The Gangatiri cattle breed is an important dual-purpose cattle breed. It is an indigenous breed of cattle from India which is raised for milk production and also for draught purposes.
The breed is known to be originated in the region along the banks of Ganga river in the eastern Uttar Pradesh and western parts of Bihar state. It is a very important dual-purpose breed of cattle of North India.
Total population of the Gangatiri cattle has been reduced recently. It is also known as Eastern Hariana or Shahabadi.
Currently main breeding tract of the breed includes Varanasi, Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Ballia districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bhojpur district of Bihar state. Read some more information about the breed below.
Gangatiri Cattle Characteristics
Gangatiri cattle are very beautiful animals with complete white or grey color. Both cows and bulls have horns. And their horns are medium in size and emerge from side of the poll behind and above eyes in outward and curving upwards and inwards ending with pointed tips.
They have prominent forehead which is straight and broad with shallow groove in the middle. The color of the hooves, muzzle and eyelids are generally black.
Average body height of the mature bulls is about 142 cm at the withers, and about 124 cm for the cows. Photo and info from Dairy Knowledge Portal and Wikipedia.
Uses
The Gangatiri cattle are dual purpose animals. They are raised for both milk production and for draught purposes.
Special Notes
Gangatiri cattle are very hardy animals and they are known for their good draftability. They are mainly kept in open or thatched housing system nearby the farmer’s house.
Balanced or concentrate feeding is rarely observed and the animals are kept for grazing 6 to 8 hours in a day. Breeding in majority of the animals is through natural mating.
Large herds are maintained in the Diyara, the area adjacent to the river Ganga and the herd size varied from 2 to 150 animals. Most of the farmers generally keep 2-3 cows and a pair of bullock.
Total populatin of the Gangatiri cattle in their breeding tract was estimated approximately 67,000. Due to the good draught ability and average milk production, the breed has significantly contributed to the livelihood of the people in it’s native area.
The cows are somewhat good milkers, and on average a cow can produce around 1050 kg of milk per lactation. Although their milk production can vary from 900 to 1200 kg.
Their milk is of very good quality containing about 4.9 percent of butterfat content, varying from 4.1 to 5.2 percent. Review full breed profile of the Gangatiri cattle in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Gangatiri |
| Other Name | Eastern Hariana or Shahabadi |
| Breed Purpose | Milk and draught |
| Special Notes | Very hardy, active, well adapted to native climates, very good for draught purposes, pretty good milkers |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Coat Color | Generally white or grey |
| Horned | Yes |
| Milk Yield | Average |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | India |
