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Currently, approximately 20,000 buffaloes are raised in Romania, of which 11% are found in the Făgăraș area. The present study was carried out to estimate the capacity of milk synthesis by 205 buffaloes cows raised in this area, which achieved 1059 lactations, with the rank of lactations from 1 to 14, in an observation interval of 15 years, by determining the correlation between the indicators of milk production and reproduction (lactation duration, total amount of milk of a lactation, total amount of fat, total amount of protein, interval between calvings and service period). The variability analysis shows a lack of homogeneity of the milk production and reproduction characteristics, regardless of the lactation rank, their average being moderately representative, except for the interval from calving to the fertile mount where the average is not representative. Reducing the variability of milk production and reproduction indicators can be achieved over time through management. Increasing the potential of milk production, in buffaloes cows, can be done through a simultaneous selection that takes into account the duration of lactation, the milk production from the control days and the service period. Based on the correlation between some measurable indicators of the synthesis potential of milk, the value of other characteristics of milk production can be predetermined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Human–animal interactions in dairy species are frequent, as milking is routinely performed twice per day. When buffalo cows are stressed, even by minor changes in their milking routine, a decline in the oxytocin supply is observed, which is strongly associated with reduced milk ejection. As a consequence, a high number of farms are administrating oxytocin injections to ensure complete emptying of the udder, which in turn impairs the resumption of a new ovarian cycle and represents an animal welfare concern. The overall objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of the milking temperament of water buffaloes on milking traits, animal-based welfare indicators, and reproductive performance. We found that milking temperament of buffalo cows has a significant influence on the milk production and on milking speed, with calmer animals outperforming their nervous counterparts. No effects of the milking temperament on reproduction efficiency and animal-based welfare parameters were observed. In conclusion, selection for calmer water buffalo would result in higher milk yields and improved milk ejection, while reducing the need of oxytocin administration, which would in turn improve reproduction and animal welfare. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the effects that milking temperament (MT) of water buffaloes has on milking traits, welfare indicators, and reproductive outputs. The study was performed on 60 multiparous buffalo cows (6.7 ± 0.6 lactations) at the beginning of their lactation (100 days in milk, DIM). Each buffalo cow was scored by two independent observers using a temperament scoring system (1: extremely calm, 2: calm, 3: alert, 4: reactive, and 5: aggressive), and then grouped as 'calm' (scores 1, 2, and 3; n = 42) or 'nervous' (scores 4 and 5; n = 18). Additionally, the milk yield at 100 DIM (MY), milking speed (MS), calving interval (CI), age at first calving (AFC), body condition score (BCS), animal-based welfare parameters, and infrared thermography data (IRT) were evaluated. The MT significantly influenced the MY (p = 0.0082), with calmer cows outperforming their nervous counterparts. The MS was significantly influenced by the MT (p = 0.0015), with calmer animals having a higher milk ejection rate. The MT of the cows had no influence on the CI, AFC, or BCS. The evidence from this study suggests that the responsiveness of buffalo cows during milking affects their milk yield and milking speed, with no associations being found for reproduction efficiency indicators or animal-based welfare indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of reproductive biotechnologies, such as oestrus synchronization (OS) associated with artificial insemination (AI) in buffaloes, could have a significant impact on milk yields obtained at farm level. The aim of this paper was to study the effects of OS and fixed-time AI in buffaloes. Thirty buffalo cows with anoestrus were divided into three groups L1, L2 and L3 (10/group) at the Research and Development Station for Buffaloes Sercaia. The following protocols were applied: L1 - GnRH on day 1, prostaglandins on day 7, GnRH on day 9, followed by AI at 10 days (resulted in 50% pregnancy rate); L2 - GnRH was administered on day 1, prostaglandin was administered on day 7, GnRH was administered on day 9, AI was performed at 48 hours after the prostaglandin administration (resulted in 80% pregnancy rate); L3 - prostaglandin was administered on day 1, GnRH was administered on day 12, prostaglandin was administered on day 19, GnRH was administered on day 21, within 17-24 hours after last administration of GnRH AI was performed (resulted in 50% pregnancy rate). The use of OS techniques in buffaloes can overcome some of the difficulties of detecting oestrus and increase the efficiency of AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic parameters for milk yield, fat and protein milk content and "mozzarella" index were estimated in the population of Romanian Buffalo from Sercaia Research and Development Station. A total 609 milk yield and associated characters records, belonging to 87 females, which coming from 11 sire families, for 7 lactations were analyzed. The method used for genetic parameters estimates was REML. There was a large variability in all analyzed traits. Estimated heritability was small to medium for al examined traits. The milk yield is negatively correlated with fat and protein content, and weak positive with "mozzarella" index. Fat and protein milk content are high positive correlated with mozzarella production. In the long term, the female selection for milk yield will be (make) to the detriment of quality. Genetic improvement of the quantity of mozzarella will be make only on account of milk constituents that impart its quality. According to heritability values, in the process of female genetic evaluation appears advisable to use additional information sources in order to increase the accuracy of selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]