Studies of some factors influencing milk production of Egyptian buffaloes in upper Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of some factors on milk yield and lactation length in Egyptian buffaloes. A number of 439 milk records of 138 Egyptian buffaloes maintained at the Experimental Farm of the Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena Governorate were used during the years of 2002 to 2012. The effects of parity, calving season, sex of calf and days open on milk yield and lactation length of these buffaloes were examined. The overall means of milk yield and lactation length were 1840.4 ± 90.9 kg and 260.8 ± 21.7 days, respectively. Significant effect (P<0.05) of parity was found on milk yield. Results illustrated that milk yield was lower in the first lactation compared to those in 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th lactations. Total milk yield increased (P<O.05) with increasing lactation length. Also, calving season had significant (P<0.05) effect on milk yield. Spring and winter calvings showed longer lactation length and higher milk yield than summer or autumn calvings. Milk yields of buffaloes conceived within 31-100, 101-200 and 201-300 days after calving were not significantly different. However, milk yield per lactation of the animals conceived >300 days after calving was significantly (P<0.05) higher (2066.6± 88.5 kg) than that of the animals conceived within31-100 days after calving (1846.1±77.5 kg). The lactation length (260.8±21.7days) was not affected by parity, calving season. days open and calf sex. The present results indicated that synchronization calving of buffaloes during spring and winter in Upper Egypt led to increased lactation length and milk production. which can reflect positively on net profit of farmers.

Summary in Arabic.

1