Sahiwal Cattle

Habitat:
Sahiwal cattle lives in parts of districts Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Multan, and Faisalabad in Punjab. The breed is named after Sahiwal district, which is part of its hometract.

Physical Characteristics:

• This breed is medium-sized, and has a fleshy body.

• Females have reddish dun colour; males may have a darker colour around the orbit, neck, and hindquarters.

• Males have stumpy horns; females are often dehorned.

• Ears are medium-sized and drooping.

• Skin is loose and fine with a voluminous dewlap and sheath.

• The hump in the male is massive, but in the female it is nominal.

• The tail ends in a black switch.

• The udder is large and strong and occasionally has white patches.

• This is tick resistant breed because its skin naturally keeps on shivering  

• Milk yield is 1500-2200 litres per lactation with a fat content of 4.5 %.

• Adult males weigh 400-500 kg, while females weigh 300 to 350 kg. Males having body weight of more than 1000 kg have also been documented.

• Average lactation length is 235 days

• Age at first calving is 45 months

• Service period is 155 days

• Dry period is 205 days

• Calving interval is 440 days

• Gestation period is 285 days

• Sahiwals are in great demand in several Asian and African countries. They have also been exported to Australia.

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