Forming Linear Type Scoring of Anatolian Water Buffalo Raised in Istanbul

Abstract

In this study, morphological traits of water buffalo population raised Istanbul included in community based Anatolian Water Buffalo Improvement Program were investigated. In the project material of this study, by using several parameters obtained from body measurements linear type scoring system related to morphological trait were formed. Measurements have been done on 412 heads Anatolian and Mediterranean (Italian) water buffalos which are raised in Istanbul's 5 districts, 11 villages and 30 enterprises. On the other hand, in the Anatolian Water Buffalo, linear scoring applied as, on the first lactation is 88 heads, the second and above are 285 heads and first and second lactation are 39 heads on Italian Water Buffalo. Nine features, which are withers height (cm), chest width (cm), body depth (cm), body length (cm), heel height (cm), rump width (cm), haunch lump width (cm), rear udder height (cm), front udder length (cm), have been measured by measure stick and tape in terms of cm and they have been indexed to from 1 to 9 points according to the scale obtained by range. With this aim for each trait measured in the material, difference of the highest (Max) and the lowest (Min) were found 9 points for related range (SG) for each trait. Benefiting from this range, with the help of metrically measured value (X) for every treatment is calculated as (Point=1+[(X-Min)/SG]). The other six features of buffalos which are, rear leg angular, rear leg stance, front udder placement, front udder connection, rear udder placement, udder base placement have been graded from 1 to 9 point scoring system which obtained by modifying the cattle Scoring system. As a result, average height at withers, body depth, body length, rump width, haunch lump width in the first lactation of Anatolian Water Buffalo were found as 132 cm, 73 cm, 136 cm, 21 cm, 53 cm, respectively. The general scoring is 100 points. The general scoring constituted of three main divisions (body constitute (%30), foot and leg constitute (%30), udder constitute (%40). Moreover the body constitute is divided into four subdivisions, foot and leg constitute is divided into five and udder constitute is divided into six subdivisions. Looking in general scores, average general score of Italian Water Buffalo in first and second lactations with average general score of Anatolian Water Buffalo in the second and above lactations were calculated as 70 points. Average general score of Anatolian Water Buffalo in the first lactation is found as 57 points.