Studies on Hill Cattle of Pithoragarh District in Uttarakhand

Volume III, Issue II, February 2016 IJRSI ISSN 2321 - 2705

2 1 D. Kumar , A. K. Gaur

College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and .Technology, Pantnagar -263145 (Uttarakhand)

Abstract:- A study was carried out to characterize the native The Pithoragarh town is located at a height of 1645 meters small sized Hill cattle found in Pithoragarh district considering above sea level. This district lies between 29.4° to 30.3° North the importance of giving due emphasis to well adapted latitude and 80° to 81° East longitude along the eastern and indigenous germ plasm developed through intensive selection southern part of the central Himalayas with Indo-Tibetan over many years so as to formulate suitable breeding strategy in watershed divide in the north and the Kali River. A study was the state. A total number of randomly selected 04 blocks and 20 villages were taken up for the present study in Pithoragarh planned to characterize the indigenous small sized Hill cattle district. The population of hill cattle was more than the considering the importance to indigenous germ plasm crossbred cows. The coat colour was found as off-white in developed through intensive selection over many years so as 46.16% animals, red in 33.79% animals and black in 19.97% to formulate suitable breeding strategy for improvement of the animals. The maximum numbers of animals were with white skin Hill cattle in the state. (46.16%), black or black & white muzzle (64.85%), black or black and white eyelids, black switch of tail, black hooves and II. MATERIALS AND METHODS black muffle. The values in case of milking cows for heart girth, body length, height at withers, paunch girth, length of ear, tail The present study was conducted in the Pithoragarh length and size of horns were found as 147.68±0.43, 90.85±0.17, 99.13 ±0.11, 153.19±0.39, 17.02±0.13, 92.55±0.13 district of Uttarakhand. Firstly, 04 blocks were randomly and 8.74±0.14, respectively. The average values for age at first selected in the district and from each block 05 villages were oestrous (months), oestrous cycle duration (days), age at first randomly selected. The 20 villages were randomly selected in mating (months), age at first calving(months), number of all for the present study. Information on various management service/conception, calving interval(days) and age of mating in aspects were collected by interviewing the farmers as per the males(months) were 41.60±0.31, 24.30±0.27, 42.70±0.30, Performa developed for this purpose. The data on various age 52.7±0.30, 1.77±0.09, 432.35±1.24 and 37.32±0.18, groups of cattle were recorded by observation and by taking respectively. measurements. A very exhaustive study was carried out for

physically characterizing the Hill cattle found in Pithoragarh Key word: Hill cattle, Physical traits, Characterization district. The blocks, villages and number of animals taken up

under the study are detailed in Table1.The animals studied as I. INTRODUCTION per various age groups are detailed in Table 2.The group ttarakhand is enriched in livestock diversity of studied were 0-6 months, 6 months- 2 years, 2 years- 3 &1/2 domesticated animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat years, milking cows, dry cows, working males and breeding Uswine, mule, poultry etc. The state had 4.98 lacs males. crossbred cattle and 15.08 lac indigenous cattle in year 2012. Pithoragarh had second highest number (2.27lac) of Table 1: Selected blocks and villages Pithoragarh district indigenous cows next to Pauri Garhwal district (3.44lac) in census year 2007 and third highest in 2012, next to Pauri and Almora districts. Rearing of livestock is an integral part of the Blocks Villages Animals economy of the people of the district. Pithoragarh district is Kande, Garaun, Sagraun, Jagtari and the most eastern Himalayan district and it is naturally Berinag Bethori 1732 landscaped with high Himalayan mountains, snow-capped Moona Kot, Kil, Tadi Gaon Baltadi and peaks, passes, valleys, alpine meadows, forests, waterfalls, Moonakot 398 Jalturi perennial rivers, glaciers, and springs. The geographical area Bhatura, Tharkot, Ghigrani, Dhamaur 2 Bin 78 of the district is 7,110 km . and Jakh Present address: 1. Sil, Dhuroli,Barmo, Sunkholi and Professor & Head, Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding Kanali Chhina 694 2Professor, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering, Bachkot C.B.S.H

