Khillari cattle

The Khillari is breed of cattle, of the Bos indicus sub-species, found in Man and Khatav taluka in Satara and Shirol taluka in Kolhapur and Atpadi taluka in Sangli in the Mumbai region of western India. They have a huge capacity for heavy field and transport work and they are very resiliant in drought conditions, but the milk yield of this breed is low despite attempts to increase it. Recently the breed has declined in numbers and quality.

Origin

The Khillari breed, with its several varieties, possibly owes its origin to the Hillikar breed of cattle from Mysore State [ [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/khillari/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed profile] ] . The name comes from "Khillar" meaning a herd of cattle, and Khillari meaning the herdsman.

Characteristics

The Khillari is between 4½ to 5½ feet tall and weighs between 800 and 1000 lbs.The typical Khillari animal is compact and tight skinned, with clean cut features and squarely developed hindquarters. The appearance is compact with stout strong limbs. The pelvis is slightly higher than the shoulders. The Khillaris of the Deccan plateau, the Mhaswad and the Atpadi Mahal types are greyish white in colour, the males having deeper colour over the forequarters and hindquarters, with peculiar grey and white mottling on the face. The Tapti Khillari is white with reddish nose and hooves. The Nakali Khillari is grey with tawny or brickdust color over the forequarters. Newly born calves have rust red coloured polls, but this disappears within a couple of months. Khillaris have a long narrow head with long horns sweeping back and then upward in a distinctive bow, and tapering to a fine point. The ears, coloured yellow inside are small, pointed and held sideways. The legs are round and straight with black hooves. The coat is fine, short and glossy.

Varieties

There are four principal types of Khillaris prevalent in the different regions of Maharashtra State. The variety Hanam Khillar, or sometimes known as Atpadi Mahal, is prevalent in southern Maharasthra .In the districts of Kolhapur and Satara and the adjoining areas the variety known as Mhaswad Khillari is prevalent. In the area of the Satpura range of hills comprising the West Khandesh district the variety prevalent is known as Tapi Khillari or Thillari. A variety of more recent origin known as Nakali Khillari - Nakali means "imitation" - is found in adjacent areas of these regions.

Breeding

In the southern Mahratta States and the districts of Sholapur and Satara the Khillaris are bred by cultivators. In these regions the size of the herd is small, usually not more than one or two cows. In the Satpura ranges the Khillaris are bred by professional breeders known as Thillaris. These breeders produce bulls and bullocks for which there is always a very good demand. Besides their extensive use in their home tracts they are used in the adjacent districts of Poona, Ahmednager, Nasik and Bijapur. Khillaris are classified as "medium fast draft". Breeding is carried out by the Government of Mahararashtra at Hingoli,Jath and Junoni and by the Government of Karnataka at Bankapur [ [http://www.indiadairy.com/tech_list_geniticsbreeding_cattle.html#Khillari Indian breeding centres] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/KOLHAPUR/agri_livestock.html]
* [http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/SATARA/agri_live%20stock.html]
* [http://www.vishwagou.org/IndigenousCattlebyKPRamesh.htm]