Breeding managemental practices adopted by buffalo breeders in Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A study was conducted on buffalo managemental practices followed by dairy animal owners of East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. To assess reproductive performance and to investigate occurrence of various forms of reproductive disorders in Godavari area. The study was conducted on a total number of 200 sample households consisting of 424 animals. Majority of the farmers have the small herd size with Graded Murrah (83.25%). It was observed that 54% of farmers observed frequent urination in heat detection where as 95.50% of the respondents resorted to artificial insemination, 93.50% of them following pregnancy diagnosis. Most of the farmers observed the age at puberty and age at first calving is below 36 (67.5%) and 45 months (66%), respectively. The results indicated that 83.5% of respondents reported below 300 days lactation length, 45.5% of the animals had dry period below 90 days and 52.5% of farmers had below 400 days calving interval animals. The results indicated that anestrum (34.5%) is major reproductive problem followed by repeat breeding (18%), endometritis (16%), Retention of placenta (7.5), pyometra (6.5%), dystocia (6%), uterine torsion (5.5%), abortions (3.5%), Prolapse of uterus (1.5%) and Still Birth (1%). Regarding feeding practices, 93.5% of farmers used commercial type concentrate mixture and dry fodder as such (100%). Regarding sick animal treatment, 50% buffalo keepers utilizing qualified veterinary services.