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Table 2: Total number of animals in various categories 4. Milking Cows 200 15.175 5. Dry Cows 200 15.175 Categories S. No. Number Percentage 6. Working Males 200 15.175 1. Upto 6 months 200 15.175 7. Breeding Males 118 08.95 2. 6 Months- 2 Years 200 15.175 Grand Total 1318 1/2 3. 2 Years- 3 Years 200 15.175

Map Source: www.uttara.in – The official portal of Uttarakhand Government

rd cases) soaked with water in about 2/3 cases and giving III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION alone (not mixing with fodder) in most cases (76.76%). The The population of hill cattle was much more than the fodders were chaffed in around 50% cases. The animals were rd crossbred cows. The majority of cattle and buffaloes were fed in groups in2/3 cases. The maximum numbers of kept for milk production purpose. However, a significant animals were fed the green fodder by mixing with dry number of Hill cattle were kept for agricultural operations too. fodder. Per adult animal concentrate and cake given was 0.65±0.01kg and 0.55±0.01Kg respectively. The values for Housing, feeding and other practices per adult animal dry fodder and green fodder were 7.3±0.10 and 8.05±0.10 respectively. The animals were provided shelter during night hours only in Pithoragarh district. Houses were closed in all the The milking utensils and udders were properly cases. Houses were pucca in around 2/3rd cases and part of washed before milking in all the cases. Proper vaccination residence in most cases. Kutcha floor houses were found in measures for FMD, HS, BQ etc. were not taken up in many 61.87 %cases and full walled in all cases .The houses were cases (76.43%). The farmers consulted the doctors for getting well ventilated but not cleaned in 55.31% cases and without rd any proper drain of treating the animals in about 2/3 cases. The maximum urine to drain out in most cases. Concentrate feeding was number of farmers (55.46%) followed natural breeding adopted by giving concentrate at the time of milking (94.22% method.

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or black & white muzzle, black or black and white eyelids, Qualitative traits black switch of tail, black hooves and black muffle ( Table3).

The coat colour was found off-white in 46.24% animals, red in 33.79% animals and black in 19.97% animals. The maximum number of animals were with white skin, black

Table 3: Qualitative traits of Hill cattle in Pithoragarh district

Colour Categories I II III IV V VI VII Overall Number of Animals 200 200 200 200 200 200 117 1317

Coat Black 47 39 36 39 39 41 22 263(19.97) Red 69 77 63 70 62 66 38 445(33.79) Off-White 84 84 101 91 99 93 57 609(46.24) Skin 200 White 84 84 100 91 99 93 57 608(46.16) Brown 43 53 36 47 40 42 25 286(21.72) Red 26 24 28 23 22 2 4 13 160(12.15) Blackish 47 39 36 39 39 41 22 263(19.97) Muzzle Black 69 77 63 70 62 66 38 445(33.79) Black&White 63 57 54 64 68 67 36 409(31.06) Dark gray 68 66 83 66 70 67 43 463(31.15) Eyelids Black 126 137 131 125 120 122 73 834(63.33) Black&White 63 57 54 64 68 67 36 409(31.06) Brown 11 6 15 11 12 11 8 74(05.61) Switch of Tail

Black 131 123 137 130 138 134 79 872(66.21) White 69 77 63 70 62 66 38 445(33.79) Hooves Black 137 143 146 136 132 133 81 908(68.94) Brownish Black 63 57 54 64 68 67 36 409(31.06)

Muffle Black 137 143 146 136 132 133 81 908(68.94) Dark Gray 63 57 54 64 68 67 36 409(31.06)

