EXOTIC DAIRY BREEDS

The genus Bos, is classified into

Bos indicus (Tropical, humped cattle)
Bos taurus (temperate, hump-less cattle)

Milch breeds Beef breeds Dual purpose

breeds
Ayrshire Hereford Red Polled
Holstein Friesian Short horn Devon
Jersey Polled Milking short horn
Guernsey short horn
Red Dane Galloway
Brown Swiss Aberdeen Angus
Dexter Brahman
Dutch Belted Beef master
JERSEY
Tract : Originated on the Island of Jersey in the English Channel
Body size : Smaller in size
Colour : light brown in colour, though this can range from being
almost grey to dull black, which is known as Mulberry.
They can also have white patches which may cover much of the
animal.
A true Jersey will however always have a black nose bordered by
an almost white muzzle
Body weight : Bulls: 350 - 500 kg Cows: 300-450 kg
Milk yield : 4,500 kg per lactation
Fat content : 4.5%
Age at first calving : 26 - 30 months
Calving interval : 13 - 14 months
Typical characters : Compact, wedge shaped medium sized body,
light dished head, protruding eyes, straight top line.
HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN
Tract : Originated from the northern part of Netherlands,
West Frieze land and north Holland
Body size : Largest of the dairy breeds
Colour : Black and white markings clearly defined. Solid
black, solid white, black in switch, black belly, black
encircling leg touching hoof, black and white inter mixed.
Colour other than distinct black and white are disqualification.
Body weight : Bull: 800 to 900 kg Cow: 550 to 650 kg
Milk yield : 6000 - 7000 kg.
Fat content : 3.4%
Age at first calving : 27 to 30 months
Calving interval : 13 - 14 months
Typical characters : Black and white colour, wedge-shaped
heavy body, long and narrow head, large chest, large capacious
udder with prominent milk vein
BROWN SWISS
Tract : Switzerland
Body size : Fairly large in size. Medium milk producer
Colour : Light brown to grey in colour.
Body weight : Bulls: 700 - 800 kg Cows: 500 - 600 kg
Milk yield : 5000 - 5500 kg
Fat content : 4%
Age at first calvin g : 28 - 30 months
Calving interval : 13-14 months
Typical characters : Large, wedge shaped body, broad
and dished forehead, thick and loose skin.
Dual purpose breed for milk and beef
RED DANE
Tract : Baltic Islands of Denmark
Body size : Fairly large in size
Colour : Red in colour; bulls have darker shade of red
Body weight : Bulls: 800 - 1000 kg Cows: 500 - 600 kg
Milk yield : 5000 - 5500 kg
Fat content : 4.1 %
Age at first calvin g : 28 - 30 months
Calving interval : 13-14 months
Typical characters : Red body colour
INDIAN CATTLE BREEDS
India has 43 indigenous breeds of cattle in addition to the vast cattle
population which comes under the non-descript category.
There are 3 major types of cattle breeds as per their utility
 Milch breeds:
 Sahiwal, Gir and Red Sindhi
 Dual-purpose breeds:
 Deoni, Gaolao, Hariana, Kankrej, Krishna Valley, Mewati, Ongole and
Tharparkar.
 Draught breeds:
 Amritmahal, Bachaur, Bargur, Dangi, Hallikar, Kangayam, Kenkatha,
Kherigarh, Khillari, Malvi, Nagori, Nimari, Ponwar, Umblachery, Red
Kandhari and Siri.
Vechur and Punganur are the dwarf breeds.
