Non Genetic Factors Affecting Production and Reproduction Traits of Graded Murrah Buffaloes
Background: Environmental factors play a major role and influence the economically important traits in dairy animals. The present investigation was undertaken to study the influence of season on production and reproduction traits of graded Murrah buffaloes reared under farm conditions. Methods: The data pertaining to 164 graded Murrah buffaloes was utilized to study influence of seasons on various climatic factors like maximum, minimum and mean temperature, relative humidity (morning and evening), rainfall, sunshine, wind speed, evaporation and production and reproduction traits like lactation length, lactation yield, days to attain peak yield, persistency, calving interval, birth weight and number of lactations. Result: The present investigation revealed significant effect of season on all the meteorological parameters, production and reproduction parameters studied. The correlations among meteorological parameters and production and reproduction traits were also significant.