Cattle Breeds of Nepal

Indigenous Cattle Breeds:

• Livestock is one of the major sectors of Nepalese farming systems and indigenous cattle are among them. 

• Native Cattle are at verge of extinction due to crossbreeding programs and a lack of appropriate conservation efforts. So, it is a necessity to identify and conserve native breeds. 

•  The reported indigenous cattle breed of Nepal includes six breeds of cattle viz. Lulu, Achhami, Siri, Khaila, Pahadi and Terai are reported by (FAO,2014) as Nepalese indigenous cattle breeds. Indigenous cattle in Nepal are generally humped type except for Lulu cattle.

 

1. Achhami Cattle (Bos Indicus)

• Achhami cattle is the smallest humped cattle breed in the world with a height of less than 1 meter.

 

•  Black is dominant color and other colors are varying from brown, grey, white, spotted black and white. 

 

• Horns are small-sized and slightly curved forward. Horns are dominatingly black in color. 

 

• Ear is medium sized and straight and color of muzzle and hoof is commonly black. 

 

• This cattle breed is located in the western parts of hills in Achham, Bajhang, Bajura and Doti districts (Shrestha and Shrestha, 1998).

 

• They are suitable for hill conditions and can produce 1 to 2 liters of milk per day.

Achhami Cattle

2. Kirkho/Lulu Cattle (Bos Tauras)

• Lulu cattle are hump-less and looks like Jersey cattle adapted to high altitude dry cooler environments and is conserved by farmers.

 

•  Mostly they are black in color sometimes white or black and white or brown. 

 

• These cattle are found in the Mustang district and few are found in some parts of the Dolpa and Manang districts (Neopane et al., 2002). 

 

• Although Lulu cattle produce on an average of 1.6 kg milk per day in an average lactation length of 195 days (Neopane & Pokharel, 2005), they can thrive in severe highland environment and can produce under low input system (Rana et al., 1996).

 

•  The number of animals of this breed is reducing; however, they are at risk but need protection.

Lulu Cattle

3. Siri Cattle:

• Siri cattle (Bos indicus) are the humped type of cattle and have medium body sized.

 

•  Coat color varies from white and black patches on their bodies and some are reddish color.

 

•  Siri cattle's origin was considered the Ilam district of Nepal. With the government intervention to improve the productivity of indigenous cattle, Siri was replaced by the exotic cattle breed which is considered to be extinct in Nepal (FAO Country Report, 2014). 

 

•  Siri cattle later was rediscovered in the remoteness of the Taplejung district. Siri cattle breeding tract has steep hills with narrow valleys lying between 1200 to 3000 meter above sea level.

Siri Bull

4. Pahadi cattle

·        Pahadi cattle represent the majority of the cattle population and located across the hills. 

·        These are good for draught purposes.

·     They are predominantly black in color and can adapt to cooler climates. Their status normal from conservation point of view. 

·        Male are good drought animals and are small to medium sized.

·      They have Compact cylindrical body, short legs, medium hump, horizontally placed ears and comparatively longer tail than other indigenous cattle. 

·        The horns are medium sized curved in lateral and upward direction.     

Pahadi Cattle

5. Terai cattle (Bos indicus)

• Terai cattle are found throughout the tropical plains of the Terai.

•  They are light-colored animals and have mostly white-coated black skin and are occasionally found in black and other mixed colors. 

• Have straight ears. 

• These types of cattle are mainly used for draft purposes.

Terai Cattle

6. Khaila cattle (Bos indicus)

• These cattle are found from Siwalik range 4000 m above sea level to 4000 m above sea level (Neopane and Pokhrel, 2005).

• They are located in far western hilly regions of the country and are a good draught breed. 

• These cattle are well-adapted and can graze on the slopes of the hills and mountains.

•  This breed of cattle is also called Doteli Gai which clearly illustrates that the cattle is from Doti and Dadeldhura districts of Nepal. 

• Khaila cattle have medium sized body. Legs are well-developed and suitable for draught purpose. 

• The cattle color is black and white. The horns are straight and upward in direction. 

Khaila Cattle

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7. Yak (Bosgrunniens)

• Yak and Nak are mountain cattle that play a crucial role for mountain people. 

• Yak and Nak are found above 3500 m masl and are highly adaptable to adverse climatic conditions. 

• Purebred mating among the Yak in the sub-alpine region of Nepal is not very popular due to its lower productivity whereas crossbreeding is practiced. Crossbred female (Dimjo), from mating yak(male) with high mountain cattle (Kirkho). The crossbred female (Urang) that is obtained from mating yak(male) to low mountain cows are preferred as they have higher milk production.

• Majority of Yak are black in color, however; white and other color are also common. Body color varies from black to white i.e., black, brown, grey, white, spotted black and white. 

• Ears are straight and swampy switch tail. They have coarse hairy and fine fleece and high dense long fur that hangs down lower than the belly. 

• All crossbred female animals are referred to as Chauri that are raised for a variety of purposes such as the production of milk and milk products (cheese, butter, ghee, churpee), wool, hides, and manure for supporting the livelihood of the Himalayan people. Crossbred males (Zhopkyo) are sterile and are used as pack animals. 

• Chauries and Jhopkyos production is considered unique in the world.  Although they represent a small proportion of the total cattle population in the country, they are crucial for mountain and high-hill people (Shrestha and Shrestha, 1998). Their numbers are in a declining trend so they need conservation.

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  Yak