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Cattle Breeds in Pakistan

Livestock in Pakistan has mainly included cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goat. They produce milk,
meat, wool, and eggs. Among which milk and meat are the major products that are used by
almost every food industry. Milk produced by buffalo, cattle, sheep, goat, and camel is a major
contributor. Whereas buffalo and cattle are considered as major dairy animals. Cattle breeds in
Pakistan are

Buffalo Breeds
► Nili Ravi
► Azi-Kheli
► Kundhi

Cattle Breeds
► Sahiwal
► Red Sindhi
► Cholistani
► Achai
► Crossbred Animals
► Exotic Breeds
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Nili Ravi Buffalo

Habitat
The hometract of the Nili-Ravi buffalo includes Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal,
Pakpattan and Vehari districts of Central Punjab; and Multan and parts of Bahawalpur and
Bahawalnagar districts of southern Punjab. However, because of their well-recognized dairy
qualities, these animals are now found all over the country. They are in great demand in several
other countries as well. Nili and Ravi were recognized as separate breeds until 1960’s when
merging of the two breeds was accepted in the form of Nili-Ravi breed.
Physical Characteristics:
• These buffaloes are massive, somewhat wedge-shaped animals.
• They are mostly black, but often have white markings on the forehead, face, and muzzle, and
lower parts of the legs. Due to which it is called “Panj Kalyan”.
• The tail switch is often white.
• They have all curly horns, wall eyes, and a large and strong udder.
• Males attain maturity at the age of 30 months, and females at 36 months.
• Average age at first calving is 1390 days
• Milk yield is 1800-2500 litres per lactation (322 days) with 6.5% butter fat.
• Adult males weigh 550-650 kg, while females weigh 350-450 Kg.
• Males may be used for draught purposes, especially for preparing land for paddy cultivation
and are a good source of beef.
• White markings extending above hock and knee and over the neck and body constitute a
serious disqualification.

Male Female
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Kundhi Buffalo
Habitat:
Kundhi buffaloes are found throughout Sindh, particularly on both sides of the Indus river from
Kashmore in the north to Shah Bandar in the south on the coast of the Arabian Sea. They are
also found in some parts of Balochistan province.
Physical Characteristics:
• These are massive, jet-black animals.
• Their horns are broad at the base and taper upward and inward, giving them a fishhook shape,
hence the name `Kundhi’.
• White spots on the body and straight horns are considered undesirable in this breed.
• They have a broad forehead, short neck, and medium-sized ears.
• They have large, strong udders.
• The average age at maturity is 30 months in males and 36 months in females.
• Adult males weigh 500-600 kg, and females 300-400 kg.
• The milk yield per lactation is 1700-2200 litres with over 6.5% butter fat.

Male Female

Azi-Kheli Buffalo
Habitat:
These buffaloes are mainly found in Khwaza Khella and Madyan areas of Swat district about 175
km north east of Peshawar in KPK, but can be found in whole valley of Swat. Azi-Khelies have
been named after a local tribe ‘Aziz Khell’.
Characteristics:
• Colour variation in Azi-Kheli is quite pronounced, varying from complete albino animals to
piebald to even black.
• Young animals have normal brownish hair, while hair coat usually becomes scanty and thin in
adults.
• Forehead has a white marking of varying size and can be totally white with a tapering face.
• Horns are small semi-sickled in shape.
• The tail is characteristically short and slender.
• Estimated liveweight is 350 to 450 kg.
• The udder in lactating animals is fairly developed.
• Milk yield per lactation is about 1800 litres.
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• Age at first calving is about 45 months

with a calving interval of 18 months.
• Azi-Kheli buffaloes are generally docile.

CATTLE BREEDS

Sahiwal Cattle
Habitat:
Sahiwal cattle lives in parts of districts Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Multan, and Faisalabad in
Punjab. The breed is named after Sahiwal district. It is an important genetic resource of Pakistan
in Pakistan for its milking ability and Australia for its beefing qualities. It has also been exported
to Africa, Carribean, India and other parts of Asia.
• Sahiwal cow is well adapted to the harsh climatic condition
• Have adequate milk production- up to 40 liters per day.
• Ease of calving
• Longevity, reproducing for up to 20yrs
• Drought resistant
• Good temperament
• Lean meat with even fat cover
Physical Characteristics:
• This breed is medium-sized, has a fleshy body.
• Females have reddish dun colour; males may have a darker colour around the orbit, neck, and
hindquarters.
• Males have stumpy horns; females are often dehorned.
• Ears are medium-sized and drooping.
• Skin is loose and fine with a voluminous dewlap and sheath.
• The hump in the male is massive, but in the female it is nominal.
• The tail ends in a black switch.
• The udder is large and strong and occasionally has white patches.
• This is tick resistant breed because its skin naturally keeps on shivering
• Milk yield is 1500-2200 litres per lactation with a fat content of 4.5 %.
• Adult males weigh 400-500 kg, while females weigh
300 to 350 kg.
• Average lactation length is 235 days
• Age at first calving is 45 months
• Service period is 155 days
• Dry period is 205 days
• Calving interval is 440 days
• Gestation period is 285 days
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Red Sindhi Cattle

Habitat:
The Red Sindhi breed originates from a mountainous region called `Mahal Kohistan’, spread
over parts of Karachi, Thattha and Dadu districts in Sindh. The hometract of this breed extends
to the irrigated areas of Hyderabad (Sindh) and the arid plains of Lasbella district in Balochistan.
They are also known for their high ability of milk production across Pakistan, India and other
countries. They are also used for crossbreeding.

