Surti is a medium-sized milk buffalo from central and south Gujarat, known for its sickle-shaped horns, two white collars on the neck and fat-rich milk. It eats less than the heavy breeds and is popular with landless, small and marginal farmers (NBAGR database).
How to recognise it
- Colour: rusty brown, silver-grey or black, on black or brown skin (NBAGR database).
- Two white collars: two white bands across the underside of the neck, one near the jaw and one at the brisket (NBAGR database, TNAU). Many also have a white streak of hair over the eyebrows, and white on the forehead, legs and tail tip (ICAR-CIRB).
- Horns: flat, sickle-shaped and of medium length; they run down and back, then turn up at the tip to form a hook (NBAGR database).
- Body: medium-sized and wedge-shaped, with a straight back, a long head with prominent eyes, and a well-shaped udder (TNAU, ICAR-CIRB).
- Size and weight: bulls stand about 133 cm and cows about 130 cm at the shoulder. Adult bulls average about 435 kg and cows about 401 kg (NBAGR database).
What it is good for
- Fat-rich milk. NBAGR records about 1,670 kg of milk (about 1,600 litres) in a lactation, with about 7% fat and high solids-not-fat (SNF) (NBAGR database). A lactation lasts about 280–300 days (ICAR-CIRB), and studies report about 4.9–5.3 kg a day on average (ICAR-CIRB).
- Low feed needs. It eats less than the heavy breeds and does well on crop stalks, with little or no green fodder (NBAGR database).
- Regular calving. City milk producers like Surti for its size and its regular calving (ICAR-CIRB). NBAGR records the first calf at about 45 months, then one about every 15 months (NBAGR database).
Where it is mainly found
Surti's home tract is in Gujarat: Kheda (Kaira), Vadodara (Baroda), Bharuch and Surat districts (NBAGR database). The best animals are found around Anand and Nadiad, and the breed also spreads into southern Rajasthan (ICAR-CIRB). NBAGR registers it as a Gujarat breed (breed register), and its other names include Charotari, Nadiadi, Gujarati and Talabda (NBAGR database). The 2013 breed survey counted about 18.9 lakh Surti buffaloes (NBAGR database).
Looking for Surti buffalo?
Kattutharai works across India. Search “Surti” in the app to look for Surti buffalo, or browse buffalo for sale near you. The seller names the breed and Kattutharai does not check it, so look at the animal yourself before you pay.
Rearing tips
- Simple feeding. Surti manages on crop stalks and little green fodder (NBAGR database), and ICAR-CIRB says it performs best on limited feed in semi-intensive systems (ICAR-CIRB). Still give green fodder when you can, with dry fodder, concentrate for milking buffaloes and mineral mixture; see how buffaloes are kept.
- Housing. In Gujarat, Surti buffaloes are often kept in mixed herds with cows, in sheds that are part of the house (NBAGR database). Give shade, and a wallow or water sprinkling at least twice a day in hot weather (ICAR-CIRB).
- Health. Vaccinate and deworm on the calendar in buffalo health.
Buying tips
- Look for the collars and the hooked horns. Two white neck collars, flat sickle horns hooked at the tip, and a brown to silver-grey coat are the breed's marks (NBAGR database). A jet-black buffalo with tightly curled horns is closer to Murrah, and Mehsana horns curve more upward than Surti's (NBAGR database).
- Crosses are common, and the breed name in an ad is the seller's word; Kattutharai does not check it. See the animal yourself.
- See her milked at least three times in a row, and check her age, udder and papers with buying a buffalo. A buffalo brought from Gujarat needs a vet's certificate that she is fit to travel (AWBI).
Frequently asked questions
How much milk does a Surti buffalo give?
NBAGR's average is about 1,670 kg in a lactation, with about 7% fat; studies report about 4.9–5.3 kg a day (NBAGR database, ICAR-CIRB).
Is Surti good for a small farmer?
It can be. NBAGR notes that it is popular with landless, small and marginal farmers because it eats less and manages on crop stalks (NBAGR database).
How heavy is a Surti buffalo?
Adult bulls average about 435 kg and cows about 401 kg, lighter than the heavy breeds (NBAGR database).
Next
Compare Surti with Mehsana and Jaffarabadi, also from Gujarat, or see all breeds in Buffalo farming: breeds, buying and care in South India. To find buffaloes near you, browse buffaloes for sale.