Lesson No.

Lesson 3: Breeds of Large Ruminants

and Title
Learning Identify the different Breeds of Large Ruminants, and;
Outcomes Discuss its different characteristics according to their purpose

Time Frame
Introduction Each group of animals are exhibit characteristic features that makes
them stand out or easily identifiable. These characteristics are usually
inherited hence could be said to be genetically determined. Therefore, a
breed is defined as a group of animals that are related by the same
ancestor and have the same characteristics such as appearance,
conformation, size and other notable and distinguishing features.

Activity 1. What are the differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus?

2. In the table below, list down at least 5 common example of each

of the following and give its distinct characteristics.

Bos taurus characteristic Bos indicus Characteristic

1.
1.

2.
2.

3.
3.

4.
4.

5.
5.

(kindly use a whole sheet of paper for your answer)

Note: Please follow the format of the table when answering.

1. Which of the two sub- species of the bovidae family do you think
Analysis is more adaptable in your locality? And why?

2. Is it possible to raise Bos taurus in Tropical country? Why or,

why not?
Abstraction Cattle belong to the family Bovidae which is sub-divided into two
subgroups: Bos Taurus and Bos Indiscus. Bos Taurus cattle have no
hump i.e. do not possess hump while Bos indicus possesses humps. In
addition, Bos Taurus cattle are the types of cattle found in the temperate
regions of the world while Bos Indicus are found mostly in the tropics.
Cattle can also be typed or classified based on the main purpose of
production. Those specifically bred for milk production are called dairy
cattle (e.g. Holstein/Friesian) while those for meat are called beef cattle
(e.g. Hereford). Some cattle have dual or even triple-purpose functions.
They can be used for dairy, beef production and also used for draught.

Breeds of Cattle

Worldwide there are more than 250 beef cattle

breeds, of which about 60 are present in the USA. Some
breeds have been around for centuries, while others have been developed
in the last couple of decades by mixing older breeds. Each breed is
characterized by different traits such as size, weather tolerance, color,
markings, hair length, and temperament.

In this lesson we will discuss the different types or classification of

breeds according to their main purpose of production.

Beef or Meat- type Purpose

Beef cattle breeds are very popular, and most of them

are reared for the economic purpose. All cattle are not the
same characteristics. Below are the list of some common
breeds for meat purposes.
Source: (https://www.britannica.com/animal/cattle-livestock) you may
use for your further readings.
Milk or Dairy- type Purpose

Compared with other dairy animals, cattle present many advantages

in terms of ease of milking, udder size and the animal’s ability to store
milk, and milk yield. In fact, cattle milk constitutes the largest share of
the total world milk production. There are far more milking cows in
developing than developed countries, but animals in developing countries
often have lower milk yields and shorter lactations. Poor animal
performance in small-scale dairy systems in developing countries is the
result of such factors as climate (high ambient temperature, humidity),
low-quality feed, low levels of concentrate supplementation, and low
genetic potential for milk production.

Below are the list of some common breeds for dairy or milk
purposes.

Source: (https://www.britannica.com/animal/cattle-livestock) you may

use for your further readings.
Breeds of Buffalo

The buffalo species originated in India. The present day

domesticated buffaloes are the descendants of Bos arni found in wild
state even today in north-eastern parts of India specially Assam and the
surrounding areas. The buffaloes are normally classified into river and
swamp types though both are called Bubalus bublis. Below, are some
examples of breeds of Buffalo.

 The colour is usually jet

black with white markings
MURRAH on tail and face and
extremities sometimes
found.
 The tightly curved horn is
an important character of
this breed.
 The buffalo cows of this
breed are one of the most
efficient milk and butter fat
producers in India.
 Age at first calving is 45-
50 months and inter
calving period is 450-500
days.

 This breed is found in

NILI RAVI Sutlej valley in Ferozpur
district of Punjab and in
the Sahiwal district of
Pakistan.
 Usually the colour is black
with white marking on
forehead, face, muzzle,
legs and tail.
 The most desired
character of the female is
the possession of white
markings.
 The milk yield is 1500-
1850 kg per lactation and
the inter calving period is
500-550 days.
 Age at first calving is 45-
50 months.
  Agra and Etawah district
of Uttar Pradesh and
BHADAWARI Gwalior district of Madhya
Pradesh.
 The body is medium size
and wedge shaped. The
head is comparatively
small, the legs are short
and stout, and the hooves
are black. The hind
quarters are uniform and
higher than the
forequarter.
 The body is usually light or
copper coloured is a
peculiarity of this breed.
Eye lids are generally
copper or light brown
colour.
 Two white lines ‘Chevron’
are present at the lower
side of the neck similar to
that of surti buffaloes.
 Horns are black, curling
slightly outward,
downward before running
backward parallel and
close to neck, and finally
turning upward.
 The average milk yield is
800 to 100 kg.

