Sahiwal Breed of Cattle

Sahiwal is one of the best dairy breed of cattle. Sahiwal originated from the Sahiwal district of Punjab province in Pakistan. They produce the most milk of all zebu breeds, followed by the very similar Red Sindhi breed. Sahiwal is considered one of the indigenous cow breed of Punjab and under the ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’ (RGM) incentives are given to rear this endangered breed.

Due to its unique characteristics, Sahiwal breed is exported to wide list of countries and regions. The Sahiwal breed arrived in Australia via New Guinea in the early 1950s. In Australia, the Sahiwal breed was initially selected as a dual-purpose breed. It played a valuable role in the development of the two Australian tropical dairy breeds, the Australian Milking Zebu and the Australian Friesian Sahiwal.

The animals are very good for specialized dairy purpose.  The breeding tract of the breed is Ferozpur and Amritsar districts of Punjab and Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. Sahiwal is well adapted to high temperature and humidity and comparatively more resistant than temperate breeds to ticks and diseases.

Physical Discription:

Coat Colour: Coat coulour is usually reddish dun but pale but pale red or brown is also seen in some animals. Extremities in bulls are darker than rest of body colour.

Horns: Horns are short and stumpy and pale red in colour.

Distinguishing Character: Large and and loose skin, prominent forehead, large dewlap, long and pendulous teat in femals. Large size of hump in males.

Performance: The cow have capacious udder and average milk production about 2300 liters in laction period of 300 days. Milk production varies from 1600 liters to 3000 liters. Average dry period is around 156 days and average calving interval is around 440-480 days.