CHAPTER 2: THE NORTHWESTERN ARID AND SEMI-ARID REGION

2.1 Background

The region comprises the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, and the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

2.1.1 Land use

This region has a total reported area for land utilization purposes of 129.41 m hectares, of which 64.58 m hectares net sown area and 19.20 m hectares not available for agricultural purposes, leaving an area of 45.63 m hectares with natural vegetation available for animal grazing.

2.1.2 Topography

The region consists of vast alluvial plains with scattered hills. Northwestern Rajasthan is desert with undulating topography; southeastern Rajasthan is the Chambal basin, while southwest of the Aravali mountains lies the Luni basin. Uttar Pradesh has immense alluvial plains of the Ganges and its tributaries, which follow a gradual NW-SE gradient. The Bundelkhand tract in the west has flat undulating uplands with occasional hills. In the southeastern part of the State lie the Vindhya ranges, which cover most of Mirzapur district. Madhya Pradesh's Gird region, with its low-lying topography, extends from northeast Gwalior to Bundelkhand. Malwa Plateau covers Vindhya to south Gwalior and consists of table-land with high elevations. Satpura Ridge in the south forms the watershed of the plains to the north. Narmada Valley is walled up by Vindhyas on the north and Satpura on the south. Chhatisgarh region, fairly level except a few undulations of Korea hills, lies east of Satpura. Gujarat's topography is mainly flat, except for Sahyadri in the north and Aravalis in the northwest.

2.1.3 Major soil types

The soils of northern and northeastern Punjab are of the recent alluvial type, while the western part has old alluvial soils. Central Punjab, southeastern Haryana and extreme northern Rajasthan represent calcareous sierozemic soils. All western Rajasthan has desert rhegosols, but small pockets of lithosol desert soil are found in Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Southeast of the Aravali hills, and extending up to north Gujarat, greybrown soils dominate. In south Rajasthan, red and yellow or mixed red and black soils are found. Northeastern Rajasthan has alluvial soils of recent origin. Uttar Pradesh has an extensive spread of alluvial soils. Calcareous alluvial soils are also found in the Gorakhpur, Muzzafarpur and Darbhanga areas. Southern Uttar Pradesh, comprising Jalaun, Hamirpur and Banda districts, has red sandy soils, while Mirzapur has red and yellow soils. The soils of western Madhya Pradesh are mostly of the medium-black type. Deep black soils are found in Hoshangabad, Narsinghpur and Balaghat districts, while the adjoining area of Betul, Chindwara and Seon districts has shallow black soils separated by mixed red and black soils. A narrow belt of mixed red and black soils stretches from Bhind in the north to Panna in the northeast. Eastern Madhya Pradesh has mainly red and yellow soils, with scattered distribution of laterite and black soils. Southern Madhya Pradesh, consisting of Durg and Bastar, has red sandy soils. In Gujarat, the Ran of Kutch has deltaic alluvium, red sandy and laterite soils. Southern Gujarat has medium to heavy black soils, while along the coast the soils are of the coastal alluvial type.

2.1.4 Feed and fodder resources

Perennial grasses: Andropogon spp., -Arundinella spp., Bothriochloa pertusa, Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus, Chrysopogon fulvus, Cymbopogon coloratus, C. jwarancusa, Cynodon dactylon, Dactyloctenium indicum, Desmostachya bipinnata, Dichanthium annulatum, Eleusine compressa, Eremopogon foveolatus, Heteropogon contortus, Imperata cylindrica, Ischaemum indicum, Iseilema laxum, Lasiurus indicus, Panicum antidotale, Saccharum bengalense, S. spontaneun, Sehima nervosum, Sporobolus marginatus, Themeda anathera, T. triandra.

Annual grasses: Andropogon pumilus, Apluda mutica, Aristida spp., Arthraxon spp., Arundinella spp., Brachiaria ramosa, Cenchrus biflorus, Chloris barbata, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Digitaria sp., Dimeria spp., Eleusine indica, Eragrostiella sp., Eragrostis spp., Eulalia spp., Melanocenchris jacquemontii, Microstegium ciliatum, Oropetium thomaeum, Perotis indica, Poa annua, Setaria glauca, Tragus biflorus, Urochloa panicoides.

Herbs: Aerva tomentosa, Alysicarpus spp., Artemisia sp., Atylosia spp., Cassia tora, Crotalaria prostrata, Desmodium spp., Heylandia latebrosa, Indigofera spp., Phaseolus spp., Rhyncosia capitata, Rhynocosia minima, Tribulus terrestris, Trichodesma indica, Vernonia cinerea, Vicoa indica, Zornia diphylla.

