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The Gir cattle breed of India - characteristics and present status

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

G.K. Gaur ,
S.N. Kaushik  and
R.C. Garg
G.K. Gaur
Affiliation:
PH-7, Pallavpuram Phase II, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India
S.N. Kaushik
Affiliation:
PH-7, Pallavpuram Phase II, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India
R.C. Garg
Affiliation:
PH-7, Pallavpuram Phase II, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Summary

The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts of Gujarat. The breeding tract lies between 20°5’ and 22°6’ north latitude and 70° and 72° east longitude. The total cattle population of Saurashtra region i.e., breeding tract of Gir cattle is 2.5 million and Gir breed accounts for 37 percent of total cattle population in the region. The body of Gir animals is well proportioned. Udder in cows is well developed and round. The body weight at one year of age was 138 kg in males and 136 kg in females. Adult body weight, height at withers, body length and heart girth in cows averaged 313 kg, 120 cm, 125 cm and 160 cm, respectively.

Age at first heat and calving averaged 1 149 and 1 534 day, respectively. Average dry period and inter-calving period were 123 and 423 days, respectively. Heifers received an average 1.07 inseminations for successful conception whereas cows received 1.64 inseminations per conception. Total lactation milk yield averaged 2 063 litres in an average lactation period of 326 days. Average milk yield in 300 days was 1 930 litres. Milk yield per day of calving interval was 4.98 litres. Average fat percentage in the milk ranged between 4.69±0.04 and 4.97±0.02. Gir animals are considered as hardy with low overall mortality (3.63 percent).

Résumé

La race Gir est un bovin à lait très connu originaire des Indes. Le milieu naturel de cette race sont les collines et les forêts de Kathiawar, y compris les zones de Janagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot et Amreli dans la région de Gujarat. La race se trouve principalement entre les latitudes 20°5’ et 22°6’ Nord et longitude 70° et 72° Est. La population totale dans la région de Saurashtra de race Gir est de 2,5 millions et représente 37 pour cent du total de la population bovine de la région. Le corps des Gir est bien proportionné, et les mamelles sont bien développées et rondes. Le poids corporel à l’âge de un an est de 138 kg chez les mâles et 136 kg chez les femelles. Le poids corporel adulte, la hauteur au garrot, la longueur corporelle et la circonférence chez les vaches est en moyenne de 313 kg, 120 cm, 125 cm, et 160 cm, respectivement. L’âge moyen de la première chaleur et première mise bas est de 1 149 à 1 534 jours, respectivement. La période moyenne de tarissement et entre mises bas est de 123 et 423 jours, respectivement. Les femelles reçoivent en moyenne 1,07 d'insémination pour un résultat positif, tandis que les vaches ont besoin de 1,64 inséminations par conception. La moyenne par lactation est de 2 063 litres sur une période de 326 jours. La moyenne de lait sur 300 jours est de 1 930 litres. La moyenne lait par jour entre mises bas est de 4,98 litres. Le contenu en matière grasse dans le lait est de 4,69±0,04 et 4,97±0,02. Les animaux de la race Gir sont considérés robustes avec une faible mortalité (3,63 pour cent).

Keywords

IndiaGir cattlecharacteristicspresent status
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 33 , April 2003 , pp. 21 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2003

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