E-pub.

/vv2014/5

March 28, 2014

DOCUMENTATION OF FARM ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCE GOJRI BUFFALO Vikas Vohra1, S.K. Niranjan1, A.K. Mishra2 and D.K. Sadana2

National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (Haryana) -India

Adequate documentation is the prerequisite for characterization, designing sustainable breeding strategies and for developing a conservation model of any farm animal breed. Unless we know the actual origin including accurate geographic location, population size, structure, animal husbandry management practices, and utility of the particular animal species / breed their overall improvement cannot be implemented in full sprit. In this series let us understand about Gojri Buffalo from India

In India, the buffalo population is 105.34 million which constitutes approximately 56.6% of total world buffalo population and 19.9% of the total livestock species in India. According to 18th livestock census, about 56.05% were classified as nondescript buffaloes. This estimate of non-descript buffaloes include many unique but distinct buffalo populations, which needs to studied and classified. The name of the buffaloes Gojri is derived from phrase Gujjars animals and is recognised due to the community who rear these buffaloes since time immemorial. Livelihood of their family is completely dependent on livestock rearing and from sale of milk, animals are usually looked after by female member in the family and male members are helping them in overall management and marketing of animal produce. Gojri buffaloes are well adapted for hot and humid climate and their feeding involves grazing with additional feed, fodder & supplements. Animals graze majority of the time but are given little concentrate twice a day usually before milking. Forage grasses like berseem is preferred and is fed whenever it is available. Gojri animals can thrive on very low quality of grass and roughage even during peak summer and are able to produce quality milk. Gojri buffalo keepers belong to Mulism Gujjar community. Animals are distributed in Punjab and in parts of Himachal Pradesh and J&K. They are mostly dependant on buffalo rearing with very small land holding. For their family, major part of the income comes from buffalo rearing.

1 2

Senior Scientist Principal Scientist

Breed descriptor Gojri Buffalo

Name of the Population Synonyms Species name Origin of name (Belahi) Gojri Desi Bubalus bubalis Derived from word Gujjar community Since when the population is known Approximate Population Native tract distribution Time immemorial 20 000 Pathankot districts in Punjab, Nurpur, Jassur, Chawari, Jyot, Sahu, Rakh, Bharmaur and Tissa areas in Kangra and Chamba division of Himachal Pradesh. Communities responsible Description of community II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERS 1. a. b. Colour Coat colour Skin Brown Black Black Brown (90%) (10%) (81%) (19%) Muslim Gujjars Pastoralists

c. d. e. f. 2. a. b. c. d. e.

Muzzle Eyelids Tail Switch Hooves Horns Colour Size Shape (Straight/curved) Orientation Horn circumference Male

Black Black Brown or Grey (62%) Black (38%) Black Female Black (82%) Brown & Grey (18%) 44.61 0.61 cms

Black (80%); Brown (20%) 35.75 1.32 cms Curved

Moves backwards and then upwards towards front to complete a big loop 21.41 0.48 cms 19.82 0.12 cms 2

3. a. b.

Ears Length Orientation (horizontal/drooping) Head Forehead

Male 29 0.16 cms

Female 28.76 0.09 cms Horizontal

4. a.

Male

Female

b. c.

Face length Face width

Straight (White patch of hairs observed in about 50% animals) 48.97 0.44 cms 48.58 0.11 cms 24.50 0.36 cms 22.33 0.09 cms

5. a. b. c. d.

Body Hump (large/medium/small) Dewlap (large/medium/small) Naval flap (large/medium/small) Penis sheath flap (large/medium/small) Udder

Male

Female Absent Absent Small Small -

6. a. b. c. d. e.

Shape (bowl/round/trough/pendulous) Udder size (large/medium/small) Teat shape (cylindrical/funnel/pear) Teat tip (pointed/round/flap) Milk vein (Prominent / not prominent)

Round Medium Cylindrical Pointed Prominent

III. PERFORMANCE 1. Body measurements (in cm) Parameter Height at withers Body length Chest girth Paunch girth Hip bone Pin bone Male 136.63 1.22 138.91 1.59 203.47 1.99 230.88 2.48 55.38 0.57 23.63 0.56 3 Female 128.66 0.32 133.33 0.35 195.91 0.67 213.91 1.34 53.58 0.24 24.29 0.29

Tail length Tail up to switch

95.81 1.44 109.16 1.31

90.57 1.15 104.15 0.67

2. Dairy performance Average milk yield Peak milk yield Ranges from 4 to 8 kg /buffalo/day 10 kg

3. Reproduction a. (i) Males Age at first ejaculation (months) Average Range

(ii) Age at first mating (months)

No attempt has been made so far, to collect the semen from males. Therefore, no systematic record is available 4 yrs 3.5 to 5 yrs

b.

Females Age at first calving Calving interval

Range 4-5 yrs 1.5-2 yrs

6.

Drought tolerance (Excellent/ Very Good/ Good/ Average/ Low) Heat tolerance (Excellent/ Very Good/ Good/ Average/ Low) Utility and Performance

Good

7.

Very Good

8.

Gojri buffaloes are reared for milk, draft power and manure / dung. He buffaloes are used for agriculture and transport etc. Reference: NBAGR, 2014. Registered breeds of buffalo. http://www.nbagr.res.in/regbuf.html