Shrubs and trees: Acacia arabica, A. catechu, A. intsia, A. leucophloea, A. sundra, Adhatoda vasica, Adina cordifolia, Albizia amara, A. procera, Bauhinia spp., Berberis aristata, Butea monosperma, Capparis decidua, Carissa spinarum, Cassia auriculata, Dalbergia latifolia, Dichrostachys cinerea, Dodonaea viscosa, Grevillea robusta, Grewia asiatica, Hardwickia binata, Holoptelea integrifolia, Hypericum mysorensis, Lannea coromandelica, Madhuca indica, Mimosa rubicaulis, Morus alba, Pinus insignis, P. roxburghii, Prosopis cineraria, P. juliflora, Salvadora oleoides, Shorea robusta, Tamarix dioica, Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, Trewia nudiflora, Wrightia tintoria, Zizyphus mauritiana, Z. nummularia.

Main crops: millets, sorghum, maize, groundnuts, wheat, cotton, pulses, barley, cluster bean, moth bean, mung bean, rice, etc.

2.1.5 Management practices

Migration. Most sheep flocks are stationary: in Gujarat 67% and in Rajasthan 86% are reported to be stationary, while in Haryana and Punjab, there is almost no migration except within districts. In Rajasthan about 0.5 m sheep, belonging to Merta and Nagaur tehsils of Nagaur district and Bilara and Jodhpur tehsils of Jodhpur district, are on permanent migration and are not brought to their homestead at any time of the year. The members of the family, however, relieve one another and return to their home in turns. Sheep on permanent migration are grazed mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan, while in Rajasthan about 1.0 m more sheep from the western districts migrate for only 6 to 9 months, following fixed routes toward Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, beginning in October or November and returning to their homesteads in July. Another 0.2 m sheep migrate for only 3 to 4 months, leaving the homestead in March and grazing in the Rajasthan canal area from April to June. The migratory groups comprise 4 to 10 sheep flocks and are accompanied by other animals (goats, camels, dogs, donkeys, horses and bullocks). Permanent migratory flocks are accompanied by the entire family.

Goat flocks are generally non-migratory except where they form part of mixed sheep and goat flocks.

Grazing. The sheep and goats are grazed or browsed on uncultivated land during the monsoon. Later, and after the kharif (rain-fed summer), crops are harvested, and the animals are grazed on crop stubbles in harvested fields. During the latter part of the year, beginning in September/October, most non-migratory flocks graze on uncultivated areas, and migratory flocks on the harvested fields and reserve forests in their migratory tracts. The sheep are folded on private fields in lieu of stubble grazing and some return is made to the flock owners in cash or kind. During the extreme summer months, the flocks are grazed in the cooler hours of the day: grazing starts in the late hours, and the animals are brought to the watering point at about noon of the following day. The animals are rested during the hotter hours and in the evening are again taken to the fields for grazing. Goats are generally maintained on browsing on natural vegetation and tree loppings. Only lactating animals are given supplementary concentrates, e.g. clusterbean, pearl millet, unprocessed isaphgol, oilcakes at a level of 250 g per day. In some cases supplementation with cultivated fodder, e.g. lucerne or berseem, also takes place.

Penning. About 60% of the flocks are penned in open fields away from the house; the others are penned in temporary courtyards made out of thorny bushes or earth near the house. No elaborate sheds are provided. Kids and pregnant animals are kept close to the house in open courtyards made from thorny bushes.

Breeding and lambing season. Although breeding takes place throughout the year, most breeding is linked with the highly seasonal availability of grazing resources. The rams and bucks stay with the flock throughout the year, but sheep flock owners, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat, tie the prepuce with a cotton tape so as to avoid matings during undesirable seasons. Most sheep-breeding takes place in July-August, i.e. immediately after the onset of the monsoon, and in March-April, when stubble grazing and Acacia pods are available to the animals. In Gujarat breeding takes place in August-September and, to a lesser extent, during March-April. Goat-breeding takes place throughout the year, but the peak breeding season is August-September.

Experiments conducted at the Division of Carpet Wool & Karakul Pelt Production, Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) at Bikaner, indicate that the incidence of oestrus is unrelated to physical environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, hours of daylight, etc., and that 80 to 100% of animals exhibit oestrus throughout the year. However, considering lambing percentages and lamb survival and growth, breeding in March-April and August-September is preferable.

