Study on the Effect of Parity on Milk Letdown Time in Mehsana Buffaloes

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of parity on milk let-down time in Mehsana buffaloes. Twenty four Mehsana buffaloes were divided into four groups on the basis of parity (1-4 lactation) and maintained under uniform feeding and housing conditions. Data on letdown time for different parity buffaloes were collected six days in a month at morning and evening milking for six months. The average letdown time was more in evening milking for the month of August, September, November and January, while it was more in morning in the month of October and December and the difference was not-significant. The average letdown time for Mehsana buffaloes in Lactation-I (L1), Lactation-II (L2), Lactation-III (L3) and Lactation-IV (L4) was 71.15, 69.22, 62.30 and 56.65 sec., respectively, with overall average of 64.83 sec. The differences were significant (P<0.01) among lactation. Decreasing trend was observed for letdown time with increasing number of parity. The average letdown time was more during morning milking (65.58 sec) than evening (64.09 sec.) however the difference was not-significant. It may be concluded that the average time required for letdown decreases as the parity advances in the Mehsana buffaloes. Hence, first time calvers should be given teat manipulation before calving and pre-milking udder stimulation must be introduced as milking routine.