Cattle and Buffalo Cattle Breeds

Cattle and Buffalo
back

CATTLE BREEDS

INDIGENOUS CATTLE BREEDS

GIR

  • This breed is otherwise called as Bhadawari, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi, and Surati.
  • Originated in Gir forests of South Kathiawar in Gujarat also found in Maharashtra and adjacent Rajasthan.
  • Basic colours of skin are white with dark red or chocolate-brown patches or sometimes black or purely red.
  • Horns are peculiarly curved, giving a ‘half-moon’ appearance.
  • Milk yield ranges from 1200-1800 kgs per lactation.
  • This breed is known for its hardiness and disease resistance

RED SINDHI

  • This breed is otherwise called as Red Karachi and Sindhi and Mahi.
  • Originated in Karachi and Hyderabad (Pakistan) regions of undivided India and also reared in certain organized farms in our country.
  • Colour is red with shades varying from dark red to light, strips of white.
  • Milk yield ranges from 1250 to 1800 kgs per lactation.
  • Bullocks despite lethargic and slow can be used for road and field work.

SAHIWAL

  • Originated in Montgomery region of undivided India.
  • This breed otherwise known as Lola (loose skin), Lambi Bar, Montgomery, Multani, Teli.
  • Best indigenous dairy breed.
  • Reddish dun or pale red in colour, sometimes flashed with white patches.
  • Heavy breed with symmetrical body having loose skin.

The average milk yield of this breed is between 1400 and 2500 kgs per lactation.

MALNAD GIDDA CATTLE​

  • Malnad Gidda is a short statured cattle breed from Western Ghat of Karnataka.
  • Breed is reared for milk and manure purpose.
  • Animals have excellent endurance power and resistance to diseases.
  • Colour: black with light shades of fawn on thigh and Shoulder region
  • Horn Shape &Size: Generally small and straight. Outward, upward and in ward
  • Visible Characteristic: Gidda means dwarf and Malnad means a place receiving heavy rain fall. They are small in size with compact body frame weigh in garound 80-120 Kg. Tail switch – black, hump – small, udder small and bowl shaped.

SANCHORI

  • It is a medium sized, good milk producing cattle.
  • It is distributed in Jalore district of Rajasthan.
  • Majority of animals are white in colour. Average daily milk yield is about 9 kg with 2769 kg milk in a lactation.

PUNGANUR

  • The breed tract is confined to the taluks of Punganur and adjacent taluks of Vayalpad, Madnapalli and Palamaner in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Work – Draught and Transportation; Food – Milk
  • These animals are used for agricultural operations on light soil. Bullocks are used for carts like tongas and for special races.
  • Punganur cattle are white, grey or light brown to dark brown or red. White mixed with red or black colour animals are also available. Combination of white with brown or black patches is not uncommon.
  • Horns are crescent shaped and often loose curving backward and forward in males and lateral and forward in females. Short to medium in size. Short stature.

INDIGENOUS DROUGHT PURPOSE BREEDS

PODA THURUPU​

  • Originated from areas in and around Amrabad, in the Nallamala forest, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. Commonly reared by the Lambada tribe.
  • Either white coat and brown patches or red/brown coat with white patches.
  • Known for its strength and draught power having straight horns.
  • It is very beneficial to farmers, as it is a low maintenance breed. It doen’t require any special feed and can just graze and sustain.

HALLIKAR

  • Originated from the former princely state of Vijayanagarm, presently part of Karnataka.
  • The colour is grey or dark grey.
  • Compact, muscular and medium size animal with prominent forehead, long horns and strong legs.
  • The breed is best known for its draught capacity and especially for its trotting ability.

AMRITMAHAL

  • Originated in Hassan, Chikmagalur and Chitradurga district of Karnataka.
  • Amiritmahals are grey cattle but their shade varies from almost white to near black.
  • The muzzle, feat and tail are usually black.
  • Horns are long and end in sharp black points

KHILLARI

  • Originated from Sholapur and Sitapur districts of Maharashtra.
  • Closely resembles Hallikar breed.
  • Grey-white in colour.
  • Long horns turn forwards in a peculiar fashion. The horns are generally black, sometimes pinkish.
  • Bullocks are fast and powerful.