Shearing practices. In Rajasthan, most stationary flocks are shorn twice a year except in the southern district, where 56% of the flocks are shorn three times a year. Migratory flocks are shorn twice a year. The washing of sheep before shearing is quite common in non-migratory flocks in Rajasthan. In Gujarat, most sheep are shorn during February-March and again in July-September. The practices in other States in the region are similar. Hairy goats, e.g. Marwari, Mehsana, Gohilwari and Zalawadi, are shorn once a year (September-October), whereas in Kutchi, shearing takes place twice a year, in February-March and September-October.

Disease. Most mortality is due to liver-fluke infestation; other major causes are enterotoxaemia, anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease. Sheep-pox also results in serious mortality, although outbreaks occur only every 3 to 4 years.

2.1.6 Population, production and important breeds

This region has the second largest population of sheep of the four regions. The sheep population of 13.72 m constitutes over a third of the total sheep population of the country (1) and wool production of 23.42 m kg represents more than two thirds of the total wool produced. Of this, 3.8 m kg consists of wool below 36s, 11.8 m kg between 36s and 48s, and 8 m kg wool of 48s and above. These are respectively suited for manufacture of carpets and felts and blankets, medium to superior carpets and apparel. Important breeds of sheep in this region are Chokla, Magra, Nali, Pugal, Marwari, Malpura, Sonadi, Jaisalmeri, Patanwadi, Muzzaffarnagri, Jalauni and Hisserdale (see Figure 3). This region is the most important in the country for carpet-wool production.

This region also has the largest number of goats, numbering 29 m, 43% of the total goat population of the country. The important breeds are Beetal, Barbari, Jamnapari, Merwari, Sirohi, Jhakrana, Mehsana, Gohilwari, Zalawadi, Kutchi and Surti (see Figure 4). Most of the better dairy goat breeds (Jamnapari, Beetal, Barbari and Mehsana) are found in this region.

Fig. 3 Sheep breeds in the northwestern arid and semi-arid region

Fig. 4 Goat breeds in the northwestern arid and semi-arid region

2.2 Sheep breeds

2.2.1 CHOKLA
(also known as Chapper and Shekhawati) (Plate 1)

a) Distribution. Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar and bordering areas of Bikaner, Jaipur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan. Animals true to the breed type are found in Sikar and Churu districts.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Chokla distribution area was 0.53 m according to the 1972 census and 0.511 m according to the 1977 census, thus showing a slight decline. Of these, adult males and adult females were 0.049 and 0.352 m respectively. Chokla is perhaps the finest carpet-wool breed, although most Chokla wool is now being diverted to the worsted sector because of the dearth of fine apparel-wool in the country. The breeding policy recommended by the National Commission on Agriculture and adopted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Rajasthan State Department of Sheep and Wool, is to cross Chokla with exotic fine-wool breeds (Merino and Rambouillet) to improve apparel-wool production and quality. There is need for conserving the breed, because its numbers are declining for natural reasons and owing to large-scale cross-breeding programmes for converting Chokla into an apparel-wool breed.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

i) Size (sources: 8 and personal observations)

ii) Conformation. Light to medium-sized animals. The face, generally devoid of wool, is reddish brown or dark brown, and the colour may extend up to the middle of the neck; the skin is pink. The ears are small to medium in length and tubular; ear length: 7.77 ± 0.09 cm (288). Both the sexes are polled. Tail is thin and of medium length; tail length: 24.57 ± 0.13 cm (288). The coat is dense and relatively fine, covering the entire body including the belly and the greater part of the legs.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size: 115. On average, a flock contains 13 adult males (including wethers), 73 adult females and 29 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: males, 15 months; females, 18 months. Under farm conditions, age at first breeding (4, 5): 764.068 ± 28.55 days (64); age at first lambing (4, 5): 1 092.56 ± 45.27 days (48); lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (4, 5): 35.69 (947); litter size: single.

CHOKLA	Plate 1
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

g) Mortality (4, 5). 0 to 3 months: 28.81% (434); 3 to 12 months: 15.05% (107); adults: 12.06% (1 526). In farmers' flocks, mortality in adults: 4.78% (57); in lambs: 35.21% (57).

h) Breeding. Pure breeding except in small percentage of cases in which crossbreeding with exotic fine-wool breeds (Merino and Rambouillet) is being undertaken. The State government, through its Department of Sheep and Wool, is providing farmers' flocks with artificial insemination services, using exotic semen, as well as half-bred rams for natural service.

i) Performance

• Milk. Very poor; not milked.

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 3, 4, 7, 8, 27, 34, 39)

A large percentage of males not required for breeding are castrated and kept for wool production. Male lambs are sold for slaughter between 6 to 9 months of age.

