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Hallikar Cattle Breed – Everything You Need to Know

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The Hallikar cattle breed are a breed of working cattle in India that is mainly used for its strength and endurance in the working of agriculture. They have been used for this purpose for many generations and a team of Hallikar oxen has been known to pull a loaded cart 40 miles a day over rough terrain. They are also used in for ox cart racing in India.

HALLIKAR BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW
The Hallikar cattle breed are considered to be the best draft cattle breed in India
Country of Origin: India
Other Names: None
Main Purpose: Draft
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Can be used for Breed, Milk, Draft
Ideal Climate: Heat, Cold, Most Climates
Conservation Status: Not listed by the *ALC
Status/Rarity: Common
Health Issues? No known health issues
Good Starter Cattle? Novice to intermediate Cattle farmer/keeper level
Cattle Associations: Unclear – Please check with the American Dairy Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, Beef Cattle Breed Associations or The Beef Industry’s Information Center
Cattle Clubs: Unclear – Please check with the American Dairy Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, Beef Cattle Breed Associations or The Beef Industry’s Information Center
Where to buy them? >Unclear – Please check with the American Dairy Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, Beef Cattle Breed Associations or The Beef Industry’s Information Center
Child Friendly? Livestock should not be left unattended around unsupervised children
General Information: The Hallikar cattle breed are a breed of working cattle in India that is one of two breeds to have received the royal patronage and care from the princely state of Mysore and erstwhile sultans.
In 2000 the Department of Posts, Government of India released a postage stamp in the breeds name in commemoration of the Hallikar cattle breed.
They are used in the sport of ox-cart racing which is a two or four wheel cart used in various forms of racing.
Note: *ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Hallikar cattle are small to medium sized body frame with the female have a squarer more petite frame than that of the stockier rounder more muscular form of the bull. They both have humps on their shoulders with the male’s hump being bigger, meatier and more defined than the females. They have long thin but strong legs. Their faces are long and thin with a slightly upturned snout and small ears.
Size: Small
CATTLE ⇒ COW BULL
Breed Color: White or a silver/blue-grey color White or a silver/blue-grey color
Breed Weight: Unclear Unclear
Breed Height: Unclear Unclear
Horns: They have long horns that grow upwards from the head and bend backward They have long horns that grow upwards from the head and bend backward
Temperament: They are calm, strong and docile
Matures at age: 6 to 8 months or 9 + months 6 to 8 months or 9 + months
Puberty Age: 6 to 15 months 9 to 1o months
Breeding Age: 13 to 15 months 1 year
Breeding Traits: See Cow breeding & Milking Info Cover 25 to 30 Cows in 1 season

COW BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION
Most Cattle produce milk but not all of them are used in the dairy Cattle capacity for their milk. Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Although not specifically bred for milking the cows are on occasion used for their milk which is of good quality but not a large amount. They are very good caring and loving mothers with excellent maternal instincts and have no problem using their long horns to defend their young. They have relatively easy births with hardly any birthing problems. It is not uncommon for cows to be taken 100 of miles in order to be mated with one of the prime Hallikar bulls of top Hallikar breeding families.
Breeding Period/cycle: Usually lasts 6 to 24 hours
Most ave. 12 to 16 hours
Cows usually come on heat every 21 days.
Estrous cycle: Ave. 17 days to 24 days
Heifer – usually ave. 20 days
Cows – usually ave. 21 days
Gestation Period: Usually, around 279 to 287 days but most gestation is 283 days. Cows that are carrying bull calf’s their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves.
No. Calves/Litter: 1 calf at a time. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen
Lactation Period: Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days.
Milking From: 1 to 6 weeks after Calving
Drying off Period: The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again.
Milk Quality: Good, Butterfat = 5.7%
Quantity: Ave. 542 kg per Lactation period
Milk Ideal for: Calves, drinking, and various local dairy products
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CATTLE MEAT PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Most Cattle breeds can be used for meat and produce an acceptable quality of meat. The Hallikar cattle breed is not used for their meat production.
Meat Production? N/A
CATTLE ⇒ VEAL BEEF
Ave. Maturity Age: 6 to 8 months 9 months up to 4 years
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CATTLE SKIN PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. The Hallikar cattle breed is not used for their skin production
Skin Production? N/A
Skin is used to Produce: Calf/cow skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, handbags, belts, furniture, rugs, etc.
CATTLE ⇒ CALF ADULT
Age they Produce from: 6 to 8 months for Calf skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather

HISTORY

The Hallikar cattle breed is thought to have originated from the Amrit Mahal cattle breed and is from the state of Karnataka in India.

The Hallikar cattle breed are often bred by families that specialize in Hallikar cattle and or draft animals.
The breed is very common in the traditional Hallikar belt of Mysore, Hassan, Mandya, and Tumkur districts of South Karnataka.

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USEFUL LINKS

  1. Purebred Dairy Cattle Association
  2. American Dairy Association
  3. National Association of Animal Breeders
  4. American Dairy Science Association
  5. United States Cattlemen’s Association
  6. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  7. American National Cattlewomen
  8. Beef Cattle Breed Associations
  9. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  10. Fur Commission USA
  11. North American Meat Institute
  12. American Livestock Conservancy
  13. Animal Shelter (ASPCA)
  14. American Veterinary Medical Association
  15. American Animal Welfare Society
  16. American Animal Control
  17. American Society of Animal Science
  18. United States Department of Agriculture

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