Bos Taurus Vs Bos Indicus

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

 

We've been doing a lot of research on Bos Indicus (Brahmans, Gyr, Zebu, etc)

in North America. We are in Kansas, which is directly in the middle of the

USA. Our summers average 92.9 degrees F and our winters average 15.7 degrees

F. We currently have 4 Brown Swiss who are not faring so well. 2 of the 4

have leg/hip/nerve problems. All have hoof trouble, one has horn trouble and

3 of the 4 are inherently feisty. They are also TOTALLY HUGE!!! There are

not many other Brown Swiss in our state, yet the devotees here got Brown

Swiss because they have become somewhat of an "ISKCON standard." In

contrast, Brahmans are kept in all the surrounding states.

 

Once our farm research is complete and we have formulated an

agricultural/horticultural plan, we will likely switch breeds to Bos Indicus

(Brahmans, from upper Nebraska State). Because they don't produce the

outrageous amounts of milk as do many traditional "milk breeds", US Brahmans

are traditionally used for meat and are crossed with cattle such as Angus

and Herefords to create Hybrids (F1's - Brafords, Brangus, etc).

 

Still, among the so-called "beef" breeds, they have a fantastic reputation

for high milk production and loyalty (I believe this is because of their

traditional role in Indian society as dual-purpose milk/draft animals). Of

course, these are our needs as well - more so than strictly milk; we are

primarily concerned with their function as draft animals, in manure

production, and only thirdly for milk. Below are three links with detailed

information on North American Brahmans (as Brahmans have been isolated to

some degree or another in the US, this info may differ slightly from

Brahmans in your particular area):

 

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/brahman/

 

http://www.ionet.net/~brahman/adapt.html

 

http://www.brahman.co.za/main.htm (breed strong points are at the upper

left)

 

One reason for us looking into Brahmans, is their heat tolerance and draught

survival in light of possible global warming. Also, there has been much

positive research performed in the Universities of surrounding states, which

compare them to the European breeds. Here is an abstract:

 

"A University of Missouri study found that BRAHMAN and European cattle

thrive equally well at temperatures between 8 degrees F and 70 degrees F.

Above 70 degrees F European cattle decline in appetite and milk production.

Brahman cattle show little effect of temperatures up to and beyond 105

degrees F."

 

Even in the North of the US you will have very hot summers, well over 70

degrees F. What to speak of appetite and milk production, we plan on working

them during our 95 degree summers. With regard to cold-tolerance, I've been

in contact with a "breeder" in North-Western Nebraska (North of Cold

Colorado) who has been raising both red and white Brahmans there for several

generations. Again, his area of Nebraska is North of the entire state of

Colorado - apparently they do perfectly fine in cold weather and like all

other cows on this planet, grow a thick undercoat as the weather changes.

 

I initially heard many bad things about these breeds when I started working

with cows in ISKCON and started asking questions. However, all of what I've

heard has been completely disproven and I'm convinced that so-called Indian

"exotic" breeds are actually more resilient, being resistant to common

cattle diseases, harsh weather extremes, and common cattle pests in the

Americas. Although they may have a reputation as being feisty, this rumor

only prevails amongst ISKCON devotees and would likely be due to poor

interpersonal bonding, as even the "beef" breeders take note of their

LOYALTY when given enough personal attention and respect - many dairy breeds

(such as Jerseys) respond the same. And of course, you can't beat that hump

for simplicity of the yoke (a log or fence-post will do in a pinch).

 

As always, please forgive my rambling. I hope this information helps. Do

check out the links above if you are at all interested in the benefits of

Bos Indicus.

 

Ys,

Gopal Das (VS)

 

 

 

Hrimati (dd) ACBSP (Mayapur - IN) [Hrimati.ACBSP (AT) pamho (DOT) net]

Wednesday, November 01, 2006 7:10 PM

mark john; Cow (Protection and related issues)

Bos Taurus Vs Bos Indicus

 

Hare Krishna Prabhu,

 

What is your location?

if you have a source where you can purchase an Indian breed from your own

locality, than I think there would not be any problem. However if you are

looking at importing an Indian breed cow from India, there might be a

problem here.

