Buffalo species are originated from India. The top 10 Buffalo breeds of India are selected based on their milk production. Indian Buffaloes are the major contributor to milk in the country. Around 55 % of milk production is the country is from milch buffaloes.
Top 10 Buffalo breeds of India
The top 10 Buffalo breeds that produce high milk are discussed below. Most of them are concentrated near urban settlements due to their milk performance. Most of the buffaloes in India are river buffaloes, and there are also Swamp buffaloes.
1. Murrah Buffalo
Murrah buffalo is the highest milk yielding Buffalo. It produces on an average 15 liters of milk a day. This is more than most of the cow breeds in India.
Murrah is called by many names Kali, Kundi and Delhi.
The breed is primarily from Haryana, India.
The breed is jet black in color that has short horn and tightly coiled.
Advantage of their well-developed udder, Murrah yields around 1000 liters to 2000 liters of milk per lactation.
The fat percentage is around 6.9 % to 8.3 % in Murrah’s milk.
The lactation period lasts for 300 days.
In the rare instances, few of the Murrah cows yield around 18 liters of milk.
Usually in India, the buffaloes are culled after two lactations. This has caused huge losses in the best buffaloes.
The average life span of Murrah buffaloes is 12 years.
2. Nili Ravi Buffalo
Nili Ravi buffalo breed is the second most milk yield buffalo. On average it produces around 10 liters of milk per day.
The Nili ravi is from Punjab province. The breed is also called as Panch Kalyani.
The unique walled years and white markings on their forehead, face, legs and tail can be seen in Nili Ravi.
Average production of 1500 liters to 1900 liters of milk per lactation. The period lasts for 300 days.
The average calving interval is 15 months.
3. Mehsana Buffalo
Mehsana is a cross between two of the best milking buffaloes Murrah and Surti breeds.
Mehsana buffalo is from the Mehsana district of Gujarat.
Mehsana is called by several alternate names Mahesani and Mehsani.
The unique sickle-shaped horns that are curved can be seen on Mehsana. Also, the body color is blackish brown or brown.
Average milk production of Mehsana buffalo is 1200 to 1500 liters per lactation.
The fat percentage is 5 to 9.5 percentage.
The average intercalving period is between 450 to 550 days.
4. Surti Buffalo
Surti is from Baroda and Kaira of Gujarat. Also famous for their milk production abilities.
Surti buffalo breed is called by several names Deccani, Gujarati, Charotari, Nadiadi, and talabda.
The breed comes in black or brown color body with two white collars – one around the jaw and other at the brisket.
Surti produces on an average 5 to 7 liters of milk.
On average 900 to 1300 liters of milk are produced during a lactation period of 290 days.
The average intercalving period is between 400-500 days.
5. Jaffarabadi Buffalo
Jaffarabadi buffalo is the heaviest buffalo breed, that weighs around 800 to 1000 kg.
The breed is from Gujarat are of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Porbandar and Rajkot districts.
The Buffalo looks pretty unique, with a curved downward horns that is compressing the head. The body is black in color.
On average 1800 liters of milk is produced by Jaffarabadi buffalo during a lactation period of 305 days.
The average intercalving period is 440 days.
6. Bhadawari Buffalo
The Bhadawari breed is from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, a dual-purpose breed suitable for milk and drought situations.
The buffalo breed is also known as “Etawah”.
The body color of Bhadawari is blackish copper to light copper. On the lower side of neck, there are two white lines “Chevron” called as Kanthy(locally).
The average milk yield is 1200 liters per lactation.
The fat percentage in the milk is around 7.88 percentage, highest among buffaloes.
Bhadawari breed can sustain low-quality fodder and yet produce a good amount of milk. A perfect draught buffalo.
7. Nagpuri Buffalo
Nagpuri Buffalo is from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. A dual-purpose breed that is suitable for milk production and drought regions.
The breed is called by several names Puranthadi, Gaolavi, Chanda, Shahi, Gaolaogan, Gangauri, Berari and Arvi.
The unique horn of Nagpuri buffalo can easily protect them from wild animals. The horns are flat, curved and so long that reaches till shoulders.
The average milk production is 1030 liters per lactation period with a fat percentage of 7 percentage.
The average intercalving period is 500 days.
8. Pandharpuri Buffalo
Pandharpuri is the native breed of Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur of Maharashtra.
They have twisted horns of length of 45 to 50 cm long horns. The body color is black.
The average milk production is around 1400 liters of lactation period of 305 days.
The average intercalving period is 465 days.
9. Toda Buffalo
The Toda tribe of Nilgiris have maintained the Toda buffalo breed.
The buffalo thrives well in the heavy rainfall of Nilgiris.
They have longhorns that are set wide apart and pointing recurved inward with ash- grey body color.
There is dense hair covering the top line from the crest of the neck with two chevron markings – one around the jowl and another at the anterior.
The average milk production is around 500 liters of lactation period.
10. Godavari Buffalo
Godavari buffalo is developed by crossing Murrah bulls with native buffaloes.
Jet black in color with brown hair, predominantly seen in Krishna and Godavari belts.
The average milk production Godavari is around 1300 liters in lactation period.
The average intercalving period is 570 days.
Read also : Australian Water Buffalo
Hello, I am Siddartha Reddy . A fulltime farmer and blogger who love to share all his farming experiences. Also, a strong supporter of sustainable farming practices. Thanks for visiting our site, let’s make this world a better place to live. Say No to Chemicals and plastics.
