It has been used locally in the improvement
of other breeds including the Red
Sindhi and the Sahiwal.
It was also one of the breeds used in the development of the Brahman
breed in North America.
The Gir is distinctive in appearance, typically
having a rounded and domed forehead, long pendulous ears and horns
which sweep back and spiral up. Gir are generally mottled with the
color ranging from red to white.
They originated in southwest India in the
state of Gujerat and have since spread to neighboring Maharashtra
and Rajasthan.
The females average 385 kg with a height
of 130 cm and the males average 545 kg and a height of 135 cm. The
average milk production for the Gir is 1590 kg per lactation, with
a record production of 3182 kg at 4.5% fat.
Reference:
Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World,
1985, MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of
Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International.
273 pp.
Photographs:
R. E. McDowell, Professor Emeritus of International
Animal Science, Cornell University, and provided by Paul O. Brackelsberg,
Professor of Animal Science, Iowa State University
Dr. Robert Kropp, Oklahoma State University