KANGAYAM

  • Also known as kongu and konganad.
  • Originated in Kangayam, Dharapuram, Perundurai, Erode, Bhavani and part of Gobichettipalayam taluk of Erode and Coimbatore district.
  • Bulls are grey with dark colour in hump, fore and hind quarters.
  • The horns are spread apart, nearly straight with a slight curve backwards.
  • Cows are grey or white.
  • The eyes are dark and prominent with black rings around them.
  • Moderate size with compact bodies.

BARGUR

  • Found around Bargur hills in Bhavani taluk of Erode district in Tamilnadu.
  • Developed for work in uneven hilly terrains.
  • Generally brown colour with white markings.
  • Animals are well built, compact and medium in size.
  • Known for their speed and endurance in trotting.
  • Cautious in behaviour and tends to remain away from strangers.

UMBLACHERY

  • It is otherwise called as Jathi madu, Mottai madu, Molai madu, Therkathi madu.
  • Originated inThanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagappattinam districts of Tamil Nadu.
  • Suitable for wet ploughing and known for their strength and sturdiness.
  • Umblachery calves are generally red or brown at birth with all the characteristic white marking on the face, on limbs and tail.
  • The legs have white markings below the hocks like socks.
  • The practice of dehorning of bullocks is peculiar in Umblachery cattle.

PULIKULAM

  • This breed is commonly seen in cumbum valley of Madurai district in Tamil Nadu.
  • Also known as Jallikattu madu, kidai madu, sentharai.
  • Small in size, usually grey or dark grey in colour.
  • Well- developed hump.
  • Mainly used for penning in the field.
  • Useful for ploughing.
  • Presence of reddish or brownish spots in muzzle, eyes, switch and back is the characteristic feature of this breed.
  • Typical backward curving horns of likeMysore type cattle.
  • Breeds are active, useful draught animals but not fast trotter

ALAMBADI

  • Originated from Alambadi of Dharmapuri district in Tamilnadu.
  • Grey or dark grey in colour.
  • White markings will be seen in forehead, limb and tail.
  • Horns are backward curving like Mysore cattle.
  • Resembles Hallikar and also known as Betas.
  • It is useful in ploughing

BACHAUR

  • Bachaur is draught breed of Bihar which also known as “Bhutia”.
  • Colour : Grey
  • Horn Shape & Size: Horns are stumpy, curving outward and upward. Medium in size
  • Visible Characteristic: Medium sized compact animals with straight back. Forehead flat or slightly convex

DAGRI

  • Dagri Cow Dagri BullDagri is draught breed of Gujarat, also known as “Gujarat Malvi”. Dagri in colloquial language means ‘Deshi’ or old or native.
  • Colour is predominantly white, sometimes with grey shade. Small sized animal with compact body and straight forehead. Body length is proportionally more than height.
  • Horn are short, thin, curved upward in a lyre shaped or in straight fashion with pointed tip.

HIMACHALI PAHARI​

  • Coat colour is primarily black and blackish brown with compact cylindrical body, short legs, medium hump, horizontally placed ears and comparatively long tail.
  • Horns are medium sized, mainly curved in lateral and upward direction. Size: Male- 16.1, Female- 12.9 cm.

KENKATHA​

  • Colour veries from grey on the barrel to dark grey on the rest of body.
  • Horns emerge from the outer angles of the poll in markedly forward direction and terminate in sharp points.
  • Small, sturdy and fairly powerful animal. Horns directed forwards.

KHERIGARH

  • Animals have white coat colour. Some animals have grey colour distributed all over body especially on face.
  • Horns are upstanding, curving outward and upward. These are thick at the base. Horn formation is typical of lyre-horned Malvi type. Horns are medium in size (15 cm).
  • Small but active animal.

KONKAN KAPILA

  • Animals are of various coat colours, predominant being reddish brown followed by black. However white/grey, mixed, brown or fawn coat colour animals are also available.
  • Small to medium sized and compact body, horizontal ears and straight forehead. Eyelids, muzzle, hoof and tail switch are generally black.
  • Horns are generally straight. Emerge from side of the poll behind and above eyes in outward direction and going upwards and backwards ending with pointed tips. Male-18.45cm; Female-18.30cm.

