The Kankrej (Hindi: कंकरेज) is an Indian breed of zebuine cattle. It originates from the arid region of the Rann of Kutch in the state of Gujarat, and in neighbouring Rajasthan. Under the name Kankaraj, it is also present in Tharparkar District, in Sindh, Pakistan. It is also known by the names Bannai, Nagar, Talabda, Vaghiyar, Wagad, Waged, Vadhiyar, Wadhiar, Wadhir and Wadial.[4] It is a dual-purpose breed, used both for draught work and for milk production.

Kankrej
Cow
Conservation statusFAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 58 
Other names
  • Kankaraj[2]: 215 
  • Bannai
  • Nagar
  • Talabda
  • Vaghiyar
  • Wagad
  • Waged
  • Vadhiyar
  • Wadhiar
  • Wadhir
  • Wadial
Country of origin
  • India
  • Pakistan
Distribution
Usemilk, draught
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    average 590 kg[3]
  • Female:
    average 431 kg[3]
Coatgrey, from silver to dark[2]: 215 
Horn statushorned in both sexes
  • Cattle
  • Bos (primigenius) indicus

From about 1870 onwards, Kankrej bulls and cows were exported to Brazil, where they were used to create the Guzerá breed,[2]: 193  which was later among the breeds from which the American Brahman developed.[2]: 137 

The last official census data for the Kankrej population in India dates from 1977, when there were 465 000.[2]: 215 [3] In Pakistan, the population was recorded in 2006 at 273 000.[2]: 215 [5]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources[dead link], annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.[dead link] Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed August 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  3. ^ a b c Breed data sheet: Kankrej/India. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed December 2017.
  4. ^ Oklahoma State University breed profile
  5. ^ Breed data sheet: Kankaraj/Pakistan. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2017.