Note: Figures given in brackets are in terms of percentage. also medium in 49.5% animals in category 4. The maximum Horns, ears, body, hair characteristics and basic numbers of animals were with medium sized dewlap, small temperament navel flap, short hairs and dull hairs. The hairs were straight The horns were present in all the animals. For both in all the animals. The maximum animals were docile with the categories (Category 4 and 5 as given in Table4 & moderate temperament in both the categories. Table5), the colour of horn was black in maximum animals The udder characteristics and horns were curved. As the animals from category 1-7 were included to know the shape of horns and incase of The figures in percent for udder characteristics are calves the horns were seen straight. However, in all adult given in Table 6. The udders were trough type in more than animals horns were curved only. The ears were horizontal in rd all the cases. The poll was prominent in maximum animals. 2/3 animals. The fore udders were small to medium in The hump was medium in 58.0 % animals in category 5 and around 50.0 % animals and corresponding value for rear udder

www.rsisinternational.org Page 46 Volume III, Issue II, February 2016 IJRSI ISSN 2321 - 2705 was more than 60.0% in both the category. Teats were (days), age at first mating (months), age at first cylindrical and round in maximum cases. The milk vein was calving(months), number of service/conception, calving not prominent in maximum animals. interval(days) and age of mating in males(months) were 41.60±0.31, 24.30±0.27, 42.70±0.30, 52.70±0.30, Basic temperament, penis sheath flap and other 1.77±0.09, 432.35±1.24 and 37.32±0.18, respectively. Kumar characteristics et.al (2004) ,and Kumar and Gaur (2015) also reported similar As revealed by Table 7, the maximum animals of morpho-metric traits in a study of Tari Khet block in Almora category 6 and 7 were quite moderate in basic temperament. district and Nainital district ,respectively. However, Mishra Penis sheath flap was absent or small to medium in size in et.al. (2004) observed lower estimates for reproduction traits maximum cases. The animals were having high drought in indigenous cattle found in Nainital district .Pandey et.al. tolerance, medium capacity of work and were used for (2011) also opined the importance of characterizing the Hill ploughing. The average duration of work was 4.52±0.05 cattle found in Kumaon region and observed the diversity at hours. genetic level in small Hill cattle (Kumaoni cattle). The Body measurement and other economic traits estimates of body measurements viz. body length, height at withers, heart girth, paunch girth etc. were observed lower The body measurement for category 4 and 5 are than the reports in breed Sahiwal, Hariana, Red Sindhi, given in Table 8.The values for heart girth, body length, Kankrej and Bargur breeds. The height and size in Vechur height at withers, paunch girth, length of ears and size of breed was found comparatively smaller than the Hill cattle horns were almost same in category 4 and 5 animals. The found in Pithoragarh region (Pundir and Ahlawat,2007).The values in case of milking cows for heart girth, body length, values of all the morpho-metric traits were found to be higher height at withers, paunch girth, length of ears, tail length and than the reports of Singh et.al.(2008) in Malnad Gidda cattle. size of horns were observed as 147.68±0.43, 90.85±0.17, The present study reveled that the group of small Hill cattle 99.13 ±0.11, 153.19±0.39, 17.02±0.13, 92.55±0.13 and found in Pithoragarh region was having different physical 8.74±0.14, respectively. The average values for various features than any recognized breed of cattle in India. The reproduction traits are given in Table 9. The average values population definitely could be a different strain or breed. for age at first oestrous (months), oestrous cycle duration

Table 4: The horns, ears, head, and body, hair characteristic and basic temperament of Hill cattle (Category – 4)

Trait Value (%) Trait Value (%) Presence of Horns- Dewlap- Large 6.5(13) Yes 100.0(200) Medium 62.0(124) No 0.0(0) Small 31.50(63) Colour of Horns- Navel Flap- Black 82.0(164) Large 0.0(0) Gray 18(36) Medium 3.5(7) Orientation of Horn- Small 67.0(134) Inward pointing tips 21.50(43) Absent 29.5(59) Upward pointing tips 59.5(119) Hairs- Forward pointing tips 19.0(38) Short 63.0(126) Ears- Medium 37.0(74) Horizontal 100.0(200) Hairs seen- Dropping 0.0(0) Glossy 36.5(73) Head- Dull 63.5(127) Poll prominent 64.0(128) Hair type- Not prominent 36.0(72) Curl 0.0(0) Hump- Straight 100.0(200) Large 26.50(53) Basic Temperament -Docile Medium 49.5(99) Moderate 86.0(172) Small 24.0(48) Tractable 14.0(28) Wild 0.0(0)