LADAKHI

  • Coat colour is mostly black followed by brown.
  • Body is compact with short legs that make it more adapted to mountainous terrains.
  • Small hairy, forehead with slightly long face and have small
  • Horns are curved, directed slightly upward and forward ending with pointed tips over the forehead. Average size: 16cm in male and 11cm in female.
  • Well adapted to high altitude, extreme cold climatic and hypoxic conditions

MEWATI

  • Mewati cattle are usually white with neck, shoulders and quarters of a darker shade.
  • Face is long and narrow with straight, sometimes slightly bulging forehead.
  • Horns are outwards, upwards, inwards in majority of animals; and outwards and upward in some animals. Tips pointed. Small to medium in size.

MOTU

  • Colour: Mainly Brown (Reddish) some times Grey. Few animals are white in colour
  • Horn Shape &Size : Straight, Up ward with rounded tip. Male: 6.23±0.21, Female: 3.35±0.18cm
  • Visible Characteristic : Small sized, strong and draft type cattle. Animals are mostly polled and brown in colour

SIRI

  • Siri is a small sized draught purpose breed of hilly region of West Bengal and Sikkim. The breed is also known as “Trahbum”
  • Colour: Animals are either black with white patches or Brown with white patches. In some cases they are totally black or brown.
  • Horn Shape & Size: Horns are curved outward, forward and slightly upward, and are medium in size.
  • Visible Characteristic: Colour pattern similar to that of Holstein Friesian, Cervico-thoracic type of hump.

KOSALI CATTLE

  • Kosali is small sized, draft purpose cattle breed of Chhattisgarh.
  • Farmers prefer bullocks of this breed for cleaning of weeds from paddy field.
  • Animals are known for very efficient working ability and high disease resistance.

Different coat colour and facial characteristics in adult Kosali female (A, B, C) and male (D).

MASILUM

  • It is a small sized but well-built and sturdy cattle of Meghalaya.
  • It is well adapted to the hill ecosystem.  These cattle are reared by the Khasi and Jaintia communities for sports, manure and socio-cultural festivals.

KHARIAR

  • It is named after its native tract “Khariar” in Nuapada district of Odisha.
  • Breeding tract comprises Nuapada, Kalahandi and Balangir districts of Odisha. Heavy concentration of animals of this breed is found in Khariar, Komna, Sinapali and Boden blocks of Nuapada district.
  • Coat colour is mainly brown and sometimes grey. Horns are straight and often emerge upward and inward.
  • Animals of this breed are  small sized and of strong built. Hump, neck, and some regions of face and back are dark in colour.
  • The breed is used for draught purpose in its native tract, which is hilly and undulated. The lactation milk yield ranges from 300 to 450 Kg with 4 to 5 % Fat.

PONWAR​

  • It is an indigenous cattle breed of India.
  • It is known to be originated at Ponwar in Puranpur Taluk in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh state and the breed is named after the same place. 
  • Cattle are known to be very active and are of fiery disposition. They exhibit dual coloured complexion of black and white.
  • It is a draught breed and is mainly used for cart pulling. 
  • The tail switch is white in black animals and black in those having a greater proportion of white patches. The body is small, compact and non-fleshy, the face is small and narrow and the ears are small.
  • The horns are small to medium and curve inward with pointed tips. The hump is small in females and developed in males.
  • The tail is long and reaches to below the hock. Cows have small udders and teats. The animals of this breed possess an aggressive temperament.

NAGORI​

  • Breeding tract in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Nagpur districts of Rajasthan.
  • Nagori takes its name from its home tract i.e. Nagaur district of Rajasthan in Western India.
  • It can adapt to the harsh climatic conditions of Rajasthan.
  • Generally white or light grey. In some cases head, face and shoulder are slightly greyish.
  • Horns emerge from the outer angles of poll. They extend in an outward direction and are carried upward with gentle curve to turn in at points. Horns are medium in size.
  • White, upstanding, very alert and agile animal with long and narrow face like that of a horse.
  • Bullocks are big and powerful. They are capable of heavy draught work in deep sand. There is a tendency to legginess and lightness of bone, though feet are strong. This characteristic has given the breed its agility and case of movement. It turn like a horse.