 REGISTERED BREEDS OF CATTLE

S.N. Breed Home Tract Accession number

INDIA_CATTLE_0800_AMRITMAHA
1 Amritmahal Karnataka
L_03001
INDIA_CATTLE_0300_BACHAUR_0
2 Bachaur Bihar
3002
INDIA_CATTLE_1800_BARGUR_030
3 Bargur Tamilnadu
03
INDIA_CATTLE_1104_DANGI_0300
4 Dangi Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
4
INDIA_CATTLE_1108_DEONI_0300
5 Deoni Maharashtra and Karnataka
5
INDIA_CATTLE_1110_GAOLAO_030
6 Gaolao Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
06
7 Gir Gujrat INDIA_CATTLE_0400_GIR_03007
INDIA_CATTLE_0800_HALLIKAR_0
8 Hallikar Karnataka
3008
 INDIA_CATTLE_0417_KANKREJ_
11 Kankrej Gujarat and Rajasthan
03011
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya INDIA_CATTLE_2010_KENKATHA_
12 Kenkatha
Pradesh 03012
INDIA_CATTLE_2000_KHERIGARH
13 Kherigarh Uttar Pradesh
_03013
INDIA_CATTLE_1108_KHILLAR_03
14 Khillar Maharashtra and Karnataka
014
Krishna INDIA_CATTLE_0800_KRISHNAVA
15 Karnataka
Valley LLEY_03015
INDIA_CATTLE_1000_MALVI_0301
16 Malvi Madhya Pradesh
6
Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar INDIA_CATTLE_1705_MEWATI_030
17 Mewati
Pradesh 17
INDIA_CATTLE_1700_NAGORI_030
18 Nagori Rajasthan
18
INDIA_CATTLE_1000_NIMARI_030
19 Nimari Madhya Pradesh
19
INDIA_CATTLE_0100_ONGOLE_03
20 Ongole Andhra Pradesh
020
INDIA_CATTLE_2000_PONWAR_03
21 Ponwar Uttar Pradesh
 INDIA_CATTLE_0100_PU
22 Punganur Andhra Pradesh
NGANUR_03022
INDIA_CATTLE_1700_RATH
23 Rathi Rajasthan
I_03023
INDIA_CATTLE_1100_REDK
24 Red Kandhari Maharashtra
ANDHARI_03024
INDIA_CATTLE_0000_REDS
25 Red Sindhi On organized farms only
INDHI_03025
INDIA_CATTLE_1617_SAHI
26 Sahiwal Punjab and Rajasthan
WAL_03026
INDIA_CATTLE_2221_SIRI_
27 Siri Sikkim and West Bengal
03027
INDIA_CATTLE_1700_THAR
28 Tharparkar Rajasthan
PARKAR_03028
INDIA_CATTLE_1800_UMB
29 Umblachery Tamilnadu
LACHERY_03029
INDIA_CATTLE_0900_VECH
30 Vechur Kerala
UR_03030
Orissa,Chhattisgarh and Andhra INDIA_CATTLE_1526_MOT
31 Motu
Pradesh U_03031
INDIA_CATTLE_1500_GHU
32 Ghumusari Orissa
MUSARI_03032
 INDIA_CATTLE_1500_BINJHARPURI_
33 Binjharpuri Orissa
03033
34 Khariar Orissa INDIA_CATTLE_1500_KHARIAR_03034
INDIA_CATTLE_1800_PULIKULAM_0303
35 Pulikulam Tamilnadu
5
36 Kosali Chhattisgarh INDIA_CATTLE_2600_KOSALI_03036
INDIA_CATTLE_0800_MALNADGIDDA_0
37 Malnad Gidda Karnataka
3037
Haryana and
38 Belahi INDIA_CATTLE_0532_BELAHI_03038
Chandigarh
Uttar Pradesh and
39 Gangatiri INDIA_CATTLE_2003_GANGATIRI_03039
Bihar
40 Badri Uttarakhand INDIA_CATTLE_2400_BADRI_03040

41 Lakhimi Assam INDIA_CATTLE_0200_LAKHIMI_03041

42 Ladakhi Jammu and Kashmir INDIA_CATTLE_0700_LADAKHI_03042

INDIA_CATTLE_1135_KONKANKAPILA_0
43 Konkan Kapila Maharashtra and Goa
3043
DAIRY BREEDS OF INDIA
GIR “Bhodali”, “Desan”, “Gujarati”, “Kathiawari”, “Sorthi”, and “Surati”
 Tract : Saurashtra region of Gujarat specially area in and around Gir
forest.
 Colour : Most of the Gir animals are pure red though some are
speckled red.