• Wool production and quality (sources: 3, 4, 5, 13, 20, 21, 35)

NALI	Plate 2
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

2.2.2 NALI (Plate 2)

a) Distribution. Ganganagar, Churu and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan, southern part of Hissar and Rohtak districts of Haryana.

b) Numbers. The total population of sheep in the Nali distribution area of Rajasthan was 0.845 m according to the 1972 census and 0.690 m according to the 1977 census. In Haryana, according to the 1972 census, there were 0.20 m Nali sheep: the figures for 1977 are not yet available. In 1972, total adult males were 0.062 m and adult females 0.444 m. There is thus a decline in the population of this breed in Rajasthan. Further, the National Commission on Agriculture has recommended crossing Nali with exotic fine-wool breeds for improving apparel-wool production and quality. Nali is a good carpet-quality wool breed, with the densest and heaviest fleeces among the breeds of Rajasthan and a wool of reasonably good carpet quality. There is need to conserve the breed in the light of its falling numbers as well as the large-scale cross-breeding programme being undertaken.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

i) Size (source: 10 and personal observations)

ii) Conformation. Medium-sized animals. Face colour is light brown, skin colour is pink. Both sexes are polled. Ears are large and leafy; ear length: 11.62 ± 0.10 cm (23). Tail is short to medium and thin: tail length: 17.14 ± 0.09 cm (28). Fleece is white, coarse, dense and long-stapled. Forehead, belly and legs are covered with wool.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size: 280. On average, a flock contains 35 adult males, 174 adult females, and 71 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: ewes: 18 months; rams: 12 months; lambing percentage: 67%; under farm conditions, age at first breeding (4, 5): 686.52 ± 35.90 (50); age at first lambing (4, 5): 985.67 ± 57.04 days (337); lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (4, 5): 39.57% (351/902). Conception rates reported elsewhere under farm conditions: 60.65% (338); litter size: single.

g) Mortality (4, 5). Under farm conditions, 0 to 3 months: 24.42% (305); 3 to 12 months: 24.23% (107); adults: 10.64% (1 522). In farmers' flocks, lamb mortality up to one year: 16.78%; adults: 5.62%.

h) Breeding. Pure breeding except in a few flocks where cross-breeding with exotic fine-wool breeds (Merino and Rambouillet) is being undertaken. The State government, through its Department of Sheep and Wool, provides farmers' flocks with artificial insemination service with exotic semen as well as half-bred rams for natural service. Rams selected on fleece weight, mostly bred from their own flock, and occasionally exchanged with other owners.

i) Performance

• Milk. Not milked.

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 3, 4, 7, 27, 34, 40)

Efficiency of feed conversion (%) (12): 19.78 ± 2.56 (12); age at slaughter: 5 months; dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live weight 12): 48.25 ± 3.29 (12). Males not retained for breeding are usually sold between 6–9 months of age.

• Wool production and quality (sources: 3, 4, 13, 20, 21, 35, 48)

Both the clips, taken in March and September, are yellow, the September clips being golden yellow.

2.2.3 MARWARI (Plate 3)

The name originates from the home tract of the breed: Marwad. The breed resembles black-headed Persian sheep but is smaller in size and has good fleece.

a) Distribution. Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagaou, Peli and Barmer districts, extending up to Ajmer and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan and the Jeoria region of Gujarat.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Marwari distribution area in Rajasthan and Gujarat, according to the 1972 census, was 4.367 m; in 1977 it was 5.018 m. Of these, adult males were 0.452 m and adult females 3.230 m. The breed is being improved through selection for fleece weight and carpet quality.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

i) Size (source: 6, 30)

ii) Conformation. Medium-sized animals. Black face, the colour extending to the lower part of neck. Ears extremely small and tubular. Both sexes are polled. Tail is short to medium and thin; tail length: 17.91 ± 0.32 cm (791). Fleece is white and not very dense.

e) Flock structure. Flock size ranges from 200 to 500. On average, flocks contain 18 to 44 adult males, 129 to 323 adult females and 63 to 137 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: females: 18 months; males: 12 months. Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (46): 87.00 (802); litter size: single.

g) Mortality (46). 0 to 12 months: 26.0% (353); adults: 3.43% (1 602).

h) Breeding. Pure breeding. Rams are selected primarily on fleece production and are produced from within owner's flock.

MARWARI	Plate 3
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

i) Performance

• Milk. Not milked

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 26, 42, 47)

Male lambs not needed for breeding are sold for slaughter between the ages of 6 and 8 months.