INDIGENOUS DUAL PURPOSE BREEDS OF CATTLE

THARPARKAR

  • Originated in Tharparkar district (Pakistan) of undivided India and also found in Rajasthan.
  • Otherwise known as White Sindhi, Gray Sindhi and Thari.
  • They are medium sized, compact and have lyre-shaped horn.
  • Body colour is white or light grey.
  • The bullocks are quite suitable for ploughing and casting and the cows yield 1800 to 2600 kgs of milk per lactation.

HARIANA

  • It was originated from Rohtak, Hisar, Jind and Gurgaon districts of Haryana and also popular in Punjab, UP and parts of MP.
  • Horns are small.
  • The bullocks are powerful work animals.
  • Hariana cows are fair milkers yielding 600 to 800 kg of milk per lactation.

KANKREJ

  • It is otherwise called as Wadad or Waged, Wadhiar.
  • Originated from Southeast Rann of Kutch of Gujarat and adjoining Rajasthan (Barmer and Jodhpur district).
  • The horns are lyre-shaped.
  • Colour of the animal varies from silver-grey to iron-grey or steel black.
  • The gait of Kankrej is peculiar called as 1 ¼ paces (sawai chal).
  • Kankrej is valued for fast, powerful, draught cattle. Useful in ploughing and carting.
  • The cows are good milkers, yielding about 1400 kgs per lactation.

ONGOLE

  • Otherwise known as Nellore.
  • Home tract is Ongole taluk in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Large muscular breed with a well developed hump.
  • Suitable for heavy draught work.
  • White or light grey in colour.
  • Average milk yield is 1000 kgs per lactation.

KRISHNA VALLEY

  • Originated from black cotton soil of the water shed of the river Krishna in Karnataka and also found in border districts of Maharastra.
  • Animals are large, having a massive frame with deep, loosely built short body.
  • Tail almost reaches the ground.
  • Generally grey white in colour with a darker shade on fore quarters and hind quarters in male. Adults females are more whitish in appearance.
  • The bullocks are powerful animals useful for slow ploughing, and valued for their good working qualities.
  • The average yield is about 900 kgs per lactation.

DEONI

  • This breed otherwise known as Dongerpati, Dongari, Wannera, Waghyd, Balankya, Shevera.
  • Originated in Western Andra Pradesh and also found in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state and adjoining part of Karnataka.
  • Body colour is usually spotted black and white.
  • Milk yield ranges from 636 to 1230 kgs per lactation.
  • Caving interval average is 447 days.
  • Bullocks are suitable for heavy cultivation.

BADRI

  • Badri is dual purpose breed of Uttarakhand which also known as “Pahadi”; as they are mainly found in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand.
  • Colour: Badri Cattle are small in size having varied body colours- Black, Brown, Red, White or grey.
  • Horn Shape & Size: small in Size Having long Legs. Hump is prominent .udder is small in size, tucked up with the body.
  • Visible Characteristic: Hump is prominent .udder is small in size, tucked up with the body. Hooves and muzzle are black or brown in colour.

GAOLAO

  • Madhya Pradesh, District: Balaghat, Chhindwara, Seoni, Durg
  • Colour: Gaolao animals are white or light grey. Males are generally grey over the neck
  • Horn Shape & Size :Horns are short and stumpy, blunt at the points and curve slightly backward
  • Visible Characteristic: Head markedly long and narrow tapering towards muzzle. Forehead recedes at the top giving a slightly convex appearance. Eyes almond shaped and placed slightly at angles.

NARI

  • Nari is dual purpose breed of cattle known as “Sirohi”.
  • Coat colour varies from white or greyish white in colour in majority of animals and bulls are either white, greyish white or black.
  • Body is medium in size.
  • Horns are spirally curved & outward/ forward in orientation. Size: Male- 55.56, Female- 51.68 cm. Horns of males are mostly forwards in orientation (59%) whereas, the females has the horns mostly oriented outwards. Generally wide-spread, long, and thick at bottom and pointed at tips.
  • Forehead is broad and slightly concave in majority of cases

BELAHI

  • Belahi breed of cattle are also known as Morni/ Desi.
  • Colour: Red. The face and lower abdomen and feet are White in colour with black muzzle.
  • Horn Shape &Size :Curved upward and inward , sickle shaped.
  • Characteristic: Medium sized strong dual type, and migratory animal of lower Himalayas. White face a long with some regions of Hump, neck, and dewlap are white. In males, Hump and neck region are dark in colour irrespective of coat colour.

