Estimation of genetic parameters of monthly test day milk yields in Murrah buffaloes

Data of 1141 records pertaining to Murrah buffaloes maintained at Buffalo Farm, Department of Livestock Production Management (LPM), Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar were used to estimates the genetic parameters of test day milk yields in Murrah buffaloes.The overall least-squares means of monthly test day milk yields were 4.130.15kg (TD5), 10.300.30kg (TD35), 10.460.30kg (TD65), 10.490.33 kg (TD95), 9.650.30kg (TD125), 9.460.44kg (TD155), 8.330.33kg (TD185), 7.650.35kg (TD215), 6.740.35kg (TD245), 5.600.26kg (TD275), and 5.040.23 kg (TD305).Effect of non-genetic factors i.e. period of calving, season of calving and parity was significant on most of the test day milk yields.Heritability estimates for test day milk yields varied from 0.10 0.09 (TD305) to 0.46 0.11 (TD95).Genetic correlations among 305-day milk yield (305DMY) and test day milk yields ranged from 0.110.04(TD5) to 0.990.12(TD65), with a similar pattern observed in the phenotypic correlations ranging from 0.110.03(TD5) to 0.700.25 (TD215).The study concluded that the selection of elite buffaloes should be based on the mid-lactation milk yields.