The surti breed is a breed of water buffalo that has been genetically engineered to produce more milk. It is primarily found on farms in India and Argentina. Some of the physical features of the Surti breed include dark skin, large ears, a hump, larger udders, and a broader back than other breeds.
It is also a member of the taurine cattle family. Surti breed males weigh in at around 600 pounds and females weigh around 500 pounds. Its milk production is between 1gallon and 2gallons per day, with most of the milk being consumed by calves.
Conventional breeders have a limited capacity to produce the Surti breed due to the low production of this breed as compared to other breeds. “Surti” is an old name for buffalo in Hindi, which means “hairy”.
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How to identify the Surti breed?
The surti breed has an elongated hump, much wider in the middle, and the tail is set on thin legs. It has dark skin with loose hair, high ears, large hooves, and a longer back. The hooves look like that of a horse rather than those of an ox. The udders are wide at the base and point upward. Most Surti is found around 500 lbs but there is also one type (from southern India) that weighs between 600-800 pounds.
Behavioral characteristics
An unusual feature of the Surti breed is that these animals tend to walk on the left side of their bodies. And, the udders are very large and pendulous and may swing with the movement of their bodies. Animals may be aggressive toward humans from time to time. In some cases, the animal will be seen running around violently, but normally Surti is docile, calm, and quiet.
These animals are also highly intelligent and docile. These animals are also known to be very slow learners. They are known to easily get bored and therefore, are reluctant to take up new tasks.
As pet
This is a buffalo with a long history, it has been domesticated for many centuries. They are very docile and easy to handle, However, this breed is not recommended for small children as they can be aggressive to them.
This animal needs plenty of space to roam freely and needs an open space to socialize with other animals which are more dominant than itself. The surti breed requires special attention for their proper nutrition and must be given sufficient care.
Diseases
The Surti are relatively resistant to the bacterium, however, they have very few immunities and can be susceptible to infections such as footrot, mastitis, and bloat. Vaccination is highly recommended. Due to their susceptibility to infections and generally being a dairy animal, it is strongly recommended that pregnant females be given additional antibodies and vitamins.
The buffalo has been domesticated for many centuries and therefore, are quite docile. It is the best home pet if you are looking for one. They can easily be tamed and trained, hence they make amazing pets. The Surti needs plenty of space to roam freely in a large area, this gentle giant is not recommended for restricted living areas.
Uses
The Surti breed is mostly used for dairy/agriculture in India and Argentina. Their milk production is about 1-2 gallons per day, with about half of that going to calves. Due to their hairy coat, the Surti breed has a high tendency to get infections from flies and parasites.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended that pregnant females are given additional antibodies and vitamins. The calf may also be fed buffalo milk in addition to other milk such as a cow or goat milk.
Special Considerations
- The Surti breed is susceptible to footrot and mastitis.
- Vaccination is highly recommended.
- Due to their susceptibility to infections and generally being a dairy animal, it is strongly recommended that pregnant females be given additional antibodies and vitamins.
- Buffalo milk may also be fed in addition to other milk such as cow or goat milk.
- Do not use pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals on their food or water sources as they will get sick if the chemicals get into their system.
However, review the full breed profile of the Surti breed in the following table.
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| Breed Name | Surti. |
| Other Name | Surti buffalo, Surti cattle, Surti bull, Surtikara. |
| Country of Origin | India and Argentina. |
| Breed Purpose | dairy, draft. |
| Height | 500–600 cm. |
| Weight | 600–800 pounds. |
| Color | grey, pale reddish grey, creamy white, black. |
| Rarity | Rare. |
| Climate Tolerance | Moderate. |
| Feeding | 4 to 6 cups of hay per day and 300 to 400 pounds of grasses. |
| Temperament | The Surti is a large, docile animal that is slow to mature. |
| Lifespan | 20 years or more. |