• Wool production and quality (sources: 42, 49)

MAGRA	Plate 4
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

2.2.4 MAGRA (formerly known as Bikaneri; also known as Bikaneri Chokhla and Chakri) (Plate 4)

a) Distribution. Bikaner, Nagaur, Jaisalmer and Churu districts of Rajasthan. However, animals true to the breed type are found only in the eastern and southern parts of Bikaner district.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Magra distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.32 m, and according to the 1977 census it was 0.84 m; there thus appears to be an extremely large increase. This may however be erronous, as the census is not taken by breeds but by areas and the increase may be due not so much to multiplication of Magra as to movement into the area of sheep from other adjoining areas. Of the total population, 0.076 m were adult males and 0.543 m were adult females. This breed is the only lustrous carpet-wool producing breed. The most important strain of Magra (Bikaneri Chokhla) has flocks with extremely white and lustrous fleeces, found only in a few villages around Bikaner. The fleece is of good carpet quality. The breeding programme is to improve this breed through selection. Personal interviews with breeders as well as with the wool traders and industrialists in Bikaner indicated serious concern at the rapid reduction in numbers of Magra animals. Further, there is much crossbreeding with other breeds of the vicinity, so that the true Magra or Bikaneri Chokhla has a very small population, and there is therefore serious need for conservation.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

i) Size

ii) Conformation. Medium to large animals. White face with light brown patches around the eyes, characteristic of this breed. Skin colour is pink. Ears are small to medium and tubular. Both sexes are polled. Tail is medium in length and thin: tail length: 20.21 ± 0.41 cm (72). Fleece is of medium carpet quality, extremely white and lustrous and not very dense.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size is 150. On average, a flock contains 20 adult males, 95 adult females and 35 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: females: 18 months; rams: 20 months. Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (48): 45.0 (540). Litter size: mostly single.

g) Mortality (48). 0–3 months: 29.0% (168); adults; 23.40% (943).

h) Breeding. Pure breeding. There is some selection of rams on the basis of wool production. Most flocks produce their own rams, and some exchange rams with other owners.

i) Performance

• Milk. Not milked

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 14, 16, 19, 23, 24, 28, 33, 34, 37)

Dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis (1): 44.75 ± 0.55.

• Wool production and quality (sources: 15, 37, 43, 44, 45, 48)

Shorn three times a year. February clip is white, July clip is tinged white and November clip is yellow.

2.2.5 JAISALMERI (Plate 5)

The name is derived from the home tract, Jaisalmer.

a) Distribution. Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur districts of Rajasthan. Pure specimens are found in southwestern Jaisalmer, extending up to northwestern Barmer and southern and western Jodhpur.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Jaisalmeri distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.313 m, and according to the 1977 census 0.728 m. Of these, 0.066 m were adult males and 0.469 m adult females. This is the largest breed, in body size, of the eight breeds of Rajasthan, and produces good quality carpet-wool. There is a general feeling that the breed is declining in numbers, although this fact does not emerge from the 1972 and 1977 statistics. As indicated earlier, however, these numbers are calculated on the basis of the population in the districts or tehsils in which the breed is known to be located, and the census is not carried out on the basis of breed: there is thus a possibility that animals other than Jaisalmeri have been included. There is need for conserving this breed.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Tall, well-built animals. Black or dark brown face, the colour extending up to the neck. Typical Roman nose. Long drooping ears, generally with a cartilaginous appendage. Both sexes are polled. The tail is medium to long; tail length: 26.75 ± 0.68 cm (44). The fleece colour is white; fleece is of medium carpet quality and not very dense.

e) Flock structure. Flock sizes range from 200 to 300. The flocks contain on average 22 to 34 adult males, 123 to 185 adult females and 55 to 81 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding; males: 24 months; females: 16 months. Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes bred (20): 68.13 (135); usual tupping percentage: 90%; another estimated lambing percentage, reported from a government farm in Rajasthan, was 75%. Litter size: usually single.

JAISALMERI	Plate 5
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

g) Mortality. In adults: 8.20% (121).

h) Breeding. Pure breeding. Rams are selected on the basis of fleece weight and usually bred by the flock owners; in some cases they are exchanged with other owners.

i) Performance

• Milk. Not milked.