BINJHARPURI

  • Binjharpuri, also known as “Deshi”, is a breed of cattle found in Jajpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts of Odisha, maintained for milk, draught and manure.
  • Colour: White. Some animals are Grey, Black or Brown in Colour.
  • Horn Shape & Size: Curved upward and inward.
  • Average size in Male: 21.17±2.86, Female: 12.70±1.31cm
  • Visible Characteristic: Medium sized, strong dual type animal. Hump, neck, and some region of face and back are black in colour irrespective of coat colour in males

DANGI

  • Nashik, Ahmadnagar (Akola taluka of Ahmadnagar district, Sinner and Igatpuritaluka of Nashik districts) Generally these animals are found near the hilly tract where forest is available in the ranges of Sahyadri.
  • Colour : Dangi cattle have distinct white coat colour with red or black spots distributed unevenly over the body
  • Horn Shape & Size :Horns are short (12-15 cm) and thick with lateral pointing tips Animals with inward and also with downward pointing horn tips are also available in sizable numbers
  • Visible Characteristic: Uneven distribution of black or red spots over the body. Forehead is slightly protruding

GANGATIRI

  • Bhojpur district of Bihar, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Ballia districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Coat colour is complete white (Dhawar), Grey (Sokan).
  • Horns are medium sized. Emerges from side of the poll behind and above eyes in outward and curving upwards and inwards ending with pointed tips.
  • Forehead is Prominent, straight and broad with shallow groove in the middle. Eyelids, muzzle, hooves and tail switch are generally black.

GHUMUSARI

  • Colour :Mainly White sometimes Grey
  • Horn Shape & Size: Curved upward and inward. Some animals have straight horns.
  • Male: 8.72±1.54, Female: 7.47±1.67cm
  • Visible Characteristic: Small sized, strong and draft type animal. Small head with forehead being flat, broad and depressed in between the eyes

LAKHIMI

  • Lakhimi is dual purpose breed of cattle is found in entire state of Assam.
  • Brown & Grey coat colour. Animals are small sized, horned and have relatively short legs. Coat colour is variable mainly brown and grey. Hump is medium in size and the backline is slightly curved. Udder is small and bowel shaped.

MALVI

  • Colour: Malvi cattle are grey- darker in males, with neck, shoulders, hump and quarters almost black. Cows and bullocks become nearly pure white with age
  • Horn Shape & Size: Strong and pointed, emerge from the outer angle of the poll in an outward and up ward direction. Average Size of 20-25 cm in length
  • Visible Characteristic: Strong well-built whitish grey animal with lyre shaped strong and pointed horns

RATHI

  • Colour: The animals are usually brown with white patches All over the body, but animals having completely brown, or black coat with white patches are often encountered. The lower body parts are generally lighter in colour as compared to the rest of body.
  • Horn Shape & Size: Horns are curving out ward, upward and inward. Horns are short to medium in size.
  • Visible Characteristic: Body colour and horns type

RED KANDHARI

  • Colour: Mainly Brown (Reddish) some times Grey. Few animals are white in colour
  • Horn Shape &Size : Straight, Up ward with rounded tip. Male: 6.23±0.21, Female: 3.35±0.18cm
  • Visible Characteristic : Small sized, strong and draft type cattle. Animals are mostly polled and brown in colour

SHWETA KAPILA

  • Shweta Kapila breed of cattle is also known as “Gaunthi/Gavthi dhavi”.
  • Coat colour is white.
  • Horns are straight and maybe slightly curved upward and outward. Size: 20-27cm.
  • White colour extends from muzzle to tail switch including eyelashes and muzzle (whitish brown).
  • Short to medium statured animal with straight face and small to medium hump.

