introduction-tropical beef cattle breeds

BREEDS OF LARGE RUMINANTS

Bubalus bubalis

Water buffalo scientific name

a group of animals with a defined set of characteristics that distinguish them from other groups. These characteristics are consistent and heritable, meaning they are passed from one generation to the next.

Breed

Bos indicus

Cattle Tropical Breeds scientific name

Bos taurus,

Cattle Temperate Breeds scientific name

Breed points

specific details of the breed’s distinct standards.

e.g. color, horn, length, ears, twitch

humps

cattle breeds can be identified by the presence or absence of this structure, prominent in bos indicus(tropical breeds))

bos indicus/tropical

Cattle breeds characterized by a hump on their neck, adapted to hot climates. They have droopy ears, large dewlap, and common in India, Pakistan, Southeast asia

GUZERAT

tropical

largest cattle of india

powerful draft animals, moderate milk producers

light gray to black at maturity

long drooping ears open to front

maintained as pure breed in india and brazil

GIR

dual purpose

rounded and domed forehead

long, pendulous ears

horns sweep back and spiral up

mottled with the color ranging from red to white.

NELORE or ONGOLE

Brazil has become the largest breeder

white in colour with a black skin, muzzle and tail

have long legs

Shortest ears of most Bos indicus

with thick brown horns that point up

KRISHNA VALLEY

breed is an admixture of at least three distinct types (inlcuding Gir, Nelore and Mysore)

large, having a massive from with deep broad chest, but is loosely built.

color is gray-white or white

horns curve slightly upwards and inwards

ears are small and pointed

RED SINDHI

Pakistan

hardy, heat resistant and high milk yield

deep, rich red color but can vary from a yellowish brown to dark brown

AFRICANDER or Afrikaner

arisen from the longhorned Zebu and the Egyptian longhorn

color is red which can vary from light tan to deep cherry red.

long lateral horns of a flesh to creamy white in color with amber tips

purely beef-producing breed