Influence of non-genetic factors on performance traits in Murrah buffaloes

The study on 522 Murrah buffaloes scattered over 19 years (1993 to 2011) in NDRI Livestock Farm was conducted to reveal the effect of non-genetic factors on performance traits. The fixed linear models were used to estimate the effect of non-genetic factors. The overall least-squares means of Age at First Calving (AFC), Service Period (SP), Days to First Service (DFS), Lactation Length (LL), Test Day 5 Milk Yield (TD 5 MY) and 305 days or less Milk Yield (305 DMY) were obtained as 44.03 +/- 0.38 months; 146.28 +/- 5.58 days, 89.28 +/- 2.23 days, 286.08 +/- 2.23 days, 8.13 +/- 0.12 kg and 2078.20 +/- 31.21 kg, respectively. Season of birth had significant effect (P<0.01) on AFC, autumn was the favourable season of birth for Murrah buffaloes. Season of calving significantly influenced (P<0.01) SP and DFS, where rainy and autumn were observed as favourable for fertility in Murrah buffaloes. Period of calving and parity had significant effect on reproduction traits (P<0.05) and production traits (P<0.01), except lactation length. Age group at first calving significantly influenced SP (P<0.01) and LL (P<0.05). Since, temporary environmental factors play a major role on performance traits, better breeding management should be implemented.