1

DHANNI CATTLE

BY

MUHAMMAD ASLAM MSc. (Hons) AB & Genetics)Deputy Director

Barani Livestock Production Research Institute, Kherimurat, District Attock

HOME TRACT OF DHANNI Attock, Rawalpindi, Chakwal and Jehlum Districts in Punjab Povince.

LIVESTOCK IN BARANI AREASSpeciesSpecies PunjabPunjab

(million)(million)Barani Barani (million)(million)

% of % of PunjabPunjab

BuffaloBuffalo 11.1511.15 3.233.23 2929

CattleCattle 9.389.38 5.155.15 5454

SheepSheep 6.146.14 4.084.08 6666

GoatGoat 15.3015.30 7.87.8 5252

CamelCamel 0.180.18 0.150.15 81818

POPULATION OF DHANI CATTLE CLASSIFIED BY SEX AND AGE IN PUNJAB (BASED ON 1986 CENSES)

204876146063523831731124703211141877Dhanni

Young Stock

Adults Young Stock

Adults

Number of Cowsin Milk

Female Male Total No. of

Animals

Breeds

HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF DHANNI CATTLE

334 BC Alexander the great entered in India and succeeded in a war with Raja Poris along side of Jhelum river.Dhanni cattle basically originated with the invaders of Alexander the Great. He brought black cattle with him whereas, the local white cattle cows of the area were popular for stamina and work. For the transportation of canons and luggage and other agricultural operations heavy beast were required which were then crossed with the native cows and a Dalmatian dog like colour coat developed in the crossbreds. Coins of that era have the picture of these animals. The Dhanni name actually originated from Dhan an area in District Chakwal. According to some local breeders the name Dhanni is from Dhan mean money.

1932-Sir Sardar Muhammad Nawaz Khan (Grand Father of Malik Atta Muhammad Khan of Kot Fateh Khan a well known breeder) distributed Dhanni bulls in the area (Gali Jageer, Kot Fateh Khan, and Bijnial ) of Fateh Jang, District Attock.

Due to continuous breeding by these bulls Dhanni breed developed in the area. 1918 -A schemes The Dhanni cattle Breeding Subsidy Scheme. 1938- A Herd Book Scheme was introduced in developing purebred Dhani cattle.

(Now both scheme are not in operation)

ROLE OF DHANNI BREEDERS IN 1962-1963

MALIK ZAWAR HUSAIN (Rakh Ghulaman)

MALIK AMEER MUHAMMAD KHAN (Kalabagh)

COL. ABID (Jhang)

NAWAB KHIZER HAYAT TWANA (Sargodha)

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Establishment of BLPRI, KherimuratFor bringing about genetic development, and conducting research on Dhanni Cattle production and reproduction. The Government of the Punjab established Dhanni Cattle Farm at Kherimurat. The brief history is given below:-The scheme was introduced by the defunct West Pakistan Agricultural Development Corporation (WPADC).

OBJECTIVES OF DHANNI CATTLE FARM AT KHERMURAT

1. To establish a centre for the supply of pure bred stud bulls and cows of superior quality of Dhanni bred for distribution of reliable breeders.

2. To develop and improve the Dhanni blood and to fix all its desirable characteristics.

3. To carry out research, scientific breeding and improvement according to the latest practices adopted in all advanced countries.

4. By selective breeding to improve the traction power of these animals and also to improve the milk yield of the cows.

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INDUCTION OF DHANNI CATTLE AT KHERIMURAT

West Pakistan Agricultural Development Corporation

Livestock & Diary Development Department

DHANNI

0404MSMS

Bull Bull 0707Cow Cow 3636MYSMYS 0101FYSFYS 3333

FSFS 0505Total Total 8686

LIVESTOCK STRENGTH ATBARANI LPRI KHERIMURAT

DHANNI BULL SERVICE

774011457June

657431658411Total 05090304Sold for Breeding

1087011134May 57695443April 686115652March 65259034February 22081825January 17230826December21140828November15131034October 32251018September 28362922August 47475038July

2005-062004-052003-042002-03Month

NATURAL SERVICES PROVIDED (DHANNI)

June, 2008May, 2008Apr. 2008Mar. 2008Feb. 2008Jan. 2008Dec. 2007

Nov. 2007Oct. 2007Sep. 2007Aug. 2007July, 2007

10213810696766321

1317264471

63Apr. 200983Apr. 2007105May, 200985May, 200787June, 2009102June, 2007

95Mar. 2009122Mar. 200779Feb. 200974Feb. 200732Jan. 200950Jan. 200733Dec. 200814Dec. 2006

