 10%. Variation in pH, syneresis, hardness, probiotic viability and sensory attributes during 21 days of storage in 4 °C were assessed for all treatments. ResultsFermenting with LGG had a positive effect on post-acidification and syneresis rate compared to the control yogurt. Bael incorporation did not affect the post-acidification, but significantly decreased the level of syneresis at the end of storage. All probiotic formulations maintained LGG counts of >107 CFU/mL and the highest counts were observed in 5% (w/v) bael incorporated yogurt. ConclusionsResults confirmed the possibility of using buffalo milk yogurt as an ideal matrix to deliver LGG with promising probiotic capacity. The use of 5% bael incorporation provides an optimal combination for synbiotic product development.

Genetic polymorphism of Β-casein gene and its association with milk production and composition in Azi-Kheli buffalo.

The aim of this study was to find out the genetic polymorphism in β-casein gene CSN2 in Azi-Kheli buffaloes found in district Swat. Blood samples from 250 buffaloes were collected and processed in lab for sequencing to see the genetic polymorphism in CSN2 gene on 67 position of exon7. The β-casein is a milk second abundant protein having some variants, wherein A1 and A2 are the most common. After performing sequence analysis, it was found that Azi-Kheli buffaloes were homozygous for only A2 type variant. The amino acid change (proline to histadine) on 67 position of exon 7 was not found; however, three other novel SNPs at loci g.20545A > G, g.20570G > A, and g.20693C > A were identified in the study. Amino acid change due to SNPs were found as SNP1, valine > proline; SNP2, leucin > phenylalanine; and SNP3, threonine > valine. Allelic and genotypic frequencies' analysis exhibited that all three SNPs were following the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE: P < 0.05). All the three SNPs showed medium PIC value and gene heterozygosity. The SNPs located on different position of exon 7 of CSN2 gene exhibited associations with some of the performance traits and milk composition. Higher daily milk yield of 9.86 ± 0.43 L and the peak milk yield of 13.80 ± 0.60 L were found in response to SNP3 followed by SNP2 and SNP1. The percentage of milk fat and protein was found significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in relation to SNP3 followed by SNP2 and SNP1 given as 7.88 ± 0.41, 7.48 ± 0.33, and 7.15 ± 0.48 for fat% and 4.00 ± 0.15, 3.73 ± 0.10 and 3.40 ± 0.10 for protein%. It was concluded that Azi-Kheli buffalo milk contains A2 genetic variant along with other useful novel variants indicating quality milk for human health. Genotypes of SNP3 should be given preference in selection both in indices and nucleotide polymorphism.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of the Thiolase Family and Functional Characterization of the Acetyl-Coenzyme A Acyltransferase-1 Gene for Milk Biosynthesis and Production of Buffalo and Cattle.

Cattle and buffalo served as the first and second largest dairy animals, respectively, providing 96% milk products worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms underlying milk synthesis is critical to develop the technique to improve milk production. Thiolases, also known as acetyl-coenzyme A acetyltransferases (ACAT), are an enzyme family that plays vital roles in lipid metabolism, including ACAT1, ACAT2, ACAA1, ACAA2, and HADHB. Our present study showed that these five members were orthologous in six livestock species including buffalo and cattle. Transcriptomic data analyses derived from different lactations stages showed that ACAA1 displayed different expression patterns between buffalo and cattle. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed that ACAA1 were dominantly located in the mammary epithelial cells of these two dairy animals. Knockdown of ACAA1 inhibited mammary epithelial cell proliferation and triglyceride and β-casein secretion by regulating related gene expressions in cattle and buffalo. In contrast, ACAA1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and triglyceride secretion. Finally, three novel SNPs (g.-681A>T, g.-23117C>T, and g.-24348G>T) were detected and showed significant association with milk production traits of Mediterranean buffaloes. In addition, g.-681A>T mutation located in the promoter region changed transcriptional activity significantly. Our findings suggested that ACAA1 play a key role in regulating buffalo and cattle milk synthesis and provided basic information to further understand the dairy animal lactation physiology.

Evaluation of the application opportunities of precision livestock farming (PLF) for water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) breeding: SWOT analysis.

The use of technology in agriculture is increasing daily with the development of technology in all areas. With the help of PLF (precision livestock farming) technologies and efficient use of inputs, economic, environmentally friendly, and better-quality products are obtained. Significantly its use in dairy cattle is increasing daily, contributing to sustainable milk production in both economic and ecological terms. As the demand increased in the world for water buffalo meat, milk, and dairy products, different breeding systems have been applied for more and higher-quality production purposes. This way the number of water buffalo farms breeding in intensive conditions is increasing. It is necessary to investigate the possibilities of using PLF technologies, which are still widespread in dairy cattle, in water buffalo breeding, and to benefit from the advanced technology in this regard. This study aims to discuss the applicability of PLF technologies by surveying buffalo breeders. With the data obtained from the survey results made with the water buffalo breeders, the strengths, opportunities, threats, and effects of the weaknesses were discussed with the SWOT analysis.

