Abstract:
Age at first calving was studied in 630 buffaloes maintained at six dairy farms in Pakistan. The mean age at first calving in overall data was 1291.31±177;8.68 days. It was 1376.17±177;5412, 1290.7±177;26.17, 1304.97±177;21.32, 1266.19±177;12.71, 1301.77±177;16.26 and 1268.31±177;33.73 days at MDF Peshawar, MDF Nowshera, MDF Rawalpindi, MDF Khyber Okara, MDF Punjnad and LRS, NARC, Islamabad, respectively. There was no significant difference between age at first calving at various farms. Age at first calving was studied in early and late maturing groups of buffalo and it was found 1282.75±177;10.14 days in early maturing group (age at maturity: 957.93±177;10.68 days) and 1308.78±177;16.44 days in late maturing group (age at maturity: 1015.26±177;17.39 days). Correlation between age at first calving and first lactation performance traits was studied. Non-significant negative relationship was observed between age at first calving and birth weight of male and female calves, lactation length, dry period and service period. Age at maturity showed significant positive correlation with age at first calving.