• Wool production and quality (sources: 20, 49)

PUGAL	Plate 6
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

2.2.6 PUGAL (Plate 6)

The name originates from the Pugal area of Bikaner district in which the breed has its home tract.

a) Distribution. Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan, but pure specimens are available only in the northwestern border area of the two districts.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Pugal distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.146m; according to the 1977 census, numbers rose to 0.293 m. Of these, 0.026 m were adult males and 0.189 m adult females. Considering these small numbers, there is need for conservation of the breed. The breeding policy is to improve this carpet-wool breed through selection for greasy fleece weight and carpet quality.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Fairly well-built animals. Black face, with small light brown stripes on either side above the eyes; lower jaw typically light brown. The black colour may extend to neck. Ears are short and tubular. Both sexes are polled. Tail is short to medium and thin; tail length: 21.05 ± 0.42 cm (58). White fleece, of medium carpet quality, not very dense.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size: 150. On average, a flock contains 24 adult males, 96 adult females and 30 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: females: 15 months; males: 18 months. Litter size: generally single.

g) Breeding. Pure breeding. Rams, selected on the basis of fleece production, are generally produced within the flock.

h) Performance: Wool production and quality (source: 49)

MALPURA	Plate 7
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

2.2.7 MALPURA (also known as Desi) (Plate 7)

This breed is very similar to Sonadi (see 2.2.8 below) but is better in wool production and quality and in body size; this could be due to better environmental and nutritional conditions in the region where Malpura is the predominant breed as compared to conditions in the home tract of Sonadi.

a) Distribution. Jaipur, Tonk, Swaimadhopur and adjacent areas of Amjer, Bhilwara and Bundi districts in Rajasthan.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Malpura distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 1.018 m, and according to the 1977 census 0.899 m, showing some decline. Of these, 0.081 m were adult males and 0.579 m were adult females.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Failry well-built animals, with long legs. Face light brown. Ears are short and tubular, with a small cartilaginous appendage on the upper side; ear length: 6.22 ± 0.08 cm (496). Both sexes are polled. Tail is medium to long and thin; tail length: 24.26 ± 0.23 cm (496). White fleece, extremely coarse and hairy. Belly and legs are devoid of wool.

e) Flock structure. The flock size ranges from 50 to 100 or, in mixed farming conditions, from 20 to 30. On average, a flock contains 1 to 6 rams, 13 to 68 ewes and 5 to 25 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: males: 10 months; females: 12 months. Under farm conditions, age at first breeding (39): 749.07 ± 21.82 days (216); age at first lambing (39): 990.60 ± 29.96 days (122); lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (3, 4, 5): 81.80 (665/813). Litter size: single.

g) Mortality (3, 4, 5, 38). 0 to 3 months: 11.14% (1 271); 3 to 12 months: 13.51% (918); adults: 10.29% (3 860).

h) Breeding. Mostly pure breeding; to a limited extent, cross-breeding with Corriedale and Merino or their half-bred lambs. Native rams, selected on the basis of size, are generally produced within the flock, or occasionally exchanged with a neighbouring owner. There has been considerable introduction of Marwari rams into Malpura flocks for improving wool production and quality. These cross-breeds have a black face.

i) Performance

• Milk. Lactation yield (18): 21.366 kg; length: 105 days. Under farmers' flock conditions, average milk yield: 250 to 500 g per day; ewes are milked for 3 months.

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 3, 4, 5, 21, 38)

Age at slaughter: six months; dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis (38): 47.15 ± 0.66 (214); efficiency of feed conversion (38): 19.84 ± 2.12% (146); bone/meat ratio (5): 1:7.263 (74). Under farmers' flock conditions, males for slaughter are sold at ages ranging from 6 to 9 months.

• Wool production and quality (sources: 3, 4, 5, 20, 21, 36, 38, 49)

2.2.8 SONADI (Plate 8)

a) Distribution. Udaipur and Dungarpur districts and, to some extent, Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan; also extends to northern Gujarat.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Sonadi distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 1.76 m; according to the 1977 census it was 1.667 m. Of these, 0.150 m were adult males and 1.073 m were adult females.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Fairly well built, somewhat smaller than Malpura (see 2.2.7 above), with long legs. Light brown face with the colour extending to the middle of the neck. Ears are large, flat and drooping; ear length: 17.56 ± 0.17 cm (391). Ears generally have a cartilaginous appendage. Tail is long and thin; tail length: 30.50 ± 0.42 cm (391). Both sexes are polled. Udder is fairly well developed. White fleece, extremely coarse and hairy. Belly and legs are devoid of wool.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size is 75, consisting of 5 adult males, 47 adult females and 23 young.

