Loading Go-LX...
View Full Image
Vulnerable Maharashtra A2 milk
Deoni Cow
देवणी
Also called: Dongerpati, Wannera, Shevera
The triple-purpose pride of Marathwada.
Native tract: Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad; spilling into Karnataka's Bidar
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA
Milk per day (peak)
5–9 L
Milk per lactation (~300 days)
1,000–2,000 L
Milk fat
4.3%
Adult weight
400–500 kg
Distinctive features
Coat: Distinctive three patterns — Balankya (mostly white), Wannera (white with black face), Shevera (white with random black patches).
- Strong, medium-large body
- Short, stubby horns
- Loose dewlap; well-developed hump
- Black muzzle, eyelids, hooves
Temperament & utility
- Triple purpose — milk, draught, dung
- Heat and drought hardy
- Calm, easy to handle
- A2 milk with high fat
History & lineage
Deoni was selectively bred by farmers around Deoni village in Latur district. The breed is famous for its three coat patterns, each named after a sub-strain. It nearly vanished in the 1990s; the Maharashtra Animal & Fisheries Sciences University at Udgir runs a conservation programme that has helped the population rebuild.
Why Deoni matters
Deoni is one of Maharashtra's few surviving indigenous dual-purpose breeds. Every adoption is a vote against extinction.
Deoni cow price in India
Typical milking cow
₹40,000 – 90,000
Healthy, regular yield
Elite / registered lines
₹1,50,000 – 3,00,000
High yield, pedigreed
Prices depend heavily on lactation stage, milk yield, and breed purity. Elite lines with verified pedigrees fetch premium rates.
Monthly maintenance cost
Feed
₹3,000 – 4,500
Vet + vax
₹300 – 600
Approx. total
₹3,800 – 5,500
Indigenous zebu breeds are extremely hardy with natural resistance to tropical diseases and ticks, keeping vet bills to a minimum. Feed cost can be reduced with open grazing access.
A2 milk
Is Deoni cow milk A2?
Yes. Deoni produces A2 beta-casein milk by genetics — like all pure indigenous Indian (Bos indicus) breeds.
- Naturally easier to digest for people sensitive to A1 milk
- High in A2 beta-casein protein, free from BCM-7 peptide
- Associated with traditional wellness and higher fat content in native milk
How to verify
Always buy from verified breeders, check the physical traits (prominent hump, dewlap, convex forehead), or request a DNA test report from a certified lab.
Deoni vaccination schedule
Standard DAHD / ICAR schedule for indigenous Indian dairy cattle. Always confirm timing with your local vet.
| First dose | Vaccine | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| 4 months onwards | FMD (Foot & Mouth Disease) | Every 6 months |
| 6 months onwards |
Compare Breeds
Select any two indigenous breeds to compare side-by-side.
| Feature | Deoni | Gir |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Maharashtra | Gujarat |
| Daily Milk Yield | 5–9 L | 8–12 L |
| Lactation Yield | 1,000–2,000 L | 1,800–3,500 L |
| Milk Fat % | 4.3% | 4.5–5.0% |
| Adult Weight | 400–500 kg | 380–475 kg |
| Status | Vulnerable | Stable |
| Coat Color | Distinctive three patterns — Balankya (mostly white), Wannera (white with black face), Shevera (white with random black patches). | Glossy red or red-and-white pied; sometimes pure white. Reddish-yellow muzzle. |
| Milking Price | ₹40,000 – 90,000 | ₹50,000 – 1,20,000 |
| Maintenance | ₹3,800 – 5,500/mo | ₹4,500 – 7,000/mo |