Around 40 cattle breed have been recognised by Krishi Anusandhana Parishad in the country and all those varieties are included in the category of Bos indicus. It is said that all the breeds thus included are the ones that can be managed at a very low cost. As they have good digestion, these breeds are found to be capable of working normally in agricultural activities even if they are not fed high nutritious food. These can be raised from the crop residues left after cultivation. Thus, we can see millions of farmers in the state who are raising their cattle at very low cost.
All these breeds are mainly classified as milk breeds that is breeds that give high quantity of milk and tiller breeds that are suitable for work and dual breeds that breeds suitable for both milk and ploughing.
As such, most breeds in North India are identified as milk breeds. Mainly Geer, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi and Tharparkar breeds are identified as milk breeds. Also, most of the South Indian breeds are recognised as workable breeds. Among these, Hallikar, Amrit Mahal, Khilari, Amblapadi, Kangayam and Baraguru varieties are the most important. They are comparable in terms of labor except that they give less milk. They are mostly bred for plowing as well as cart pulling and manure. Thus, it is said that the Hallikar breed of Karnataka is the most important among such breeds that work tirelessly in the field for hours on end with a small amount of milky nectar. It does not mean that other breeds are not capable of working as much as this.
Similarly, Krishnavyali and Devani breeds are classified as dual energy breeds that is breeds that contribute equally to labour as well as milk production. While milk yielding breeds are found in somewhat larger number in the country, the number of workable and double strength cattle is decreasing day by day.
It is really shocking that the Krishnavalli breed, which was known as breed with double strength, is around just hundred in number today. These species, which were once found in large numbers on the banks of the Krishna River, have partially gone extinct. Devani, another double vigorous breed, is also clearly showing all the traits that line up with it. Even the best cattle of the Khilari breed, which are only capable of working like these, have become partially extinct.
Compared to other breeds, Hallikar is slightly more numerous. Thus, most of the breeds are disappearing due to the attitude of comparing the characteristics of the breeds from the milk itself. However, there are many breeds that have grown naturally for thousands of years according to the local climate and availability of fodder, and have remained the backbone of the rural economy of our country. Due to their ability to digest locally available fodder, even poor families can rear them and use them for their daily activities and also get the rich milk required for their family. Hallikar breed is the first in this line.
Research has made it clear that Hallikar is the root of almost all breeds found in South India. Ironically, this historic breed known for its labor which is found in relatively large numbers in Karnataka shows all the signs of its gradual disappearance like other breeds due to people’s indifference and modern agriculture. Due to their ability to adapt to any environment, work capacity, disease resistance and very low cost of fodder, a large number of them are making their way from the barn to the slaughterhouse. If those who have the mindset to save this breed like other breeds for the next generation do not wake up, it is becoming increasingly evident that they will not be able to prevent their disappearance in a few years.
A proud breed of the erstwhile Mysore region, these Hallikar breeds are known for their lean physique, agility, enthusiasm, speed endurance compared to other breeds. Thus, for thousands of years, these cattle have remained a member of the household for many people who have lived on the banks of the Kaveri River. These breeds are more common in Mysuru District as compared to other districts. The next place is Tumakuru District. In the old Mysuru province, the red soil is abundant and the water that falls on it drains away very quickly. So the soil should be plowed and the seeds should be planted while the soil is still soft. In such climates, Hallikar bullocks, which plow fast, are well-suited to this region, and are therefore well-known.
These breeds are found in large numbers all over these parts because of their ability to do more work at a faster pace. In many places we can see pregnant Halikar cattle being used for ploughing. It was later observed that cows thus used gave birth to calves without any difficulty during the calving season. Calves born in this way have been found to be capable of gaining good body shape at 9 to 10 months of age without any enriched diet and only consuming their mother’s milk and local fodder.
In the past, if a woman became pregnant in the house, it was customary to bring a Hallikar cow immediately because there was a strong belief that giving the milk, curd and ghee of the Hallikar cow to the pregnant and giving birth would keep the mother and child healthy. This is also a fact. If the child grew up on mother’s milk for a year, then all the days thereafter the child was given mostly Hallikar milk. Thus, villagers were often seen rearing hllikar cattle for the purpose of obtaining high quality milk, curd and ghee at home and for plowing their small plots of land.