f) Reproduction. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding: males: 10 months; females: 12 months. Under farm conditions, age at first breeding (39): 717.77 ± 26.22 days (76); age at first lambing (39): 989.36 ± 51.30 days (30); lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (3, 4, 5, 21): 47.82% (230/481). In another report from a Rajasthan government farm, lambing percentage: 61.0%; litter size: single.

g) Mortality. 0 to 3 months (3, 4, 5, 38): 13.24% (654); 3 to 12 months (3, 4, 5, 38): 18.10% (277); adults (3, 4, 5): 7.92% (2 940). Adult mortality in farmers' flocks: 9.6% (82).

h) Breeding. Pure breeding, except in a small proportion of flocks in which the State government provides artificial insemination service from exotic fine-wool/dualpurpose breed rams, or natural service by half-bred rams arising from such crossings. Native rams are generally selected on size and bred from within the flock, or occasionally exchanged with neighbouring owners.

SONADI	Plate 8
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

i) Performance

• Milk. Lactation yield (18): 23.752 kg; length: 105 days.

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 3, 4, 5, 38)

Age at slaughter: six months; dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis (38): 48.18 ± 0.62 (108); efficiency of feed conversion (38): 13.25 ± 1.02 (82); bone/meal ratio (5): 1:7.234 (101).

• Wool production and quality (sources: 3, 4, 5, 11, 38, 49)

PATANWADI	Plate 9
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

2.2.9 PATANWADI (also called Desi, Kutchi, Kathiawari, Vadhiyari and Charotari) (Plate 9)

Three distinct strains have been described (25): i) non-migratory, red-faced animals with small bodies, yielding relatively finer fleeces. These are typical Patanwadis and are located in northeastern Saurashtra; ii) the migratory type, with larger body and long legs, typical Roman nose and long tubular ears. This variety, which has coarser fleeces, is observed in western and northeastern Gujarat; iii) the meat type, with big body, low stature and coarse fleeces, observed in southeastern areas around Palitana.

a) Distribution. Coastal plain region: Saurashtra and Kutch districts, and sandy loamy areas of Patan, Kadi, Kalol, Sidhapur and Chanssama taluks of Mehsana district of Gujarat.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Patanwadi distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.895 m, and according to the 1977 census 0.827 m; there was thus a marginal decline. Of the total population in 1977, 0.073 m were adult males and 0.599 m adult females. The National Commission on Agriculture has recommended crossbreeding Patanwadi with exotic fine-wool breeds for improving apparel-wool production. Patanwadi is a superior carpet-wool breed and requires efforts for conservation.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Medium to large animals, with relatively long legs. Typical Roman nose. Face brown (91.7%) and spotted tan (7.1%). Ears medium to large, tubular, with a hairy tuft. Tail thin and short; tail length: 14.77 ± 0.10 cm (380). Both sexes are polled. White fleece is of medium carpet quality, not very dense.

e) Flock structure. Two thirds of the flocks are stationary, the remainder migratory. Average stationary flock size: 76 (range: 31–119); average migratory flock size: 96 (range 47–173). Average flock contains 4% adult males, 70% adult ewes and 26% young.

f) Reproduction. Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes bred (25): 78.47 (1 301/1 658); tupping percentage (25): 77.01 (1 658/2 152). Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (25): 60.42 (2 152). Litter size: generally single.

g) Mortality (6): 0 to 3 months: 2% (100); adults: 2.2% (500).

h) Breeding. Mostly pure breeding, except in limited areas where the State Department of Animal Husbandry and the Gujarat Sheep and Wool Development Federation provide facilities for cross-breeding with exotic fine-wool breeds, particularly Soviet Merino. Males, selected on the basis of body size, are generally bred in the farmers' flocks.

i) Performance

• Milk. Ewes are milked for about 3 months.

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 2, 22, 25, 42)

• Wool production and quality (sources: 25, 29, 42)

Annual greasy fleece weight in adult rams: 1.17 ± 0.02 kg (177); in adult ewes: 1.03 ± 0.01 kg (1 090); overall (25, 42): 1.05 ± 0.008 kg (1 268).

