The Sahiwal cattle is a breed of zebu cow. It is named after an area in the Punjab region (which is divided between Pakistan and India), where the cattle is found.
It is considered as a heat-tolerant cattle breed. And it can perform well in it’s native area. It is known by some other names such as Mint Kumre, Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani and Teli.
The breed was originated in the dry Punjab region which lies along central Punjab. Once these animals were kept in large herds by professional herdsmen called ‘Charwahas’.
They began to be kept in smaller numbers by the farmers of the region, with the introduction of irrigation system to the region. And the farmers used them as draught and dairy animal.
Today, the Sahiwal cattle is one of the best dairy cattle breeds in India and Pakistan. The cows are calm when milking.
The breed is good for raising in the hot South Asian countries, due to it’s heat tolerance and high milk production. And the breed has been exported to many other Asian countries as well as Africa and the Caribbean.
Sahiwal Cattle Characteristics
The Sahiwal cattle are medium in size and they are very beautiful. Their common body coloration is brownish red to greyish red. Both bulls and cows generally have horns.
As a medium sized breed, average body weight of the mature bulls is between 400 and 500 kg. And average body weight of the mature cows is between 700 and 800 kg.
Uses
The Sahiwal cattle are dual-purpose animals. They are good and used for both dairy and draft purposes. But in India, the breed is raised mainly for milk production purpose.
Special Notes
The Sahiwal cattle are very strong and hardy animals. They are very heat tolerant and generally do very well in some south Asian countries.
The cows are the heaviest milkers of all zebu cattle breeds, and they display a well-developed udder.
Sahiwal cattle are now predominantly used in Australia for beef production, as crossing high-grade Sahiwal sires with European breeds produced a carcass of lean quality with desirable fat cover.
Sahiwal bulls have demonstrated the ability to sire small, fast-growing calves, noted for their hardiness under unfavorable climatic conditions.[1]
Milk of the Sahiwal cattle is of very good quality and generally used for making many different milk products. However, review full breed profile of this cattle breed in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Sahiwal | |
| Other Names | Also known by some other names such as Mint Kumre, Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani and Teli | |
| Breed Purpose | Milk and draft | |
| Special Notes | Good behavior and temperament, known for their hardiness and their ability to convert grass into milk efficiently, able to adapt a wide variety of climates, very good for milk production, milk is of good quality, the breed is also good for meat, good for draft purposes, top among the zebu cattle breeds | |
| Breed Size | Medium | |
| Bulls | Between 400 and 500 kg | |
| Cows | Between 700 and 800 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates | |
| Coat Color | Generally brownish red to greyish red | |
| Horned | Yes | |
| Milk Yield | Good | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | Pakistan |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Sahiwal cattle. Here we are listing the most common questions about this cattle breed, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
What is special about Sahiwal cow?
The Sahiwal cow is popular and noted for it’s heat tolerance, tick-resistant and it’s high resistance to both internal and external parasites. It is a highly milk productive breed and noted for it’s good quality milk. These cows produce A2 milk.
How much milk does a Sahiwal cow give?
A good Sahiwal cow can give around or up to 10 liters of milk per day.
Is Sahiwal a pure breed?
Yes, Sahiwal is a pure breed cow. It is a breed of zebu cow, which is named after an area in the Punjab, Pakistan.
How much milk does a Sahiwal cow produce per day?
A Sahiwal cow can produce around or up to 10 liters of milk per day.
Which cow is better Gir or Sahiwal?
Gir cows can give 15 to 20 kg milk per day, while Sahiwal cows can produce up to 25 kg milk per day. Milk yielding capacity of Sahiwal cow is much more than the Gir cow. But, quality of milk of Gir cow is much better than Sahiwal cow. So, the decision is yours.
Does Sahiwal cow give A2 milk?
Yes, this breed give A2 milk. Actually, India’s desi cow breeds like Gir, Sahiwal and Tharparkar have a genetic make-up that yields milk high in A2.
Is Sahiwal a desi cow?
Yes, it is a desi cow.
Why is Sahiwal famous?
The Sahiwal cow is popular and famous for it’s high milk production, heat tolerance, tick-resistant and it’s high resistance to both internal and external parasites.
Why Sahiwal cow milk is costly?
The Sahiwal cows produce A2 milk, and price of A2 milk is much higher.
How much food Sahiwal cows eat daily?
Depends on the age and size of the cow. The Sahiwals are actually a heavy feeder and their feed requirements are high. They generally consume about 2 percent of their body weight. For example, if your Sahiwal’s body weight is 500 kg, then it will require about 10 kg food daily.
Is Sahiwal cow ghee good for health?
Yes, ghee from these cow is very good for health. It is rich in vitamin A, E and D. It is especially good for skin health.
What are the characteristics of Sahiwal?
The Sahiwal cattle are medium in size and they are very beautiful. Their common body coloration is brownish red to greyish red. Both bulls and cows generally have horns. As a medium sized breed, average body weight of the mature bulls is between 400 and 500 kg. And average body weight of the mature cows is between 700 and 800 kg.
