AZIKHELI BUFFALO: PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE UNDER TRADITIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Published: November 20, 2011

By: Momen Khan, Muhammad Saleem, Samina Jalali, Saeed Ahmad, Sher Mohammad, Farmanullah, Mohammad Salim and Inam-ur-Rahim

Summary

Buffaloes are generally considered suitable for hot, humid and gentle riverside climates. However, in the semi-arid Hindukush Mountains the pastoral communities retain a yet un-documented buffalo breed called Azikheli. The home tract of the breed is Swat valley in Northern Pakistan. The breed is well adapted to mountainous terrain and transhumance. In comparison to other buffalo breeds of Pakistan, Azikheli has a shorter stature and the breed is known for its persistent milk production. Mean 305-day milk yield recorded was 2494.02±52.44 liters. Significant effect of parity was observed on mean 305-day milk yield with higher milk production in second (P<0.001) and third parity (P<0.001) in comparison to first parity. No significant effect of calving season was observed on 305-day milk yield. Keywords: Azikheli buffalo, indigenous breed, mountainous climate adaptation, productive performance, 305-day milk yield, Parity

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