Cow Breeds in India

Production of milk in the field of animal husbandry plays an essential role in keeping India’s economic growth steady along with agriculture. A very common question related to this diverse country is how many breeds of cows are found in India. Altogether, 37 cow breeds are found throughout the country across various States. But, out of these 37 varieties Gir, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, Rathi, and Red Sindhi are known for their milk production capacity and attributes. The largest buffalo milk production takes place only in the Indian subcontinent. Approximately 145 million tonnes of milk is produced every year in this diverse country where both production and consumption of milk are pretty high. 

Here, in this article, we are providing a list of breeds of cows found in India along with their attributes and lactation statistics. We shall discuss the essential breeds in detail.

Gir 

The average milk yield of the Gir breed per lactation is around 2000 to 6000 kg. They are mostly found in the Gujarat and Saurashtra area, due to which this breed is also known as Bhadawari, Kathiawari, Surati, Sorthi, Gujarati, Desan, and more. They are also found in parts of Rajasthan and Maharashtra, but originally they were found in the Gir Forests near South Kathiawar of Gujarat. They are known for being resistant to diseases and hardy due to survival instincts. Their horns usually have a half-moon appearance and are peculiarly curvaceous. Gir generally is purely red or black, but sometimes they are white with dark brown or reddish patches. They are used to make hybrid cow varieties not only in India but also in Brazil. In short, Gir comprises the highest milk yielder species in India. 

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Red Sindhi

Another popular milk yielding cow breed found in India originally originated in Pakistan and Sind. They are also called Red Karachi, Mahi, and Sindhi as they came into prominence during undivided India, but now they are currently raised in some farms of India. Red Sindhi produces an average of 1200 to 2600 kg of milk per lactation. They can be used for field and road work, keeping aside the lethargic attitude. The colour varies from dark red to reddish-brown to yellowish-brown or white stripes. They usually have a good amount of genetic potential for milk.

Sahiwal

If you want to know about how many breeds of cows are found in India and their attributes, then you must be aware of the Sahiwal breed as it is one of the best Indian dairy breeds. They were found in the Montgomery portion of non-partitioned India. Other names for this breed include Lola, Multani, Montgomery, Lambi Bar, Teli, and more. They are a heavy breed having loose skin and symmetrical body type. Usually, they are pale red, due to which they are also called “Red Gold”, but sometimes found with white patches. Currently, they are found in areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The average milk yield is 2000 to 4000 kg per lactation. 

Rathi

They are found mostly in brown colour in areas of Bikaner and Rajasthan, sometimes in Punjab and Haryana as well. But, they are characterised by white skin and gray or black patches. They are said to be a hybrid mix of the Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, Dhanni breeds with the predominant Sahiwal breed. It produces an average of 1800 to 3500 kg milk per lactation. 

Tharparkar

A synthetic hybrid species of cattle known as Karan Fries was developed in the National Dairy Research Institute from this breed due to its high disease resistance and heat tolerance. It is also known as Thari, White Sindhi, and Grey Sindhi as it originated in Sind and is also found in Jaisalmer, Kutch, and Jodhpur. Its name came from the Tharparkar district of undivided India, where it was found. The cows yield 1800 to 2500 kg of milk approximately per lactation, while the Bulls can be used for casting and ploughing. 

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Deoni

These usually have back, and white spotted skin. They are found in the Marathwada portion of Maharashtra, adjacent parts of Karnataka, and originally found in Andhra Pradesh. The average calving interval time is about 450 days. They yield 600 to 1200 kg of milk per lactation round. Deoni is also known as Dongarpati, Shevara, Balankya; Dongri is believed to have originated from the mixture of Dangi, Gir, and local cattle. 

Some Other Double Purpose Cattle Breed

Among the list of breeds of cows found in India, here are a few more breeds that are not only used for dairy purposes but also ploughing, and fieldwork. 

• Hariana: They are fair milkers yielding about 1000 to 2000 kg per lactation. Generally, they are found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, and cows that have short horns.

• Kankrej: Having large lyre-shaped horns and skin colour ranging from silver-grey to silver black, they originated from the Rann of Kutch region, Gujarat. They give around 1400 kg of milk per lactation. Being strong drought cattle, they are also useful in ploughing.

• Ongole: They are found in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district and are known as Nellore. They have a well-developed muscular body and produce about 1000 kg of milk per lactation. The skin tone ranges between white and gray. 

• Krishna Valley: Originating near the river Krishna of the Karnataka region, they have a short, loosely built structure with a tail almost reaching the ground. Adult cows are pale and whitish, yielding about 900 kg of milk per lactation.

Some Other Indian Draught Cattle Breeds

These varieties usually are poor milk yielder species that produce around 200 to 600 kg per lactation. The quality of milk is comparatively thinner.

• Hallikar: Originating in Karnataka, they are muscular, compact animals with prominent foreheads, firm legs, and longhorns.

• Amritmahal: They have long horns with black features also found in districts of Karnataka. 

• Khillari: Powerful and are similar to the Hallikar breed with long peculiar horns.

• Kangayam: They have wide horns with prominent black eyes surrounded by rings.

• Bargur: These are highly cautious about their movements and known for endurance and speed as they are made to work in hilly terrains. They are usually brown coloured with white patches.

Other breeds such as Pulikulam, Alambadi, and Umblachery are all known for their strength and originated in the Tamil Nadu region. Their colour varies from grey to brown to black, with white patches near the ankle-like socks. 

Few More Famous Cattle Breeds

Red Kandhari and Nimari found in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively produce around 500 to 600 kg of milk per lactation. They are generally copper-coloured with white spots. Malvi found in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh area is average milk yielders along with Dangi found in Maharashtra. Dangi particularly has white skin with unevenly distributed black or red spots all over. The same goes for other breeds like Siri, Bachur, Mewati, Ponwar, and Vechur, who range from average to poor milkers originating in different areas of India. 

Did you Know?

• The most economically poor section of the Indian society owns about 70% of the total Indigenous cows. 

• India has imported plenty of exotic cows to boost milk yield, but they are not adapted to the tropical climate.

• Around 80% of Punjab’s street cattle are exotic cows.

• Cow breeding is highly mismanaged in India with outdated methods. It needs to be replaced with modern-day technology and an evidence-based approach.