Influence of season on peak milk yield in Deoni breed of cattle in Marathwada region of Maharastra state, India

In the present investigation the sixteen years data (1995–2010) on daily peak milk yield of cows calved during cold, hot, south-west monsoon and post monsoon season each for twelve month in year and climatic attributes like temperature (maximum and minimum), humidity (maximum and minimum), sunshine hours and temperature humidity Index during corresponding period were collected. Daily peak milk yield data were analyzed statistically to see the effect of climatic attributes and to know their association with peak milk yield. Generally post monsoon climatic condition favours the milk production in animals due to pleasant climate and availability of quality fodder. The average daily peak milk yield of Deoni cows was 2.60 kg. It could be inferred that apart from availability of quality nutritious fodder during different seasons, maximum peak milk yield was recorded during post monsoon season followed by south-west monsoon season, cold season and hot season respectively.