Bhadawari

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Bhadawari, also called Bhadwari, is an improved water buffalo breed from Uttar Pradesh, India. It is mainly raised for milk in the Agra and Etawah districts, and in Bhind and Morena in Madhya Pradesh.

They are medium-sized and copper-colored with two white lines on the neck. Males weigh about 475 kg and are about 128 cm tall; females weigh about 425 kg and are about 124 cm tall.

Bhadawari milk is known for a high butterfat content, ranging roughly from 6.0 to 12.5%. A typical lactation lasts about 272 days, producing around 752–810 kg of milk.

These buffaloes eat coarse feed and crop residues and can thrive on low-quality forage. They are relatively resistant to heat and disease, making them well-suited for dairy work in challenging climates.

The pure Bhadawari population has declined due to crossbreeding with the Murrah breed, though some value their genetic traits for conservation.

Calving in Bhadawari shows seasonality: most births occur during the rainy and autumn seasons (roughly July–Sept and Oct–Nov), with much lower calving in winter and summer.

In general, buffalo milk has more fat, lactose, protein, calcium, and vitamins A and C than cow milk. Among Indian breeds, Bhadawari has more solids-not-fat than Murrah, while Murrah leads in fat, total protein, and casein.