The Gir Cattle...
(Bhodali, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi)
The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts of Gujarat. The total cattle population of Saurashtra region is 2.5 million and Gir breed accounts for 37 percent of total cattle population in the region. The body of Gir animals is well proportioned. Udder in cows is well developed and round.
Introduction
The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts of Gujarat. This breed is also known as Bhodali, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi and Surti in different parts of the breeding tract. The Gir animals are famous for their tolerance to stress conditions and resistance to various tropical diseases. Bullocks of this breed are used to drag heavy loads on all kinds of soil. Brazil, Mexico, USA and Venezuela have imported these animals where they are being bred successfully. These animals contribute significantly to the total milk production of Gujarat State. This paper presents information on breed characteristics, demographic distribution, morphological characteristics, management practices and reproduction and production parameters of Gir cattle.
Management Practices
The Rabaris, Bharwads, Maldharis, Ahirs and Charans tribes are mainly involved in rearing of Gir cattle. They move with their cattle from one place to another in search for grazing. Sufficient fodder is available in pastures of the breeding tract from July to December, thereafter animals migrate to the adjoining districts. The animals in migration stay in fallow land during the night. Nominal payment (by farmers) is made to the animal owners for their animals to stay in the fields as dung and urine are very precious for the soil fertility. The Gir animals are also kept at different gaushalas (cow barns) in Gujarat State. These animals are maintained on green fodder, concentrates and pasture. Natural mating is practised in the entire breeding tract except on a few farms where artificial insemination takes place. The calving season in Gir cows lasts from July to September.
Physical Characteristics
- The coat colour of Gir animals varies from shades of red and white to almost black and white or entire red.
- Skin colour is dominantly black but in a few animals it is brown.
- Forehead is prominent, convex and broad like a bony shield.
- This overhangs eyes in such a way that they appear to be partially closed and the animal shows sloppy appearance.
- Ears are long and pendulous and folded like a leaf with a notch at the tip.
- Horns are curved turning back at the tip.
- They orient downwards and backwards from the base and incline a little upwards and forwards, thereafter.
- Gir animals have moderately developed dewlap: males have a large and pendulous sheath.
- The tail is long and whip like; hooves are black and medium-sized. hair is short and glossy; skin is loose and pliable; hipbones are prominent; the body is well proportioned; the udder in cows is well developed and round and teat tips are round.
Economic Character:-
• Girl Cow Milk Per Day:
Gir cows can yield more than 12 liters of milk per day.
Average milk yield in 300 days was 1 930 litres. Milk yield per day of calving interval was 4.98 litres. Average fat percentage in the milk ranged between 4.69±0.04 and 4.97±0.02. Gir animals are considered as hardy with low overall mortality (3.63 percent).
Gir Cow Cost:
Gir cow costs from 1 lakh to 2 lakhs rupees depending milk production, age, lactation status and pregnancy status. Generally, Pregnant Gir cow costs more than dry ones. Healthy and young Gir bull also costs in the similar range of Gir cow.
The advantages of having a Gir cow dairy farm:
• Gir cows are considered as one of the largest dairy breeds in India.
• High milk production capacity. Also, the milk from the Gir cow is considered to be of premium quality due to the presence of A-2 beta casein protein substance.
• Low maintenance structure needed for farming these Gir cows.
• The average lifespan of the Gir is high (12 to 15 years) and Low mortality rate.
• The Gir breed has high fertility rate and can produce up to 10 calves during its lifespan.
• This cow breed shows high resistance to diseases. -The value of the milk in the market is high.
• These cattle are adaptable to mechanical milking techniques.
• Natural mating is preferred while rearing this cattle breed rather than artificial insemination techniques.
• The Gir breed is estimated to produce 1,590 kg of milk per lactation on an average. During the first