25Nov. 200811Nov. 200622Oct. 200818Oct. 200614Sep. 200829Sep. 200645Aug. 200832Aug. 200669July, 200854July, 2006

April 2011

Mar. 2011

Feb. 2011

Jan. 2011

Dec. 2010

Nov. 2010

Oct. 2010

Sep. 2010

Aug. 2010

July, 2010

150

207

12

Nil

76

69

17

16

08

08

118Apr. 2010

169May, 2010

80June, 2010

138Mar. 2010

65Feb. 2010

30Jan. 2010

14Dec. 2009

10Nov. 2009

12Oct. 2009

29Sep. 2009

30Aug. 2009

39July, 2009

BREED CHARACTERISTICS

The Dhanni is of medium size, compact body with comparatively straight back, fine skin, small head, stumpy horns, ears small and alert, compact hump, small dewlap, tight sheath, whip like tail ending in a white switch, and a small udder. It is a sturdy animal having great agility, suitable for light draught work. :

BODY WEIGHTThe average weight at maturity is 400 kg for males and 300 kg for females.

COLOUR PATTERNColour: The colouring in majority of Dhanni Cattle consists of black or red/brown spots on a white coat.

The following variations in body color of Dhanni animals are generally found

(Chitta Burga) predominately white coat with black spots

(Kala Burga) predominately black coat with white spots

(Nuqra) white mottles with brown and black patches

(Ratta Burga)Greater part is red with white spotting on certain parts of the body.

Type: DraughtBody Measurement (cm):

Average weight (kg): Male: 409 Female : 318Average Milk Yield (305 days) 800 liters Calving Interval (days) 578Lactation Period (days) 270Dry Period (days): 308

170188140155122135Female Male Female Male Female Male

Girth Length Height

DRUGHT POTENTIAL OF DHANNIPLOUGHING

PERSIAN WHEEL

OIL EXTRACTION

BULL CART

BULL RACE

Semen Doses of Dhanni Bulls Produced and Supplied in the Field

89352009-10

136632008-09

48382007-08

50002006-07

Semen Doses Supplied Year

RESEARCH STUDIES COMPLETED IN

DHANNI CATTLE

Comparative performance of some cattle breeds under Barani conitions of PakistanAslam et al. Int.J.Agri.Biol.,Vol.4.No.4,2002

Livestock mortality in rainfed climate.M.Arshad. Annual Report BLPRI (1996-97)

Reproductive efficiency in different breeds of cattle based on lenth of calving interval.M.Aslam Annual Report BLPRI (1996-97)

Productive Performance of Different Breeds of Cattle maintained at Barani LPRI, Kherimurat.

Productive Performance of Different Breeds of Cattle maintained at Barani LPRI, Kherimurat.Muhammad Aslam --- (Under Publication)

Activity4.20: Improving Beef Production In Barani Area(2004-2005)

OBJECTIVE:

To improve the local non-descript cattle for beef production

27Charolaise

Local cattleLow Gains, Less Carcass Wt and Less Price for local cattle

Live weight Comparisom of Beef calves (kg)

No of calves

Cross bred

No. Local % improved

Birth weight (kgs)

10 36 6 22 64

Wt gain (6 Mo)

8 80 5 57 40

Wt Gain (1 yr) 8 170 4 120 42

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AchievementsSITES Animals selected

for breeding Animals inseminated

Months of insemination

JARMOT 25 21 May -2005

HAFIZABAD 25 11 May-2005

Total 50 32

Birth weightBirth weightXX

Birth weightBirth weightCC

Daily wt gain Daily wt gain XX

Daily wt gain Daily wt gain CC

3636 2222 454454 315315

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Conclusion High weight gain in crossbred calves (170 kg) as compared

to control calves (120 Kg) under farmer feeding practices

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Recommendation Beef cross breeding may be included in the strategy for improving beef

production in the areas, where milk production is low and marketing is difficult

Present Status Beef cross breeding is being adopted by the farmers in the area where the

activity was conducted.

Month-wise Live Weights of Calves

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Apr-06 512.5May-06 420.8Jun-06 362.5Jul-06 495.8

Aug-06 568.8Sep-06 468.8Oct-06 445.8Nov-06 433.3Dec-06 404.2Jan-07 304.2Feb-07 487.5Mar-07 475.0Apr-07 395.8

May-07 458.3

Cross Local

Birth Wt 36 22Wt gain/d 440 315

MAIN PROBLEMS CONFRONTED WITH DHANNI CATTLE

Limited BreedingCoverage

Non-exist. Of Dhanni.B.A Scarcity of Feed

Resources

Delayed Maturity

Genetic Deterioration

LACK OF AWARENESSAT FARMER LEVEL

ACTION PLAN FOR THE GENETIC CONSERVATION

OF DHANNI CATTLEDBLPRI: Reducing age at Ist calving and calving initial leading to better reproductive efficiency in Dhanni cattle and provision of breeding management practice for field staff.

