The Prediction of First Lactation Milk Yield from Part Lactation Yields for Buffaloes

The simple linear regression of the first lactation yield on each part production was used to predict the first lactation milk yield. The value of R 2 indicates the magnitude of explainable variation. The higher value of R 2 for the 3 rd month indicates that the efficiency of prediction will be maximum if it is based on the 3rd- month milk yield. Among cumulative part lactation yields, 90 days’ yield showed the highest predictability (R 2 = 63.03) while the 180 days showed the lowest predictability (R= 57.93). The high magnitude of R 2 values for the 3 rd month indicates the efficiency of prediction which was observed maximum if the prediction was based on 3rd- month milk production. In the case of cumulative milk production, 90 days yield showed the highest magnitude of R 2 value for prediction of first lactation production. When the earlier part of lactation was considered the single fourth monthly yield gave comparatively better efficiency of selection. Among cumulative yields, the first 120 days’ yield was efficient for indirect selection of complete first lactation yield.