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Vulnerable Maharashtra A2 milk
Khillari Cow
खिल्लार
The galloping draught bullocks of the Deccan.
Native tract: Sholapur, Sangli, Satara; spilling into north Karnataka
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA
Milk per day (peak)
2–4 L
Milk per lactation (~300 days)
500–1,200 L
Milk fat
4.5%
Adult weight
350–450 kg
Distinctive features
Coat: Greyish-white; bulls darker, almost black on shoulders.
- Compact, muscular, athletic build
- Long, sharply pointed horns swept back — used historically for bullock races
- Tight skin, minimal dewlap
- Athletic gait
Temperament & utility
- Among the fastest draught bullocks in India
- Used in traditional bullock races (now banned/regulated)
- Modest milker
- Endurance — covers long distances at speed
History & lineage
Khillari was the breed behind the traditional bullock cart races of Maharashtra and north Karnataka — events that drew thousands of spectators before being curtailed by animal welfare regulations. With the decline of both bullock races and draught agriculture, Khillari numbers have fallen sharply. Maharashtra and Karnataka's animal husbandry departments run small conservation herds.
Why Khillari matters
Khillari illustrates how culture, sport, and animal husbandry are entangled. When the use-case (racing, draught) disappeared, so did the economic reason to keep the breed. Saving Khillari requires re-imagining its role — gaushala adoption, organic dung supply, or low-intensity dairy.
Khillari 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 Khillari cow milk A2?
Yes. Khillari 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.
Khillari 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 | Khillari | Gir |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Maharashtra | Gujarat |
| Daily Milk Yield | 2–4 L | 8–12 L |
| Lactation Yield | 500–1,200 L | 1,800–3,500 L |
| Milk Fat % | 4.5% | 4.5–5.0% |
| Adult Weight | 350–450 kg | 380–475 kg |
| Status | Vulnerable | Stable |
| Coat Color | Greyish-white; bulls darker, almost black on shoulders. | 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 |
