Breed: A group of animals related by descent and similar in most characters like general appearance, features, size, configuration, etc are said to be `Breed’.
Species: A group of individuals which have certain common characteristics that distinguish them from other groups of individuals.
Cattle Breeds: Differentiated as per purpose:
| Milch | Dual | Draft purpose |
| Gir | Tharparkar | Khillar |
| Jersey | Rathi | Gaolao |
| H.F. | Ongole | Gaolao |
| Brown swies | Hariyana | Dangi |
| Deoni | Kanjkrej | |
| Sindhi | ||
| Sahiwal |
1. GIR:
Synonyms;
Kathiawadhi, surti, Decan
Origin : Gir forest of south Kathiawarh
Distribution: Junagarh State (Kathiawarh): Maharashtra, Rajasthan
Features:
| 1. | Protruding broad, long forehead, massive in appearance |
| 2. | Ear – long, pendulous, resembling like leaf, notchnear the tip. |
| 3. | Skin – fine, mellow |
| 4. | Hip bone- prominent |
| 5. | Straight, leveled long back |
| 6. | Tail – long, black switch |
| 7. | Colour, abnort red to black white, C dark red or brown patches. |
| 8. | Dodle temperaments. |
Economic Importance:
| l | Good milkers – 1200 – 1800 kg/lactation |
| l | Heritability 0.20 – 0.30 |
| l | Age at 1st calving 45 – 54 month |
| l | Fat % 4.5 – 5.2% |
| l | New cross Triveni (Mpkv) GIR x jersey x H.F. |
2. Deoni:
Syn: Dongarpatti
It is admirhar of Gir, Dangi, and local breeds
Origin: Northwest and western portion of Hyderabad.
Features:
| 1. | Resembles Gir, less pronounced forehead. |
| 2. | Horns – outwards, backwards curved. |
| 3. | Ear – no notch near tip |
| 4. | Deep chest, well arched ribs, straight back |
| 5. | Strong quarters. |
| 6. | Heavy dewlop, pendulous sheath |
| 7. | Colour – black & white or red & white c irregular spot or patches. |
Economic importance:
| l | Good milker 900 – 1800 kg.lactation |
| l | Bullocks – suited for heavy work. |
| l | H.F. x Deoni = Holdeo |
3. JERSEY:
Origin: Islands of Jersey in the English channel.
Features:
| 1. | Heads has double dish |
| 2. | Straight top line and leveled humps |
| 3. | Sharp withers |
| 4. | Inclined to be nervous and sensitive |
| 5. | Bulls often viscious |
| 6. | Capable of utilizing roughages efficiently |
| 7. | Withstand tropical & humid climate |
| 8. | Colour – fawn with or without markings. |
Economic Importance:
| l | Average yield 305 days 4000 kg. |
| l | Highest 13,300 kg. |
| l | Age at 1st calving 38 months. |
| l | Milk fat 5.5% |
4. H.F. Holstein - Fresian :
Origin: Holland
Features:
| 1. | Head – long, narrow and straight |
| 2. | Withers – slightely rounded, leveled hump |
| 3. | Ruggedly built – heavy breeds. |
| 4. | Large feeding capacities, Gudder |
| 5. | Colour – black and white |
| 6. | Average milk yield – 6150 kgs. |
Economic Importance:
| l | Age at 1st calving 36 months. |
| l | Milk fat 3.5% |
| l | Weight M = 1000 kgs, F = 775 kgs. |
| l | Holdeo = H.F x deoni |
| l | Karnfrier = Kankraj x H.F. |
| l | Frierwal = H.F. x sahiwal. |
5. Brown Swiss :
Origin : Switzerland
Features:
| 1. | Large heads – dishead |
| 2. | Skin – thick, loose |
| 3. | Not angular as other daily breeds. |
| 4. | Quite docile and easily manageable |
| 5. | More heat tolerant than Jersey. |
| 6. | Colour is distinctly brown. |
Economic Importance:
| l | Used for ploughing and pulling of carts as well as for milk and beef. |
| l | Average milk yield 5250 kg in 305 days |
| l | Milk fat 4% |
6. Tharparkar
Syn: Thari, Grey Sindhi, White Sindhi
Origin Tharparkar district of Hyderabad (Pakisthan) rajasthan
Features :
| 1. | Medium size, Compact body |
| 2. | Short straight, strong limbs. |
| 3. | Broad poll & forehead slightly convex. |
| 4. | Medium sized horns. |
| 5. | White or light gray line along the spine of young animals. |
| 6. | Male shows virality |
| 7. | Fine tail & black switch. |
