Origin
These cattle are mainly bred in the Malwa tract
of Madhyabharat State of India. In the western parts adjoining Rajputana
the type bred is larger in size. In parts of Madhya Pradesh where Malvis
are bred, it is smaller in size.
It is also bred in the northeastern section
of Hyderabad state, where it is a popular breed for medium and light
draft on the roads and for cultivation. It has been said that the Malvis
resembles the Kankrej
in many ways.
Characteristics
Malvi cattle have short, deep and compact bodies.
The back is straight but the hindquarters are drooping. The legs are
powerful but short and the hooves are strong and black in color.
The dewlap is well-developed and the sheath is
moderately pendulous. The head is short and broad with dished forehead.
The hair around the eye sockets and the eye membranes are black in color.
The muzzle is broad, dark colored and slightly
upturned. The horns, which emerge from the outer angles of the poll
in an outward and upward direction, are strong and pointed. The ears
are short and pointed and not drooping.
The tail is of moderate length with black switch
reaching to about the fetlock. The color is gray almost black on the
neck, shoulders, hump and quarters. The cows and bullocks eventually
become nearly pure white with age.
The breed is well-known for draft qualities. It is observed to
be good on the road for quick transportation. Also the bullocks work
well in the black cotton soil.
They show great endurance and ability to carry
heavy loads on rough roads. The cows observed in the village areas are
observed to be poor milkers but selected cows on the farm show that
they can produce 2.000 to 2,700 pounds of milk per lactation.