• Heat tolerance,
• Tick resistance,
• Disease resistance,
• Fertility at higher temperatures
• Higher milk production found in temperate
regions

Physical Characteristics:
• This is a medium-sized breed with a
compact build and red body colour.
• The Lasbella strain is comparatively darker, and the colour of the bull is likely to be darker at
the shoulders.
• It has a large head with an occasional bulge in the forehead.
• Horns are thick and stumpy in males but thin in females.
• Ears are fine and small.
• The hump is well-developed in males.
• The dewlap is moderate in both sexes.
• The sheath is pendulous in males, but nominal in females.
• Hind quarters are round and drooping
• Tail switch is black
• Udder is medium to large and strong.
• Red Sindhi animals are hardy and adapt very well to stressful environments.
• Milk yield per lactation varies from 1200 to 2000 litres
• Adult males weigh 400-500 kg, while females weigh 300-350 kg.
• Average lactation length is 265 days
• Age at first calving is 45 months
• Service period is 210 days
• Dry period is 230 days
• Calving interval is 495 days
• Gestation period is 288 days
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Cholistani Cattle
Habitat
Cholistani cattle are the ancestors of the Sahiwal breed. Its origin is from the cholistan desert
area mainly from colonized areas of Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur.
However, the main breed of cholistani cattle is preserved at Govt. livestock farm. Even more,
they are contributing a significant share to national milk, meat, and wool output. Some of the
characteristics are
• Thermo-tolerant,
• Udder is medium-sized
• Milk production varied from 15–20 liters of milk per day
• High production potential for nomadic herders
• Tick-resistance and
• Can tolerate severe heat stress

Physical Characteristics:
• Large-sized flabby animals
• Horns are small.
• Ears are long.
• Hump is well-developed in males
• Dewlap is large both in male and female
• White coat with speckled red, brown or black all over the body including head
• Sheath is pendulous in male
• Tail ends in black switch.
• Udder is medium-sized with milk yield varying from 1200 to 1800 litres/lactation
• Average body weight is 450 to 500 and 350 to 400 kg in male and female animals respectively.
• Males are a good source of beef and may be used as draught animals
• Age at first calving is 50 months
• Service period is 140 days
• Dry period is 225 days
• Calving interval is 425 days
• Gestation period is 285 days

Male
Achai Cattle
Habitat:
A small-sized breed found in KPK province. The hometract of Achai animals extends on the west
to adjoining parts of Afghanistan and on the east to hilly tract of northwestern Punjab.
Physical Characteristics:
• Predominant colour is reddish brown with white face.
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• Animals of all reddish brown colour with or without white (or spotted) head are also seen. White
spots may be seen on the udder, underline, and the legs. Colour of muzzle varies from white
to light or dark brown.
• In females, horns are small and thin, resembling hooks with variable curls and directions, while
in males, horns are large, directed upward and forward.
• The eyes are sharp and bright.
• Neck is short, especially in males.
• Switch of tail is generally white, but reddish brown colour is also seen.
• Tail extends down well below the hock joint with a fluffy switch.
• The dewlap is quite voluminous in male but less in females.
• Hump is well developed in male but less in female.
• Proportionate to body size, the udder is adequately developed with a daily yield of about 4 litres
• Achai cows can be milked many times a day.
• Testicles are proportionate to body size.
• The sheath is fairly tight.
• Males are reasonably agile and are used for light draft work.
• Well-fed males serve as good beef animals, especially for sacrificial purposes.
• Docility is one of the recognized characteristics of Achai animals, even children can comfortably
handle them.
• They are an asset for hilly terrain of the KPK province under resource limited subsistence
production set up.

Male Female

Crossbred Animals
Crossbred animals are the combination of two or more breeds. In the process of cross breeding
characteristics of two or more good breeds are combined to produce a generation. They having
traits of both breed cattle crossbreeding vary from animal to animal. In Pakistan crossbreeding is
recommended for non-descript breeds with semen of local high producing breeds like Sahiwal,
Cholistani, Red Sindhi etc. or exotic breeds like Holstein Friesian, Jersey etc. These crossbred
animals have more milk production, less calving interval, early age of maturity and more lactation
period as compared to local animals.
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Exotic breed
The exotic breed is the breeds who were developed at someplace and brought to another area.
They are mostly used commercially as they maintain a very high standard of milk production,
age of maturity and breeding efficiency. They should be given adequate feeding and good
care. Now, these exotic breeds are common in cattle breeds in Pakistan. As they are
contributing a lot to the dairy industry. Main characteristics are;

• Milk average 7655 liters per year

• It can be bred at 15 months of age when they weigh about 800 pounds.
• Production period is less due to high volume and stress on udder
• But heat tolerance is not well

Holstein/Friesian
Habitat:
This is an exotic breed and originated from Fries Land
in Holland.
Characteristics:
• Frame and carcass is large
• Body color is white with black patches or white with
red patches
• Calf weighs 90 pounds or more at birth.
• Mature male weighs 1000 Kg and mature female
weighs 550-650 kg.
• Can be bred at 15 months of age, when they weigh about 800 pounds.
• First calving age between 24 and 27 months of age.
• Gestation period approximately nine months.
• Milk production is 7200-9000 Litres per lactation. Animals with 12000 litres and more per
lactation are also found. Range of average daily milk production may be 22-30 Litres. Super
milking cows may produce 80-112 liters per day
• Production period is less due to high volume and stress on udder
• Face problem with calving due to high pins and narrow ramps
• Heat tolerance is not well
• Low fat and protein yield (3.5% fat and 3.15% protein)