Read this article to learn about Cattle. After reading this article you will learn about: 1. Meaning of Cattle 2. Breeds of Cattle 3. Common Diseases 4. Vaccination Programme.
Meaning of Cattle:
Cattle mainly include cow, bull, oxen, goat, sheep etc. The females of the species provide milk, which in turn contribute animal’s protein to the diet of people. While the female species of these cattle are used for milk, the male species play an important role in the agricultural economy by providing labour, meat and hide.
Milk itself is taken in many forms like ghee, curd, butter and cheese etc. The excreta of these animals (dung) is used as manure, in biogas and as fuel.
Breeds of Cattle:
1. Indian Breeds:
Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Thararkar, Kankrej etc. are some high yielding varieties of Indian cattle.
2. Exotic Breeds (Imported breeds):
Holstein Friesian, Jersey, Swiss etc. are some of the high yielding varieties that have been imported from abroad and reared widely in India.
Breeds:
3. Improved breeds of Indian cattle:
Certain improved breeds have been evolved by making a cross between two desired breeds. Karan Swiss (Crossbreed of brown Swiss and Sahiwal), Karan Fries (Crossbreed of Tharparkar and Holstein-Friesian) and Frieswal (Crossbreed of Holstein- Friesian and Sahiwal).
Lactation Period is the period of milk production between birth of a young one and the next pregnancy and it usually lasts about 300 days.
Breeds of Buffaloes:
Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is also known as water buffalo, used for milk, as well as for butter and draft also.
Common Diseases of Cattle:
Catties often suffer from various diseases caused due to infection by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and worms.
Vaccination Programme of Cattle:
