Why Murrah Buffalo is one of the best breeds for dairy farming


In Rural India, more than 90% farmers carry out mix farming – crop farming and dairy farming. Farmers use crop waste for their dairy cattle and thus it becomes a good source of auxiliary income. Average herd size in mixed farming is typically 3 per farmer. Therefore, farmers want to rear the best breed of cattle. 

Farmers have a choice between cows and buffalo. In today’s scenario, when cross-breed cows are very much prone to infection, farmers are naturally inclined towards choosing buffalo. Within buffalo, Murrah breed is the first choice for dairy farm entrepreneurs.

Punjab and Haryana are the leading states in India and home to some of the best breeds of buffaloes, which are known for their high milk yield and quality.


Murrah Buffalo native to Haryana and Punjab, is one of the most demanded and widely preferred breeds across the Indian Subcontinent. It is found in the districts of Bhiwani, Hisar, Rohtak, Jind, Jhajjar, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, and Delhi. The characteristics of Murrah Buffalo makes them an economically viable choice for dairy farming.

In this article, we'll go through the characteristics and benefits of Murrah Buffalo, including physical characteristics, milk production and financial analysis.

Characteristics of Murrah Buffalo

  • High milk yield: Murrah buffalo is known for its high milk yield, which is around 2000-2500 liters in a lactation period of 300 days.
  • Adaptability to local climate: Murrah breed is well adapted to the hot and humid climate as well as feed conditions of the Indian Subcontinent, making them a suitable choice for dairy farming in this region. The Murrah buffalo can adapt to any climate conditions in India.
  • Better milk quality: The milk produced by Murrah buffalo has higher fat and protein, which makes them an excellent source for producing dairy products like ghee, butter, cheese and other dairy products. Murrah buffalo milk due to its specific texture is the best in the world for making Mozzerella cheese. As a result, Murrah has been given the name as “ Black Gold” 
  • Strong immunity: Murrah buffalo has a strong immune system, making them less susceptible to diseases and infections.
  • High demand: The Murrah breed is in high demand in the local and national markets for its high-quality milk, which makes it a primary choice for dairy farmers.


Also the government of India has set up many programs and schemes to promote the breeding and trading of Murrah buffaloes. One such scheme is the National Dairy Plan Phase-I (NDP-I), which aims to improve the productivity of milk animals, including Murrah buffaloes.

It is crucial to purchase a Murrah buffalo from a trusted source . Please check its age, lactation, timing of current lactation,  milk yield, and physical characteristics before buying.

Physical Characteristics for Identification

  • Large and strong body with a sturdy build, wedge-shaped.
  • Head is relatively small
  • Face relatively long
  • Neck relatively long
  • Ears are thin, short and alert
  • Horns typically short and tightly curved
  • Long and thin neck
  • Tail is long reaching up to the fetlock joint with a black or white switch up to (maximum) 8.0 inches in length (4).
  • Body is jet black
  • White markings on the face and leg extremities are possible but are not preferred.
  • Short and sparse hair,
  • Udder is large, pendulous and well-developed, with four teats.            
  • Females have a fully developed, drooping udder with teats evenly distributed across the udder, but the hind teats are longer than the fore teats.
  • Average weight of a mature female is 450-500 Kg


In addition to above points, Murrah Buffaloes can also be identified through their registration certificates. The Murrah Buffalo Breeders Society (MBBS) in India is responsible for registering and maintaining records of purebred Murrah Buffaloes. These certificates provide important information about the buffalo's lineage, date of birth, and other details that can help in identifying the animal.

Milk Production

Murrah and Bhadawari are two breeds of buffalo commonly found in India. Here's a comparison between Murrah and Bhadawari buffalo based on parameters relevant to a dairy farmer:


Dairy farming is a business and it's important to consider the financial aspects of owning and breeding buffaloes.
Here's a financial analysis of owning both Murrah and Bhadawari buffaloes for a two-year period of the first gestation period and the first lactation cycle:


Based on our analysis, it is clear that investing in a Murrah buffalo can be a lucrative and sustainable venture for dairy farmers. While the initial cost of purchasing a Murrah buffalo may be higher than other breeds, it can result in substantial returns on investment over time.

By following best practices and ensuring the long-term health and productivity of their Murrah buffaloes, Dairy Farmers will ultimately have greater profitability and success in the dairy industry.

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