 Body weight : Bulls - 500 kg Cows - 350 kg
 Horns : Curved downward and backwards, then upwards and
inwards taking a spiral inward sweep ending in a fine taper, giving
a half-moon appearance
 Milk yield : 2100 kg
 Fat content : 4.6%
 Age at first calving : 46 months
 Calving interval : 13.4 months
 Typical characters : Long and protruding forehead, pendulous
frontward turned ears, always hanging from the base
 Gir is a world-renowned breed known for its tolerance to stress
conditions.
 It has the capacity for yielding more milk with less feeding and is
resistant to various tropical diseases.
 It has been imported by Brazil, USA, Venezuela and Mexico, and bred
there successfully.
SAHIWAL (Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani and Teli.)
Tract : Montgomery District of Punjab (Pakistan), Punjab, Rajasthan
Body size : Heavy breed with symmetrical body and loose skin
Colour : Reddish dun or pale red with some white patches. In
males, colour darkens towards the extremities
Body weight : Bulls: 500 - 600 kg Cows: 300 -400 kg
Horns : Short and thick and do not exceed three inches in
length. Loose horns are common in females
Milk yield : 2325 kg
Fat content : 4.9%
Age at first calving : 41.7 months
Calving interval : 15.6 months
Typical characters : Muzzle is lighter colour in contrast to Red
Sindhi, which has dark coloured muzzle. Animals are large, deep,
fleshy and lethargic, loose skin, voluminous dewlap.
One of the best dairy breed of zebu cattle.
AMZ
RED SINDHI Malir (Baluchistan), Red Karachi and Sindhi
 Tract : Pakistan but some organised herds are available in Orissa,
Tamilnadu, Bihar, Kerala and Assam states of India.
 Body size : Medium sized and compact animal
 Colour : Deep dark red, variation from tan yellow to almost dark
brown.
 Bulls are darker than cows and their extremities are almost black.
 Body weight : Bulls: 450 -500 kg Cows: 300 - 350 kg
 Horns : Thick at the base and emerge laterally and curve upward
 Milk yield : 1840 kg
 Fat content : 4.5%
 Age at first calvin g : 44 months
 Calving interval : 14 - 15 months
 Typical characters : Red colour. Compact body with round dropping
quarters, muzzle dark colour, thick horn, heavy hump, pendulous udder
 Red Sindhi is considered to have originated from Las Bela cattle found
in the state of Bela, Baluchistan.
DRAUGHT BREEDS OF INDIA
AMRITMAHAL Doddadana, Jawari Dana, Number Dana
 Tract : Mysore of Karnataka
 Draught breed known for its power and endurance. Animals are fiery and
active. Bullocks are specially suited for trotting and quick transportation.
 Originated from a herd established by the ruler of Mysore state between
1572 and 1636 A D. Amrit means milk and Mahal means house; the
breed was developed from draft breed of southern India with an objective to
increase the milk productivity.
 Colour : Mostly white in colour; shades of grey varying from almost white to
nearly black with white grey marking; muzzle, feet and tail are usually black
 Body weight : Bulls: 500 kg Cows: 320 kg
 Horns : Emerge from top to the poll, fairly close together in an upward and
backward direction and terminate in sharp point
 Milk yield : 572 kg
 Age at first calving : 51 months
 Calving interval : 14 months
 Typical characters : Head is well shaped, long and tapering towards the
muzzle. Forehead bulged out slightly;
 Utility : Work - Transport and Draught
HALLIKAR Mysore
 Tract : All the districts of south Karnataka and is also found in adjoining areas of
Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu states.
 Name of sub tribe Hallikar of Golla community mainly responsible for rearing of
the breed.
 Body size : Medium sized, compact body and muscular in appearance.
 Colour : White to light grey with darker shadings on shoulder and hind quarters,
especially in young breeding bulls.
 Body weight : Bulls - 340 kg Cows - 227kg
 Horns :Emerge near to each other from top of poll and are carried upward and
backward, each in a straight line for nearly half their length and then with gentle
and gracefull sweep bend forward and slightly inward ending up with pointed
tips.
 Milk yield : 542 kg
 Fat content : 5.7%
 Age at first calving : 36 months
 Calving interval : 19 months
 Typical characters : White markings or irregular patches round the eyes and
cheeks, and neck or shoulder region are the distinctive features of this breed
 Utility : Best draught breed of Southern India.
