Top 10 Cow Breeds in India:-Farmer Should Know About

Top 10 Cow Breeds in India

India is a country with a diverse and rich culture and has many native cow breeds and all of them are revered for their religious & cultural significance. As per the latest findings, there are around 50 cattle breeds in the country including dairy, draft, dual purpose and buffalo. But in this article, we will learn about 10 Indian cow breeds and what makes them unique.

Hariana

The Hariana cow is native to the Indian state of Haryana and is mainly found in the regions of North India. The breed has been developed through selective breeding practices that focus on increasing its milk production and overall hardiness.

The breed is mainly found in Haryana, Punjab, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. It thrives in the semi-arid climate of these regions, where summers are hot and winters are moderate. Haryana cows are medium to large and have a strong and compact body. The average height of adult Haryana cows is about 125-135 cm at the shoulder, and they generally weigh between 400-500 kg.

Haryana cows cattle are primarily raised for milk, giving an average of 8-12 liters of milk per day. Their milk is rich in fat, making it suitable for various dairy products. Research on the nutritional make-up of Haryana milk has shown that it has high fat and protein content, making it useful for dairy processing.

Colour: White or light brown. Milk production: 10 to 15 litres per day. Weight: Male: 430 kg Female: 310 kg. Height: Male: 132 to 155 cm Female: 127 to 140 cm.

Ongole

The Ongole cow is a zebu breed that originates from the Ongole region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The breed is known for its strength and is believed to have been developed through selective breeding of native cattle.

These cows are mainly found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Tamil Nadu. They thrive in the hot and humid climate of these regions. Ongole cows are valued for their milk, which is rich in fat and protein. On average, they can yield 10-15 litres of milk each day.

Ongole cows are valued for their milk, which is rich in fat and protein. They can produce about 10-15 litres of milk per day on average. Oily milk can be used to make cheese and other dairy products.

It is known for its rapid growth rate and resistance to heat and diseases. Female:430 to 455 kg Height: 1.7 meters Average milk yield: 17 litres per day. Very interesting facts this is a triple-purpose breed and is reared for milk meat and draught.

Sahiwal

Sahiwal is a breed of cattle that originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, they are known for their high milk production, hardiness and heat tolerance. They are usually red to brown with white markings and have a rounded, raised portion on their upper back.

This breed is used for milk, meat, semen production and cross-breeding, it gives an average of 1800 litres of milk per lactation period, it is the highest milk-yielding Indian breed. However, review the complete breed profile of these cattle in the chart below.

Rathi

Rathi cow comes from Rajasthan region of India, especially in Bikaner, Ganganagar and Hanumangarh areas. It is commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions of north-western India. It derives its name from a shepherd tribe called Rath who are Muslims of Rajput origin and lead a nomadic life.

This breed is of medium size and has a strong and muscular body. Known for medium to high milk production, averaging 10 to 15 liters per day. Rathi bulls are used for ploughing and other agricultural activities. However, review the complete breed profile of this cattle in the chart below.

Vechur

Vechur cattle are native to Vechur village in Kerala, India. One of the smallest breeds of cattle in the world, it is kept by the region’s farmers for its milk yield and ease of maintenance on small farms.

The breed almost became extinct in the 1980s due to interbreeding with exotic cattle and efforts to encourage larger and more productive cattle but conservation efforts on them led by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) helped the animals revive.

Its size is small, with an average height of 90 to 105 cm and a weight of 130 to 170 kg. Milk production: It produces 2 to 3 litres of milk per day, although not as much compared to larger animals, the milk is rich in nutrients such as A2 beta-casein

Deoni

Devni is a medium-sized dual-purpose native breed, heavier than local cattle. This breed is commonly found in the northern part of Karnataka i.e. Bidar district and south-eastern part of Maharashtra i.e. Latur district.

Deoni is a medium-heavy animal. It is found in three colours namely Vanra, Balankya and Shevera. The body is moderately developed and symmetrical, with distinct muscles. The average milk production of Deoni per lactation is 868 kg (range 638 to 1229 kg), with an average milk fat content of 4.3 (range 2.5 to 5.3%).

Red Sindhi

The Red Sindhi breed is known for its milk production and heat tolerance. This breed is a native cow breed from Sindh province, now in Pakistan. It gives an average of 1600 liters of milk per lactation period. The fat content in the milk is 5.0%. The interesting fact about this breed is that this breed is less prone to diseases.

The bulls and cows of this breed weighed 450 and 320 kg respectively. The study revealed that this breed is facing the problem of endangerment as there are no farm animals available. The Sahiwal breed is preferred by farmers over the Red Sindhi, but this breed is also declining, which shows that buffaloes have replaced cattle in milk production.

Tharparkar

Tharparkar is a dual purpose and disease resistant cattle breed, it is a breed of cattle that originated in Tharparkar district of Sindh province in present-day Pakistan and is also found in India. The cows are quite good milk producers. Adult males and females weigh 400-500 and 300-380 kg respectively.

They are very well adapted to the extreme climatic conditions and fodder scarcity of their home region. These cows are of medium size and their hair colour ranges from white to brown. The face and limbs are dark in colour. The hooves are hard and black and are of medium size. However, review the complete breed profile of this cattle in the chart below.

Gir

The Gir cow comes from the Gir forest region of Gujarat, India and is also found in neighboring states like Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The name of this breed comes from the Gir forest. It has gained international recognition and is raised in countries like Brazil, the US, and parts of Africa due to its high milk yield and adaptability to hot climates.

This breed is medium to large and has a strong and muscular body. The average lifespan of Gir cattle is about 12-15 years. And during its lifetime, a cow produces 10-12 calves. One of the highest-yielding dairy breeds, giving 20 to 30 liters of milk per day. Their milk is rich in A2 beta-casein, which is highly valued for its health benefits.

Kankrej

Kankrej cows are large, strong and muscular and are native to the Gujarat and Rajasthan regions of India, especially around the Kankrej taluka of Banaskantha district of Gujarat. They are also known as Vadad, Vaghid, Vadhiyar, Bannai, Nagar, Talbara, Vaghiyar and Vagadiya.

The milk production of the cows is medium to high, producing about 10 to 15 liters of milk per day on average. They are valuable for plowing and driving. They are resistant to tick fever, heat stress and infectious abortion. However, review the complete breed profile of this cattle in the chart below.