THUTHO

  • Coat colour is black or brown, sometimes white patches on face and body.
  • Medium in size, hardy, well-built and docile.
  • Fore-head is small and straight. Backline is uneven, slopes behind the small hump, and rises to peak between hipbones and then drops sharply to the tail head
  • Horns are curved outward and upward. Short and stumpy

VECHUR

  • Vechur is one of the dwarf cattle breeds of India, with an average length of 124 cm and height of 87 cm, it is considered to the smallest cattle breed in the world. It is known by the name of a place Vechur – a small place by the side of Vembanad lake near Vaikam in Kottayam district of South Kerala.
  • Colour: Animals are light red, black or fawn and white
  • Horn Shape & Size: Horns are small, thin curving forward and downward. In some cases they are extremely small and are hardly visible.
  • Visible Characteristic: Extremely small sized animal

PURNEA CATTLE

  • It is distributed in Ararla, Purnea and Katihar districts and the adjoining areas of Kishanganj, Supaul and Madhepura districts of Bihar.
  • These are small sized animals with three different coat colors viz. grey, red and black.
  • They are reared for milk, manure and to some extent for draught power.
  • These cattle have medium hump, small to medium dewlap, small naval flap and small to medium sized udder.
  • Head is medium in size
  • Most of them has flat poll while some have moderately prominent poll.
  • Horns are small in size, straight and mostly carried upwards sometimes laterally.
  • Daily milk yield ranges from 1 to 5 kg and lactation milk yield from 360 to 785 kg.
  • Population size is approximately 2,19,000.

KATHANI ​

  1. It is a dual purpose cattle.
  2. It is distributed in mainly Vidarbha region of Western Maharashtra.
  3. The Kathani cattle possesses good draft ability, suited to marshy land for paddy cultivation.

EXOTIC DAIRY BREEDS OF CATTLE

JERSEY

  • Originated from Jersey Island, U.K.
  • Smallest of the dairy types of cattle.
  • In India this breed has accliamatized well and is widely used in cross breeding with indigenous cows.
  • The typical colour of Jersey cattle is reddish fawn.
  • Dished forehead; compact and angular body.
  • Economical producers of milk with 4.5% fat.
  • Average milk yield is 4500 kgs per lactation.

HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN

  • originated from the northern parts of Netherlands, especially in the province of Friesland.
  • Largest dairy breed and ruggedly built is shape and possess large udder.
  • Breeds have typical marking of black and white that make them easily distinguishable.
  • The average milk production of cow is 6000 to 7000 kgs per lactation.

BROWN SWISS

  • The mountainous region of Switzerland is the place of origin of Brown Swiss breed.
  • Breeds are rugged in nature and good milk production.
  • Average milk yield is 5000 kgs per lactation.
  • The Karan Swiss is the excellent crossbred cattle obtained by crossing this breed with Sahiwal cattle at NDRI, Karnal.

RED DANE

  • Orginated in Denmark.
  • Body colour of this Danish breed is red, reddish brown or even dark brown.
  • It is also a heavy breed;
  • The lactation yield of Red Dane cattle varies from 3000 to 4000 kgs

AYRSHIRE

  • Origin is Ayrshire in Scotland and considered as most beautiful dairy breed. These are very active animals but hard to manage.
  • They do not produce as much milk or butter fat (only 4%) as some of the other dairy breeds.
  • The breed was also known as Dunlop cattle or Cunningham cattle

GUERNSEY

  • Originated from Small island of Guernsey in France.
  • Cherry red to brown in colour. Mahagony and white is a variation in colour.
  • The milk has a golden colour due to an exceptionally high content of beta carotene
  • Guernsey cows produce around 6000 kgs per lactation.
  • The Guernsey cow has many notable advantages for the dairy farmer over other breeds includes high efficiency of milk production, low incidence of calving difficulty and longevity.

CROSS BRED - DAIRY CATTLE

1. JERSEY CROSS

  • Jersey crosses are produced by upgrading/ cross breeding the non descript / Indigenous breeds of cows with Jersey breed semen.
  • Jersey crosses are suitable dairy animals for tropical plains of our country.
  • They are medium sized, have better heat tolerance than other exotic crosses and well adapted to our climate.
  • Depending on the milk production potential of our indigenous cows, the Jersey crosses may show 2 to 3 fold increase in milk yield in the first generation.

HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN CROSS

  • The HF crosses are more suitable for temperture climatic regions like hilly areas as they are less tolerant to heat.
  • Less resistance to tropical diseases than Jersey crosses.
  • Although the milk yield is higher in HF crosses the fat per cent is less.