 Most of the South Indian breeds have originated from this breed.
KANGAYAM Kanganad, Kongu
 Tract : Kangayam and Dharapuram taluks of Erode district, and Karur taluk of
Karur district.
 Resembles Umblachery breed.
 Body size : Moderate size with compact body
 Colour : Grey or white. Males have black or very dark colour on the head,
hump, neck and quarters. Calves are red in colour at birth and change to grey
at the age of 3-4 months
 Body weight : Bulls: 540 kg Cows: 380 kg
 Horns : Horn are long and strong, take backward, outward and upward sweep
and then curving inward with tips tending to meet each other to form crescent
shape.
 Milk yield : 540 kg
 Fat content : 3.9%
 Age at first calving : 40 months
 Calving interval : 15 months
 Typical characters : Broad forehead, black muzzle, short and erect ears,
bright and elliptical shaped eyes; stout and thick horns; short, stout legs
with strong hooves; tight naval flap
 Utility : Good for ploughing and carting
 Kangayam bullocks alone are used for sugarcane load hauling, though other
draught breeds are available in the area.
UMBLACHERY Jathimadu, Mottaimadhu, Molaimadhu, Southern Tanjore,
Therkuthimadhu
 Tract : Thiruvarur district; Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu.
 Body size : Small and compact body with well ribbed barrel
 Colour : Red at birth which changes to grey at three to four months of age.
Bulls are dark grey with black extremities. Cows are grey in colour and light
dark grey is present in face, neck and hip region.
 Body weight : Bulls - 297 kg Cows - 219 kg
 Horns : Horns are curving outward and inward and sometimes spreading
laterally. These are thick in bulls and thin in cows. Horns are very small in
size.
 Milk yield : 494 kg
 Fat content : 5 %
 Age at first calving : 52 months
 Calving interval : 14 months
 Typical characters : White markings on face, limbs and tail. All the legs
below hocks have white marks either as Socks . Even a portion of hooves is
white.
 Utility : These are light built draught animals developed for work in marshy
paddy fields.
PUNGANUR
 Tract : Punganur and adjacent taluks of Vayalpad, Madanapalli and
Palamaner in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh
 Body size : Short with tight skin; short legs and long body
 Colour : 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.
 Body weight : Bulls: 240 kg Cows: 170 kg
 Horns : Horns are crescent shaped and often loose curving backward and
forward in males and lateral and forward in females. Short to medium in size.
 Milk yield : 546 kg
 Fat content : 5%
 Age at first calvin g : 37 months
 Calving interval : 15 months
 Typical characters : Short stature; comparatively tighter skin;
extensive hanging dewlap; concave and broad forehead; medium hump in
males; tail long touching the ground
 Utility : 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.
VECHUR
 Tract : Kuttanad, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta; and Kasaragod
districts of Kerala
 The social requirement as well as heavy rain and hot humid climate of the
area coupled with low input available to the animals led to the selection of a
small adaptable animal by man as well nature. 80 cms height.
 Body size : Extremely small in size and have compact body
 Colour : Light red, black or fawn and white
 Body weight : Bulls: 178 kg Cows: 132 kg
 Horns : Small, thin and curving forward and downward
 Milk yield : 561 kg
 Fat content : 5 - 7.5%
 Age at first calving : 36 months
 Calving interval : 14 months
 Typical characters : Short legs; small body size and light red in colour;
long head with narrow face; prominent hump in males; small sheath tucked
up with the body; long tail almost touching the ground
 Utility : Food - Milk; Dung – Manure
 Smallest cattle breed in the world
DUAL PURPOSE BREEDS OF INDIA
THARPARKAR (White Sindhi, Grey Sindhi, Thari)
 Tract : South West Sind, Thar desert and Kutch area of Pakistan and India.
 Well adapted to harsh agro-climatic conditions of the Thar desert.
 Body size : Medium size
 Colour : Animals are white or light grey. Face and extremities are of a
darker shade than the body. In bulls neck, hump, and fore and hind
quarters are also dark.
