Effect of Feeding Systems on Reproductive performance and Milk yield and Composition in Dairy Buffalo- in Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the feeding system on some, reproductive performance and milk components of the Iraqi buffalo (river buffalo and swamps) the swamps buffalo present in the swamps area (DhiQar and Maysan) and the rivers buffalo present in Babel, Najaf and Samawah areas. The reproductive physiology and the milk production and components are as follows The results of the reproductive performance showed that there were no significant differences between the two types in gestation length but on the other side there were significant differences between the two types in age at puberty in females and males, age of females at first calving, calving interval and the reproductive life of males and females, all in favor of swamps. For milk the results of this study revealed that there were no significance differences between the two types of buffalo in milk lactation period and ash content. on the other hand It was observed there were significant differences in daily milk yield, protein, lactose and solid not fat all in favor of rivers but fat content was in favor of swamps. As summing–up the reproductive performance of swamps buffalo better than rivers buffalo which could be attributed to the nutrition system but for milk production the rivers buffalo is better than swamp buffalo, this might be due to nutrition and management program.