Comparative Study on Milking Ability of Sahiwal Cows and Murrah Buffaloes under Hand and Machine Milking

Present study was undertaken to compare the effect of two different milking methods (hand vs. machine milking) on milking ability in Murrah buffaloes and Sahiwal cows. 30 lactating Sahiwal cows and 30 lactating Murrah Buffaloes were selected and divided into four equal groups having 15 animals each. 15 animals of each species were subjected to machine milking and 15 animals of each species were subjected to hand milking respectively. The results of this study indicated that the average milk let down time was differ significantly (P < 0.05) both between milking system and species. The average total milking time in Murrah buffaloes under machine milking was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that of hand milking (487.49 + 18.72 Vs. 520.78+ 18.94 second) where as in Sahiwal cows it was numerically less (363.05+ 14.05 seconds Vs. and 369.37 + 12.00 second ) but the difference was not significant. Average milk yield in Murrah and Sahiwal cows under machine milking (5.43+ 0.20 kg and 4.04+0.25 kg) was higher than under hand milking (5.22 + 0.22 kg and 3.93 + 0.14 kg) respectively and overall milking rate under machine milking was higher than that under hand milking in case of Sahiwal cows (681.06 ± 42.28 Vs 650.08±8.9 gm/min) but the case was not so in case of buffaloes. It can be concluded that machine milking can be resorted to, in case of Murrah buffaloes and Sahiwal cows at organized farms without appreciable adverse effect on quantity and quality of milk.