Malnad Gidda is commonly referred to as Gidda, Uradana and Varshagandhi. Malnadactually can be translated as a hilly region and Gidda refers to the word - small or dwarf.
The breeding tract of this breed includes Chikmagalur, Dakshin Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu, Shimoga, Uttar Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka.
They play a major role in the rural economy of this region by providing milk, manure and draft power with negligible inputs.
Malnad Gidda are well accustomed to the internalagro-ecological systems of Western Ghats. Their primary skin coat colour is black along with light shades of fawn on thighs and shoulders region.
Horns are generally small, straight, outward, upward and inward. Varshagandhi breed cattle are quite small with a compact body frame and the adult animals of this breed are only around 90 centimetres tall.
These animals have a tail switch that is black in color. They have a hump which is small. Their udder is also small and bowl shaped.
Malnad Gidda cattle are reared under low input low output system. In some of the areas, it is zero feeding system where animals sustain solely on grazing.
Malnad Gidda cows give 3-5 kg of milk in a day and their average lactation yield is usually around 220 Kg. Gidda cattle are very much acclimatized to harsher climates including very heavy rainfall.
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