Novel Insight into the Role of Squalene Epoxidase (SQLE) Gene in Determining Milk Production Traits in Buffalo.

Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying milk production traits contribute to improving the production potential of dairy animals. Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is one of the rate-limiting enzymes for cholesterol biosynthesis and was highly expressed in the buffalo mammary. The objectives of the present study were to detect the polymorphisms within SQLE in buffalo, the genetic effects of these mutations on milk production traits, and to understand the gene regulatory effects on buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMECs). A total of five SNPs were identified by sequencing, g.18858G > A loci were significantly associated with fat yield, and g.22834C > T loci were significantly associated with peak milk yield, milk yield, fat yield, and protein yield. Notably, linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that 2 SNPs (g.18858G > A and g.22834C > T) formed one haplotype block, which was found to be significantly associated with milk fat yield, fat percentage, and protein yield. Furthermore, expression of SQLE was measured in different tissues of buffalo and was found to be higher in the mammary. Knockdown of SQLE gene expression significantly affected the growth of BuMECs, including proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis, and significantly downregulated the expression of related genes MYC, PCNA, and P21. In addition, knockdown of the SQLE gene significantly reduces triglyceride concentrations and the signal intensity of oil red O staining. In addition, silencing of SQLE was also found to regulate the synthesis and secretion of β-casein and κ-casein negatively. Furthermore, SQLE knockdown is accompanied by the downregulation of critical genes (RPS6KB1, JAK2, eIF4E, and SREBP1) related to milk fat and protein synthesis. The current study showed the potential of the SQLE gene as a candidate for buffalo milk production traits. It provides a new understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying buffalo milk production regulation.

Determination of extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in raw water buffalo milk and dairy products by conventional multiplex and real-time PCR

The prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Enterobacteriaceae from water buffalo milk and its products, as well as genes encoding β-lactam resistance, was determined in a total of 50 raw milk samples and 120 water buffalo milk based dairy products (40 cheese, 40 cream, 30 yoghurt and 10 ice cream samples). A chromogenic-based culture method was used for isolation. Identification of strains was performed with PCR and VITEK MS. The presence of resistance genes was investigated using conventional multiplex and real-time PCR. Of the milk, cheese, yoghurt and cream samples, 26%, 17.5%, 16.6% and 12.5%, respectively, were found to contain at least one ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae strain; all ice cream samples were negative in terms of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. ESBL production of Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii strains was found related to blaCTX-M gene. Four Escherichia coli isolates were found containing blaKPC gene with the coexistence of blaCTX-M and/or blaTEM.

The ovine HIAT1 gene: mRNA expression, InDel mutations, and growth trait associations.

The hippocampal abundant transcript 1 (HIAT1) gene, also known as major facilitator superfamily domain-containing 14A (MFSD14A), encodes for a transmembrane transporter protein and has been previously shown to be associated with milk production in buffalo and sheep breeds, as well as growth traits in chicken and goats. However, tissue level distribution of the ovine HIAT1 gene, as well as its effect on body morphometric traits in sheep, has yet to be studied. The HIAT1 mRNA expression profile of Lanzhou fat-tailed (LFT) sheep was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). A total of 1498 sheep of three indigenous Chinese sheep breeds were PCR-genotyped for polymorphisms of HIAT1 gene. Student's t-test was used to observe the association between the genotype and sheep morphometric traits. HIAT1 was widely expressed in all examined tissues, and was particularly abundant in the testis of male LFT sheep. Additionally, a 9-bp insertion mutation (rs1089950828) located within the 5'-upstream region of HIAT1 was investigated in Luxi black-headed (LXBH) sheep and Guiqian semi-fine wool (GSFW) sheep. The wildtype allele frequency 'D' was found to be more prevalent than that of the mutant allele 'I'. Furthermore, low genetic diversity was confirmed in all sampled sheep populations. Subsequent association analyses indicated an association between the 9-bp InDel mutation of interest and the morphometric traits of LXBH and GSFW sheep. Furthermore, yearling ewes with a heterozygous genotype (ID) demonstrated smaller body sizes, while yearling rams and adult ewes with the heterozygous genotype were found to have overall better growth performance. These findings imply that functional InDel polymorphism (rs1089950828) has the potential to be utilized for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of growth traits in domestic Chinese sheep populations.