You may also visit this site for your further readings:

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/animal_husbandry/animhus_buffalo%20breeds.html
http://www.fao.org/tempref/docrep/fao/010/ah847e/ah847e01.pdf

‘
Application Is it possible to raise a Holstein Friesian breed in your locality? Yes or
no? Support your answer. What would happen to its milking ability? Is
there any reduction? Why or why not?

Closure Congratulations. You just have finished the lesson 3. If you have some
quires please ask your instructor during your consultation period.
Lesson No. Lesson 4: Breeds of Small Ruminants
and Title
Learning Identify the different breeds of small ruminants, and;
Outcomes Discuss its different distinct characteristics

Time Frame
Introduction In the tropics, sheep and goats have characteristic features that make
them to survive in the environment. These features make these animals to
develop a kind of tolerance to the difficulties of the environment. They have
developed certain features that make them live and survive in the humid or
arid environment.

In this lesson, we will only focusing on the different breeds and their
characteristic of goats since, there were only few raisers who were engaging
sheep production in the Philippines for commercial purposes. But you can
visit to this site in the internet http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/ for your
further study. Thank you!

Activity 1. In the table below, list down at least 5 common example of each of the
following and give its distinct characteristics.

Meat- type Characteristic Milk- type Characteristic

1.
1.

2.
2.

3.
3.

4.
4.

5.
5.

Analysis 1. Based on the activity above, what are your basis of selecting different
breeds according to their purposes or uses? Site at least 3 reason for
meat and for milk- type

Abstraction One of the first decisions about raising goats is which breed or breeds to
raise. As a beginner goat producer you need to identify specific breeds by
name, appearance, and general characteristics. Note that the characteristics
listed are what the breed is known for, but within each breed there is a great
deal of individual variation. There are two types or classification of breeds
according to their purposes.

Below are the examples of breeds for milk purposes:

Alpine LaMancha

These goats derive from the French

Alps, so they are also often called
French Alpine goats. The Alpine goat
can produce 1 – 2 gallons of milk These goats have a great
again. The average about of fat in the personality. They can also be raised
milk is 3.5%, which is high. This milk in America. However, these goats
is used to make many thick substances originate from Spain. Their milk has
made from milk, such as butter, 4.2% fat concentration.
cheese, and ice cream.

Anglo Nubian Saanen

Nubian goats were first bred in Saanen is the biggest dairy breed.
England in the 1920s – 1930s. Males can grow to be over 200
Nubian goats have one the largest fat pounds. They can have 1 gallon of
content of any of the goat breeds at milk every day. This milk will
5%. They can produce .5 – 1.5 gallons generally contain 2.5 – 3% of fat.
of milk a day. While this isn’t the These goats can be used as pets and
 highest milk producer of the dairy used for meat production as well.
goats, it can produce milk all year
long.

Below are the examples of breeds for meat- type purposes:

Boer Kiko

Boer males can grow to be 300 Kiko is from the Maori word
pounds. Because of this large size, meaning flesh or meat. By 1986 the
they are one of the most popular Kiko breed was established and the
breeds for meat production. Other herd was closed to further cross-
advantages are that they are resistant breeding. Kikos were exported to
to disease and reproduce often. While the United States in the 1992, where
they are popular in Australia, they breeders were looking to improve
originally derive from South Africa in meat production by crossing with
the early 1900s. the indigenous Spanish goats.
 Kalahari Red Savanna

The origin of Kalahari Red goats The white Savanna goat also
is traced back to two lines, namely a known as the white Boer was
line of red-headed Boer goat and developed from local South African
another of the local unimproved goats goats. The white colour of these
of South Africa. The breeder of goats is the reason for their high
Kalahari goat claim this breed to be price. The Savanna goats have been
tougher and more robust than Boer recognized as official breeds in
goats. South Africa since 1993.
.
Source: from google.com (for your more reference about the different breeds)

Application If you are going to select between of the two breeds below. Which
among of the two figures would you prefer to select for meat and milk
purposes? List down all your subjective observation by following the format.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Sample format for answering: you may use a whole sheet of paper
Meat Purpose Milk Purpose
Features Features
Figure X Figure Y
Closure Congratulations. You already finished the four lessons in module 1. You can
now proceed to the next sets of lessons. Are you ready?