Siri cattle – An endangered breed of Sikkim, India

Abstract

Siri is a dual purpose cattle breed originating from Bhutan and also available in Sikkim and Darjling (West Bangal of India). Number of Siri cattle declined drastically from 79,000 to 13,948 during the years 2003 to 2012 and therefore the breed falls under threatened category. Siri cattle is reared mostly on stall feeding, some time graze on steep slopes in thick forests. The prominent body colour is brown with white patches or black with white patches, however, pure black and brown colours are also available. Siri cattle have typical hump i.e. cervico-thoracic and covered with long hairs. Size of the cattle is larger as compared to cattle of other states of north east states. The daily milk yield ranged from 2.0 to 6.50 kg. The age at first calving, lactation length and calving interval ranged from 40–60 months, 200–240 days, 450–600 days, respectively. A pair of bullock may plough 1.0 acre of land in 6–8 h. Bullocks were used for 3 to 4 months in a year for different agricultural operations. Keeping in view the status, utility and adaption of breed, there is urgent need to check the crossbreeding in the breeding tract and breed may be improved genetically through systematic performance recording in the field. The State Animal Husbandry Department, Sikkim has already started a genetic improvement program in the field, which needs to be strengthened