Meet Hardy and Unique Malnad Gidda Cow Breed 

The Malnad Gidda breed is an essential cattle breed to India’s local economy and culture. Many efforts have been ongoing to conserve and promote this breed. Our Indian animal husbandry organisations and government resources focus on breeding programs, providing extra pay to our farmers and raising awareness about its significance.  

The Malnad Gidda cow breed is not just hardy; it’s the epitome of the resilience and cleverness of traditional farm practices in the Malenadu region of the Western Ghats. Its hardy nature, combined with its utility in milk-yielding and draught purposes, makes this breed a treasure to the local communities that care for the Malnad cows and marks it as a symbol of viable agriculture.  

This breed is mainly available in the native hilly, rainy, and densely forested Malenadu region of Karnataka in India. Malnad gidda cow breed stands very important for the rural economy of this region because of its draft power, milk production, and manure, which have very negligible inputs. The Malnad Gidda cattle breed is found in Udupi districts of Karnataka, Hassan, Kannada, Chikmagalur, Dakshin Kannada, Kodagu, Shimoga, and Uttar Kannada. 

Introduction: Malnad Gidda Cow  

“Malnad” signifies a mountainous or hilly area, while “Gidda” denotes something that is small or dwarfed. The Malnad Gidda cows are the guardians of the age-long heritage that spans generations. The A2 milk and ghee delivered shows the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. These dairy essentials offer a nutritious and culturally rich addition to our breakfast & dinner tables.  

With this blog, we appreciate the positive qualities and characteristics of Malnad Gidda cows; it is essential to recognise the need and support to sustain these gentle cow breeds, making sure that their legacy stays safe and flourishes for generations to come. 

Also, in the beautiful hills of the Western Ghats, our Malnad Gidda cows have become vital to the region’s culture and farming traditions. By adapting well to their environment, these cows help maintain the unique ecosystem of the Malnad area. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Malnad Gidda cows, especially highlighting the nutritious A2 milk and ghee they provide. 

Characteristics of Malnad Gidda Cow 

These breeds are well-adaptable to the agroecological area of the Western Ghats. The Malnad Gidda cows display impressive flexibility and durability. Their ability to graze on diverse vegetation and navigate the challenging Western Ghats terrain showcases their unique connection to the environment. The Malnad Cow milk yield per day is around 3-5 kg, and the average lactation yield is around 220 Kg. These animals are highly adapted to harsh climates, including scorching sunlight and heavy rainfall.  

• The Malnad Gidda is a small, compact breed with a stunted appearance. It stands 81 to 88 cm tall, measures 88 to 90 cm in length, and has a body weight ranging from 80 to 120 kg. The breed typically has black skin with light fawn shades on the thighs and shoulders, although some individuals may have brown skin with similar fawn shading. 

• Distinctive features include black hooves, eyelids, tail switches, and horns. Males possess a small hump, while females have a bowl-shaped udder. The teats are funnel-shaped, broad at the base, narrowing downwards to pointed tips. The long tail has a switch that nearly touches the ground. 

• The Malnad Gidda is inexpensive to maintain, primarily grazing and supplemented with small quantities of paddy straw, available green grass, or a traditional mixture of horse gram, broken rice, oil cake, and rice flour. Notably, this resilient breed was officially recognised as a distinct breed in India only in 2012. 

Conclusion 

Even with the change of time, the challenges faced by modernisation, and agricultural landscapes, the Malnad Gidda cattle continue to rule. It is highly appreciated to see the daily dedication of the farmers to take care of this robust breed in the most sustainable manner. However, the malnad gidda cow breed is gradually vanishing due to crossbreeding and rapid urbanisation.  

Knowing the importance of saving this valuable resource, efforts are underway to conserve the breed, enhance the genetic diversity and safeguard the future of Malnad Gidda cattle. The Malnad Gidda cattle breed is a testament to indigenous breeds’ enduring strength and impact on Indian cultures and rural economies.  

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