Effects of mixed sugarcane tops and napiergrass silages on fermentative quality, nutritional value, and milk yield in water buffaloes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectsof sugarcane tops (STs) and napiergrass (NG) silage on fermentative quality, nutritional value and milk yield in water buffaloes. Silage were prepared either conventionally without ST (C) or mixed with 25% (S1), 50% (S2), and 75% (S3) ST based on fresh matter. Twenty-eight lactating buffaloes were divided into four groups with seven replicates and fed four experimental diets containing the corresponding silages. The S3 silage fermented well with a higher (P < 0.05) lactic acid content and lower (P < 0.05) pH and ammonia-N level than those of other mixed silage. Silage with increasing ST proportions showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, organic matter, and gross energy. As a result, water buffalo fed S3 silage increased dry matter intake (P < 0.05) and tended to have higher milk yield and feed efficiency as compared with the C group. Our study indicates that adding ST improves NG silage fermentation and enhances the nutrient digestibility and milk production in water buffaloes, and mixing ratio of 25%NG and 75%ST had the highest lactate fermentation quality and presented a high feed value.

Financial Profitability of Production and Marketing of Buffalo Milk in Lalitpur District, Nepal

Dairying is considered as a prestigious occupation among the agricultural sub-sectors in Lalitpur. The production of milk is concentrated in the peri urban and rural areas with the increase in demand for fresh milk in the urban areas. This study was conducted to analyse the economics of the production and marketing of buffalo milk in Lalitpur district, Nepal. This research was conducted from July 2021 to July 2022 collecting data from 123 respondents including farmers, collectors, key informants, and cooperatives working for milk related functions in Lalitpur district. The cost of rearing a milking buffalo was estimated NPR 5,762 per month, with the highest share of feed cost (47.8%) followed by labor cost (21.5%) and animal cost (13.1%). Results of Cobb-Douglas production function showed an increasing return to scale for milk production. Gross income, net income (per buffalo per month), and BCR were NPR 13,828, NPR 8,066, and 1.4, respectively. The cost of producing milk at the farmer’s level was far low than the National Dairy Development Board reported cost of production. The estimated mean technical efficiency was 92.41% for buffalo grower in a range of 88- 98%. Average monthly marketed surplus which was 92.7% of total production was around 3.05% less than the marketable surplus. Among the four milk marketing channels for buffalo milk supply, the longest channel i.e. Farmer-Collector-Large milk processors-Consumer has the highest price spread of 50.59% and producers’ share of 49.4%. The shortest channel i.e. Farmer – Collector –Consumer has the estimated price spread of 9.89% and producers’ share of 91.03%. Improving production and productivity is important in order to improve profit. The extension workers are suggested to make efforts and motivate farmers to acquire technical and management knowledge to increase dairy producers’ profits. Infrastructure development was below the standard for milking buffalo keeping and selling. Improving these weaknesses, study further suggest turning peri-urban regions of Lalitpur district as the primary milk production location within Kathmandu valley.

INTRODUKSI TEKNOLOGI PAKAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PRODUKSI DAN KUALITAS SUSU KERBAU MURRAH DI NAGARI KAPAU KECAMATAN TILATANG KAMANG KABUPATEN AGAM

The Murrah buffalo is a breed of dairy-type river buffalo that has better milk production than the Mud buffalo. In West Sumatra, buffaloes are generally kept traditionally and the feed provided is low-quality field grass without providing concentrate so that productivity has not shown good results. This increase in productivity can be done through improving maintenance management and improving the quality of the feed given to buffaloes. Community service is an activity that aims to provide knowledge in technological innovation to breeders in the form of providing probiotics and the use of local forage feeds, especially cassava leaves as supplementary feed for buffaloes to increase production and quality of buffalo milk in order to increase farmers' income, while the specific target is expected to foster community self-reliance. in an effort to use local forage as animal feed. The method applied is counseling, training/pilots and discussion are the best ways to transfer knowledge and technology to farmers, while guidance and coaching can be done periodically through coordination with the head of the Kelok Rambai Cattle Farmer's group, Nagari Kapau, Tilatang Kamang District, Agam Regency. is the only livestock group in Kab. Agam who raises Murrah buffalo as a producer of curd. The results obtained were an increase in milk production 3.25 vs 4.75 l/day and milk quality: fat 5.47 vs 6.26%, Protein 4.35 vs 5.60%, SNF 10.76 vs 11.85% and water content 82.20 vs 81.75%. The conclusion of this activity is that the provision of probiotics and cassava leaf pellet supplement feed can increase the production and quality of Murrah buffalo milk and increase the income of farmers.