Director BLPRI DhCBS

Govt. farms and registered private farms/breeders through improved extension services

Reproductive performance

Reducing age at first calving and reduction in calving interval

Improving in reproductive efficiency

DBLPRI: Identification of 20% grower animals after date analysis. DhCBS: Collaboration in the selection of best animals.

Director BLPRI DhCBS

Recording would be (monthly) for all Dhanni Animals of a farmer top 20% recorded as best grower.

Identification of 20% Dhanni animals who have maximum weight gain.

DBLPRI: Monthly live weight recording of Dhanni breed at LES, BLPRI Kherimurat & in field.

Director BLPRI DhCBS

300 cows Ist year followed by 100/Annum

Monthly Live weight recoding

DBLPRI: Registration & Selective breeding and live breeding at LM DIV. BLPRI.

Director BLPRI DhCBS

300 animals in Istyear following by 100/Annum.30 breeders/annum

Registration of Dhanni cattle /Breeders

Selective Breeding Improving of Beef Production

Role of state Holder Action ByTarget / Time Frame

Progress Strategy Objective

DBLPRI: Organizing Dhanni cattle shows to highlight the interest of breeders.DhCBS: Collaboration in conduction of melas/shows etc.

Director BLPRI DhCBS

Cash awards and other incentives

1-Induction of Herd Book Scheme11-Organizing beauty competition in cattle shows

Salvation/Expansion of Dhanni Breed

DBLPRI Performance Data recording on candidate calves at Kherimurat.DBI: Maintaining Breeding Bulls & cryopreservation of semen doses.DhCBS: Collaboration in the field area at farmers level.

Director BLPRI DBIDhCBS

50 per year For producing pure Dhanni calves/Bulls for SPUs

Establishment of CRC

DBLPRI: maintenance of pure Dhanni nucleus herd through better feeding & management.DhCBS: Collaboration in extension service.

Director BLPRI DhCBS

Identification of Dhanni cattle.

Establishment of breed specific farms in public & private sector.

Maintenance of nucleus herd of Dhanni cattle

Breed Development

Role of state Holder Action ByTarget / Time Frame

Progress Strategy Objective

RecommendationsThere is absolute need to support Dhanni breed as draft and beef animal in the native tracts in Barani Districts: The following actions are necessary in this regard:

Dhanni breed be improved through organization of herd book scheme of old times in their respective tracts.

15 – 20 best young Dhanni bulls be purchased from its tract and kept at SPU Kherimurat for semen production and use in the field. No Dhanni and Dhanni like cow be cross-bred in its tract and be only bred through Dhanni semen or bull.

All male and female calves be raised for breeding for work and raised as beef animals upto optimal age for sale.

There is a export potential of work animals in Rice producing countries hence Dhanni is the only choice due to stamina & vigor.

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KHERIMURAT VELLY OF DHANNI & OLIVE

THANKS

Doses of Dhanni Semen Produced at SPU- Punjab during Different Year

35000

24000

3000

24840

8305

13382

12951

13117

10999

10176

9940

6523

Total

1994-95

1993-94

1992-93

1991-92

1990-91

1989-90

1988-89

1987-88

1986-87

1985-86

1984-85

2512331983-84

50001982-83

50001981-82

30001880-81

80001979-80

50001978-79

30001977-78

-1976-77

-1975-76

10001974-75

130001973-74

360001972-73

Research Studies Title: Productive Performance of Different Breeds of Cattle maintained at Barani LPRI, Kherimurat. (Under Publication)

Muhammad AslamComparative Performance of productive traits of Dhanni, Lohani, Red Sindhi, Dajal, Rojhan and Crossbred breeds of Cattle.

=Downward, =upward, =maintained

2266.15375621901112123X-bred

509.3533043584872118Rojhan

77935960081951919Dajal

1528.053185351101501920R.Sindhi

7172073268910318.518Lohani

Not Milked2765681231611819Dhanni

Trend of Bred Milk in Liters

Female Male Female Male Female Male Breed

Milk Production (Liters) (305) days

Average Adult Weight (Kg)

Av. Weaning Weight (Kg)

Av. Birth Weight (Kg)