Krishna Valley Cow
The heavyweight draught breed of the Krishna basin.
Native tract: Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad along the Krishna river
Milk per day (peak)
3–5 L
Milk per lactation (~300 days)
700–1,500 L
Adult weight
450–550 kg
Krishna Valley is endangered
Every Krishna Valley cow saved is a meaningful step in protecting this heritage line. Consider adopting one or supporting a verified gaushala in Karnataka.
Distinctive features
Coat: Greyish white; newborns red-brown, lightening with age.
- Heavy, massive body — among the largest desi breeds
- Curved horns emerging laterally
- Loose, hanging dewlap
- Long, drooping ears
Temperament & utility
- Heavy draught — particularly for black-cotton soils
- Modest milk yield
- Slow-maturing but long-lived
History & lineage
Krishna Valley was developed in the late 1800s along the Krishna river by crossing Gir, Ongole, and Hallikar — explicitly to produce a powerful draught animal for the heavy black-cotton soils of the Deccan. Modernisation has reduced demand for heavy draught; the breed is now Endangered.
Why Krishna Valley matters
Krishna Valley is a deliberately created heritage breed — its endangerment represents a unique loss because the genetic recipe is hard to reconstruct.
Frequently asked
Is Krishna Valley endangered?
Yes — and population is declining fast. Only a few thousand animals remain in pure form.