Cattle and buffalo are both domesticated animals that are used for a variety of purposes, including dairy products, and draft work. There are many different breeds of cattle and buffalo, each with its own unique set of characteristics. Here, we will take a look at some of the most popular breeds of cattle and buffalo, as well as their history and usage.
Did you know? India has a large variety of cattle and buffalo breeds. These breeds vary in size, color, and milk production. Some of the most popular breeds include Gir, Sahiwal, and Tharparkar. Indian cattle and buffalo are known for their hardiness and high resistance to diseases.
Importance of Cattle
Cattles like cows, sheep, goats, and buffalos are an important part of human culture, as well as the world's food industry. They can be regarded as both utility animals and a workhorse. Cattle have been raised for years because of their vast utility. The goat is primarily bred for its meat, and milk which is healthy and also used for medicinal purposes, cows and buffalos are used in the production of several dairy products like butter, cheese, and yogurt.
There are many different things that you can do with cattle. One of them is to use them as a means of earning a living. This practice is called raising cattle as livestock.
Also Read: A Successful Animal Feed Business Plan - Investment, Necessary Legal Registrations & Permissions
Different Breeds of Cattle
There are many breeds of cattle in India, each with its own unique set of characteristics. Some of the most common breeds include the Gir, Tharparkar, and Red Sindhi. Each breed is adapted to thrive in different climates and environments, from the hot, arid conditions of the Thar Desert to the lush, green pastures of the Himalayan foothills. India's cattle are also used for a variety of purposes, from dairy production to draught work.
Checkout the list of breeds of cattle -
The Gir breed
It is native to the state of Gujarat in western India. It is a hardy breed that is well-suited to the hot, dry climate of the region. The Gir has long, curved horns and a short, compact body. The milk of the Gir cow is high in fat and protein, making it ideal for use in butter, ghee, and cheese.
The Tharparkar breed
It is native to the Thar Desert region of India. It is a hardy breed that can withstand the extreme conditions of the desert, including high temperatures and little water. The Tharparkar is a large breed, with long, curved horns and a light-colored coat. The milk of the Tharparkar cow is high in fat and protein, making it ideal for use in butter, ghee, and cheese.
The Red Sindhi breed
It is native to the Sindh region of Pakistan. It is a hardy breed that can withstand the hot, dry climate of the region. The Red Sindhi is a large breed, with long, curved horns and a reddish-brown coat. The milk of the Red Sindhi cow is high in fat and protein, making it ideal for use in butter, ghee, and cheese.
Also Read: How to Set Up a Successful Milk Distribution Business in India
The Sahiwal
It is a popular breed of cattle in India. The Sahiwal breed was developed in the Sahiwal region of Punjab, Pakistan. The Sahiwal is a hardy breed and can withstand hot, dry conditions. The Sahiwal is a dual-purpose breed. The Sahiwal has an average milk yield of 2,000-3,000 kg per lactation.
The Kankrej
It is a popular breed of cattle in India. The Kankrej breed was developed in the Kankrej region of Gujarat. The Kankrej is a hardy breed and can withstand hot, dry conditions. The Kankrej is a dual-purpose breed, used for both milk and work. The Kankrej has an average milk yield of 2,000-3,000 kg per lactation.
The Ongole
It is a popular breed of cattle in India. The Ongole breed was developed in the Ongole region of Andhra Pradesh. The Ongole is a hardy breed and can withstand hot, dry conditions. The Ongole is a dual-purpose breed. The Ongole has an average milk yield of 2,000-3,000 kg per lactation.
The Bargur
It is a popular breed of cattle in India. The Bargur breed was developed in the Bargur region of Tamil Nadu. The Bargur is a hardy breed and can withstand hot, dry conditions. The Bargur is a dual-purpose breed. The Bargur has an average milk yield of 2,000-3,000 kg per lactation.
Buffalo and its Breeds
The buffalo was first domesticated in the Indian subcontinent, but over the past few thousand years they have been bred by many different countries. The domestic buffalo originally came from the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Southeast Asia. They are raised for their milk and meat while also helping plow and farm in muddy terrains due to their big hooves, earning them the nickname “the living tractor of the East”. The milk of the buffalo is used to make a variety of dairy products, richer in protein and fatty acids compared to other cattle, including butter, cheese, cream, ghee, and whey.
Also Read: Indian Milk Brands - Which Are Top Milk Brands In India?
Different Breeds of Buffalo
There are several types of buffalo found in India, each with its unique characteristics.
The points below cover the different breeds of buffalo -
The Murrah buffalo
It is the most common and widely-distributed breed, found in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It is prized for its milk production, and its milk is often used in making buffalo mozzarella.
The Nagpuri buffalo
It is another popular breed, found in the state of Maharashtra. It is known for its high-quality meat, which is why it is often used in buffalo steaks and other meat dishes.
The Swamp Buffalo
It is a hardy breed that is well-suited to the humid, tropical climate of India. It is found in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, and is used primarily for draught purposes.
The Tamil Nadu Buffalo
It is a small, but robust breed that is found in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is known for its ability to withstand heat and drought conditions and is often used for ploughing and other agricultural work.
The Bihar Buffalo
It is a large, powerful breed that is found in the state of Bihar. It is prized for its meat, which is said to be of superior quality.
The Khasi Hills buffalo
It is a small, but hardy breed that is found in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. It is known for its ability to withstand cold weather and is often used for plowing and other agricultural work.
The Assam buffalo
It is a large, powerful breed that is found in the state of Assam. It is prized for its meat, which is said to be of superior quality.
The Manipur buffalo
It is a small, but hardy breed that is found in the state of Manipur. It is known for its ability to withstand cold weather and is often used for plowing and other agricultural work.
The Difference between Cattle and Buffalo
|
Buffalo |
Cattle
|
|
Buffalo is more versatile than cattle because they are also used for transportation and farming. |
Cattle are only used for dairy products. |
|
Buffalo is well-adapted to the Indian climate and terrain, while cattle are not. This makes buffalo more valuable to Indians.
|
Cattle were introduced by the British. |
|
Buffalo is also larger and stronger than cattle. They can pull heavier loads and are better at plowing fields. |
Cattle are not as good at this because they are not as strong. Cattle are mostly used for dairy products in India. This is because they produce more milk than buffalo. |
|
Buffalo milk is also used, but it is not as popular as cattle milk |
Cattle milk is used to make ghee, butter, cheese, and other dairy products. |
Conclusion
Buffaloes and cattle play an important role in Indian culture. Cows are sacred animals and are worshipped by many Hindus. In some parts of India, they are also used for ploughing fields and transportation. Buffalo milk is also used to make butter, cheese, and other dairy products. In some parts of India, particularly in the state of Maharashtra, bullfights are held. These are popular events where two bulls are pitted against each other in a fight to the death. Bullfighting is a controversial sport, with many animal rights activists calling for it to be banned.
Follow Khatabook for the latest updates, news blogs, and articles related to micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs), business tips, income tax, GST, salary, and accounting.
