Phenotypic characterisation of indigenous cattle of Meghalaya State

In the present study an attempt has been made to assess the phenotypic variability and know the management of indigenous cattle in the Meghalaya state. A total of 76 farmers from 17 villages of three districts (Ri-Bhoi, East-Khasi Hills and West-Garo Hills) were interviewed to record information on various management practices and 217 animals of different age and sex were recorded for morphometric and physical traits.  It was observed that cattle were reared mainly for meat, milk, bullock power and manure. Animals were reared on extensive system of management i.e. grazing from morning to evening, free range during December to March. During April to December fields have crops so controlled grazing was there. Cattle were of small size, well built, hardy and in cylindrical shape. The body colour varies in different colours brown (53%), grey (38%) and black (9%).  Bulls were darker in colour and have medium size hump. Horns were smaller in length (9-12 cm). The average body length, height at wither, heart girth, paunch girth, horn length, ear length, face length and tail length without switch in cows (95)  were  97.64±1.08 cm, 100.90±0.95 cm, 128.90±1.53 cm, 128.60±1.77 cm, 9.94±0.63 cm, 18.91±0.22 cm, 38.08±0.47 cm and 68.61±0.97 cm, respectively. Males and females did not differ significantly at all stages of age for all the mophometric traits. The average daily milk yield and lactation length were 2.38+0.18 kg (1.50 to 4.0kg) and 138 days (120-180 days), respectively. It may be concluded that indigenous cattle of Meghalaya showed uniformity in physical and morphometric traits and differ in their proportion (type traits) with others cattle of the region.