A Tharparkar bull

The name Tharparkar has been derived from the place of its origin - the Thar desert. Home tract of this breed is in the Tharparkar district of southeast Sindh in Pakistan. These animals are found along the Indo-Pak border covering western Rajasthan and up to Rann of kutch in Gujarat. Tharparkar is not a homogeneous breed but it has the influence of the Kankrej, Red Sindhi, Gir and Nagori breeds. On the western side of the habitat the influence of the Red Sindhi is prominent, and on the north and northeast of the Nagori. In other parts influence of the Kankrej is predominant. A sprinkling of the Gir is also evident. In spite of all the heterogeneity, a medium type breed well adapted to the desert conditions has been developed.

 

A Tharparkar cow

Animals are white or light grey. Face and extremities are of a darker shade than the body. Hairs are fine, short and straight, but in males they are slightly curly on the forehead. Forehead is broad and flat or slightly convex above eyes. Hams curve gradually upward and outward with blunt points inclined inward. The front of horns and face are practically in one plane. In bulls the convexity may be slightly more pronounced. Face is lean, fine and slightly dished to muzzle. Lips are muscular and jaws strong. Eyes are full and placid. The dewlap is medium sized and ears are somewhat long, broad and slightly pendulous, dropping. Because of the scarcity of water, animals are watered once in three days in Rajasthan.

The first parturition time is at an average age of about 38 months (range 41 to 53 months), milk yield is 1,749 kg (range 913 to 2,147 kg) and calving interval 431 days (range 40B to 572 days) fat is about 4.88% (range 4.72 to 4.90%) and SNF 9.2% (range 8.9 to 9–7%).

These are the some farms maintaining Tharpakar breeds

1. Cattle Breeding Farm, Chandan, Dist. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

2. Central Cattle Breeding Farm, Suratgarh, Rajasthan

3. Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh

4. Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology, Narendra Nagar, Uttar Pradesh

References