 Body weight : Bulls: 475 kg Cows: 295 kg
 Horns : Medium sized, emerge laterally in straight line from the poll and
curve upwards and inwards
 Milk yield : 1749 kg
 Fat content : 4.88%
 Age at first calvin g : 41 months
 Calving interval : 14 months
 Typical characters : Short straight and strong limbs, broad poll, slightly
convex fore head, long back
 Utility : Bullocks for work; Cows for good milk
 Karan Fries by NDRI
HARIANA (Hansi, Hisar)
Tract : Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and U.P
Body size : Compact and well built body
Colour : White or light grey with dark grey head, neck, hump
and quarters in the bull
Body weight : Bulls: 499 kg Cows: 325 kg
Horns : Stumpy, horizontal or slightly curved upwards and
inwards
Milk yield : 997 kg
Fat content : 4.5%
Age at first calving : 51 months
Calving interval : 16 months
Typical characters : Compact graceful appearance body, long
and narrow face, stumpy horns, short tail - reaching just below
the hocks
Utility : Dual purpose breed, primarily reared for bullocks
ONGOLE (Nellore)
 Tract : Nellore and Guntur Districts of Andhra Pradesh
 Ongoles have been exported to several countries. USA imported it for beef;
Brazil for beef and milk; Sri Lanka, Fiji and Jamaica for draught; Australia for
heat tolerance and beef; and Switzerland for disease resistance.
 Body size : Long body and short neck
 Colour : White; In males, dark grey markings on the head, neck and hump and
black points on the knees, pasterns of fore and hind legs; muzzle black; black
eye lashes and black ring round the eyes
 Body weight : Bulls: 434 kg Cows: 382 kg
 Horns : Horns are short and stumpy, growing outward and backward from
the outer angles of the poll, thick at the base and firm without cracks. In cows,
horns are thinner than in bulls. Horns in cows generally extend outward,
upward and inward.
 Milk yield : 798kg
 Fat content : 3.79%
 Age at first calvin g : 45 months
 Calving interval : 13 months
 Typical characters : Majestic gait, stumpy horns, large fan shaped and fleshy
dewlap serrated with smooth flowing folds instead of narrow constrictions.
 Utility : Cows are average milkers and bullocks are good draught animals
DEONI Surti, Dongarpati, Dongri, Wannera, Waghyd, Balankya and Shevera.
 Tract : Deoni, Udgir and Ahmadpur taluks of Latur district.
 Believed to have been developed from Gir,Dangi and local cattle.
 Colour : Body colour is usually spotted black and white.
 Three strains viz. 1- Complete white(Balankya). 2.- Complete white with
partial black face (Wannera). 3-Black and white spotted(Waghyd or Shevera)
 Body weight : Bulls: 590 kg Cows: 340 kg
 Horns : Horn emerge from the side of the poll behind and above the eyes in
out ward and upward direction. Horn size is small and the tips are blunt.
 Milk yield : 868 kg
 Fat content : 4.3%
 Age at first calving : 45 months
 Calving interval : 14 months
 Typical characters : Forehead prominent and slightly bulged; ears
moderately long, pendulous and hanging almost perpendicularly with the
inner surface visible from the front; massive hump; heavy dewlap and
pendulous sheath
 Utility : Bullocks good for heavy work. Cows- Average milkers
KANKREJ Wadad or Waged, Vagadia, Talabda, Nagar, Bonnai.
 Tract : Southeast of Kutch and north Gujarat.Kankrej taluka of Banaskantha
district in Gujarat.
 Body size : Heaviest of Indian breeds
 Colour : Silver grey or Iron grey or even steel black. Fore quarters, hump,
hindquarters are darker than the barrel. Black markings on all legs
 Body weight : Bulls 525 kg Cows 323 kg
 Horns : Lyre-shaped horns, thick growing outward then upwards turning
inwards towards the body and tip bent forwards
 Milk yield : 1738 kg
 Fat content : 4.8%
 Age at first calving : 47 months
 Calving interval : 15 months
 Typical characters : Lyre-shaped horns; forehead dished in the centre;
powerful body, straight back, well developed hump
 Utility : Good milkers and draught animals
 The gait of the Kankrej is peculiar to the breed; the action is smooth, there is
hardly any movement of the body, the head is held noticeably high, the stride
is long and even and the hind hoof is placed well ahead of the impression of
fore hoof. This gait is called 1¼ paces (Sawai chal) by the breeders.
