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Physical Characteristics and Production Performance of Gir Cattle in India

T. K. Patbandha G. P. Sabapara B. D. Savaliya S. K. Dash S. S. Parikh Mumtaj Ali
Vol 10(8), 1-11
DOI- http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200608100242

Gir is dairy type Indian zebu cattle, well known for its inherent heat tolerance and disease resistance capacity. This breed has unique physical characteristics and mostly bred by the professional nomadic pastoral breeders. Udder was observed bowl or round shaped, whereas teats were cylindrical in nature. Recorded mean maximum lactation and standard yield were 2810 and 2573 kg, respectively. Mean lactation length ranged from 281 to 380 days. Wet and herd average of elite Gir cows were 8.6 and 5.0 liter/day, respectively. Elite Gir cows had mean peak yield of 15.8 liter/day with maximum recorded peak yield 22.9 liter/day. In Gir cows, peak yield reached during 6-8 weeks after calving and had mean weekly persistency of 97.7%. Average dry period length ranged between 80 and 138 days. Gir cows milk composed of maximum mean milk fat, solid-not-fat, protein and lactose content of 5.38, 9.60, 3.85 and 5.29%, respectively. Gir cows in their productive life of 4.5 years produced 9989 liters milk. Gir heifers had maximum growth rate of 494 gm/day with weight at first calving 369 kg. The mean herd life of Gir cows was 8.5-9.4 years. Heritability estimates for production traits like lactation yield (0.06-0.18), standard lactation yield (0.17-0.20), lactation length (0.05-0.28), peak yield (0.04-0.12) and dry period (0.01-0.42) were low in Gir cattle; indicate huge scope for improvement through managemental interventions. Taken together it may be concluded that Gir cattle has huge production potential owing to unique physical characteristics along with inherent heat and disease tolerance capacity.


Keywords : Gir Cattle Growth Physical Characteristics Production Performance

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