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Critical Andhra Pradesh A2 milk
Punganur Cow
పుంగనూరు
One of the world's smallest cow breeds.
Native tract: Chittoor — Punganur, Madanapalli
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA
Milk per day (peak)
2–5 L
Milk per lactation (~300 days)
400–800 L
Milk fat
8.0%
Adult weight
110–200 kg
Punganur is critical
Every Punganur cow saved is a meaningful step in protecting this heritage line. Consider adopting one or supporting a verified gaushala in Andhra Pradesh.
Distinctive features
Coat: White, brown, red, or pied combinations.
- Dwarf breed — adults stand 70–90 cm at shoulder
- Compact, broad body
- Short, stubby horns curving outward
- Disproportionately well-developed udder for body size
Temperament & utility
- Highest milk fat among Indian cows (up to 8%)
- Low feed requirement — 1/5 of a normal cow
- Disease resistant
- A2 milk
History & lineage
Punganur is a dwarf zebu breed from the dry uplands of Chittoor. By 1990 the population had collapsed to under 200 animals. The Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University at Tirupati launched a conservation drive that has stabilised numbers; PM Modi famously kept Punganur cows at his residence in 2024, raising national awareness.
Why Punganur matters
Punganur is critically endangered. Each animal preserved is a meaningful contribution to saving the breed. The high-fat A2 milk and ultra-low feed requirement make it ideal for terrace dairy and urban gaushalas.
Punganur 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 Punganur cow milk A2?
Yes. Punganur 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.
Punganur 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 | Punganur | Gir |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Andhra Pradesh | Gujarat |
| Daily Milk Yield | 2–5 L | 8–12 L |
| Lactation Yield | 400–800 L | 1,800–3,500 L |
| Milk Fat % | 8.0% | 4.5–5.0% |
| Adult Weight | 110–200 kg | 380–475 kg |
| Status | Critical | Stable |
| Coat Color | White, brown, red, or pied combinations. | 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 |
