Milk Yield Potential of Nili Ravi Buffaloes at Farm of ICAR-CIRB, Sub Campus, Bir Dosanjh, Nabha (PUNJAB) During the Year 2020

Abstract :The present study was carried out to explore the milk production potential of Nili Ravibuffalo at ICAR-CIRB, Sub-Campus, Nabha, during the year 2020. Milk yield of individualanimal was recorded twice daily at 04:00 and 16:00 h in the annual period of 2020 (1st Januaryto 31st December, 2020). The weekly weighment of milk yield recorded on each Friday wastaken as standard milk yield in that particular week and used for calculation of wet and herdaverages. The variation range of number of milch buffaloes was from 83 on 31.07.2020 to 125on 06.03.2020; and that of dry buffaloes varied from 29 on dated 10.01.2020 to 87 on dated31.07.2020 to 14.08.2020 with an overall average of 51 dry buffaloes on any weekly Fridays atthe farm. The variable range of total count of breedable buffaloes was from 149 on 16.10.2020 to184 on 25.09.2020 with an overall average of 163 breedable buffaloes on any weekly Fridays atthe Nabha farm. The total milk yield potential ranged from 518.1 on 10.07.2020 to 1217.0 kgon dated 17.01.2020 with an overall average of 944.74 kg milk. The herd average fluctuationrange was from 3.05 on 10.07.2020 to 7.90 kg on 17.01.2020 with an overall herd average of5.87 kg; and the wet average fluctuation range was from 6.10 on 10.07.2020 to 10.01 on25.12.2020 with an overall wet average of 8.56 kg on any weekly Fridays during the year,2020. It was concluded that herd average variation was between 3.33 in July to 7.54 in Januarywith an overall (January to December, 2020) herd average of 5.88 kg; and the wet averagevariation was between 7.13 in June to 9.81 kg in October with an overall wet average of 8.58kg. The herd average and wet average reported in the present investigation are compatible withthose of reported in the previous year, 2019. The lack of trained & skilled manpower /labour,needful engagement of labour/ manpower for their proper utilization and deployment for specificfarm operations without their long term shifting for efficient farm animal management over alarge herd size were the determining factors which mark the boundary lines for the futureenhancement in production potential and profitability of the farm.