Effect of Heat Stress on Production and Chemical Composition of Milk in Kundhi Buffaloes

Abstract

The present study determined the effect of severe and lesser severe periods of heat stress on production and chemical composition of milk in Kundhi buffalos in the environment of Tandojam. For this total ten (10) buffaloes of third mid lactation period were selected and divided into two groups A and B, with five buffaloes in each group. Group A was studied in the severe period of heat stress whereas Group B was observed for a lesser severe period of heat stress in the Department of Livestock Management, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The data indicates that significantly higher milk production (7.56±0.30 liters) was recorded for group B in comparison to group A (5.35±0.20 liters). Higher moisture content in milk (83.84±0.21%) was recorded for group A in comparison to group B (83.26±0.18%). Slightly higher total solid content (16.74±0.18%) was recorded for group B in comparison to group A (16.15±0.21%). Higher ash content (0.76±0.06%) was recorded for group A in comparison to group B (0.50±0.10%). Higher fat content (4.88±0.14%) was recorded for group B in comparison to group A (6.40±0.13%). Higher protein content (4.65±0.10%) was recorded for group B in comparison of group A (4.34±1.16%). Higher lactose content (5.19±0.18%) was recorded for group B in comparison to group A (4.48±0.16%). The results for physiological parameters showed that significantly higher results were found for respiration rate, body temperature, and pulse rate breaths/minute in group A having severe heat stress as compared to group B with lesser heat stress of Kundhi buffalos The results.  concluded that Kundhi buffalo produce more milk production during cold or lesser heat periods, while during severe heat periods the production of milk is considerably reduced.