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Rathi cattle
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 Cow | |
 Bull | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | India |
| Distribution | Thar Desert, Rajasthan |
| Use | dairy[3]: 4 |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height |
|
| Coat | usually brown with patches of white[5]: 133 |
| |
The Rathi (Hindi:राठी) is an Indian breed of dairy cattle. It originates in the state of Rajasthan, and is found principally in the Thar Desert, in the Bikaner, Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts of the state.[6] It is particularly numerous in the tehsil of Lunkaransar, in Bikaner District.[6] In 2022 the total number of the cattle was estimated at 878852–1169828 head.[2]
It is named for the nomadic Rath people of that area,[6] who move with their cattle according to the available pasture and water resources, and depend on sales of cattle, ghee and milk for their living.[5]: 133
It is quite distinct from the white or grey Rath breed of draught cattle similar to the Hariana, described in 1909 and again in 1953[7]: 134 in the Alwar district of eastern Rajasthan – some 400 km from the range of the Rathi breed – for which no modern status data is available.[5]: 131 [4]: 278
Use
[edit]Milk yield is approximately 1530 kg in a lactation of 309 days; the milk has a fat content of 5.3%.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Breed data sheet: Rathi / India (Cattle). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2024.
- ^ [Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying] (2005). Country Report on Animal Genetic Resources of India, archived 22 August 2021. Annex to: Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 10 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ^ a b c A.E. Nivsarkar, P.K. Vij, M.S. Tantia (2000). Animal Genetic Resources of India: Cattle and Buffalo. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research. ISBN 9788171641253.
- ^ a b c Rathi. Dairy Knowledge Portal. Anand, Gujarat: National Dairy Development Board. Archived 15 April 2024.
- ^ N.R. Joshi, Ralph W. Phillips (1953). Zebu Cattle of India and Pakistan. FAO Agriculture Studies No. 19. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Rathi cattle
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Rathi cattle are an indigenous milch breed of Bos indicus cattle originating from the arid Thar Desert regions of Rajasthan, India, particularly the districts of Bikaner, Ganganagar, and Jaisalmer, where they are named after the nomadic Rath pastoral tribe that traditionally rears them.[1][2]
This breed has evolved through natural crosses primarily involving Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi, and possibly Dhanni cattle, resulting in animals well-adapted to extreme environmental stresses such as temperatures ranging from 2°C in winter to 50°C in summer, low annual rainfall below 200 mm, and sandstorms.[1][3][4]
Rathi cattle are medium-sized with a typical coat color of brown or dark red, often featuring white patches across the body, though some individuals are uniformly brown or black with white markings; they possess short to medium horns that curve outward, upward, and inward, a straight facial profile, and a compact body structure suited for both milk production and light draught work.[1][2][4][3]
As a dual-purpose breed, Rathi cattle serve as a vital economic resource for local farmers in desert ecosystems, providing high-quality milk with an average lactation yield of 1560 kg (ranging from 1062 to 2810 kg, and up to 4800 kg in superior animals), alongside their resilience that supports sustainable livelihoods in challenging agro-climatic conditions.[1][2][4][3]
Conservation initiatives, led by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) since 2002 and supported by programs like the National Dairy Plan-I and Rashtriya Gokul Mission, focus on pedigree selection and genetic improvement across approximately 120 villages to preserve and enhance the breed's productivity and adaptability.[1][5][6]
These variations are attributed to historical admixture with breeds such as Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi, and Dhanni.[12] Spotted individuals, while noted occasionally, are less common within the population.[3]
Etymology and origin
Name and tribal association
The Rathi breed of cattle derives its name from the Rath tribe, a nomadic pastoral community of Muslim Rajput descent primarily residing in Rajasthan, India.[7] This tribe has traditionally reared Rathi cattle for milk production, ghee making, and sale, integrating the animals into their semi-nomadic lifestyle across arid regions such as Bikaner.[8][3] The Rath tribe's historical practices of migratory herding have played a crucial role in preserving and developing the Rathi breed, allowing it to adapt and thrive in harsh desert environments through selective breeding and movement between grazing areas.[8][9] These nomadic traditions ensured the breed's genetic purity and resilience, as the tribe maintained large herds while navigating seasonal pastures in northwestern Rajasthan.[7] It is important to distinguish the Rathi dairy breed from the separate Rath draught breed, which is also maintained by the same tribe but in eastern Rajasthan, where it serves primarily for draft purposes rather than milk production.[3] This differentiation highlights the tribe's diverse breeding strategies tailored to regional needs within Rajasthan.[8]Geographic origin and breed development
The Rathi cattle breed originated in the arid Thar Desert region of northwest Rajasthan, India, with its primary breeding tract encompassing the districts of Bikaner, Ganganagar, and Jaisalmer.[7] This geographic focus, particularly concentrated in the Loonkaransar tehsil of Bikaner district, reflects the breed's adaptation to harsh desert conditions, including low rainfall and sparse vegetation.[7] The cattle have been maintained by local nomadic herders, notably the Rath tribe, a Muslim Rajput pastoral community, whose migratory practices have historically supported the breed's development in these districts.[10] The breed developed through selective intermixing of several indigenous Zebu cattle types, primarily influenced by the Sahiwal breed, with contributions from Tharparkar, Red Sindhi, and Dhanni strains.[7] This crossbreeding occurred naturally over generations among nomadic populations, resulting in a stabilized dual-purpose breed well-suited to the arid environment's demands for heat tolerance and efficient resource use.[10] The process emphasized local adaptation, with minimal external inputs, tracing back to broader Zebu domestication in the region around 2200 B.C., though the distinct Rathi form emerged through targeted herding practices.[10] Recognition of Rathi as a distinct indigenous breed solidified in the 20th century, aligned with India's efforts to document and conserve native livestock.[10] Scientific studies began in the 1960s, following the establishment of the first Livestock Research Station in Bikaner in 1959, which facilitated performance evaluations and breed characterization.[10] Formal preservation initiatives, such as the people's participation project by the Uttari Rajasthan Milk Union in 1985, further underscored its status as an important milch breed adapted to arid zones.[10]Physical characteristics
Body conformation and size
Rathi cattle are classified as a breed within Bos indicus, exhibiting a medium-sized build characteristic of many indigenous Indian cattle adapted to arid regions.[3] They possess a straight back.[11] The head is broad with a slightly dished face, complemented by large eyes and short, pendulous ears.[11][10] Horns are modest in size, typically emerging laterally and curving outward in an even manner.[12] A prominent dewlap is common, along with a long tail that aids in thermoregulation.[12][13] Adult males average 386 kg in weight, while females average 327 kg.[11] Height at the withers for females ranges from 107 to 129 cm.[14]Coat color and markings
Rathi cattle exhibit a characteristic coat coloration that is predominantly brown, often described as dark red or tan, frequently accompanied by white patches distributed across the body.[3][7] This pattern is a hallmark of the breed, with the white markings varying in size and extent, contributing to their distinctive appearance in arid environments.[12] Variations in coat color are observed, including solid brown or black coats, as well as those with white patches on a black base. A study of 1,500 Rathi cattle in their native arid region documented the following distribution of color patterns:| Color Pattern | Overall (%) | Males (%) | Females (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | 45.5 | 52.5 | 49.5 |
| Brown with white patches | 29.0 | 28.0 | 30.6 |
| Black | 3.3 | 2.5 | 3.1 |
| Black with white patches | 18.3 | 14.6 | 13.7 |
| Other | 3.9 | 2.5 | 3.1 |