Status, characteristics and performance of Red Sindhi cattle

Abstract

The Red Sindhi breed is reputed for milk production and heat tolerance. Animals are red but not dark like Sahiwal. A study was conducted in Dehra Dun and Tehri districts of Uttarakhand and Bargur district of Orissa for characterization of breed and its performance evaluation. Cattle Breeding Farm, Kalsi, Dehra Dun and Central Cattle Breeding Farm, Chiplima, Orissa, were also visited for the same purpose. The study revealed that breed is facing the problem of endangerment as the animals are not available in the field. Considering all possibilities breed does not has more than 1000 animals in the country and facing endangerment. Animals of the breed were larger in size. Bars were moderate in length and drooping. Horns were black. Udder was well developed and in pendulous shape. Temperament of the animals was docile. The average body length, height at wither, heart girth, paunch girth, face length, face width, horn length, ear length and tail length without switch in cows were 123, 119,162,182,50,19,17,25, and 84 cm, respectively. Bulls and cows of the breed weighed about 450 and 320 kg, respectively. The average age at first fertile service, age at first calving, lactation milk yield, lactation length, gestation period, dry period, service period and inter-calving period were 1006 days, 1311 days, 2429 kg, 3 18 days, 290 days, 100 days, 81 days and 389 days respectively. In view of the status and performance of breed, all the organized herds of the breed in the country should be declared as conservation units. Attempts should be made to multiply germplasm of breed faster and animals may be distributed in the field. An improvement programme incorporating all the organized herds (Associated Herd Progeny Testing) should be planned on priority for the improvement of the breed.