IMPORTANT BREEDS OF BUFFALOES
India possesses the richest source of germplasm of buffalo
and the best dairy breeds are domesticated in north-western
region of the country.
There are 16 recognised breeds of riverine buffaloes (2N =
50) in India.
Large sized breeds – Murrah, Nili-Ravi and Jaffarabadi
Medium sized – Mehsana, Marathwada, Nagpuri,
Pandharpuri, Bhadawari, Surti and Toda.
Murrah is the best dairy breed and is most sought after.
S.N. Breed Home Tract Accession number
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya INDIA_BUFFALO_2010_BHADAWARI_0100
1 Bhadawari
Pradesh 3
INDIA_BUFFALO_0400_JAFFARABADI_010
2 Jaffarabadi Gujarat
06
INDIA_BUFFALO_1100_ MARATHWADI
3 Marathwadi Maharashtra
_01009
4 Mehsana Gujarat INDIA_BUFFALO_0400_MEHSANA_01004
5 Murrah Haryana INDIA_BUFFALO_0500_MURRAH_01001
6 Nagpuri Maharashtra INDIA_BUFFALO_1100_NAGPURI_01007
7 Nili Ravi Punjab INDIA_BUFFALO_1600_NILIRAVI_01002
INDIA_BUFFALO_1100_PANDHARPURI_01
8 Pandharpuri Maharashtra
008
9 Surti Gujarat INDIA_BUFFALO_0400_SURTI_01005
10 Toda Tamilnadu INDIA_BUFFALO_0018_TODA_01010
11 Banni Gujarat INDIA_BUFFALO_0400_BANNI_01011
12 Chilika Orissa INDIA_BUFFALO_1500_CHILIKA_01012
INDIA_BUFFALO_1500_KALAHANDI_0101
13 Kalahandi Odisha
3
14 Luit (Swamp) Assam and Manipur INDIA_BUFFALO_0212_LUIT_01014
15 Bargur Tamil Nadu INDIA_BUFFALO_1800_BARGUR_01015
INDIA_BUFFALO_2600_CHHATTISGARHI_
16 Chhattisgarhi Chhattisgarh
01016
MURRAH Delhi,Kundi,Kali.
Tract : Punjab and Delhi province
General characters : Deep massive frame with a comparatively light
head and neck.. Well developed udder. Long tail reaching the fetlock
ending in a white switch.
Colour : Jet black
Horns : Tightly curved in a spiral form. Short in size.
Ears : Short, thin and alert. Dewlap: Absent. Naval flap : Small
Weight : Males: 567 kgs. Females : 516 kgs.
Milk yield : 1752 kgs per lactation.
Fat content : 7.3%
Age at first calving : 43 months
Calving interval : 14 months
Utility : Food - Milk and Meat; Work - Draught. Males are used both for
breeding as well as draught purpose.
Developing countries like Bulgaria, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam,
Brazil and Sri Lanka.
NILI - RAVI (PANCH KALYANI)
 Tract : Ferozepur district and Amritsar district.
 Nili is supposed to have been derived from the blue water of river Sutlej.
 Ravi buffaloes are mostly bred in Pakistan around the river Ravi.
 General characters : Medium size, deep and low set frames. Head
small, elongated bulging at the top and is depressed between eyes. Frontal
bones prominent, neck not so thin as in the Murrah. Body massive and barrel
shaped.
 Colour : A brown colour is not uncommon and black colour is often associated
with white spots in the forehead. White hocks, White tip of tail, Skin is usually
jet black and pliable.
 Horns : Horns are tightly curved and circular in cross section, small in size.
 Weight : Males: 567 kg Females: 454 kg
 Milk yield : 1850 kg
 Fat content : 6.8%
 Age at first calving : 45 months
 Calving interval : 16 months
 Utility : Milk
 Typical characters : wall eyes i.e. eyes with a whitish iris, with white
markings on forehead, face, muzzle, legs and tail.
JAFFARABADI Bhavanagri, Gir or Jaffari
 Tract : Saurashtra region of Gujarat
 These buffaloes are the main source of livelihood of Maldhari herdsmen.
