E-pub.

/vv2014/4

March 27, 2014

DOCUMENTATION OF FARM ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCE NILIRAVI BUFFALO Vikas Vohra1, R.S. Kataria2 and D.K. Sadana2

National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (Haryana) -India

Adequate documentation is the prerequisite for characterization, designing sustainable breeding strategies and for developing a conservation model of any farm animal breed. Unless we know the actual origin including accurate geographic location, population size, structure, animal husbandry management practices, and utility of the particular animal species / breed their overall improvement cannot be implemented in full sprit. In this series let us understand about NiliRavi Buffalo from India In India, the buffalo population is 105.34 million which constitutes approximately 56.6% of total world buffalo population and 19.9% of the total livestock species in India. During the period 2003 to 2007 buffalo population has shown the positive trend with overall increase of 7.6%. According to 18th livestock census, 30.20% buffaloes belongs to recognized breeds, 13.75% categorized as graded buffaloes, whereas rest 56.05% was classified as nondescript buffaloes. Here, it is also important to mention that population size of Nili Ravi buffaloes is 5.91 lacs. Nili means blue and refers to the deep blue colour of river Sutlej and Ravi refers to the name of river Ravi in India. Prior to 1960 Nili and Ravi were known as two distinct breeds but today Nili and Ravi are no longer considered as distinct breeds. The breeding tract is spread all along the Sutlej River. Fazilka, Makhu tehsils of Ferozepur and Jira. Patti and Khemkaran tehsils of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and in Gurdaspur district. Wall eye is characteristic to Nili-Ravi breed. Due to five white markings on forehead, face, muzzle, leg and tail these animals are also called Panchkalyani. Breed descriptor of NiliRavi buffalo
I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION 1. Name of the breed 2. Synonymes : Nili-Ravi : Panjkalyani, Nili, Ravi

1 2

Senior Scientist Principal Scientist 1

3. Background for such a name

: The name Nili means blue and refers to the deep blue colour of river Sutlej. Ravi refers to the name of river Ravi.

4. Since when the breed is known

: Prior to 1960 Nili and Ravi were known as two distinct breeds without a difference. At present Nili and Ravi are no longer considered as distinct breeds (ICAR Bull. No.86, 1960)

5. Strains (or within breed types) 6. Most closely related breeds (in appearance) 7. a. Native tract of distribution in terms of longitude and latitude b. Approximate area of distribution c. Place(s) State Punjab

: None : Murrah
o o

: Longitude Between 74 04 E to 75 E Latitude Between 30o 25 N to 31o 25 N : About 8986 sq kms District(s) Fazilka, Ferozepur, Jira and Makhu tehsils of Ferozepur. Patti and Khemkaran tehsils of

Amritsar, Tarn Taran and in Gurdaspur district. The breeding tract is spread all along the Sutlej river. 8. Estimated population a. Year of estimation b. Population c. Source / Reference 2007 5.91 lakhs 18 Livestock Census
th

2011 2.0 lakhs Survey Project on Assessment of current status, breed characteristics and genetic structure of Nili Ravi buffaloes in its breeding tract, NBAGR, Karnal & CIRB, Nabha.

9. a. Communities responsible for developing the breed b. Description of community

: :

Farmers, Livestock Keepers Medium, small and marginal farmers

10. Herd Book / Register established 11. Utility of the breed 12. Basic temperament of the breed

: : :

No Milk type Docile

II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERS Male 1. Colour a. Coat colour b. Muzzle c. Eyelids d. Tail Switch e. Hooves 2. Horns Colour Size Shape Orientation Black (89%) White (9) Brown (2) Curved (96%) Straight (4%) Upward pointing (Curved), (85%) Inward Backward pointing (9%) Upward outward pointing tips (5%) Downward (1%) 3. Ears a. Length b. Orientation (horizontal/drooping) 4. Head a. Forehead (Convex/concave/straight) b. General description : Convex : The head is long, elongated, bulging at the top and depressed between eyes. White marking on head (98.02%) 5. Body Male a. Hump (large/medium/small) b. Dewlap (large/medium/small) c. Naval flap (large/medium/small) Small Small Small Small to Medium Female Small Small Small : Male = 28.4 cm : Horizontal (98%), Dropping (02%) Female = 28.1 cm Black (90%) White (9%) Brown (1%) 29.8cm Curved (97%) Straight (3%) Upward pointing (Curved), (86%) Inward Backward pointing (10%) Upward outward pointing tips (1%) Downward (3%) Black (98%) Grey (02%) Black (70%) White spotted (30%) Black (91%) White (08%) White (97%) Black (03%) Whitish Grey (63%) Black (37%) Female Black (97%) Grey (03%) Black (72%) White Spotted (28%) Black (93%) White (07%) White (98%) Black & White (02%) Whitish Grey (89%) Black (11%)

