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Animal Husbandry
& Veterinary
Breeds of cattle
According to utility, we can classify cattle
breeds into four groups. They are: -
1.
Dairy type (meant for milk
production)
2.
Draught or draft type (meant for
doing work)
3.
Meat type (meant for beef
production)
4.
Dual type (meant for both milk /
meat and work)
Dairy breeds of Indian cattle:
-
Red Sindhi: Medium sized and compact
animal having well proportioned body and is extremely docile. It has thick
horns emerging laterally and end in blunt points. The facial expression is
intelligent. The body coat is generally dark red and sometimes dark brown
colour. Males are comparatively darker than the cow. The cows have capacious
udders having tendency to become pendulous in heavy milkers. Average body
weight of male is 450 kg and female 320 kg. Average milk yield is 1750 litres
per lactation. This breed is well adapted to various climatic conditions.
-
Sahiwal: Big sized cattle with loose
skin, short leg, stumpy horns and broad head. The coat colour maybe red to
pale red or dark brown splashed with white spots. Males have massive hump,
voluminous dewlap and pendulous sheath. The tail is whip like reaching almost
to the ground. Females have prominent naval flap. Average body weight of male
is 550 kg and female 410 kg. This breed is assumed to be the best dairy breed
in India. The milk yield in village condition is 1360 kg per lactation, while
in organized farms the herd average has gone up to 2700 to 3100 kg. The
bullocks may be used for slow work.
Besides, India has the following dairy breeds of
cattle:
-
Gir:
-
Deoni:
-
Ongole:
-
Karan fries (evolved breed):
-
Karan swiss (evolved breed):
Names of the Indian draught breeds:
Nagauri, Malvi, Bachaur, Hallikar, Amritmahal,
Khillari, Kangayam, Panwar, Siri.
Names of the Indian dual-purpose breeds:
Nimari, Hariana, Rathi or Rath, Mewati,
Krishavalley, Tharparkar, Kankrej
Dairy breeds of exotic origin available in
India:
-
Jersey: It is the smallest of the dairy
type of cattle originated in the island of Jersey in the English channel (U.K).
They are economical producer of milk. The germplasm of this breed is
extensively used for artificial insemination (A.I) purpose. The Jersey crosses
(Jersey X local) are well adapted to the climate of Assam. For economic
upliftment of the farmers 50% Jersey X 50% local crossbred animals are
suggested.
-
Holstein Friesian: The origin of this
breed is Holland. It is considered to be the best milk producer in the world.
The body coat comprise of black and white patches. It is comparatively bigger
in size and posses large udder than Jersey cattle. This breed suits well to
higher altitude where the temperature and humidity is low.
The other exotic dairy breeds are – Brown Swiss,
Red Dane, Ayrshire and Guernsey.
Names of the exotic dual-purpose breeds:
Milking short horn, Red Pole, Welsh Black.
Names of the exotic meat or beef-purpose
breeds:
Aberdeen Angus, Beef master, Brangus, Hereford,
Brahman (cross between Indian and exotic).
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