Milch cattle breeds of India

The milch breeds are ponderous in build with pendulous dewlap and sheath and have lateral and often curved horns.

Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi and Deoni are some of the outstanding breeds of this category

INTRODUCTION

Synonym is Bhodali, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi, and Surati Originated from Gir forests of South Kathiawar in Saurashtra. Gir cows are good milk yielders being 3,175 kg in a lactation period

of 325 days. Well maintained herds yield 1,675 kg. Daily milk yield varies from 4-7 kg/day. The bullocks are heavy, powerful but medium paced in movement. Horns have half-moon appearance. Girs are also one of the best beef cattle of India and are exported

to tropical countries for grading purpose. Long and pendulous ears folded like a leaf. Ears hang all the time

and their inside face forward. Gir is a world-renowned breed known for its tolerance to stress

conditions.

GIR

Gir cow with pendulous dewlap

Gir bullocks

Popularly known as Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani and Teli.

Originated from Montgomery district of Pakistan. This breed is high milk yielder and thrives well in all parts of

India. The average milk yield varies from 2,725 to 3175 kg in a

lactation period of 325 days. Bullocks of this breed are lethargic and are used for slow work. Pedigree of this breed is also in great demand in other tropical

countries. Pale red colour, short horns and loose skin. Because of its desirable traits, it is being utilised widely in

many warm humid countries of the world for improvement of local stock 

SAHIWAL

Sahiwal cow

Sahiwal bull

Otherwise called as Red Karachi or Mahi. Sindhi cows are the most economical milk

producers and 2nd to that of Sahiwal. Originated from kohistan, sindh province in

present Pakistan. Average milk yield is 1,725 kg. Owing to small size, adaptability to varying

climatic conditions and capacity to resist common diseases, Sindh cattle are largely used in India for grading up local stock in some parts of the Country.

Red Sindhi

In Gauriakarma, in Hazaribagh in the Indian state of Jharkhand, a farm was established to maintain the germplasm of Red Sindhi cattle.

Red sindhi cow

It is found in western and north-western parts of Andhra Pradesh.

It resembles Gir in size and spotted body. Cows of this breed are moderately good

milkers. Average milk production is 1,580 kg. Deoni bullocks are suitable for heavy work. Pure strain of this breed is available in the

farms at Udgir.

DEONI

Body colour is usually spotted black and white. This breed has three strains viz. 1- Complete white(Balankya). 2.- Comlete white with partial black face (Wannera). 3-Black and white spotted(Waghyd or Shevera).

Black and white spotted body colour, drooping ears, prominent and slightly bulging forehead

Deoni cow

Deoni bulls

Breeds

Age at first calving(days)

Dry period(days)

Service period (days)

Gestation period (days)

Calving interval(days)

Gir 1401-1434 207-230 155-169 281 511-630

Sahiwal 1201-1250 148-160 150-160 286 439-580

Red Sindhi

1220-1260 145-152 142-154 283 425-540

Deoni 1380 173 170 277 477

Reproductive Performances of Milch breeds

http://210.212.93.85/agris/breed.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deoni_(cattle) Singh, G., Gaur, G. K., Nivsarkar, A. E., Patil,

G. R., & Mitkari, K. R. (2002). Deoni cattle breed of India. A study on population dynamics and morphometric characteristics. Animal Genetic Resources Information, 32, 35-43.

Livestock Production Management by Thomas and Sashtry

REFERENCES

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