Physical and morphometric characterization of indigenous cattle of Assam

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the physical and morphometric characteristics in indigenous cattle of Assam. The data pertain to 339 indigenous cattle of different categories. The physical characteristics included colour pattern of body coat, muzzle, tail switch, hoof and horn. Body length, height at wither, heart girth, pouch girth, length of tail, switch, neck, ear and head were taken up for morphometric characterization. The main body coat colour of indigenous cattle was brown (31.18%) followed by white (28.53%), fawn (15.29%), grey (13.53%), black (4.41%) and mixed (7.06%). The prominent colour of tail switch was black (74.53%). Most of animals had black muzzle (86.47%), black hooves (84.71%) and black horn (100%). Morphometric characteristics data obtained were classified according to location, age group and sex of the animal. The means for body length, height at wither, heart girth, pouch girth, length of tail, switch, neck, ear and head were 83.668�0.590, 91.942�0.55, 113.146�0.738, 121.181�0.761, 54.196�0.527, 26.098�0.186, 32.705�0.166, 18.131�0.111 and 35.035�0.195 cm respectively. Age and sex had significant effect on all the morphometric characters however, location effect was non significant. The indigenous cattle of Assam are comparatively smaller in size than most of the recognized breeds of cattle however coat colour showed sizeable variation. The data generated for indigenous cattle of Assam would be useful to characterize them.

Phenotypic characterization of Dagri cattle of Gujarat

“…The present finding of fat % was comparable to the findings of Singh et al (2007) in Gangatiri cattle (4.33%); Kuralkar et al (2015) in Deoni cattle (4.20±0.15%); Iype et al (2016) in Kasargod cattle (3.9±0.3%). However, higher values than the present finding were reported by Kayastha et al (2006) in Assam native cattle (5.34±0.06%) and by in Manipur indigenous cattle (5.42±0.03%). While, the overall SNF per cent in milk was higher than that reported by Kayastha et al (2006) in Assam native cattle (8.54±0.03%), by in Manipur indigenous cattle (8.47±0.02%), by Kuralkar et al (2015) in Deoni (8.43±0.05%) and by Iype et al (2016) in Kasargod (8.56±0.17%).…”

“…an adult male, an adult female and heifers up to 4 years of age were 15.66±0.54, 13.12±0.05 and 12.47±0.16 cm, respectively. The comparable finding was reported by Kayastha (2006) as 13.15±0.071 cm in Assam local cattle of an adult age, by as 14±0.10 cm in Manipur local cattle of adult age and by Tolenkhomba et al (2012) as 14.90±0.15 cm in adult local cows of Manipur.…”

“…The overall mean lactation length based on 278 observations was 180 days. The overall lactation milk yield was comparable to the findings of Kayastha (2006) in Assam local (304.862 kg) and of in Manipur local cattle (312.49±3.68 kg) and by Sahoo et al (2003) in Malvi (915.6±21.7 kg).…”

“…Horn length and horn circumference in Dagri cattle were observed as 21.64±2.65, 18±0.85 cm in adult male, 19.26±0.29, 12.91±0.10 cm in adult female, 10.40±0.91, 10.93±0.45 in heifers up to 4 years of age, respectively. Lower values of horn length than the present findings were reported by Kayastha (2006) in Assam local cattle (13.230±0.502 cm), by in Manipur local cattle Kayastha (2006) in Assam local cattle (11.368±0.081 cm), by in Manipur local (12.60±0.18 cm). Hump height in Dagri cattle was 10±0.66, 6.98±0.06 and 6.29±0.14 cm in an adult male, an adult female and heifers up to 4 years of age, respectively.…”

“…Hooves were pale black (100%) in males and females of Dagri cattle. Similarly black hooves also reported in Ponwar cattle (Gaur et al 2003), in local cattle of Assam (Kayastha et al 2011) and in non-descript cattle of Konkan region (Khirari et al 2014). In Dagri cattle small hump (but more prominent in bulls), dewlap, and naval flap were observed.…”