Sahiwal is best ‘desi’ milch breed though it is also used for dual-purposes. It is also known as “Lambi Bar”, “Lola”, “Montgomery”, “Multani” and “Teli”. This breed originated from the Sahiwal District of Pakistan in the Punjab region, along the India-Pakistan border. It is mostly found in the Rohtak, Karnal, Hissar, Gurgaon district of Haryana, the Union Territory of Delhi, and in West Uttar Pradesh. Its breeding tract is the Ferozpur and Amritsar districts of Punjab, and also the Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan.

Good herds of pure cattles are available around Fazilka and Abohar towns of Ferozepur district in Punjab. The Sahiwal cattle are tick-resistant as their skins keep quivering naturally. These are also parasite-resistant, heat-tolerant and drought-resistant.

It is most popular amongst the farmers. However, over the years, the number of pure-bred Sahiwal cattle has been dwindling. Consequently, the Punjab Government has formed the “Sahiwal Cattle Society” with the sole motto of propagating this native breed. Under the ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’ incentives are being given for rearing this endangered breed. A large herd of Sahiwal cows is maintained by the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal in Haryana.  Also, there are some Gaushalas that have been maintaining the Sahiwal cattle in Punjab and Rajasthan.

Characteristics:

• It has broad and small head, with long and narrow faces.
• It’s color ranges from reddish brown to predominant red, with varying amounts of white on neck and underline.
• In the males, the color darkens towards the extremities.
• The horns are short and almost horizontal in the cows while the bullocks have long horns that curve upwards and inwards.
• The ears are long, drooping and set behind, in level with the eyes.
• The legs are long, sturdy and heavily built with well-shaped hoofs.
• The barrel is long and compact and the tail is thin and short.
• The body is heavily built and symmetrical.
• The dewlap is heavy and the hump is large.
• Average weight of males is about 522 kg and that of females is 340 kg. Males having body weight of more than 1000 kg have also been documented.
• Average height of males is 136 cms. and that of females is 120 cms
• The cows have well developed udders. They have the ability to sire small, fast-growing calves.
• The milk yield is about 1500-2200 litres per lactation with fat content of 4.5 % and average lactation length is 235 days.
• The average age at first calving of 45 months, service period is 155 days and dry period is 205 days.
• The average calving interval is about 440 days while the gestation period is around 285 days