THE SAHIWAL COW

THE SAHIWAL COW

Sahiwal is a breed of Zebu cattle which primarily is used in dairy production. Sahiwal originated from the Sahiwal district of Pakistan, a region in Punjab province of Pakistan. They produce the most milk of all zebu breeds, followed by the very similar Red Sindhi andButana breeds.

Their colour can range from reddish brown through to the more predominant red, with varying amounts of white on the neck, and the underline. In males the colour darkens towards the extremities, such as the head, legs and tail. The males have big hump; they have height at withers of 136 and 120 cm for males and females, respectively.

A typically red colored Sahiwal breed

It is tick-resistant, heat-tolerant and noted for its high resistance to parasites, both internal and external. Cows average 2270 kg of milk during a lactation while suckling a calf and much higher milk yields have been recorded. As oxen, they are generally docile and lethargic, making them more useful for slow work.

The Sahiwal is the heaviest milker of all Zebu breeds and display a well-developed udder. Sahiwals demonstrate the ability to sire small, fast-growing calves and are noted for their hardiness under unfavorable climatic conditions. Other characteristics include:

• High milk yields
• Tick and parasite resistance
• Heat tolerant
• Ease of calving
• Drought resistant
• Bloat tolerant
• Good temperament