The Murrah buffalo is a breed of domestic water buffalo which was originated from India. It is a popular dairy buffalo breed and kept mainly for milk production. The home tract of this breed is Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Jind, Jhajhar, Hisar and Rohtak districts of Haryana. The breed is also found in Nabha and Patiala districts of Punjab and around Delhi, and it is the pride of Haryana.
The Murrah buffalo is very popular and a very good milk producer not only in India but also probably in the world. Today the breed is available in many countries around the world such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Phillippines, China, Malaysia, Nepal, Brazil, Ecuador and Azerbaijan.
The Govt. Haryana had launced an incentive cash prize for farmers to expand export of these animals. The Murrah buffalo has been used to improve milk production of dairy buffalo in other countries such as Bulgaria, Egypt and Italy. It is used for both meat and milk production in Brazil. However, read some more information about this very popular dairy buffalo breed below.
Origin and History
The Murrah is an Indian buffalo breed and it is famous for its high milk production. It has a long history dating back to ancient times. The breed was first found in the Haryana region. Over many years, people selectively bred these buffaloes to improve their milk quality and quantity.
Today, Murrah is a popular and well-known buffalo breed. These animals are recognized worldwide for their excellent milk and have become essential for dairy farming.
Murrah Buffalo Characteristics
The Murrah buffalo is very beautiful in appearance. It is mainly jet black in color, but sometimes appear with white markings on the face or legs. Generally they have short and tightly curved horns. Their eyes are black in color, slightly shrunken in males but active and prominent in females. The females have long and thin neck, while the males have thick and massive neck. Their ears are short, alert and thin. The females have fully developed, drooping udder with teats equally distributed over the udder but hind teats are longer than fore teats.
Average body height of the mature bulls is around 142 cm at the withers, and around 132 cm for the cows. Average live body weight of the mature Murrah buffalo is around 750 kg for bulls and around 650 kg for cows.
Housing Requirements
Like many other buffalo breeds, the Murrah buffaloes also need a comfortable place to live. They require a clean and well-ventilated housing system for protecting them from extreme weather conditions (like hot sun and heavy rain).
Their housing system should be spacious enough to let them move around. It is also important to keep their living area clean and dry to prevent diseases and other health problems.
Dietary Requirements
Feeding the Murrah buffaloes with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of their care. They need nutritious food to stay healthy and produce enough milk. Their diet mainly consists of grass, hay, and other green plants.
But they also need some grains and supplements for energy and nutrients. Along with providing good food, it is also important to give them clean and fresh water all the time.
Breeding/Reproduction
Breeding these buffaloes is relatively easy and simple. Because, they are naturally very good breeders. And keeping good ratio of males and females will ensure good breeding.
After successful mating, the female become pregnant with a pregnancy period of about 9 months. After that, the cow gives birth to a calf. The calf needs proper care and nutrition to grow up strong and become a productive buffalo.
Temperament
These buffaloes usually have a calm and gentle temperament. They are not usually aggressive or easily scared. If treated well, they are friendly with their caretakers.
However, they can become upset or anxious if they are in an uncomfortable or stressful environment (just like any other animal). So, it is very important to provide them with a peaceful and comfortable environment to keep them happy and relaxed.
Health
Monitoring the health of Murrah buffaloes is very important to keep them strong and productive. They need regular health check-ups from an experienced veterinarian. Try to keep their living area clean and dry, and this will help to prevent diseases and other health problems. Adequate feeding and proper nutrition and clean water is very important for their health.
Caring
Taking good care of the Murrah buffaloes is also very important. Because, proper care helps them to stay happy and healthy. And their caring tasks involves providing them with a comfortable place to live, clean water to drink, and nutritious food to eat.
Always try to keep their house clean and dry to prevent diseases. Perform regular health check-ups by an experienced veterinarian. Vaccinate them timely to protect them from certain diseases/illness or health problems.
Popularity and Price
The Murrah is a very popular breed in India, mainly because of its high-quality milk. They can be very expensive to buy in some areas, because they are famous and good for milk production. Exact price of a Murrah buffalo can vary depending on its age, health, and milk production.
But on an average, you can expect the price between INR 50,000 and INR 1,00,000 in India. Please visit any breeding farm in your area to know more about current price.
Lifespan
Average lifespan of a Murrah buffalo is around or up to 12 years. Although, exact lifespan of these buffaloes can vary depending on numerous factors.
Uses
The Murrah is a dairy buffalo breed, and it is raised mainly for milk production. It is known for their high milk production and produce high-quality milk, which can be used to make butter, cheese, and other dairy products. Their milk is also a good source of nutrition for people.
Milk Production
Average milk production of the Murrah buffalo can vary from 10 to 15 kg daily. And the production range from 2500 to 3600 liters of milk per lactation. Average lactation length of the Murrah is about 300 days.
Pros and Cons of Murrah Buffalo
Like many other buffaloes, the Murrah buffaloes have both advantages and disadvantages. Here we are trying to list the most common and notable pros and cons of this buffalo breed.
Pros:
- High Milk Yield
- Rich Milk Composition
- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Draught Power
- Market Demand
Cons:
- Aggressive Behavior
- Initial Cost
- Management Requirements
- Heat Sensitivity
- Feeding Costs
- Reproduction Challenges
Special Notes
The Murrah buffalo are very good for milk production, and very popular around the world as a dairy animal. Average milk production of a cow is around 2200 liters in a lactation period of 310 days. Daily milk production of a cow is around 14-15 kg, with a maximum recorded production of 31.5 kg.
First calving generally occur within 3 years of age. Generally average inter-calving period is between 400 and 500 days.
Currently it is a highly prized animal and sells for a high price in both domestic and foreign markets. However, review full breed profile of the Murrah buffalo in the table below.
| Breed Name | Murrah |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Milk |
| Special Notes | Very popular, very good for milk production, 14-15 liters average milk production, first calving generally occur within 3 years of age, 400-500 days of inter-calving period, sells for a high price in both domestic and foreign markets |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Bulls | Around 750 kg |
| Cows | Around 650 kg |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates |
| Color | Jet black |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | India |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Murrah buffalo farming profitable?
Yes, Murrah buffalo farming is profitable. Because Murrah is a highly milk productive buffalo breed and raising them is a profitable business.
Which buffalo gives highest milk?
Murrah is the highest milk producing buffalo breeds.
How much milk Murrah buffalo gives?
Average milk production of the Murrah buffalo can vary from 10 to 15 kg daily. And the production range from 2500 to 3600 liters of milk per lactation.
What is the price of Murrah buffalo in India?
Exact price of a Murrah buffalo can vary from place to place and depends on numerous factors. But on an average, you can expect the price between INR 50,000 and INR 1,00,000 in India.
How many months Murrah buffalo give milk?
Average lactation length of the Murrah is about 300 days.
What to feed the Murrah buffalo?
You can feed your Murrah with regular feeds which includes grass, hay, grains etc.
How many years does a Murrah buffalo live?
Average lifespan of a Murrah buffalo is around or up to 12 years.
