Bargur bullock Photo: Pavanaja · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source ↗

Bargur cattle (Tamil Nadu hill draft)

Bargur is a compact hill draught breed of western Tamil Nadu, named after the Bargur hills of the Erode district. Registered with the ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), it is closely related to the Mysore-type group (Hallikar, Amrit Mahal, Kangayam) but has evolved a smaller, sure-footed body suited to forested hill terrain. The breed is traditionally reared by the Lingayat community in semi-nomadic herds and is recognised under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission as a priority breed for in-situ conservation.

Origin and distribution

The home tract is the Bargur, Anthiyur, Thalavadi and Sathyamangalam hills of Erode district, extending into adjoining parts of Karnataka and the lower Nilgiris. Herds graze the forested slopes of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and surrounding reserve forests under traditional grazing rights. Conservation breeding work is undertaken by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) and the state Animal Husbandry department.

Appearance

Bargur animals are compact and medium-sized with a brown coat marked with characteristic white patches — pure brown and pure white animals also occur. The forehead is narrow with a slight bulge; horns are medium, light and curve outward and upward with sharp tips. Ears are small and held horizontally; the hump in bulls is moderately well developed and the dewlap is light. Adult cows weigh 240–290 kg and bulls 320–380 kg. The legs are short and strong with hard hooves that resist wear on rocky terrain.

Productivity

Bargur is primarily a draught breed. Cows are modest milkers, producing 400–600 kg of milk over a short 240–270 day lactation, with fat at 4.5–5.0%. The breed's value lies in its bullocks — fast, sturdy, sure-footed animals well suited to ploughing rocky uplands, transporting forest produce and trotting along hill cart-tracks. Bargur bullocks pull 600–900 kg loads and are valued for endurance over rough terrain. The breed is also tick-resistant and tolerant of foot-and-mouth disease in the field (Fmd Cattle).

Management

Bargur survives almost entirely on forested grazing, browsing on grasses, leaves and shrubs. Supplementary feeding is given mainly in summer scarcity with sorghum kadbi, redgram stalk and a small concentrate ration. Animals are housed in simple loose paddocks or stone-walled night pens. Breeding is by natural service within the migratory herds; selected bulls are also used through artificial insemination (Artificial Insemination Cattle) by TANUVAS to maintain genetic purity. Population numbers are declining and on-farm conservation incentives are being expanded.

Sources

Bargur — NBAGR breed profile. ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal.
Bargur — Dairy Knowledge Portal. National Dairy Development Board.