Screening of most effective week and month in order to estimate total lactation milk in Murrah buffaloes

In order to sample most effective week and month for predicting total lacta tion milk yield and to study the effect of rounding of recording weekly mil k yields as integers on the yield in a complete lactation, data from 361 la ctation records were taken from the herd of Murrah buffaloes raised at Indi an Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India. Actual lactation milk y ield averaged 1255+/-21 kg (cv 36%). The milk yields of 14th, 26th and 8th weeks or 4th month were sufficient to predict total lactation milk yield wi th acceptable accuracy. Statistical analysis using multiple regression appr oach on monthly milk yields was better than simple regression on cumulative milk yields to predict the total lactation milk yield. Rounding of milk yi eld as integers (as opposed to real numbers with decimals) in different wee ks can be recommended to estimate total lactation milk yield to reduce comp uter space and to minimize investment on recording by covering more data in a specified time.