BUFFALO BREEDS

INDIGENOUS BUFFALO BREEDS

MURRAH

  • Most important breed of buffaloes whose home is Rohtak, Hisar and Sind of Haryana, Nabha and Patiala districts of Punjab and southern parts of Delhi state.
  • Otherwise called as Delhi, Kundi and Kali.
  • The colour is usually jet black with white markings on tail and face and extremities sometimes found.
  • Tightly curved horn is an important character of this breed.
  • Most efficient milk and butter fat producers in India.
  • Butter fat content is 7.83%. Average lactation yield is varying from 1500 to 2500 kgs per lactation.
  • Also used for the grading up of inferior local buffaloes.

SURTI

  • Also known as Deccani, Gujarati, Talabda, Charator and Nadiadi.
  • The breeding tract of this breed is Kaira and Baroda district of Gujarat.
  • Coat colour varies from rusty brown to silver-grey.
  • The horns are sickle shaped, moderately long and flat.
  • The peculiarity of the breed is two white collars, one round the jaw and the other at the brisket region
  • The milk yield ranges from 1000 to 1300 kgs per lactation.
  • The peculiarity of this breed is very high fat percentage in milk (8-12per cent).

JAFFRABADI

  • The breeding tract of this breed is Gir forests, Kutch and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat.
  • This is the heaviest Indian breed of buffalo.
  • The horns are heavy, inclined to droop at each side of the neck and then turning up at point (drooping horns).
  • The udder is well developed with funnel shaped teats.
  • The average milk yield is 1000 to 1200 kgs per lactation.
  • The average milk yield is 1000 to 1200 kgs per lactation.
  • The bullocks are heavy and used for ploughing and carting.
  • These animals are mostly maintained by traditional breeders called Maldharis, who are nomads.

BHADAWARI

  • Home tract of this breed is Agra and Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh and Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Medium sized buffalo.
  • The body is usually light or copper coloured is a peculiarity of this breed. Eye lids are generally copper or light brown colour.
  • Two white lines ‘Chevron’ are present at the lower side of the neck similar to that of Surti buffaloes.
  • The average milk yield is 800 to 1000 kgs per lactation.
  • The bullocks are good draught animal with high heat tolerance.
  • The fat content of milk varies from 6 to 12.5 per cent. This breed is an efficient converter of coarse feed into butterfat and is known for its high butter fat content.

NILI RAVI

  • originated around the river Ravi.
  • This breed is found in Sutlej valley in Ferozpur district of Punjab and in the Sahiwal (Pakistan) of undivided India.
  • The peculiarity of the breed is the wall eyes.
  • Head is small, elongated, bulging at top and depressed between eyes.
  • Horns are very small and tightly coiled.
  • Bullocks are good for heavy trotting work.
  • The milk yield is 1500-1850 kgs per lactation.

MEHSANA

  • Mehsana is a dairy breed of buffalo found in Mehsana, Sabarkanda and Banaskanta districts in Gujarat and adjoining Maharashtra state.
  • The breed is evolved out of crossbreeding between the Surti and the Murrah.
  • Body is longer than Murrah but limbs are lighter.
  • The horns are less curved than in Murrah and are irregular.
  • Bullocks are good for heavy work.
  • The milk yield is 1200-1500 kgs per lactation.

NAGPURI

  • This breed is also called as Elitchpuri or Barari.
  • The breeding tract of this breed is Nagpur, Akola and Amrawati districts of Maharashtra.
  • These are black coloured animal with white patches on face, legs and tail. The horns are long, flat and curved, bending backward on each side of the back. (Swaord shaped horns).
  • The bullocks can be used for heavy work.
  • The milk yield ranges from 700 to 1200 kgs per lactation.

TODA

  • This buffalo is named after an ancient tribe, Toda of Nilgiris Hills of south India and it is a semi-wild breed.
  • The predominate coat colours are fawn and ash-grey.
  • Thick hair coat is found all over the body.
  • They are gregarious in nature.
  • The body is long and deep and the chest is deep. The legs are short and strong.
  • The horns are set wide apart curving inward, outward and forward forming a characteristic crescent shape.
  • The average milk yield is 500 kgs per lactation with high fat content of 8%.

BARGUR​

  • Coat colors vary from black to light brown or brownish black. Greyish white stockings from carpal/tarsal joint to fetlock are present predominantly in females.
  • These buffaloes are maintained under extensive system and are reared for manure, milk and meat (male calves are sold for cara-beef).
  • The animals are adapted to graze in the hilly terrain due its small size (about 102cm in height).
  • The milk yield of the animals ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 liters per day and mainly used for house hold consumption.

