Uttara—A new cattle germplasm from Uttarakhand hills

Abstract

Surveys were conducted in Almora, Pithoragarh, Rudarpryag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts of Uttarakhand state,
to characterize the hill cattle of the state. Herd size was larger in Kumaun (2–25) than the Garhwal (2 –5) animal. Cattle
were small in size with cylindrical type of body. Body colour varied in different colours and shades i.e. white, gray,
black, red/reddish, brown and in different combinations of these 2 or more colours. In Kumanu region brown and black
were almost in similar proportion while in Garhwal region black colour predominant. All the biometric traits in the age
groups 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months and 1–3 years did not reveal significant differences in Kumanu and
Garhwal cattle. Cows and bullocks had significant differences in all morphometric traits at both the regions. Hill cattle
at Rudarprayag and Chamoli districts were closest while hill cattle at Rudarprayag and Pithoragrah districts had maximum
distances followed by hill cattle at Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts and Rudarprayag and Almora districts. Daily milk
yield and lactation length were significantly higher in Garhwal cows than Kumanu region. The estimated lactation milk
yield was 603 kg (test interval method) and 624 kg (centering date method). The average daily milk yield ranged from
1.61 kg to 2.57 kg. It was also observed that 73% cows stayed up to 13th recording, 50.4% up to 17th recording and 29%
up to 20th recording indicating that average lactation length was 6 to 8 months. Blood samples of unrelated hill cattle
animals were collected from Garhwal region. DNA was isolated and analyzed by a panel of 21 microsatellite markers.
The different genetic diversity parameters showed that population is comparable with the hill cattle of Kumanu region
and Hariana cattle. It may be concluded that hill cattle populations at different locations showed uniformity on different
parameters with a slight variation. The field recording estimates indicated that there were cows those had high potential
for milk production and can be exploiting for genetic improvement of this population. It may thus be considered for
recognition as a distinct breed.