The document summarizes several milch (dairy) cattle breeds found in India, including Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Deoni. It provides details on the origins, appearance, milk production capabilities, and reproductive characteristics of each breed. On average, Gir cows produce the most milk at 3,175 kg per lactation period, while Sindhi cows are the most economical producers. The breeds vary in traits like size, coloration, milk yield, temperament, and suitability for different climates and work.

1.  The milch breeds are ponderous in build with
pendulous dewlap and sheath and have
lateral and often curved horns.
 Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi and Deoni are some
of the outstanding breeds of this category

2.  Synonym is Bhodali, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi, and
Surati
 Originated from Gir forests of South Kathiawar in Saurashtra.
 Gir cows are good milk yielders being 3,175 kg in a lactation
period of 325 days.
 Well maintained herds yield 1,675 kg.
 Daily milk yield varies from 4-7 kg/day.
 The bullocks are heavy, powerful but medium paced in
movement.
 Horns have half-moon appearance.
 Girs are also one of the best beef cattle of India and are exported
to tropical countries for grading purpose.
 Long and pendulous ears folded like a leaf. Ears hang all the
time and their inside face forward.
 Gir is a world-renowned breed known for its tolerance to stress
conditions.

3. Gir cow with pendulous dewlap

4. Gir bullocks

5.  Popularly known as Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani
and Teli.
 Originated from Montgomery district of Pakistan.
 This breed is high milk yielder and thrives well in all parts
of India.
 The average milk yield varies from 2,725 to 3175 kg in a
lactation period of 325 days.
 Bullocks of this breed are lethargic and are used for slow
work.
 Pedigree of this breed is also in great demand in other
tropical countries.
 Pale red colour, short horns and loose skin.
 Because of its desirable traits, it is being utilised widely in
many warm humid countries of the world for improvement
of local stock

6. Sahiwal cow

7. Sahiwal bull

8.  Otherwise called as Red Karachi or Mahi.
 Sindhi cows are the most economical milk
producers and 2nd to that of Sahiwal.
 Originated from kohistan, sindh province in
present Pakistan.
 Average milk yield is 1,725 kg.
 Owing to small size, adaptability to varying
climatic conditions and capacity to resist
common diseases, Sindh cattle are largely
used in India for grading up local stock in
some parts of the Country.

9.  In Gauriakarma, in Hazaribagh in the Indian
state of Jharkhand, a farm was established to
maintain the germplasm of Red Sindhi cattle.

10. Red sindhi cow

11.  It is found in western and north-western
parts of Andhra Pradesh.
 It resembles Gir in size and spotted body.
 Cows of this breed are moderately good
milkers.
 Average milk production is 1,580 kg.
 Deoni bullocks are suitable for heavy work.
 Pure strain of this breed is available in the
farms at Udgir.

12.  Body colour is usually spotted black and
white. This breed has three strains viz. 1-
Complete white(Balankya). 2.- Comlete white
with partial black face (Wannera). 3-Black and
white spotted(Waghyd or Shevera).
 Black and white spotted body colour,
drooping ears, prominent and slightly
bulging forehead

13. Deoni cow

14. Deoni bulls

15. Breeds
Age at first
calving(day
s)
Dry
period(d
ays)
Service
period
(days)
Gestation
period
(days)
Calving
interval(da
ys)
Gir 1401-1434 207-230 155-169 281 511-630
Sahiwal 1201-1250 148-160 150-160 286 439-580
Red Sindhi 1220-1260 145-152 142-154 283 425-540
Deoni 1380 173 170 277 477
Reproductive Performances of Milch
breeds

16.  http://210.212.93.85/agris/breed.aspx
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deoni_(cattle)
 Singh, G., Gaur, G. K., Nivsarkar, A. E., Patil,
G. R., & Mitkari, K. R. (2002). Deoni cattle
breed of India. A study on population
dynamics and morphometric
characteristics. Animal Genetic Resources
Information, 32, 35-43.
 Livestock Production Management by Thomas
and Sashtry