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Note: Figures given in brackets are the number of animals. Table 5: The horns, ears, head, body, hair characteristic and basic temperament of Hill cattle (Category – 5)

Trait Value (%) Trait Value (%) Trait Value (%)

Presence of Horns- Hump- Hairs seen- Yes 100.0(200) Large 19.0(38) Glossy 38.0(76) No 0.0(0) Medium 58.0(116) Dull 62.0(124) Colour of Horns- Small 23.0(46) Hair type- 0.0(0)

Black 81.5(163) Dewlap- Curl 100.0(200) Gray 18.5(37) Large 6.0(12) Straight 0.0(0) Shape of Horns- Medium 78.5(157) Basic Temperament -Docile

Straight 14.35(172) Small 15.5(31) Moderate 80.5(161)

Curved 85.65(1027) Hairs- Tractable 19.5(39) Orientation of Horn- Short 60.5(121) Wild 0.0(0) Inward pointing tips 25.5(51) Medium 39.5(79) Navel Flap- Upward pointing tips 56.0(112) Ears- Large 0.0(0) Forward pointing tips 18.5(37) Horizontal Medium 7.5(15) Ears Dropping Small 81.5(163) Horizontal 100.0(200) Absent 11.0(22) Drooping 0.0(0) Head- Poll prominent 91.0(182) Not prominent 9.0(18) Note: Figures given in brackets are the number of concerned animals.

Table 6: The Udder Characteristics of Hill Cattle (Category 4)

Category 4 Category 5 Trait Value (%) Trait Value (%) Shape- Shape- Bowl 0.0(0) Bowl 0.0(0) Round 4.50(9) Round 4.0(8) Trough 81.0(162) Trough 78.50(157) Pendulous 14.50(29) Pendulous 17.50(35) Fore Udder- Fore Udder- Large 51.0(102) Large 42.5(85) Medium 14.0(28) Medium 23.0(46) Small 35.0(70) Small 34.50(69) Rear Udder- Rear Udder- Large 35.0(70) Large 40.5(81) Medium 17.50(35) Medium 30.0(60) Small 47.50(95) Small 29.5(59)

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Teat Shape- Teat Shape- Cylindrical 69.5(139) Cylindrical 73.5(147) Funnel 30.5(61) Funnel 26.5(53) Pear 0.0(0) Pear 0.0(0) Teat Tips- Teat Tips- Pointed 29.5(59) Pointed 33.5(67) Round 70.5(141) Round 66.5(133) Flat 0.0(0) Flat 0.0(0) Milk Vein- Milk Vein- Large 0.0(0) Large 0.0(0) Medium 1.0(2) Medium 9.0(18) Small 99.0(198) Small 91.0(182) Note: Figures given in brackets are the number of animals.

Table 7: Basic temperament, penis sheath flap and other Characteristics of Hill cattle (Category- 6 &7)

Trait Value (%) Trait

Basic Temperament- Heat Tolerance-

Docile 0.0(0) , 0.0(0) High (0)

Moderate 80.0(160),72.65(85) Fair 100.0(200)

Tractable 20.0(40),27.35(32) Purpose-

Wild 0.0(0) , 0.0(0) Ploughing 99.0(198)

Penis Sheath Flap- Threshing 0.0(0)

Large 16.5(33),34.19(40) Power 1.0(2)

Medium 22(44),65.81(77) Capacity of Work-

Small 38(76,)0.0(0) Hard 2.5(5)

Absent 23.5(47),0.0(0) Medium 96.5(193)

Type of Work: Light 1.0(2)

Drought Tolerance- Average Duration of Work / 4.52±0.05(200) Day(Hours)

Very high 0.0(0)

High 98.5(197)

Fair 1.5(3)

Good 0.0(0)

Note: Figures given in brackets are the number of concerned animals. Table 8: Body measurements (Average values in Cms)

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Trait/Item Category Value (Cms) Trait/Item Category Value (Cms)

