STUDY OF SOME MILK PRODUCTION TRAITS OF Nili-Ravi BUFFALO IN PAKISTAN

Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is famous for milk production in Pakistan. This study focused on several milk production traits in this breed. Performance records (n=2599) of Nili-Ravi buffalo in different parities kept under bull mother scheme run by LPRI, Bahadurnagar district Okara, Punjab, Pakistan were subjected to statistical descriptive analysis. Lactation period, total milk yield and 305-day milk yield averaged 384.40±73.16 days, 3148.1±717.69 kg and 2736.7±487.56 kg in first parity, 379.39±77.35, 3195.3±748.86, 2799.9±474.15 in second parity, 374.1±73.36, 3193.6±695.34, and 2816.5±510.23 in third parity, 360.9±78.30, 3140.9±655.91 and 2796.6±474.15 in fourth parity, 374.4±76.07, 3136.1±599.31 and 2820.1±428.18 in fifth parity, 357.5±86.19 days, 3101.9±770.61 kg and 2754.3±497.73 kg in sixth parity, respectively. It was worth mentioning that total milk yield increased after first lactation and reached the highest in 2nd parity. Further, a gradual decrease was observed in this trait. The 305-day milk yield increased up to 3rd parity and then declined afterwards. Lactation periods were longer in earlier parities as compared to later ones. It is therefore, suggested that contemporary selection program for the best performing buffaloes should be launched to improve the breed to exploit its highest potential. Voluntary selection is the dire need of the hour in order to exploit the milk production potential of Nili-Ravi breed to its maximum.