For two reasons, I would not take a Bharat Vasi out of Bharat Bhumi, second

the cow will get colds and other climatic shocks etc.

 

The Brown Swiss is a very large but very gentle breed. Generally they do not

do so good in hot or tropical climates. However, the Jersey breed is known

to be able to adopt very well to any climate, even the tropics.

 

maybe the other cow cowherds on this conference can comment more.

 

your humble servant,

Hrimati dasi

[Guest guest]

Dear Hrimati prabhuji

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

I am concerned that you say Jerseys are good even in the tropics. I

absolutely disagree. I have a 15 yr old Jersey cow and 2 oxen( another

died of cobra bite years ago and one drowned tragically in the terrible

floods last year monsoon)Yes it all happened before i finally grasped that

it is impractical..immoral and a disaster to breed Jerseys in India. I

stopped that at least 5 years ago. They require green fodder every day

which is often not possible outside of irrigated land. They eat 3 times

as much and drink 3 times as much water as my Indian breed cows.( cows

includes bulls), They are very uncomfortable in summer and have to be tied

in the shade all day and fed and watered constantly. They absolutely need

daily bath. Their skins are very thin and and in any tussle with another

bull or cow they get deep gashes whereas the other party has nothing altho

the Jerseys have long very sharp horns. Their skin is too soft. They are

very tick prone. They have no resistance to any disease whatsoever and

come down heavily with worst cases of whatever it is . They incur heavy

vet expenses. as well as fodder . They are very restless in behaviour and

plunge recklessly in to jungle and bush without checking it out for snakes

first. Otherwise they are all very sweet natured and the reputation that

Jersey bulls have for being dangerous certainly doesnt apply to Gopal and

Govinda here. But they should never be raised in India. Except for the

super rich ,farmers cannot take care of them and neither anyone knows how to

take their care. In spite of this the State Govt, unaware of the reality

on the ground , is pressuring the vets to fill a quota of breeding Jerseys

for milk production. Of course the unfortunate bull calves will be sent

for slaughter. So this advice you are giving about Jerseys is not at all

good. Hare Krishna

 

your servant Labanglatika dasi

 

 

haribol

 

 

 

 

 

-

Hrimati (dd) ACBSP (Mayapur - IN) <Hrimati.ACBSP (AT) pamho (DOT) net>

mark john <gopanandadasa (AT) (DOT) co.uk>; Cow (Protection and related

issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net>

Thursday, November 02, 2006 6:40 AM

Bos Taurus Vs Bos Indicus

 

 

> Hare Krishna Prabhu,

>

> What is your location?

> if you have a source where you can purchase an Indian breed from your own

> locality, than I think there would not be any problem. However if you are

> looking at importing an Indian breed cow from India, there might be a

> problem here.

> For two reasons, I would not take a Bharat Vasi out of Bharat Bhumi,

second

> the cow will get colds and other climatic shocks etc.

>

> The Brown Swiss is a very large but very gentle breed. Generally they do

not

> do so good in hot or tropical climates. However, the Jersey breed is known

> to be able to adopt very well to any climate, even the tropics.

>

> maybe the other cow cowherds on this conference can comment more.

>

> your humble servant,

> Hrimati dasi

>

> -----------------------

> To from this mailing list, send an email to:

> Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for the information you have provided.

>From all the mails sent, I still need to domore research.

I live on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, summers of high humidity at between 30

and 35C, with cool humid winters between 5 and 15C, so no real temperature

problems there if in the summer there is shade and water available (we are not

talking about Indian or Texan weather here).

So, with Bos Taurus, the two breeds to look into are Brown Swiss and Jersey.

Which one scores best for the needs of oxen and milk production?

With Bos Indicus, there is Ongole (Nelore) or the Brahman breeds. Which one

scores the best?

 

By the way, I am interested in milk production and not just oxen, though it may

not be politically correct to say so!

 

The above questions are of extreme importance to me, as when starting a cow

protecion program species and breed selection is one of the first and most

important questions, as after it can be very difficult to change track.

 

Please do respond as in this conference lies the answers to my quearies.

 

Thank you, Hare Krsna.

 

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