Maharashtra Board Class 11 Animal Science And Technology Chapter 2 Cattle Breeds PDF Download

Cattle Breeds

India is gifted with a large number of cattle breeds. There are 43 well recognized cattle breeds in India. Many cattle come under the 'non-descript' category. Most Indian breeds produce low milk. They are reared for bullocks which are used for draft work.

Classification Of Cattle Breeds

Cattle breeds are broadly classified into three major types according to their use.

A) Milch purpose breeds - Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir and Tharparkar.

B) Dual purpose breeds - Deoni, Ongole, Kankrej, Hariana and Rathi.

C) Draft purpose breeds - Amritmahal, Bachaur, Badri, Bargur, Belahi, Binjharpuri, Dangi, Gangatiri, Gaolao, Ghumusari, Hallikar, Kangayam, Kenkatha, Khariar, Kherigarh, Khillar, Konkan Kapila, Kosali, Krishna Valley, Ladakhi, Lakhimi, Malnad Gidda, Malvi, Mewati, Motu, Nagori, Nimari, Ponwar, Pulikulam, Punganur, Red Kandhari, Siri, Umblachery and Vechur.

Teacher's Note

In India, farmers use Sahiwal cows for milk production. These cows give more milk than other Indian breeds.

Exam Trick

Remember the three types: Milch = Milk, Dual = Two uses, Draft = Pulling work. This helps you remember the purpose of each breed.

Points to Remember

India has 43 recognized cattle breeds.
Cattle belong to family Bovidae and genus Bos.
Three main types are milch, dual purpose, and draft.
Humped cattle are Bos indicus, cattle without hump are Bos taurus.

Milch Purpose

Sahiwal

Synonyms: Lola, Montgomery, Lambi-Bar, Multani.

Origin and Habitat: The Sahiwal breed came from dry areas of Punjab along the India-Pakistan border. The breeding area is now called Sahiwal district. Good animals are also seen in Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Prominent Characteristics:

1. Deep body, loose skin, short legs, stumpy horns, broad and lazy posture are typical of this breed.

2. Colour of Sahiwal is reddish brown to dun. Sometimes there are white patches on the neck and underline.

3. Horns are short and thick. They do not exceed 3 inches in length. Loose horns are common in females.

4. Massive hump in males. Large dewlap and loose sheath are prominent.

5. Tail is long like a whip. It almost reaches the ground with a good black switch.

6. Navel flap is prominent in females.

7. Average body weight: Male - 522 kg, Female - 340 kg.

Economic Importance:

1. Average milk from one lactation is 2200 kg.

2. Age at first calving is 40 months.

3. Time between two calvings is 450 days.

4. Bullocks are docile and lazy. They are useful for slow work.

Teacher's Note

Sahiwal cows are the best milk producers in India. A farmer in Punjab can earn good money by keeping Sahiwal cows.

Exam Trick

Remember: Sahiwal = Best milk producer. Sahiwal comes from Sahiwal district. Just like the name, the breed is the best!

Points to Remember

Sahiwal is the highest milk producer among all Indian breeds.
It produces 2200 kg milk per lactation.
The breed came from Punjab region.
Sahiwal has loose skin and short legs.
Bullocks are good for slow farm work.

Red Sindhi

Synonyms: Scindh, Scindhi, Red Karachi, Sindhi, Malir (Baluchistan).

Origin and Habitat: The native home of Red Sindhi is Karachi and Hyderabad districts of Pakistan. The area called "Kohistan" is the real breeding place of this breed.

Prominent Characteristics:

1. Body is medium sized and compact.

2. Animals have well proportioned body and are extremely gentle in nature.

3. Horns are thick. They come out from the sides and end in blunt points.

4. Colour is red with different shades. Males are darker than females. When mature, males may be almost black on hump, head, feet and tail.

5. Heavy hump, dewlap and sheath are features of males.

6. Cows have large udders. They tend to become hanging in heavy milk producers.

7. Average body weight: Male - 450 kg, Female - 295 kg.

Economic Importance:

1. Red Sindhi cows have good milk production. Average milk from one lactation is 1800 kg.

2. Age at first calving is 46 months.

3. Time between two calvings is 500 days.

4. Bullocks of this breed are suited for road and field work. They are hardy and resistant to many diseases.

5. Red Sindhi cattle can adapt to different climates. The bulls are used to improve local cattle.

In Australia, Red Sindhi have been successfully crossed with British breeds to produce tropical beef types.

