CENTRE FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION STUDIES

Alambadi is one of the five indigenous cattle breeds of Tamil Nadu. This breed is generaly present on the bank of Cauvery river. Population of this breed is dwindled considerably in its native tracts in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Salem district of Tamil Nadu namely Alambadi, Pikkili, Periyur, Hamanur, Kottur, Pannapatti, Pucharampatti, Jambut, Pudhinatham, Urigam, Anchetty, Doddamanchi, Bettamugilalam and Natrampalayam villages.

The animals are generally medium sized. Coat colour varies from grey, dark grey or iron grey with white markings on forehead, tail, and limbs. Long narrow head with long sweeping horns which grow backwards and upwards, fairly deep body with well-arched ribs and well developed hump. Average Bulls weighs up to 350 kg body weight at maturity and cows weighs up to 300 kg. Milk yield per animal is limited to 1-3 litres per day but they are known for their draught ability.

Alambadi cattle breed was first documented by W.D.Gunn during 1909 and further documentation done by R.W.Littlewood during 1936. This breed derived its name, Probably, from the village called Alambadi on the bank of river Cauvery. This breed also called as “Beslal or Cauvery breed”, “Salem”, “Mahedeswarabetta”, “Cauvery valley cattle“.

In order to conserve as well as to undertake breed improvement programmes of Alambadi Cattle, Government of Tamil Nadu has sanctioned Rs 400 lakhs to establish Alambadi Cattle Breed Research Centre at Dharmapuri district during the year 2018-19.