CHHATTISGARHI

  • Coat colour is black. Animals are medium built with proportionate body.
  • Horns are medium to large in size and directed laterally backwards and then upwards with pointing tips.
  • These buffaloes are reared under extensive system for providing draught power, milk and meat.
  • Males have excellent ploughing ability, and preferred over cow bullocks specifically in rice fields.
  • Milk yield ranges from 3 to 6 kg/day.

CHILIKA

  • Colour : Brown is hblack or Black
  • Horn Shape & Size :Curved Upward, inward.
  • Visible Characteristic: Medium sized with compact body, strong legs and small udder. Habitatis chilka lake
  • Districts:Khurda,Puri, krishnaprasad, Panaspandhaand Ganjam

GOJRI

  • These buffaloes have proportionate and medium built body and are mostly brown or black in colour. Horns are medium sized; mostly curved to form a big loop.
  • Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) districts of Punjab and Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh

KALAHANDI

  • Colour: Coat colour is usually a mix of black and grey, Some times grey
  • Horn Shape & Size: Horizontal going backwards, upward, and inward, Curved to make half circle appearance. About 50 cm long
  • Visible Characteristic: Muzzle, eyelids, tail and hoofs are black. Long horns. Head convex, udder round and medium in size. Tail extends below hock

LUIT (SWAMP)

  • Luit is a medium sized black coloured buffalo with compact body and strong built up.
  • Forehead is broad with conical face and wide muzzle. Eyes are prominent.
  • Horns are broad at base, curved upward to form a semi circle and taper to a narrow tip.
  • Light white stockings up to the knee are present in both fore and hind legs.
  • Tail is short reaching up to the hocks.
  • Udder is bowl shaped and small in size.

MARATHWADI

  • Colour: Greyish black to jet black. Some animals have white Marking son forehead and lower parts of the limbs
  • Horn Shape & Size: Horns are parallel to the neck, reaching up to shoulder but never beyond shoulder blade. Medium in length
  • Visible Characteristic: Length of horns differentiates these buffaloes from Pandharpuri buffaloes. Horns reach up to the shoulder unlike in Pandharpuri buffaloes where these may reach up to pin bones some time

PANDHARPURI

  • Colour: Usually black but varies from light to deep black. White markings are found on fore head, legs and tail in few animals
  • Horn Shape &Size: Horns are very long and extend beyond shoulder blade, sometimes suptopin bones. These are of three types i.e.1. Bharkand- curving back ward and usually twisted.2.Toki- curving back ward, upward and usually twisted out ward.3. Meti- flat running down
  • Visible Characteristic: Very long horns. Nasal bone is very prominent ,long and straight

BANNI​

  • The breed is originated from the Banni area of kachchh, which is a part of Kachchh district of Gujarat. 
  • Purebred animals prevalent in Bhuj, Nakhatrana, Anjar, Bhaahau, Lakhpat, Rapar and Khavda talukas, are heavily size with typical double and vertical coiling of the horn.
  • The body coat colour is  black (90.09%) and copper (9.90%), whereas muzzle and eyelids are either black or brown
  • Horns orientation is vertical, inverted double coiling in 31.20% and vertical, inverted single coiling in 68.80% animals.
  • Medium to large, compact and generally covered with hairs.Dewlap is absent and naval flap is medium.
  • Well developed, round in shape and squarely placed. The hind and fore quarters are uniformly well developed, whereas typically whole udder looks like four equal divisions with teats well attached to each quarter.
  • Majority of animals have conical teats with round and pointed tips.
  • Average lactation milk yield (kg) is 21 + 89.76
  • Peak milk yield (kg) is 14.87 +21
  • Average Fat% is 6.65 +11 
  • Average SNF% is 8.79 +01

PURNATHADI

  • Buffalo is found in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state.
    • It is a medium-sized buffalo with whitish to light brown coat colour.
    • Leg extremities and tail switch are white. Horns are long with a hook like appearance at the end.
    • Milk yield ranges from 353 to 1533 kg in a single lactation. The milk fat ranges from 6.5 to 11.5%.