Hallikar Cow

ಹಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್

The ancestor of South India's draught breeds.

Native tract: Tumkur, Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya

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.