EFFECTS OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON CALF BIRTH WEIGHT AND MILK YIELD OF ANATOLIAN WATER BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effects of some environmental factors on calf birth weight, milk yield and lactation length in Anatolian Water Buffalo. The data on birth weight of 1006 buffalo calves, 470 total milk yields and 470 lactation lengths were from the records of the Anatolian Water Buffalo Breeding Association in Giresun Province in Turkey.
The effects of calving season, age at calving and lactation length on birth weight and total milk yield were assessed. The records, four calving seasons were established; winter, spring, summer and fall. Age was divided into three groups: 3-4, 5-6 and 7 yrs and older. Lactation length was divided into five groups 101-150, 151-200, 201-250, 251-300 and 301-350 days. Least square analyses were used for statistical analyzes. Statistical significances among subgroups were determined with the Tukey Multiple Range Test.
The overall means of calf birth weight, total milk yield and lactation length were 26.95 kg, 925.43 kg and 231.89 days, respectively. Birth weight was significantly influenced by sex of calf (P < 0.05) and age of dam (P < 0.001), and increased with the age of dam. There was no signifiant effect of age on the total milk yield and lactation length (P>0.05). The total milk yield (P < 0.01) and lactation length (P < 0.001)  of dams calving in winter-spring were higher than for summer-autumn.
In conclusion, calf birth weight and total milk yield in Giresun province is satisfactory for Turkish conditions. Births of calves should be planned for winter due to buffaloes calving in winter-spring producing the highest total milk yield.