Iğdır İlinde Manda Sütü Üretim Maliyetinin Belirlenmesi

Objective: The study aims to determine the production cost of buffalo milk in Iğdır Province. Material and Methods: The questionnaires from 92 water buffalo farms obtained at 2016, determined by simple random sampling method were used. While calculating the milk cost, used the combined cost method was used.Results: At the end of the study, it was determined that there were 3.04 female buffaloes in each farm and a total of 3064 kg of buffalo milk was produced. Fixed costs account for 60% of buffalo milk production costs and variable costs for 40%. While the foreign shepherd's expenses have the highest share in variable costs, the most share is received by family labor wage provisions among fixed costs. It was calculated that the selling price of per kilogram of buffalo milk is 1.67 ,thecostis0.59,thecostis0.59and the net profit is 1.08 $. Conclusion: Buffalo breeders have completed the production period profitably by selling buffalo milk at a price above the cost. It can be suggested to increase the number of buffaloes in the region and continue production.

Assessment of production traits and lactation wise economics of buffalo in Punjab state of India

Buffalo is considered as the dairy animal for modern times due to its higher adaptability and productivity in the changing climatic conditions. In India, large part of the milk production comes from small and medium dairy farmers. Buffalo contributes 45.44% to the total milk production in India. With only 3.65% of the total buffalo population of India, Punjab contributes 7.91% of the total buffalo milk production. In Punjab, around 70% milk production comes from small and medium dairy farms with herd size of 2 to 10 animals, another 25% from large/commercial herds and the rest from domestic (1%) and peri-urban dairies (4%), which are concentrated around big cities. In Punjab, buffaloes produce about 56.38% of the total annual milk production in the state. The current study was conducted in three agro-climatic zones of Punjab by selected 90 buffaloes farmers in the district viz. Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Mansa by simple random sampling method. The economics of buffalo was calculated on lactation basis. The average age at 1st calving was 43 months, and inter-calving period was 469 days, lactation length (days) was 281 days, dry period (days) was 188 days, average milk yield (liters/day) was 8.3 lts/day. The lactation-wise total cost of rearing buffalo was highest in 2nd lactation i.e. Rs. 95393 and the net profit was Rs. 52335 in 4th lactation period. Thus, buffaloes contribute positively to the income which makes its rearing beneficial financially.

Relations of hygiene index scores with milk production in Anatolian buffaloes

The aim of the study was to determine the relations of hygienic status and milk production of Anatolian buffaloes. Fifty milking buffaloes reared in two farms in the Middle Black Sea region of Turkey were used as the study material. To record hygienic status of the animals, udder and flank hygiene scores (UHS and FHS) of the animal’s bodies were evaluated using a scale with 1 to 4 points (1 = very clean, 2 = clean, 3 = dirty, 4 = very dirty). Hygiene index score (HIS) values were consisted of 60% UHS and 40% FHS. To eliminate environmental factors, two parity (1st and ≥2nd) and stage of lactation (SL1&lt;100d and SL2≥100d) subgroups were constituted. The buffalo cows with first parity and later SL had more udder dirtiness (P&lt;0.05) and, the buffalo cows those in SL1 had higher milk yield compared to the other subgroup. A negative and weak correlation (r = -0.227) was estimated between HIS and test day milk yield (TDMY) of milking buffaloes. Confirming these relationships using more data and keeping buffaloes within more hygiene is advised as beneficial approaches.

Aquatic fern Azolla affecting milk production in buffaloes

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of incorporating dried green aquatic fern Azolla (Azolla microphylla) in the diet of lactating Murrah buffaloes. Ten multiparous Murrah buffaloes with an average body weight of 499.34±20.71 kg, parity of 2.4±0.31, average milk yield of 11.29±0.51 kg and average days in milk 30.40±3.86 were distributed randomly into two equal groups. One of the groups served as control and fed concentrate mixture prepared by Wheat bran, Maize grain, Mustard cake, Cotton seed cake, Groundnut cake, mineral mixture, and salt, while in treatment group 10% of the dried Azolla was incorporated in the concentrate mixture to make both the concentrate mixtures iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric. Milk quantity was recorded and milk components including protein, fat, lactose, solids not fat and total solids were assessed at the day before starting experimental feeding and followed by a weekly interval for four week.After 28 days of experimental feeding no significant (P&gt;0.05) effect was apparent on total milk production, but fall in production of fat corrected milk was 23.54% in the control group as compared to only 8.24% in the Treatment group, which indicated the superiority of Azolla based concentrate mixture over control concentrate mixture. No significant (P&gt;0.05) variation was also observed in the quality of milk produced including milk protein, fat, lactose, solids not fat and total solids between the milk of buffaloes fed with two different concentrate mixtures. Results indicated that feeding of concentrate mixture consisting of 10% dried Azolla helped to maintain the production of fat corrected milk in early lactating Murrah buffaloes without affecting the intake of nutrients.