Cattle and Buffalo Breeds, Selection and Judging
This domain tests breed identification, suitability for milk or draft, and the practical selection and judging of cattle and buffaloes. Odisha has valuable native genetic resources, and the exam may ask you to compare them with crossbreds and improved buffaloes.
Breeds to know
- Odisha cattle: Khariar (Nuapada region, medium, hardy), Binjharpuri (Jajpur region, compact), Motu (Koraput–Malkangiri, small, draft-type), Ghumsuri (Ganjam, small to medium).
- Odisha buffalo: Chilika, adapted to the Chilika lagoon area, black and medium-sized.
- milch cattle: Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir, Tharparkar; crossbreds Jersey and Holstein Friesian.
- buffaloes: Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Mehsana, Surti, Nagpuri and Chilika.
Selection and judging
Select on production records, pedigree, age, health, temperament, udder size and attachment, teat number and placement, legs and feet, and body capacity. Judge dairy animals on frame, dairy character, body capacity, udder and feet/legs. Buffaloes should show a deep body, sound udder and good teat placement. Check teeth and history for age; avoid animals with chronic mastitis, lameness or reproductive failure.
Worked example
Two crossbred heifers are offered: A is 18 months, 300 kg, with a well-attached udder and evenly placed teats; B is 24 months, 260 kg, with a pendulous udder. Prefer A for earlier maturity and better udder conformation, but confirm age, health certificate, feed history and dam’s yield record before purchase.
Traps
Do not select by colour alone, ignore records, or buy a heavily pregnant animal without a pregnancy check. Do not confuse draft-type Motu cattle with high-yielding milch breeds.