Introduction:
- Cattle belong to Family Bovidae, it has an important role in Pakistan economic values, total population (2000 to 2001) of cattle in Pakistan is about 22.42 million including NWFP 4.81 million (21.4%), Punjab 9.67 million (43.1%), Sindh 6.49 million (29.%) and Baluchistan 1.44 million (6.4%).
- In 2006 cattle population of Pakistan is estimated at 29.6 million and including Punjab 14.41 million (49%), Sindh 6.92 million (23%), NWFP 5.96 (20%), and Baluchistan 2.25 million (8%).
- There are 10 distinct cow breeds in Pakistan, which are Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Cholistan, Dhanni, Therparker, Bhagnari, Djal, Lohani, Rojhan and Kankrej. Now a days there is much more trend of Holstein friesian and jersey cattle farming.
Cow breeds on the base of Hump
Humped Cow Breeds:
- Bos Indicus
- Native to Tropical Areas
- Also called Zebu cattle
- Can tolerate high temperatures l More sweat glands
- Shorter and shiny hair coat l Darker skin colour
- Loose skin
- Smaller body
- Have hump
- Resistant to parasites
Non-humped Cow Breeds:
- Bos Taurus
- Temperate Regions
- Also called Taurine Cattle
- More adapted to cold environment
- Less developed sweat glands
- Face challenges of heat stress in tropics
- Less resistant to parasites
- Larger bodies
Cattle breeds on the Base of purposes/type:
On the basis of purpose or type, cattle breeds are divided into milch, draught, or dual purpose.
Dairy/Milch Breeds
- Sahiwal
- Cholistani
- Red Sindhi
Draught Breeds
Heavy Draught 1. Bhagnari 2. Dajal
Medium draught 1. Dhanni
Light draught 1. Lohani 2. Rojhan
Dual Purpose
- Tharparkar
- Kankrej
Non-Humped Cow Breeds in Pakistan
Sahiwal Cattle
Type: Milch
Home Tract: Sahiwal, Faisalabad, and Multan (Punjab)
Horns: Horns are stumpy and short
Colour: Reddish dun
Bodyweight: i. Male 544 kg ii. Female 408 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 1800 Liters in 305 days, Fat 4.5%
Age of Maturity: 861 days
Lactation length: 283 days
Cholistani Cattle
Type: Milch
Home Tract: Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahimyar khan (Punjab)
Horns: Horns are short and stumpy
Colour: White body with brown or red spots, black splashes
Bodyweight: i. Male 470 kg ii. Female 341 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 1700 Liters in 305 days, Fat 4.5%
Age of Maturity: 609 days
Lactation length: 285 days
Red Sindhi
Type: Milch
Home Tract: Hyderabad, Thatha (Sindh), Lasbella (Balochistan)
Horns: Horns are larger
Colour: Dark red colour
Body weight: i. Male 530 kg ii. Female 325 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 1600 Liters in 305 days, Fat 4.0%
Age of Maturity: The age of maturity is 852 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 270 days
Bhagnari
Type: Heavy Draught
Home Tract: Nari river in jacobabad (Sindh) to Sibi (Balochistan)
Horns: Horns are short
Colour: White or gray deepens on neck and shoulder
Bodyweight: i. Male 450 – 600 kg ii. Female 325 – 425 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 950 Liters in 305 days
Age of Maturity: The age of maturity is 966 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 262
Dajal Cattle
Type: Heavy Draught
Home Tract: Dajal area of DG Khan
Horns: Horns are medium in size
Colour: White or gray deepens on neck and shoulder
Bodyweight: i. Male 450-500 kg ii. Female 325-425 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 900 Liters 305 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 257 days
Others: Offshoot of Bhagnari
Dhanni Cattle
Type: Medium Draught
Home Tract: Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Rawalpindi
Horns: Horns are smaller
Colour: Whitecoat with black spots, black coat with white spots, or red spots
Bodyweight: i. Male 350-450 kg ii. Female 270-330 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 800 Liters in 305 days
Age of Maturity: The age of maturity is 910 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 204 days
Lohani Cattle
Type: Light Draught
Home Tract: Lorali (Balochistan), DI khan
Horns: Has short thick horns
Colour: Red splashed with white spots
Bodyweight: i. Male 300-350 kg ii. Female 230-280 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 613 Liters in305 days
Age of Maturity: The age of maturity is 900 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 163 days
Rojhan Cattle
Type: Light Draught
Home Tract: DG khan, DI khan, Kohat, and Banu
Horns: Short pointed horns
Colour: Red and white spots
Bodyweight: i. Male 300-350 kg ii. Female 230-280 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 735 Liters in 305 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 192 days
Kankrej Cattle
Type: Dual purpose ( milch, draught)
Home Tract: Tharparker & Badin
Horns: strong Long in-curved horns
Colour: Silver-gray to dark gray
Bodyweight: i. Male 500-650 kg ii. Female 350-400 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 1200 Liters in 305 days
Therparker Cattle
Type: Dual-purpose ( milch, draught)
Home Tract: Tharparker Sindh
Horns: strong Long in-curved horns
Colour: light gray
Body weight: i. Male 400-500 kg ii. Female 300-380 kg
Milk yield/305 days: 1100 Liters in 305 days
Age of Maturity: The age of maturity is 891 days
Lactation length: Lactation length is 277 days
Non-Humped Cow Breeds in Pakistan
Holstein Friesian and Jersey
- These two breeds are exotic cattle breeds that are non-humped and these are also called temperate breeds or Taurine cattle. These breeds are more adapted to cold regions and less resistant to parasites.
- The home tract of Holstein Friesian is the Netherlands, developed USA, and milk production is 9500 Liters.
- The home tract of Jersey is Island of Jersey, British Island and milk production is 5000 litres(UK), 8000 litres(UAS).
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