Productivity attributes of six desi cow breeds in Karnataka

Desi cows are playing crucial role in the national economy for their draught power, milk, dung, fuel and urine. It is a source of subsidiary income for many families in India especially the resource poor. The present study was carried out in six districts of Karnataka with higher population of each of the six desi breeds. Forty farmers served as respondents for each breed, making the total sample size of 240 farm households. Deoni productivity was the best with 3.85 L/anim./day followed by 3.07 in case of Krishna Valley. Daily net return per animal was ₹ 18.20 in Deoni and ₹ 15.51 in Krishna Valley, while it was lowest in Malnad Gidda. Without considering cost of fodder, net return (₹/anim./day) was the highest for Hallikar followed by Deoni and Krishna Valley. Draught power, dual purpose utility, quality and taste of milk, adaptability to harsh tropical climate, religious sentiments and social esteem were the important attributes of desi cows. Natural service, open grazing, feeding concentrates, green fodder and hay, closed housing system, vaccination, utility of dung and urine in the farm, full hand milking method were the management strategies adopted. Shrinking holding size, non-availability of grazing land, longer inter-calving period, and poor milk production were the important constraints perceived by farmers. Non-availability of superior quality breeding bulls and high price of cattle feed were perceived as causes for decreasing indigenous cattle population.