 A Bhagnari bull in Sibi | |
| Other names | Sibi Bull |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Distribution | Pakistan |
| Use | dual-purpose, draught and beef |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
|
| Skin color | Their natural colour is pure white |
| Coat | white hair, grey black switch |
| Horn status | horned |
| |
The Sibi Bhagnari or Sibi Bull is the largest breed of Zebu cattleand originates from Sibi in Baluchistan, though also found elsewhere in Pakistan and also India.[1] The name is derived from the town of Bhag which is found to the south of Sibi and Naari which is a river that flows through the breeding area. The areas consists of Talli, Khajjak, Kurak, Mithri and Bhag. Each year the giant cattle are shown at the Sibi Mela.
Description
The breed typically has a white or grey coloured body and is black around the neck and has a black tail switch. The head is medium-sized with a short strong neck, small ears, short horns, small dewlap, straight back, wide chest and a moderate sized hump. Adult bulls can grow to 84 in (2,100 mm) in height with a mass of up to 1,600 kg (3,500 lb)[1] The bulls of the breed surpass the Brahman by more than 500 kg (1,100 lb) in mass. It is still been debated whether the Sibi is the biggest cattle breed in the world. Bulls have been shown to compete with Chianina.[2][3]
Sibi Bhagnari together with the smaller White Nukra are the only indicine cattle which give complete white coloured animals. (Brahman is more white-greyish.)
Environment
Sibi are suited to extremes in conditions; in the breeding area it copes with a temperature range from 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F)[1] and an average rainfall that is less than 400 mm (16 in).[3]
Farming
The cattle are mostly fed on dry fodder with sorghum used as green and grain. Other grains include wheat, barley, pearl millet which are fed to force weight gain. Other supplements include desi ghee, milk, yogurt, mustard oil, and occasionally eggs.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Sibi Bhagnari - Sibi Bull Lovers". thecapitalpost.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ↑ "Sibi Bhagnari mela winner 6 Dant - video dailymotion". Dailymotion. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- 1 2 3 Illahi Bakhsh Marghazani. "Bhagnari Cattle - Cattle - Fodder". Survey Report on the present status of Bhagnari cattle in the Sibi region. Scribd. Retrieved 3 January 2019.