Dynamics of Milk Yield, Body Weight, and Feed Intake in Murrah Buffaloes during Early Lactation: An on-Farm Study
Abstract
The study combines management (feed/fodder) and performance (milk yield) to provide a thorough understanding of nutritional input-output efficiency, which is crucial for assessing dairy herd responses. Milk output during the first 15 days following calving was examined since it is crucial to record metabolic changes during this time. Data on buffalo were documented daily after calving, with particular attention paid to body weight, parity, milk production, and feed/fodder consumption. This routine monitoring allows for dynamic evaluation of the animal's reaction both throughout the postpartum period and during successive lactations.
The mean milk yield increased from about 2.5–3 liters to 6–7 liters by day 15, in tandem with increased feed intake from around 1.5–2 kg to roughly 3.5–4 kg. All animals show an increasing trend in milk yield from day 1, peaking typically between days 35 and 60, followed by fluctuations. There is a close alignment between the trends of increased feed input and rising milk output throughout the study period. Regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.65) between daily feed intake and milk yield, with each kg increase in feed associated with approximately 0.98 L increase in daily milk production (R² = 0.45, p < 0.001).
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Introduction
One of the most significant dairy buffalo breeds in India is the Murrah buffalo, which has a high potential milk yield and adapts to a variety of agroclimatic conditions (Singh et al., 2020). Improving dairy productivity and resource efficiency requires an understanding of the factors that affect their lactation performance. Buffaloes' milk production is influenced by a number of physiological, nutritional, and managerial factors, especially in the early post-calving period when the animal experiences major hormonal and metabolic changes (Rao and Reddy, 2019).
Postpartum care and feeding influence lactation significantly. The first two weeks following calving are a transitional period during which voluntary feed intake is still recuperating, but nutrient requirements for milk synthesis increase drastically (Haque et al., 2021). Effective dietary assistance in the first two weeks after calving can encourage higher milk yield throughout lactation. It has long been known that body weight plays a significant role in determining productive performance; larger animals often have higher prospective milk yields because of their increased metabolic reserves and feed intake capacity (Kumar et al., 2018). Similarly, the efficiency of nutrient conversion is supported by the direct effects of feeding intensity and fodder quality on milk synthesis.
Few field-based studies have examined the relationship between daily variations in feed supply and body weight and milk yield patterns in Murrah buffaloes raised on farms, despite well-established physiological principles (Patil and Kumar, 2022).
Conclusion
The present study demonstrates a clear positive relationship between feed intake and milk yield in Murrah buffaloes, particularly during the critical first 15 days post-calving. The strong correlation (r = 0.65) and regression coefficient (0.98 L milk per kg feed) provide quantitative evidence supporting the importance of optimal nutritional management in early lactation. Body weight showed a general positive association with milk production, though individual variation highlights the influence of other factors.
Key practical recommendations emerging from this study include:
1. Gradually increasing feed provision during the first two weeks post-calving to support rising milk production
2. Continuous monitoring of feed intake and milk yield to identify and address production dips promptly
3. Using the feed-to-milk conversion ratio (approximately 1:1 on a kg-feed to liter-milk basis) as a benchmark for evaluating feeding efficiency
Future research should focus on larger-scale studies across multiple farms, incorporation of milk composition parameters, and investigation of genetic and environmental factors influencing feed conversion efficiency in Murrah buffaloes. Such studies will further refine feeding recommendations and contribute to improved productivity and profitability in dairy buffalo enterprises.
References
[1] Haque, M. N., Reddy, A. G., & Rao, K. S. (2021). Postpartum metabolic adaptation and feed efficiency in buffaloes during early lactation. Buffalo Bulletin, 40(3), 395–404.
[2] Kumar, D., & Singh, J. (2018). Impact of early post-calving feeding management on milk production in lactating buffaloes. Indian Veterinary Journal, 95(7), 57–60.
[3] Patil, A. N., & Kumar, V. (2022). Influence of body weight and parity on milk yield performance of Murrah buffaloes. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 92(10), 1214–1218.
[4] Rao, Y. V., & Reddy, M. D. (2019). Feed management strategies for improving metabolic efficiency and milk yield in dairy buffaloes. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 31(5), Article 74.
[5] Singh, R., Meena, B. S., & Lathwal, S. S. (2020). Comparative performance of Murrah and Nili-Ravi buffaloes under subtropical conditions. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 54(8), 1002–1007.