Gir Cattle

GIR CATTLE

Origin: India

Scientific name: Bos  primigenius indica

Higher classification: Zebu

Rank: Breed

Colour: Red

Use: Dairy

Other names: Gyr

                         Bhodali

                         Desan

                         Gujarati

                         Kathiawari

                         Sorthi

Average milk production: 2110 litter per lactation

Mass: Male: 540 kg, Female: 380 kg

Height: Male: 1.4 m, Female: 1.3 m

Table 1. Body weight (Kg) at different ages in gir cattle

Table 2. Production performance of gir cattle

Table 3. Reproduction of gir cattle

Table 4. Mortality pattern of gir herd

Conversations and genetic improvement programme

This breed has been crossed with exotic breeds in All India Coordinated Research Project (Cattle) for the genetic improvement. The major objective of this mega project was to develop a crossbred strain suitable for the existing environmental conditions. The Animal Husbandry Department initiated a genetic improvement programme for Gir animals. Young Gir bulls are being progeny tested under this programme.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) started two projects on Gir cattle, one is executed by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) for the conservation of breed and another by the Project Directorate on Cattle (PDC) for genetic improvement. The objectives of the former project are to characterise the breed in terms of qualitative and quantitative traits, to study the molecular genetic characteristics of the breed, develop breed descriptors and conserve the germplasm of elite/unique animals. The latter project aims to undertake testing and selection of bulls for the genetic improvement and to provide superior germplasm for utilisation in other development programmes.