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Vulnerable Karnataka A2 milk
Hallikar Cow
ಹಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್
The ancestor of South India's draught breeds.
Native tract: Tumkur, Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA
Milk per day (peak)
2–4 L
Milk per lactation (~300 days)
500–1,000 L
Adult weight
330–425 kg
Distinctive features
Coat: Light grey to dark grey; bulls darker.
- Compact, well-built body
- Long, sharply pointed horns curving back and inward
- Short, hard hooves — adapted to hard, rocky soils
- Alert, dished face
Temperament & utility
- Premier south Indian draught breed
- Endurance and speed — well-suited for irregular terrain
- Modest milk yield
- Disease-hardy
History & lineage
Hallikar takes its name from the Hallikar community of Karnataka and is the foundation breed for Amrit Mahal, Khillari, and Krishna Valley. The Wodeyars of Mysore maintained large Hallikar herds; today, the Karnataka Animal Husbandry Department conserves nucleus stock at Ajjampur and Hessarghatta.
Why Hallikar matters
Hallikar is genetically the parent of multiple Deccan breeds. Losing the founder strain risks losing the cohesion of the entire south Indian draught lineage.
Hallikar 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 Hallikar cow milk A2?
Yes. Hallikar 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.
Hallikar 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 | Hallikar | Gir |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Karnataka | Gujarat |
| Daily Milk Yield | 2–4 L | 8–12 L |
| Lactation Yield | 500–1,000 L | 1,800–3,500 L |
| Milk Fat % | — | 4.5–5.0% |
| Adult Weight | 330–425 kg | 380–475 kg |
| Status | Vulnerable | Stable |
| Coat Color | Light grey to dark grey; bulls darker. | 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 |
