How many breeds of cows found in India?
India’s economy is largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry in which milk production plays an important role. It is also the largest buffalo milk producer in the world. There are 37 cow breed found in the country, but out of these Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Rathi are known for milking attributes. The annual production of milk in India is about146.31 Million tonnes of Milk.
Here, we are the giving India’s famous cow breeds which are found across the country.
How many breeds of cows found in India?
1. Gir
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average Yield/lactation: 2000-6000 kg
Geographical Region: Saurashtra, Gujarat
Characteristics: This breed is highest producer of milk among all breeds in India and used for making hybrid variety not only in India but also other countries like Brazil.
2. Sahiwal
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 2000-4000kg
Geographical Region : Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana
Characteristics: This cow is also called ‘Red Gold’ and identified by its prominent red colour.
3. Red Sindhi
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 1100-2600 Kg
Geographical Region : Originated in Sind, Pakistan
Characteristics: The range of this cow in colour from a deep reddish brown to a yellowish red, but most commonly a deep red. It has a very high genetic potential for milk as compare to Sahiwal.
4. Rathi
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 1800-3500 kg
Geographical Region: Bikaner, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab
Characteristics: It is characterized by its white skin with black or gray spots but usually found brown in colour. It is believe that evolved from intermixing of Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Dhanni breeds with a preponderance of Sahiwal blood.
5. Tharparkar
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 913 -2146 kg
Geographical Region: Sindh (Pakistan), Kutch, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur
Characteristics: The “White Sindhi”, “Grey Sindhi” and “Thari” are another name of this breed. This cow has better heat tolerance and disease resistance and hence it was used for producing “Karan Fries” breed - a synthetic crossbred cattle breed at National Dairy Research institute (NDRI).
6. Deoni
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 638-1229 kg
Geographical Region : Marathwada, Maharashtra
Characteristics: The “Surti”, “Dongarpati”, “Dongri”, “Wannera”, “Waghyd”, “Balankya” and “Shevera” are the another name of this cow breed. It is believed to be evolved from the mixture of Gir, Dangi and local cattle.
7. Hariana
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 1000-2000 kg
Geographical Region: Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan
Characteristics: This breed is good milkers.
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8. Kankrej
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 1500-4000 kg
Geographical Region: Bhuj, North Gujarat, Rajasthan
Characteristics: The “Wadad” or “Waged”, “Vagadia”, “Talabda”, “Nagar”, “Bonnai” are the famous names of this breed. The milk of this breed is very useful in tick fever, heat stress, contagious abortion and tuberculosis.
9. Ongole
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 700- 798 kg
Geographical Region: Guntur, Ongole in Andhra Pradesh
Characteristics: They are fair milkers.
10. Red Kandhari
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 500-598 Kg
Geographical Region: Marathwada, Maharashtra.
Characteristics: This breed produces fair quantity of milk.
11. Nimari
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 600-954 Kg
Geographical Region: Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
Characteristics: This is identifies as copper colour, with patches of white.
12. Malvi
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 627-1227 Kg
Geographical Region : Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
Characteristics: These cows are average milkers.
13. Dangi
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 175- 800 kg
Geographical Region: Western Maharashtra
Characteristics: It is characterised by white coat colour with red or black spots distributed unevenly over the body.
14. Khillari
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 240 to 515 Kg
Geographical Region: Southern Maharashtra, Northern Karnataka
Characteristics: The “Mandeshi”, “Shikari” and “Thillar” are the common names of this breed. They are average milker.
15. Amritmahal
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 1000-1200 kg
Geographical Region: Karnataka
Characteristics: The “Doddadana”, “Jawari Dana” and “Number Dana” are famous names of this Breed. They are average milkers.
16. Hallikar
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 227-1134 kg
Geographical Region: Hassan, Mysore, Tunkur districts of Karnataka
Characteristics: The milk of this breed is thinner and produces low yields of milk.
17. Kangayam
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 500-540 kg
Geographical Region: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Characteristics: They are poor milkers.
18. Siri
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 425.8 Kg
Geographical Region: Hills around Darjeeling and Sikkim. Originally from Bhutan
Characteristics: They are average milk producers.
19. Bachaur
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 225 to 630 kg
Geographical Region: Sitamarhi, Bihar
Characteristics: It has very close similarity to the Hariana breed and average milk producers.
20. Mewati
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 958 Kg
Geographical Region: Rajasthan
Characteristics: Cows are said to be good milkers. They are similar to Hariana but there are traces of influence of are Gir, Kankrej and Malvi breeds.
21. Krishna Valley
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 500- 913 Kg
Geographical Region: Southern border of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh
Characteristics: Cows are fair milkers.
22. Ponwar
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 300- 459 Kg
Geographical Region: Pilbhit, Uttar Pradesh
Characteristics: Cows are poor milkers.
23. Vechur
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Average yield/lactation: 800-915 kg
Geographical Region : Kerala
Characteristics: It is recognised as the smallest cattle in the world.
In the above article will give the list of how many types of Cows breeds found in India and what is their lactation yield, where they found and their characteristics that will enhance the general knowledge of the readers.
