Shortened dry period in dairy Buffaloes: Influence on milk yield, milk components and reproductive performance

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of the duration of the dry period (DP) on milk yield, milk composition, and reproductive performance of Murrah buffaloes in the subsequent lactation. High yielding Murrah buffaloes (n=48) were assigned to either shortened (30 to 45 d (n=16); and 45 to 60 d (n=16)) or traditional (>60 days (n=16)) dry period lengths. The buffaloes were fed individually according to the production status. The buffaloes in >60, 45 and 30 d dry period groups had similar (P>0.05) milk yield, 6% Fat corrected milk (FCM), milk fat, and total solids; however, the former groups had an increased (P<0.05) 6% FCM yield change, and SNF percentage of milk. The mean service period (days) was least (P<0.05) with the higher number of services required for conception in buffaloes allocated to traditional dry period length compared to those assigned to shortened dry periods. Further, 6% FCM had a negative correlation with Serum Glucose (SG) values at 30 d postpartum, followed by a significant positive (P<0.01) correlation at 60 or 90 d postpartum. It is concluded that extended DP of more than 60 days is not advantageous and would be a costly affair for the farmers in both productive and reproductive backdrop.