One of the principal Zebu breeds originating in India is the Gir or Gyr. Locally, it has been used to boost other breeds, including the Red Sindhi and the Sahiwal. In North America, it was also one of the breeds used in the development of the Brahman breed.
The Gir is also used in Brazil and other South American nations because, as a Bos indicus breed, it is immune to hot temperatures and tropical diseases. It is very well known for its milk-producing qualities and is also bred to make the Girolando breed with Friesian cows.
In appearance, the Gir is distinctive, usually having a rounded and domed forehead (being the world’s only ultra-convex breed), long pendulous ears and horns spiralling out and back.
In general, Gir is mottled with a colour ranging from red to yellow to white, the only inappropriate colour being black. In the state of Gujarat, they emerged in southwest India and have since spread to neighbouring Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
On average, cows weigh 385 kg in weight and 130 cm in height; on average, bulls weigh 545 kg, with a height of 140 cm.[3] At birth, calves weigh around 20 kg The Gir’s average milk yield is 1590 kg per lactation, with a record production in India of 3182 kg at 4.5% fat. In Brazil, the average production is 3500 kg per lactation, with a world record of 17 120 kg of Profana de Brasília cow production.
The Gir numbered approximately 915 000 in 2003, or 37 percent of the 2.5 million cattle population of the Gujarat district of Saurashtra.
Among the indigenous cattle, Gir is one of the strongest milkers. “Bhodali,” “Desan,” “Gujarati,” “Kathiawari,” “Sorthi” and “Surati” are also known as the breed. The breeding tract of the breed includes the Gujarat districts of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Rajkot and is named after the Gir forest, the geographical region of the breed’s birth. On all kinds of soil, whether sandy, black or rocky, bullocks will pull heavy loads.
This is a world-renowned breed recognised for its resistance to conditions of stress. Having faced shortage for a number of years, with less feeding, it has the potential to produce more milk and is immune to different tropical diseases.
Due to their unique qualities, animals of this breed have been imported and successfully bred in countries such as Brazil, the USA, Venezuela and Mexico. The animals are coloured red. The white spots in many species. Variants with different red sheds are available as well. Typically, species have dome-shaped foreheads and long ears. The estimated average milk output per lactation is 2110 lit. In coordinated farms, animals with as much as 5000 litres can also be found.
Benefits from Milk
There is calcium, phosphorus, rich fats and potassium in Pure Gir cow milk that helps control blood pressure. It also contains an essential acid, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which reduces bad cholesterol and thus improves overall heart health.
Gain Urine
The urine of a pregnant cow is considered unusual; special hormones and minerals are said to contain it. Gomutra (cow urine) can cure leprosy, fever, peptic ulcer, liver disease, kidney disorders, asthma, some allergies, skin conditions such as psoriasis, anaemia and even cancer, according to Ayurveda.
You should know some great health benefits of cow urine here:
- In the treatment of leprosy, abdominal colic pain, bloating and even cancer, cow urine is believed to be beneficial.
- It is used by combining it with black pepper, yoghurt, and ghee in the treatment of fever.
- A mixture of cow’s urine, triphala (herbal concoction), and cow’s milk may also cure anaemia.
- It is also said that cow urine is effective in treating peptic ulcers, asthma and some diseases of the liver.
- For epilepsy therapy, a mixture of gomutra and dharuharidra is used.
- By flushing out all contaminants, cow urine often purifies the human body from the inside out, thus reducing a vast range of health hazards, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.
- Cow urine is also used both in houses and for agriculture as a spray for pest control.
- In addition to that, there are beauty products made from cow urine, such as soaps and shampoos.
