Page 8 - NBAGR NEWSLETTER VOL 16 No 1 (OCT 2019 - JUNE 2020)

Kuttampuzha and Vilwadiri cattle of Kerala

Native cattle populations of Kerala state
were characterized and phenotypically
distinguished. Two separate populations
of Kuttampuzha and Vilwadiri were
identified and characterized. Both cattle
are small in size. Kutampuzha cattle are
also called as Periyar cattle. Kutampuzha
cows are maintained under semi-
extensive system of management where
the animals are allowed to graze in the
forest and rubber plantations whereas. Kuttampuzha and Vilwadiri cattle of Kerala (AR pg 10)
The coat colour of Kuttampuzha cattle
varies from brownish black, black and respectively. Vilwadiri cattle dark tan, populations produced about 1.2 to 2.5
grey and mixed colour. Age at first calving, black, grey, brownish tan and mixed type litres of milk per day under the extensive
calving interval and lactation length for with straight forehead and curved horns. system of rearing.
Kuttampuzha cattle was 2.5 - 3.5 years, These animals are maintained under
14 -18 months and 5.5 - 6.5 months, extensive system of rearing. These cattle
(Contributed by Dr. K N Raja)

Dang buffalo of Chambal Division of Madhya Pradesh

A unique buffalo germplasm of Ravine and Yadav community were raising these buffaloes in large herds. The coat colour,
(Dang) areas of Chambal region of hair pattern and the physical appearance
Madhya Pradesh was explored and were different from that of the other
characterized. The Dang buffalo was identified buffalo populations. These
found to be unique, homogenous and buffaloes are well adapted to in the
distinct from any of the extant buffalo ravine conditions of hot climate, sparse
breeds. Data on various physical and vegetation and stony terrain and perform
morphometric, production traits on well for the milk production. Herd size
120 animals from the entire region was was about 10-100, and population size
recorded. Physical and morphometric may be about 30 thousand.
data revealed the population largely Native Dang buffalo of Chambal region of
homogenous. Mostly Gurjars, Dhakhad Madhya Pradesh (Contributed by Dr. Jayakumar S)

Native buffaloes of NEH states

Buffalo of Meghalaya with compact body. Horns are medium The temperament of these animals
to long and heavy which seems typical is aggressive and active. Male buffalo
Native buffaloes of Meghalaya were to the population. Body colour is light serves as an excellent draught animal
characterized in eight districts of the blackish brown. Animals are maintained for ploughing fields of hilly area. Their
state. The native buffalo are large in size purely on grazing and dry fodder. draught capacity for transportation is 10-
15 quintal/day and up to 8-10 km without
showing any signs of stress. On an
average, a bullock pair has the capability
of ploughing around 1 acre of land in a
day. Cytogenetic analysis confirmed the
swamp status of the Meghalaya buffaloes
(2N=48), for first time. Mitochondrial
D-loop amplification and sequencing of
the studied samples also revealed swamp
nature of the population.
Native buffalo of Meghalaya mtDNA Phylogeny of Meghalaya buffalo
(Contributed by Dr. Karanveer Singh)
8 ICAR-NBAGR Newsletter | October 2019 - June 2020