Genetic Parameters Estimates for Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Mozzarella Production of Romanian Buffalo

Abstract

Genetic parameters for milk yield, fat and protein milk content and "mozzarella" index were estimated in the population of Romanian Buffalo from Sercaia Research and Development Station. A total 609 milk yield and associated characters records, belonging to 87 females, which coming from 11 sire families, for 7 lactations were analyzed. The method used for genetic parameters estimates was REML. There was a large variability in all analyzed traits. Estimated heritability was small to medium for al examined traits. The milk yield is negatively correlated with fat and protein content, and weak positive with "mozzarella" index. Fat and protein milk content are high positive correlated with mozzarella production. In the long term, the female selection for milk yield will be (make) to the detriment of quality. Genetic improvement of the quantity of mozzarella will be make only on account of milk constituents that impart its quality. According to heritability values, in the process of female genetic evaluation appears advisable to use additional information sources in order to increase the accuracy of selection.

Contemporary Water Buffalo Farm Size in Romania and Actualized Milk Yields

“…Improvement strategies as intended need bigger populations, as previously stated. The national situation concerning buffalo population demise, as exhibited by this paper and others (Vidu et al, 2013;Popa et al, 2018;Matiuti et al, 2020), was motivation for creating a small nucleus of water buffalo calves, females, and males, as to rebuild the university water buffalo stock, inexistent in the last decade. These animals were acquired from the Şercaia Research Centre, providing the best genetic quality available for Romanian buffalo.…”