Effect of season and period of calving on predicted milk yields in Murrah buffaloes*

Daily milk yields of 404 Murrah buffaloes in their first lactation over a period of 15 years (1975–89) at this Institute were utilized for predicting 305 day lactation yield using two sampling (systematic and stratified random) methods at three (fortnightly, monthly and bimonthly) sampling intervals. All sampling schemes and intervals overestimated the actual 305 day yield. While the effects of season (5% level of probability) and period (1% level of probability) on predicted yields in systematic and stratified random schemes of three sampling were significant. The regression of milk yield on age at first calving had no significant effect.