Dynamics of Milk Yield, Body Weight, and Feed Intake in Murrah Buffaloes during Early Lactation: An on-Farm Study

Abstract— The study combines management (feed/fodder) and performance (milk yield) to provide a thorough understanding of nutritional input-output efficiency, which is crucial for assessing dairy herd responses. Milk output during the first 15 days following calving was examined since it is crucial to record metabolic changes during this time. Data on buffalo were documented daily after calving, with particular attention paid to body weight, parity, milk production, and feed/fodder consumption. This routine monitoring allows for dynamic evaluation of the animal's reaction both throughout the postpartum period and during successive lactations.

The mean milk yield increased from about 2.5–3 liters to 6–7 liters by day 15, in tandem with increased feed intake from around 1.5–2 kg to roughly 3.5–4 kg. All animals show an increasing trend in milk yield from day 1, peaking typically between days 35 and 60, followed by fluctuations. There is a close alignment between the trends of increased feed input and rising milk output throughout the study period. Regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.65) between daily feed intake and milk yield, with each kg increase in feed associated with approximately 0.98 L increase in daily milk production (R² = 0.45, p < 0.001).