GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND UTILITY OF KOSALI CATTLE AT NATIVE TRACT Asit Jain*, Deepti Kiran Barwa, Tripti Jain 1 , Mohan Singh, K Mukherjee and M.K. Gendley 2 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India 1 Animal Biotechnology Centre, Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India 2 Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India Abstract: Kosali, the first breed of cattle from Chhattisgarh state has been registered as 36 th breed of cattle. These animals are smaller in size and are well adapted to the existing agro- climatic conditions of the region. In the present study, a field survey was conducted to find out the geographical distribution, management practices and utility of the Kosali cattle. This study revealed that Kosali cattle are mainly distributed in the Central Plain Region of the state. They are fed in groups and individually. Kosali cattle owners (96.49%) grow fodder as paddy and gave un-chaffed dry fodder. The concentrate feed, which comprises of broken rice and rice polish (Kodha) may sometimes be supplemented to the lactating cows (at the time of milking) and working bullocks. The green fodder is rarely grown and naturally grown grasses are available during rainy season only and provide to the animals. The general practices recorded were to tie Kosali cattle mostly during night hours (88.69%) in kaccha houses (83%). Natural mating is the only mating system in the entire breeding tract. About 70% farmers are using Kosali animals for milk and agriculture operations. In conclusion, Kosali cattle are well adapted to the existing agro-climatic conditions of the region. They have excellent capacity of heat tolerance and disease resistance and can thrive well under the poor feed stuffs available in the state. Appropriate breeding strategies, management and conservation models should be designed for overall improvement of this breed. Keywords: Breeding, Feeding, Management Practices, Kosali. INTRODUCTION India subcontinent has vast livestock genetic resources of which 41 well known breeds are of cattle. In Chhattisgarh, livestock are raised as a part of mixed farming systems and are closely associated with socio-economic and cultural ethos of the farming community. According to 19 th livestock census, this state is very rich in its livestock wealth with more than 1.50 crores animals [1]. The state has 9.81 million cattle heads (19 th livestock census) and contribution to the total livestock population is the highest (65%). Out of 41 well characterized breeds of Indian cattle, Kosali is one of them (Accession No. INDIA_CATTLE_2600_KOSALI_03036). The Kosali is the first breed of the cattle from the International Journal of Science, Environment ISSN 2278-3687 (O) and Technology, Vol. 6, No 6, 2017, 3420 – 3426 2277-663X (P) Received Nov 14, 2017 * Published Dec 2, 2017 * www.ijset.net