Teacher's Note

Red Sindhi cattle can live in hot climates. In Gujarat, farmers use Red Sindhi to improve their local cattle herds.

Exam Trick

Red Sindhi = Red colour + Hardy + 1800 kg milk. Remember the red colour helps you identify this breed from photographs.

Points to Remember

Red Sindhi produces 1800 kg milk per lactation.
This breed can adapt to hot and dry climates.
Red Sindhi came from Pakistan region.
Bullocks are hardy and work well on roads.
The breed is used to improve local cattle.

Gir

Synonyms: Kahtiawari, Surti, Decan.

Origin and Habitat: Gir came from South-West Gujarat State. It has spread to Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The native home is Gir forest and hilly areas of Kathiawar.

Prominent Characteristics:

1. The body is strong and well proportioned.

2. Colour varies. It can be red and white, black and white, or entirely red.

3. Forehead is prominent and bulges outward. It is broad like a bony shield. It hangs over the eyes so they appear partially closed. This gives the animal a sleepy look.

4. Ears are long, hanging down. They look like curling leaves with a notch at the tip.

5. Gir animals are famous for tolerating stress. They resist many tropical diseases.

6. Horns are curved and turn back at the tip.

7. Animals have moderately developed dewlap.

8. Males have large and hanging sheath.

9. The tail is long and whip-like.

10. Average body weight: Male - 544 kg, Female - 386 kg.

Economic Importance:

1. Gir cows are good milk producers. Average milk from one lactation is 1750 kg.

2. Age at first calving is 50 months.

3. Time between two calvings is 500 days.

4. Bullocks are heavy and powerful. They work efficiently on all types of soil for farm operations.

Teacher's Note

Gir cattle come from Gir Forest in Gujarat. These cows are popular because they can live in hot climates and resist diseases.

Exam Trick

Gir = Gir Forest. Remember the name of the breed comes from its home place. The sleepy looking forehead is unique to Gir breed.

Points to Remember

Gir produces 1750 kg milk per lactation.
The breed comes from Gir Forest in Gujarat.
Gir animals are resistant to tropical diseases.
The forehead looks prominent and bulges forward.
Bullocks are powerful and good for farm work.

Tharparkar

Synonyms: Thari, White Sindhi, Grey Sindhi, Cutchi.

Origin and Habitat: Thari cattle are found in Umarkot, Naukot, Dhoro, Naro, Chhor, Mithi, Islamkot and Khari Ghulam Shah areas of Rajasthan. Though the breed came from arid regions, it is now spread in tropical regions too.

Prominent Characteristics:

1. Tharparkar breed is deep, strong, medium sized. It has straight legs and well set feet. The animal is alert and has a springy walk.

2. Body colour is white or gray. In males, the gray colour may deepen on the front and back parts.

3. The head is medium sized. The forehead is broad and flat or slightly bulging above the eyes.

4. The top of the head is broad. The front of the horns and face are practically on one straight line.

5. The skin between the eyes is often wrinkled. The wrinkles run downward.

6. The eyes are full and bright. The eyelashes are black. There is a small ring of black skin on the eyelids.

7. The ears are somewhat long, broad and semi-hanging. They face forward.

8. Horns are set well apart. They curve gradually upward and outward in the same line as the top of the head. They have blunt points that turn inward.

9. The hump in males is moderately developed. It is firm and placed in front of the withers.

10. The dewlap is medium sized. The skin is fine and soft.

11. The sheath in males is moderate length and semi-hanging.

12. The navel flap in females is prominent.

13. The hooves are hard and black. They are moderate sized and do not turn outward.

14. Udder is moderately developed. Teats are three to four inches long and symmetrically placed.

15. Average body weight: Male - 550 kg, Female - 408 kg.

Economic Importance:

1. Average milk from one lactation is 1600 kg.

2. Age at first calving is 42 months.

3. Time between two calvings is 550 days.

4. Bullocks are suited for carting and ploughing.

5. They are efficient, sturdy, with medium speed.

Teacher's Note

Tharparkar cattle are white or gray coloured. These cows can survive in dry areas of Rajasthan with little water and grass.

Exam Trick

Tharparkar = White/Gray colour + Arid region. The breed name sounds like "Thar" which is the desert of Rajasthan.

Points to Remember

Tharparkar produces 1600 kg milk per lactation.
The breed came from arid regions of Rajasthan.
Colour is white or gray.
Bullocks are good for ploughing and carting.
The breed can survive in dry conditions.

This is a preview of the first 3 pages. To get the complete book, click below.