Investigating non-genetic factors impacting calving interval of Mehsana buffaloes

Abstract

Buffaloes are known as the backbone of the dairy industry in India contributing about half of milk production. Milk production is a complex trait, hence influenced by various non-genetic factors. This study investigates the impact of non-genetic factors on the reproductive performance of Mehsana buffaloes, focusing on their calving interval (CI). The dataset, comprising 43,074 records, was obtained from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, and recorded through the Indian Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH). AI workers, union (milk co-operative society), tehsil Age at first calving, year of calving, month of calving, and lactation were considered as non-genetic factors. Statistical analysis, including Least Squares Analysis, revealed that all factors had a highly significant (p<0.01) influence on the calving interval except union and tehsil. These findings contribute valuable insights into dairy herd management strategies, aiding dairy farmers, policymakers, and researchers to optimize fertility and improve the overall productivity of Mehsana buffaloes.