Banni

Synonyms: Kutchi and Khundi

Introduction: The Banni buffalo, which was evolved by the Maldhari community in this region, has good adaptability to harsh climatic     conditions, drought resistance and survival on scanty fodder and shrubs.

Origin and Distribution: Basically Banni buffaloes are coming from Sindh area (Kadhan and Luhari) of Pakistan before partition of India-Pakistan. Banni buffaloes are distributed throughout the Kachchh district of Gujarat and in some parts of the Banaskantha and Patan districts of North Gujarat. These buffaloes are centered between the Hajipir and Khavada areas of Kachchh district. Typical Banni animals are seen in Bhirandara, Hodka, Luna, Mithadi, Udama, Dhorda, Goravali, Kaduli, Rabviry and Kakar villages of Banni region (Bhuj circle) and in Anjar, Bhachua, Nakhatrana and Lakhpat circles of Kachchh district.

Location and Topography: Latitude 23o 19’ N to 23o 52’ N Longitude 680 56’ E to 700 32’ E

Soil: The soil of the Banni area is highly calcareous, saline and loam sandy with poor water holding capacity, low permeability and is     prone to erosion.

Climate: Rainfall in this area is generally very erratic (250-500 mm) with average maximum and minimum temperatures of 42°C and     12°C respectively.

Housing: The animals stay loose in the village near the owner’s house and no special housing and supplementary feeding is provided.

Physical characteristics:

    1)Size: The Banni buffalo is medium to large in body size with a compact body Horns: typical coiled horns, often with double coiling.

    2)Head: The head of a Banni buffalo is wide with slight depression in the middle and no slope towards base of the horns. Face: The face     is comparatively elongated and straight with wide muzzle.

    3)Eyes: Eyes are prominent, black and bright.

    4)Neck: The neck of Banni buffaloes is medium and thin without skin folds over the region.

    5)Dewlap: The dewlap is almost absent in both the sexes.

    6)Chest: The chest is slightly deep and the barrel is long with well sprung ribs.

    7)Legs: The legs are medium in length with broad bones and hooves are black, small in size and firmly attached, which might be the     effect of adaptation to grazing under extensive production systems.

    8)Skin: The skin is soft, thin and generally black in colour but a few animals are also observed possessing copper colour.

    9)Udder: The udder of Banni buffaloes is well developed, round in shape and squarely placed. The hind and fore quarters are     uniformly well developed.

    10)Teats: The majority of animals have conical teats with round and pointed tips.

Morphological Performance: Males: Body length, height and Chest girth average 143.67 ± 2.13, 137.64 ± 1.89 and 214.08 ± 5.10 cm,     respectively. Females: Body length, height and chest girth average 153.01 ± 0.57, 137.25 ± 0.38 and 203.74 ± 0.60 cm, respectively.     Adult body weight is 525 to 625 kg in males and 475 to 575 kg in females. Lactation milk yield (lit.) 2857.21 ± 89.76 (range 1095.12     to 6053.670) Daily milk yield (lit.) 11.53 ± 0.07 (range 5.00 to 26.00) Lactation length averages 300.96 ± 4.43 days (range 185 to     410) Fat is around 6.65 ± 0.11% (range 4.00 to 12.10) Age at first mating is 912 to 1064 days Age at first calving is 1224.52 ± 7.60     days Service period is 72.68 ±1.39 days Calving interval is 372.09 ± 2.43 days