Effect of Non-Genetic Factors on Lactational Efficiency of Indigenous Buffaloes at Different Stage of Parity in Western Hills of Nepal

Abstract

A study was executed during October-November 2016 to evaluate the effect of breed, parity and breed-parity interaction (breed × parity) on lactational efficiency of indigenous buffaloes. The sites of study were Muna VDC-3, Faliyagaun of Myagdi district and Ramjhathati VDC-9 of Parbat district at Western Nepal. Total of 100 buffaloes, 50 from each study site were considered by purposive sampling and data were collected using the semi structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done by Henderson’s Least Square Mixed Model and Maximum Likelihood (LSMMML PC-2) computer program using Harvey-1990 software. Colostrum period (days), Days to reach peak milk yield (DPMY), Lactation length (days) and Dry period (days) were the parameters under consideration to study the lactational efficiency. The overall means for colostrums period, DPMY, lactation length and dry period were 3.11, 13.91, 362.10 and 165.40 days respectively. All non genetic factors; breed, parity and (breed × parity) had non-significant effect with the traits of lactational efficiency. But higher value of lactation days was found at later parity (above7^th parity) than early parities (1^st -3^rd parity) and mid parities (4^th -6^th parities) where values of later parity were (394.10 ± 48.02), mid parities were (353.90 ± 24.51) and early parities were (361.20 ± 12.53). Similarly, lower value of dry period was found in later parities (105.70 ± 36.05) as compared to mid (135.20 ± 18.40) and early (175.90 ± 9.41) parities. The lactation length value was found higher in later parities for both Parkote (394.20 ± 47.53) and Lime breed (394.00 ± 75.15). Dry period value was found lowest in Lime (60.00 ± 56.42) in later parities. Better management skill with appropriate breeding program is the need to increase the lactational efficiency of indigenous buffaloes.