Vechur cow
The Vechur cow (Malayalam: വെച്ചൂര്) is a rare breed of Bos indicus cattle named after the village Vechoor in Kottayam district of the state of Kerala in India. With an average length of 124 cm and height of 87 cm, it is the smallest cattle breed in the world,[1] and is valued for the larger amount of milk it produces relative to the amount of food it requires.[2] The Vechur animals were saved from extinction due to conservation efforts by Sosamma Iype, a Professor of Animal breeding and Genetics along with a team of her students.[3] In 1989, a conservation unit was started. A Conservation trust was formed in 1998 to continue the work with farmer participation.[4]
The Vechur cow was popular in Kerala until the 1960s, but became rare when native cattle were crossbred with exotic varieties.[5] About 200 cows are supposed to exist today, nearly 100 of them with the Veterinary College. The milk is believed to have medicinal qualities and easy digestibility due to smaller fat globule size.[6] A recent report claims that the milk of the Vechur cow has more of the beta casein variety A2, rather than the variety A1 which is implicated in diseases like diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and autism.[7][8]
[edit] Controversies
A controversy arose in 1997 when environmentalist Vandana Shiva alleged that a Scottish company, The Roslin Institute was trying to patent the cow's genetic code. Shiva described the action as piracy. The Roslin Institute denied the charge which was subsequently proved to be baseless.[2][9][10] The number of cows with the farmers have increased and they find it very suitable and sustainable to the farmers.
[edit] References
- ^ "Smallest cow (Height)". Guinness World Records. http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-8000/smallest-cow-(height)/. Retrieved January 06, 2012.
- ^ a b Krishnakumar, R. (9 April 1999). "A cow and controversy", Frontline.
- ^ Animal genetics Resource Bulletin 1997 (FAO)
- ^ Proceedings of the National Conference on Native Livestock Breeds and their Sustainable Use 2010.
- ^ Prabu, M. J. (2005-12-01). "Vechur cattle: ideal for household rearing". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/seta/2005/12/01/stories/2005120100331600.htm. Retrieved January 06, 2012.
- ^ Thirpathy and Iype 1997 www.vechur.org
- ^ "Beta casein A1 and A2 in milk and human health", Report to New Zealand Food Safety Authority, http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/projects/a1-a2-milk/a1-a2-report.pdf
- ^ Nair, Madhavan (2010-07-31). "Milk of the indigenous Vechur cow beneficial to health". The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article544392.ece. Retrieved January 06, 2012.
- ^ Jose, D. (12 August 1999). "Mystery shrouds Vechoor cow patent issue", Rediff.com.
- ^ Hall, Stephen J. G. (2008). Livestock Biodiversity. Blackwell Publishing. p. 178. ISBN 0632054999. http://books.google.com/books?id=MAUtSuFC3RcC&pg=PA178&dq=%22Vechur+cow%22.
[edit] External links
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