INDIAN EXOTIC DAIRY BREEDS

EXOTIC DAIRY BREEDS

The European breeds of dairy cattle belong to the species of Bas Taurus.

hey are humpless generally large spread with a fine coat, short ears, without a

pendulous, dewlap:

They are less heat tolerant and less disease resistant when compared to

ndian cattle, but are superior in milk production,

Breeds of dairy cattle and buffalos

Exotic breeds of cattle have been used in India on a fairly extensive scale

with a view to improve the milk yielding capacity of the indigenous cows.

The important European breeds of dairy cattle are Holstein rown Swiss,

Jersey Guernsey and Ayrshire.

Out of the above breeds there is greater demand and use of H.F and

ersey breeds for crossing with the indjgenous cows in India.

HOLSTIEN FRIESIAN

This is the worlds highest milk yielding breed through the fat percentage

of milk is very low. The home of this breed is Holland is the provinces of north

Holland and wear Fries land. Animals of this breed are the largest among the

European breeds. This breed of animals are imported by many countries in the

world.

The colour of the animal is clearly defined. Black and white markings and

re switch is always white. The animals are the largest with large barrel rid udders.

The head is long and narrow. The cows are docile. The heifers are bred at 18 to

21 months of age. The calves are stronger, vigours weighing on the average

about 40 kg at birth Some pure bred animals may be solid black. Holestein

Fresian Heifersmature much later than the other European breeds. Fresiani.

The ideal body weight of a cow is 682 kg and that of bull is 1000 kg. The

cows are heavy milkers and the average lactational yield is 4295 kg in laction,

with milk fat of 3.4 percentage. Individual animals touched 19,995 kg of milk in

a lactation period of 365 days (One year).

The milk of these animals are used for cheese making as the fat percentage

is low. This breed is also good for beef production, because of its fast growth

and body fat. It is good for veal production due to good birth weight and growth

rates of calves.

BROWN SWISS:

These cattle were developed in mountains area of Switzerland. colour

varies from light brown to almost black. The muzzle is of lig colour. And also

along the back bone a light coloured stripe is present. is oldest of dairy breeds.

It is the second-heaviest to the Holstein Fresi breed. White or off colour spots,

above the underside of the belly or white core in the switch, are not desired by

the pure bred breeder Brown Swiss animals are large body size, Brown Swiss

animals with very good birth weight of calves, and white colour of the body,

Bro Swiss heifers mature and reach peak production at an later than oth dairy

breeds.

Brown Swiss anim.als originally grazing on mountain slopes in their tra

made them excellent grazer. The breed was developed for chee production and

so emphasis was given for high milk production, with lo fat content and the milk

fat is 4 %.

JERSEY

The home of this breed is Jersey Island in the channel Islands. Thi breed

is popular and widely distributed all over the world.

Jersey is the smallest of the European dairy breeds, and the earlie maturing

among them. The heifers are bred at an age 14 to 18 months.

The colour of the animals is brown with variation of brown to black an

vary from white spotted to solid in marking. The switch is white or blac The

animal is small in size, with a good capacity for milk production. Th milk fat is

high i.e. 5.3% and milk solids are 15 %. It can be said that th Jersey milk has

the highest milk fat percentage. And the highe percentage of SNF out of the

five European breeds. Jersey milk is yello’ in colour due to high carotene3nd is

good for butter making. Since Jers animals are relatively small in size, and as

the body fat is yellow in coto they are not good for beef and veal production.

Jersey animals aw v,iPli acc tamatiseci in India It is the smallest of t (iairy

breeds It is Pcxonor»ic;al to maintain.

The average. milk vield of the cow is 2727 kg in a lactation. Individu al

yielded 13.296 kq in 365 days.

GUERNSEY:

The home of this breed is Guernsey Island of the Channel islands.

The colour of the animal varies from light brown to almost red with white

markings. White markings are usually found on face, Legs flank and switch.

The nose may be cream or buff coloured, having smoky colour is permitted.

The skin is yellow. This breed is little heavier than Jersey.

Heifers are generally breed at the age of 17 to 18 months. This breed is

noticed for uniformity of typed. The milk was’primarily used for butter as the

milk colour is more yellow than the jersy m;lk due to higher carotene content

arid the butter colour will be golden yellow.

The milk fat and SNF percentages are slightly lower than Jersey milk.

The Guernsey is less rugged than Holstein F-resian~rmore rugged than Jersey.

The udder is less symmetrical than Jersey. Cows are active and alert but not

nervous and can be easily maintainen.

The birth weight of calves in this breed is slightly more than, that of the

Jersey breed. The small body size and yellow body fat makes this breed

unsuitable for beef and veal production. The animals do not have good growing

ability Guernsey heifers mature slightly later than the Jersey heifers.

The milk fat is nearly 5 %. Individuals cows have given 14,562 kg of

milk in 365 days. Average birth weight of calves is 34 kg. Cows weight is

about 455 to 545 kg and bulls weight 727 kg ,

The average milk yield of cows is 2909 kg per lactation with 5°l° fat.

AYRSHIRE:

The home of this breed is Ayr in Scotland. These animals are distributed

all over the world. The colour of the animals is red or white, with markings or,

with white spottings. The red colour may be very light to almost red.

The animals are beautiful with shortest top lines, leveled rumps, and good

udders. Horns are long and turned upwards. The animals are alert and active

and they are good grazers. Heifers are generally bred at an age o” 18 to 20

months.

Dairy Animals Management

Average weight of the females is 455 kg and for males it is from 545 tv

682 kg. The calves born are strong vigorous and easy to raise and thei birth

weight is 32 to 36 kg. The average milk yield of cows is 3664 kg wit’ 4°,’° fat

in a lactation. Individual animals gives 14,625 kg of milk in 30 day