The Kankrej breed of cattle gets its name from a territory of
that name in North Gujarat of Bombay Province, India.
The breed comes from southeast of the
Desert of Cutch in western India, particularly along the banks
of the rivers Banas and Saraswati which flow from east to west
and drain into the desert of Cutch.
In Radhanpur State, which is adjacent to the Kankrej tract,
the breed is known as Wadhiar. In Cutch State it is known as
Wagad or Wagadia, taking its name from the community of herdsmen
who breed these cattle.
Characteristics
The Kankrej is on of the heaviest of the
Indian breeds of cattle.
Color varies from silver to gray to iron gray or steel black. Newly
born calves have rust red-colored polls, this color disappearing
within 6 to 9 months.
Forequarters, hump and hindquarters are
darker than the barrel, especially in males. The switch of the tail
is black in color. The forehead is broad and slightly dished in
the center.
The face is short, and the nose looks slightly
upturned. The strong lyre-shaped horns are covered with skin to
a higher point than in other breeds.
The ears are very characteristic, being large,
pendulous and open. The legs are particularly shapely and well-balanced
and the feet small, round and durable.
They are active and strong. The hump in the
males is well-developed and not so firm as in some breeds. The dewlap
is thin but pendulous and males have pendulous sheaths.
Pigmentation of the skin is dark and the
skin is slightly loose and of medium thickness. Hairs are soft ad
short.
The Kankrej cattle are very highly prized as fast, powerful draft
cattle. They are also fair producers of milk.
These cattle are resistant to Tick fever and they show very little
incidence of contagious abortion and tuberculosis. It has also been
observed that the red color is recessive.
Reference:
Joshi, N.R., Phillips, R.W. (1953) Zebu
Cattle of India and Pakistan, FAO Agriculture Studies No. 19,
Publ. by FAO, Rome, 256 pp.
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
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