This buffalo is the most productive water buffalo breed. They are easily resistant to diseases and also adapts to climatic conditions of South India. All these factors make these buffaloes highly suitable for professional & organized dairy farming. The buffalo breed we are discussing here is Murrah Buffaloes.
A Murrah buffalo milk yield usually ranges from 10 liters per day to 16 liters per day. There are also buffaloes that yield more than 16 liters but their price will be higher. Murrah buffalo yield ranges in the range of 2500 to 3600 liters per lactation.
Let’s get some more detailed information about this breed:
1. Price of Murrah Buffalo
The price of Murrah buffalo ranges from Rs.60,000 to Rs.1,30,000 depending upon the qualities of the buffalo. Such qualities which influence the price of Murrah buffalo are size & structure of the buffalo, milk yield per day, hereditary of the buffalo, lactation cycle, etc.
2. Body of Murrah Buffalo
The body of the Murrah buffalo is well built, heavy & wedge-shaped. The head is comparatively small & the face is comparatively long. The color of Murrah buffaloes is jet black. The horns of Murrah Buffalo are different from other breeds of buffaloes. Murrah horns are short, turning backward & upwards & finally curving inward spirally.
The tail is long enough to reach up to the fetlock joint. The legs are strongly built but are comparatively short. The skin of Murrah buffalo is smooth & soft with scanty hair. The average body of a male Murrah buffalo is around 550 kgs & the female is around 450 kgs. The average height of male & female Murrah buffalo is 1.42 & 1.32 meters.
3. Murrah Buffalo Milk Production
If proper care is given to the female Murrah calf, it can become a milk yielder in 36 to 48 months. That’s the same reason their price is higher. They are more suited for the South Indian climate. There is a need for some precautions to be taken in the summer months as temperatures can be very high in some places. Murrah buffalo purchased from Punjab or Haryana will take time to adjust in South India.
4. Age of Murrah Buffalo
The average age of Murrah buffalo is 11-12 years. The milk yields peak at the fourth lactation & from then on it reduces for each lactation. Murrah buffalo’s pregnancy period is usually 310 days.
5. Fat percentage in Murrah buffalo milk
The fat percentage in the milk of Murrah buffalo ranges from 6.5 to 9 percent. Murrah buffaloes have silent heat so one has to pay close attention to identify the heat. Once identifying the heat, cross with bull or artificial insemination can be done.
Approximate feed schedule of a lactating Murrah Buffalo:
• Green Fodder- 20-25 kgs
• Dry fodder- 8-10 kgs
• Concentrate feed- 4-6 kgs
• Mineral mixture- 50 gms
• Water- 30-40 liters
• The total cost of feeding a buffalo for a day is 100 rupees. The milk of Murrah buffalo is A2 milk as it is an Indian breed.
