Best Milch Purpose Buffalo Breed of Gujarat

Jaffrabadi Buffalo - Jaffrabadi is the heaviest of all the Indian breeds of Buffaloes.
	Synonyms	Jaffari
		The main communities for rearing and developing these buffaloes are Rabri, Bharvad, Aher, Mer & Other farmer communities.
	Breeding tract	It is named after the town of Jaffarabad, port of Amreli district of Saurashtra. Its breeding tract is in and around area of Gir Forest such as, Amreli, Junagadh, Bhavanagar, Rajkot district.
	Age at First Parturition	41-55 Months with average of 45 months (NBAGR source)
	Milk Production/ lactation	2150-2340 Kg with average of 2238 Kg (NBAGR source)
	Parturition Interval	14-15 months with average of 14.5 months (NBAGR source)
	Milk Fat percentage	Average ranges from 7-9% but some animal may yield as high 12-14% (NBAGR source: 6.8-8.5% with average of 7.68%) They yield appreciable quantity of milk, with an exceptionally high butter – fat content.
	Total estimated Population in the state (2007)	14,70,004 (2007)
	Morphological Features
	Colour	Generally Black in colour and also Copper coloured animals in small proportion.
	Horn Shape & Size	Horns exhibit wide variation, but usually emerge out by compressing the head, go downward sideways, then upward and inward finally forming a ring like structure. It makes eyes to look small - termed as study eye, especially in males. Horn Shape is peculiar in this breed.
	Weight	Average 1000 Kg (NBAGR source)in Males and 800 Kg (NBAGR source) in Females (that's why, also called as “ Mini Elephant”).

Mehsana Buffalo - Mehsani is famous as persistent milker and regular breeder.
	Synonyms	Mehsani, Mehsana
		The breed is considered to be a cross between Surti & Murrah.
	Breeding tract	It is named after the town of Mehsana. Breeding Tract is in and around Mehsana, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts of the northern part of Gujarat..
	Age at First Parturition	Average 42-48 Months (NBAGR source: 22-54 months with average of 43 months)
	Milk Production/ lactation	1800-2000 Kg.(NBAGR source: 598-3597 Kg with average of 1988 kg)
	Parturition Interval	10-31 months with average of 16 months (NBAGR source)
	Milk Fat percentage	Average 7-7.5 % (NBAGR source: 5.2-9.5% with avg. of 7%)
	Total estimated Population in the state (2007)	33,70,215 (2007)
		Currently Progeny Testing Programme is being run by NDDB at Dudgsagar Dairy, Mehsana.
	Morphological Features
	Colour	Mostly black, a few animals are black brown or brown
	Horn Shape & Size	Horns are generally sickle shaped with the curve more upward than in the Surti breed and less curved then in the Murrah breed. They are generally bent downward and then take a curve like the horns of a ram.
	Weight	Average 484 Kg (NBAGR source) in Males and 565 Kg (NBAGR source) in Females Eyes are very prominent, black and bright bulging from their sockets with folds of skin on upper lids.

Surti Buffalo
	Synonyms	Charotari
	Breeding tract	It is named after the town of Surat. Breeding Tract is in and around Kheda, Vadodara, Anand & Bharuch districts of the middle and southern part of Gujarat.
	Age at First Parturition	Average 40-55 Months (NBAGR source: 35-58 months with avg. of 49.43 month)
	Milk Production/ lactation	800-1400 Kg
	Parturition Interval	14-19 months with average of 15.28 months (NBAGR source)
	Milk Fat percentage	Average 7-7.5 %.
	Total estimated Population in the state (2007)	15,56,856 (2007)
		The Surti buffalo is lighter in body weight, consume less feed, and produce milk with high fat and SNF content. It is popular with land, small and marginal farmers.
	Morphological Features
	Colour	Coat colour varies from rusty brown to silver- grey. Skin is black or brown.
	Horn Shape & Size	Horns are flat, sickle shaped and are directed down ward and backward, and then turn upward at the tip to form a hook. Medium in size.
	Weight	Average 430-440 Kg (NBAGR source-435 Kg) in Males and 400-410 Kg in Females  (NBAGR source: 401 Kg) (Smallest among all buffalo breed of India) Medium sized animal, brown colour, two white bands below the neck and sickle shaped horns.

Banni Buffalo
	Synonyms	Kachchhi and Khundhi
	Breeding tract	The Name of this breed is evolved from its native tract Banni area of Kutchh District of Gujarat. The breeding tract is in and around Kutch district. The animals of this breed is raised under extensive management system with night grazing Night Grazing and Once in a day milking are some of the unique features of this breed
	Age at First Parturition	Average 38-45 Months
	Milk Production/ lactation	1800-2000 Kg.
	Parturition Interval	12-13 months
	Milk Fat percentage	Average 7-8 %.
	Total estimated Population in the state (2007)	5,25,015 (2007)
	Morphological Features
	Colour	Mostly black (95%) in colour as well as brown (5%).
	Horn Shape & Size	Horns are tightly coiled vertically with single to double coiling
	Weight	Average 525-625 Kg in Males & 475-575 in females
		Article Credit:http://gldb.org.in/buffalo_breed_gujarat.php