 Origin : town of Jaffarabad.
 This breed is known for its ability to fight lions in Gir forest.
 General characters : Heaviest Indian breed of buffalo
 Colour : Black
 Horns : Long, emerge out compressing the head, go downward, sideways,
upward, inward forming a ring like structure. Makes eyes to look small
 Weight : Males - 700 kg Females - 620 kg
 Milk yield : 2239 kg
 Fat content : 7.68%
 Age at first calving : 45 months
 Calving interval : 15 months
 Utility : Food - Milk; Work - Draught and Transport.
 Typical characters : Fore head is very prominent, broad and convex; Heavy
body and black in colour. Horns emerged out compressing head .
MEHSANA Mahesani, Mehsani
Tract : Mehsana town in Gujarat
General characters : cross between Murrah and Surti.
Medium sized with low set deep body
Colour : Black
Horns : Less curved then in the Murrah breed. They are
generally bent downward and then take a curve like the horns
of a ram.
Weight : Males: 565 kg Females : 484 kg
Milk yield : 1988 kg
Fat content : 7%
Age at first calving : 43 months
Calving interval : 15 months
Utility : The breed is known as persistent milker and regular
breeder.
SURTI Charotari, Deccani, Gujarati, Nadiadi and Talabda.
Tract : Vadodara and Surat districts of Gujarat
General characters : Lighter in body weight . Animals are of
medium size having a straight back
Milk contains high Fat and SNF.
Colour : Varies from rusty brown to silver grey
Horns : Horns are flat, sickle shaped and are directed down ward
and backward, and then turn upward at the the tip to form a hook.
Medium in size.
Ears : Medium in size with reddish colour inside
Weight : Males-435 kg Females - 401 kg
Milk yield : 1667 kg
Fat content : 7.02%
Age at first calving : 45 months
Calving interval : 14 months
Typical characters : Smaller in size; black or brown in colour; sickle
shaped horns; two white bands below the neck; tail long, thin and
ending in a white tuft
NAGPURI Berari, Gaorani, Puranthadi, Varhadi, Ellichpuri, Gaolavi, Arvi,
Gaolaogan, Gangauri, Shahi, Chanda
 Tract : Vidarbha region of Maharashtra
 Adapted to hot climate. Shape and size of horns is such that they help the
animals to protect them from wild animals while moving through forest.
 General characters : Food - Milk; Work – Draught
 Comment on main use : heavy draught purpose.
 Farmers prefer this breed due to its low maintenance cost, efficiency of feed
conversion, moderate production and better adaptation to local climatic
conditions.
 Colour : Black coloured animals with white patches on face, legs and tail
tips. Puranthadi strain is slightly brownish.
 Horns Horns are flat, curved and carried back on side of the neck nearly to
shoulders like a pair of swords, horn tips pointed, upward in orientation
mostly. Horns are heavier in males than in the females. Horns are long (50-
65 cm.)
 Weight : Males: 396 kg Females: 349 kg
 Milk yield : 1039 kg
 Fat content : 8.25%
 Age at first calving : 57 months
 Calving interval : 14 months
TODA
 Tract : The Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu
 Work - Draught; Socio-cultural - Religious ceremonies
 Important breed of buffalo other than Kaziranga buffaloes of Assam which
thrives well in the high rainfall and high humid area.
 General characters : Medium size and long body with deep chest
 Colour : Fawn at birth and changes to grey, light grey (cream) and dark grey.
In adults the coat colour is fawn and ash-grey
 Horns : Horns long (62cm) and are variable in shape. They are usually set wide
apart, outward, slightly downward and upward with the points being recurved
inward, forming characteristically a cresent shape or semicircle. Horns are
thick at the base.
 Weight : Male: 380 kg Female: 380 kg
 Milk yield : 500 kg
 Fat content : 8.22%
 Age at first calving : 48 months
 Calving interval : 16 months
 Typical characters : A narrow band of dense hair covering the top line from
the crest of neck to the point of origin of tail, two chevron markings - one just
around the jowl and the other anterior to the brisket.
 Named after the Toda tribe of the Nilgiris
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