2.2.10 MUZZAFARNAGRI (also known as Bulandshahri) (Plate 10)

a) Distribution. Muzzafarnagar, Bulandshaher, Sahranpur, Meerut, Bijnor, Dehradun districuts of Uttar Pradesh and parts of Delhi and Haryana. Pure specimens are found in Muzzafarnagar district.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Muzzafarnagri distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.455 m, of which 0.66 m adult rams and 0.273 m adult ewes. According to surveys carried out by the U.P. State Government in 1973–74, the number of Muzzafarnagri sheep was only 10 989, constituting 0.11% of the total population. The 1972 figures are definitely much larger than appears likely for pure-bred Muzzafarnagri in the light of information provided by State Government officials during surveys and considering that the typical animals are restricted only to Muzzafarnagar, a highly irrigated district. Since the breed is one of the heaviest and largest, very well adapted to irrigated areas, and considering that its numbers are small, there is need to institute conservation measures.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

i) Size (source: 17)

ii) Conformation. Medium to large animals. Face line slightly convex. Face and body white with occasional patches of brown or black. Ears and face occasionally black. Both sexes are polled. Males occasionally show rudimentary horns. Ears are long and drooping; ear length: 16.84 ± 0.11 cm (22). Tail is extremely long and reaches fetlock; tail length: 44.81 ± 0.42 cm (211). Fleece is white, coarse and open. Belly and legs are devoid of wool.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size is 38 ± 4.0 (16), containing 2 adult rams, 26 adult ewes and 12 young.

f) Reproduction. Under farm conditions, age at first breeding (32): 428.6 ± 16.47 days (81); age at first lambing (32): 610.2 ± 43.37 days (44); lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (32): 32.35%; in farmers' flocks: 66 to 88%. Litter size: mostly single.

g) Mortality. In farmers' flocks: in young: 47.4%; in adults: 9.85%.

MUZZAFARNAGARI	Plate 10
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

h) Breeding. Mostly pure breeding. Males are bred from within the flock and selected mostly on body size. Some introduction of Nali for cross-breeding has been instituted by the State Government, but this has had no serious impact, because of the small size of Nali rams relative to Muzzafaroagri ewes.

i) Performance

• Milk. Ewes occasionally milked for 50 to 120 days, producing 100 to 500 g milk per day.

• Meat: body weight (kg) (sources: 3, 4, 32, 41)

Observations made under stall-feeding conditions with adequate nutrition from cultivated fodder and concentrates.

Age at slaughter: 6 months; dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis (5): 48.64 (104); on empty weight basis (5): 56.37 (104).

• Wool production and quality (sources: 5, 17)

JALAUNI	Plate 11
	a) ADULT MALE
	b) ADULT FEMALE
	c) FLOCK

2.2.11 JALAUNI (Plate 11)

a) Distribution. Jalaun, Jhansi and Lalitpur districts of Uttar Pradesh.

b) Numbers. The total sheep population in the Jalauni distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.179 m, of which 0.026 m adult rams and 0.103 m adult ewes. According to a survey conducted by the U.P. Government in 1973-74, the total Jalauni population was 31 968, which constituted 0.32% of the total sheep population of Uttar Pradesh, most of which is reported to be nondescript. The State Government is upgrading Jalauni with Nali to improve wool production and quality. Jalauni does not differ greatly from Nali in body size and in general appearance; however, Nali crosses show improvement in fleece production as reflected by weight, staple length and quality.

c) Climate

d) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Medium-sized animals, with straight nose line. Both sexes are polled. Ears are large, flat and drooping; ear length: 16.2 ± 0.2 cm (66). Tail is thin and medium in length; tail length: 21.11 ± 0.64 cm (66). Fleece is coarse, short-stapled and open, generally white. Belly and legs are devoid of wool.

e) Flock structure. Average flock size is 51 ± 14 (7 to 140). Average flock contains 2 adult rams, 26 adult ewes and 23 young.

f) Reproduction. Lambing percentage in farmers' flocks: 130%. Litter size: mostly single; twins from 5 to 25%.

g) Breeding. Upgrading with Nali for improving wool production and carpet-wool quality. Nali rams are being distributed for natural service by the State Animal Husbandry Department, which maintains two large Nali sheep-breeding farms.

h) Performance

• Milk. Ewes are milked for 107 to 128 days and produce 300 to 350 g milk per day.

• Wool production and quality (sources: survey of farmers' flocks, 41)

2.2.12 HISSARDALE

Hissardale originated in the earlier part of the century at the Government Livestock Farm, Hissar (Punjab, now Haryana), through crossing Australian Merino rams with Bikaneri (Magra) ewes; the exotic inheritance is stabilized at about 75%.

a) Distribution. A small flock of Hissardale is located at the Government Livestock Farm, Hissar. The rams were earlier distributed primarily in the hilly regions of Kulu, Kangra, etc.

b) Breed characteristics

ii) Conformation. Small animals with short legs, giving a low-set appearance. Leaf-like, medium-sized ears. Most animals are polled. Colour is predominantly white, although some brown or black patches can be observed.

c) Performance

• Wool production and quality (source: 31)