d. Penis sheath flap (large/medium/small) 6. Udder a. Shape (bowl/round/trough/pendulous)

Bowl Round Trough 3

17.8 % 30.3 % 40.7 %

b. Fore udder Size (large/medium/small) Rear udder size (large/medium/small) c. Teat shape (cylindrical/funnel/pear) d. Teat tip (pointed/round/flap) e. Milk vein (prominent/ not prominent)

Pendulous Large Medium Small Large Medium Small Cylindrical Funnel Pear Round Flat Large Medium Small

11.2 % 0.5 % 21.0 % 78.5 % 82.6 % 16.8 % 0.6 % 88.3 % 1.9 % 9.8 % 68.2 % 31.8 % 23.5 % 70.8 % 5.7 %

7. Any other information

Wall eye is characteristic to Nili-Ravi breed (92%). Identified by five (forehead, face, muzzle, leg and tail) white markings on the forehead.

III. PERFORMANCE 1. Body weights (kg) and measurements (cm) Parameter Birth weight Adult weight Chest-girth Body length Height at withers Average 32.6 578 225 158 142 Male Range 24 - 44 500 - 800 222 - 227 155 - 160 132 - 150 Female Average 32.8 526 206 150 135 Range 22 - 45 400 - 600 201 - 207 147 - 165 127 - 136

2. Dairy performance Parameter Daily milk yield (kg) Peak milk yield (kg) Lactation length (Days) Lactation milk yield (kg) Fat (%) First Lactation Average Range 6.25 1.8 - 7.9 8.69 3.6 - 12.6 291 112 433 1819 84 1800-2000 Overall Lactations Average Range 7.74 1.8 12.6 10.60 3.6 15.4 27850 112 397 204589 1688 - 2317 7.1 5.5 9.2

3. Reproduction a. Males (i) (ii) b. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) Age at first ejaculation (months) Age at first mating (months) Age at first oestrus (month) Oestrous cycle duration (days) Oestrus duration (hrs) Age at first mating (months) Age at first calving (months) Service period (days) Calving interval (days)

Average

Range

Not available Not available 35.7 0.07 21 0.07 13.7 0.16 36.57 0.076 45.3 202 490 : Not Known 26 - 36 21 - 22 12 - 14 26 - 40 41 - 53 60 - 280 443 - 580

Females

5. Draught performance a. b. Purpose (ploughing, threshing, power etc.) Physiological parameters Rectal temperature (F) Respiration rate /min Pulse rate /min c. Fatigue Score Frothing Leg in-coordination Excitement Inhibition of progressive movement Tongue protrusion d. e. Draught Power (HP) Average duration of work per day (hrs)

Before work

After work

6. Drought tolerance 7. Heat tolerance 8. Any other information specific to the breed :

: Good : Very Good

Nili-Ravi buffaloes have a good demand outside India, due to its milk characteristics. Many countries like China and Philippines have used Nili-Ravi bulls for crossbreeding and upgrading local germplasm. Nili-Ravi was also exported to Hungary, Romania, Greece and Yugoslavia during 10th century A.D.

References:
1. NBAGR (2011). Survey Project on Assessment of current status, breed characteristics and genetic structure of Nili-Ravi buffaloes in its breeding tract. 2011, NBAGR, Karnal & CIRB. 2. P.Kathiravan, B.P. Mishra, R.S. Kataria, D.K. Sadana, and S.P.S. Ahlawat (2007). Buffalo genetic Resources of India Nili-Ravi Monograph No. 59 National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (Haryana) 3. P.N. Bhat (2010) Buffalo Production. Stadium Press (India) Pvt. Ltd. Darya Ganj, New Delhi