Vechur cattle

Vechur cattle are a unique breed of Zebu cattle, which are a type of Bos indicus.

They are named after the village of Vechoor in Kerala, India. These animals are highly significant because they are extremely small. According to the Guinness Book of Records, they are the smallest cattle breed in the entire world. They are highly valued by farmers for their efficiency. This means they produce a large amount of milk compared to the amount of food they must eat.

Physically, the Vechur cow is much smaller than most other cattle. An average Vechur cow has a height of about 87 cm. Their average length is approximately 124 cm. They typically weigh around 130 kg.

Despite their small size, they can yield up to 3 litres of milk every day. While this is less than what hybrid cows produce, the Vechur cow requires very little feed or maintenance. This efficiency makes them a sustainable choice for certain environments.

The milk produced by Vechur cattle has several unique biological properties. It is believed to be easy to digest because the fat globules, or tiny droplets of fat, are small.

Recent reports also highlight the protein content of the milk. It contains more of the A2 variety of beta-casein protein. This is different from the A1 variety found in other cows. Some studies suggest that the A1 variety is linked to conditions like diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, and autism.

Beyond digestion, the milk contains proteins with strong medicinal qualities. The protein lactoferrin is present in the milk of all mammals. However, in Vechur cattle, the properties of this protein are much more enhanced. Lactoferrin can provide antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, immunodefense, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

In fact, recent findings show that the anti-bacterial property of lactoferrin in Vechur milk is more powerful than the antibiotic ampicillin. These traditional medicinal uses have been documented in Ayurveda for a long time.

The history of the Vechur cow is a story of near extinction and careful rescue. The breed was very popular in Kerala until the 1960s. However, they became rare when native cattle were crossbred with exotic varieties. This caused their numbers to drop significantly. In 2000, the FAO placed them on the World Watch List of Domestic Animal Diversity. They were placed on the 'Critical-Maintained Breeds List,' which identifies breeds at imminent risk of extinction. This list is used when the number of breeding males and females falls to very low levels.

Conservation efforts led by Sosamma Iype helped save the breed. Iype was a Professor of Animal breeding and Genetics. She worked with a team of her students to protect the Vechur cattle. A conservation unit was established in 1989 to begin this work. Later, in 1998, a Conservation Trust was formed to continue the efforts with help from local farmers.

Today, it is estimated that only about 200 Vechur cows exist. Nearly 100 of these cows are kept at the Veterinary College.

There is also a famous product made from this milk called Vechur Ghee. Ghee is clarified butter, which is made by heating butter to remove water and milk solids.

This ghee is famous for its high medicinal value. It contains A2 beta-lactalbumin protein and a high content of arginine. These components are considered good for the health of people who are convalescing, or recovering from an illness. This connects the biology of the cow directly to human health and nutrition.

Even as they are being saved, the breed has faced social challenges. In 1997, a controversy arose involving the environmentalist Vandana Shiva. She alleged that the Roslin Institute, a Scottish company, was attempting to patent the genetic code of the cow. Shiva described this action as piracy. However, the Roslin Institute denied these charges. The claims were subsequently proved to be baseless. This event highlights how important genetic resources are in the modern world.