The Rathi (Hindi:राठी) is an Indian breed of dairy cattle. It originates in the state of Rajasthan, and is found principally in the Thar Desert, in the Bikaner, Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts of the state.[6] It is particularly numerous in the tehsil of Lunkaransar, in Bikaner District.[6] In 2022 the total number of the cattle was estimated at 878852–1169828 head.[2]
 Cow | |
 Bull | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | India |
| Distribution | Thar Desert, Rajasthan |
| Use | dairy[3]: 4 |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height |
|
| Coat | usually brown with patches of white[5]: 133 |
| |
It is named for the nomadic Rath people of that area,[6] who move with their cattle according to the available pasture and water resources, and depend on sales of cattle, ghee and milk for their living.[5]: 133
It is quite distinct from the white or grey Rath breed of draught cattle similar to the Hariana, described in 1909 and again in 1953[7]: 134 in the Alwar district of eastern Rajasthan – some 400 km from the range of the Rathi breed – for which no modern status data is available.[5]: 131 [4]: 278
Use
editMilk yield is approximately 1530 kg in a lactation of 309 days; the milk has a fat content of 5.3%.[2]
References
edit- ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Breed data sheet: Rathi / India (Cattle). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2024.
- ^ [Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying] (2005). Country Report on Animal Genetic Resources of India, archived 22 August 2021. Annex to: Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 10 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ^ a b c A.E. Nivsarkar, P.K. Vij, M.S. Tantia (2000). Animal Genetic Resources of India: Cattle and Buffalo. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research. ISBN 9788171641253.
- ^ a b c Rathi. Dairy Knowledge Portal. Anand, Gujarat: National Dairy Development Board. Archived 15 April 2024.
- ^ N.R. Joshi, Ralph W. Phillips (1953). Zebu Cattle of India and Pakistan. FAO Agriculture Studies No. 19. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.