147.68± 17.02± Heart Girth 4 Length of Ears 4 0.43(200) 0.13(200)

146.27± Heart Girth 5 Length of Ear 5 16.81± 0.09(200) 0.31(200)

90.85± Body Length 4 Tail Length 4 92.55± 0.13(200) 0.17(200)

90.09± Body Length 5 Tail Length 5 93.03± 0.14(200) 0.15(200)

99.13± Height at Withers 4 Size of Horn 4 8.74± 0.14(200) 0.11(200)

98.18± Height at Withers 5 Size of Horn 5 8.64± 0.14(200) 0.13(200)

153.19± Paunch Girth 4 Size of Horn 6 15.59± 0.13(200) 0.39(200)

151.14± Paunch Girth 5 Size of Horn 7 17.21±0.17 () 0.26(200)

Note: Figures given in brackets are the number of animals.

Table 9: Some other economics traits (Average values)

Trait Category Value Trait Category Value

41.60±0.31 Age at First 5 52.69± 0.29 (200) Age at First Oestrous 4 Calving(mont hs) (months) (200)

Age at First 5 42.51± 0.30 Number of 4 1.77± 0.09 (200)

Oestrous (months) (200) Services per

Conception Oestrous Cycle 4 24.30± Number of 5 1.92± 0.02 (200)

Duration (days) 0.27(200) Services per

Conception Oestrous Cycle 5 24.25± Calving 4 432.35±1.24 (200)

Duration (days) 0.27(200) Interval(days) Age at First 4 42.70± 0.30 Calving 5 426.25± 1.22 (200)

Mating (200) Interval(days) Age at First 5 42.66± 0.29 Age of 7 37.32±0.18

Mating (months) (200) Mating in (117)

Males(years)

Age at First 4 52.7± 0.30

Calving(months) (200) Note: Figures given in brackets are the number of animals.

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Hill Cattle –Female

Hill Cattle-Male

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REFERENCES MG.2008.Features and status of miniature indigenous germplasm of cattle-Malnad Gidda. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 78(10):1123-1126. [1]. Iype S.1996.The Vechur cattle of Kerela. Animal Genetic Resources [8]. Pandey AK, Sharma, Rekha, Singh LV, Maitra A, Mishra BP and Information (FAO) 18:61-65. Kumar D. 2011.Estimation of genetic variability parameters in [2]. Kumar D, Singh Harpal and Kumar Anil. 2004. The native breed of Kumaun hill cattle (Kumauni cattle) by STR markers. Indian Journal cattle reared in Almora district of Uttaranchal. In: National of Animal Sciences, 81(2):194-195 Symposium on Livestock Diversity vis-à-vis Resource Exploitation: [9]. Official website of Department of Animal husbandry govt. of India. An Introspection, Karnal, Haryana, Feb. 11-12, 2004, p. 108. Retrieved from http:// dahd.nic.in/dahd/statistics/livestock- [3]. Kumar D and Gaur A K. 2015. Performance studies of Hill Cattle: A census.aspx unique indigenous germplasm of Uttarakhand. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 85(12):1390-92. [4]. Mishra Manisha, Kumar D, Singh SK and Kumar Anil. 2004. Performance of native cattle and livestock number per house hold in ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Haldwani block of Nainital district. In: National Symposium on Conservation and Propagation of Indigenous Breeds of Cattle and Authors are thankful to the ICAR, New Delhi and Director, Buffaloes, Pantnagar U.A., Feb 26-28, 2004. pp.40-41. Experimental Station, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) [5]. Pundir RK and Ahlawat SPS.2007.Indigenous breeds of cattle and buffalo. Dairy India, Year Book, 6th edn.pp.261-271. for providing all necessary facilities to conduct the research [6]. Official website of Department of Animal husbandry govt. of work. Authors are also thankful to Dean, College of Uttarakhand. Retrieved from http://ahd.uk.gov.in/pages/display/125-- Veterinary & Animal Sciences for providing necessary statistics-and-census. guidance and help. [7]. Singh PK, Pundir RK, Manjunath VK, Rudresh BH and Govindaih