CENTRE FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION STUDIES

Alambadi is one of the five indigenous cattle breeds of Tamil Nadu. This breed is generally present on the banks of Cauvery river. Population of this breed has 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 medium sized and 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 Hanumanthapuram, Dharmapuri district during the year 2018-19.

During the year 2021 government of Tamil Nadu sanctioned GOI-NADP /RKVY RAFTAAR Scheme on “Establishment of Tiruchy Black Sheep Research Centre at Dharmapuri district” at a cost of Rs. 179 Lakhs and the scheme has been instigated in 15 acres of land at Alambadi Cattle Breed Research Centre, Dharmapuri. Tiruchy Black is one of the coarse wool breeds of sheep reared in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu also called as Kurumbai Adu, Karunkurumbai and Kuri Adu having small to medium in size with compact body conformation and are covered with coarse wool. Pure Tiruchy Black Sheep were purchased from breeding tracts in Nallampalli and Pennagarm blocks of Dharmapuri district. As of now, the Nucleus herd / flock of Alambadi cattle and Tiruchy Black sheep with proper breed characteristics (Body Colour, confirmation, wool yield etc.,) have been conserved.