EFFECT OF NONGENETIC FACTORS ON ECONOMIC TRAITS OF SURTI BUFFALO

The effect of iron-genetic factors, viz. season of calving, period of calving and parity was studied on Surti buffaloes, maintained at Centr al Cattle Breeding Farm (CCBF), Dhamrod (Gujarat). Analysis of 1099 la ctation records revealed that season of calving significantly influenc ed the lactation yield (LY), 305-days or less lactation yield (305-LY) , lactation length (LL). dry period (DP), service period (SP) and calv ing interval (CI). Buffaloes commencing lactation in winter and summer (November to June) produced significantly higher LY, 305-LY and had a longer LL, whereas, buffaloes calving during rainy and autumn seasons (July to October) showed better reproductive performance (DP, SP and Cl). Period of calving significantly influenced all the aforementioned trails. Higher productive and reproductive performances were obtained during third period (1985-87). Buffaloes in different parities differ ed significantly with respect to LY, 305-LY, DP. SP and CI. Surti buff aloes continuously improved their production performance up to fifth l actation and reproductive performance up to sixth lactation.