The Sibi Bhagnari or Sibi is the largest breed of

Zebu The zebu (; ''Bos indicus'' or ''Bos taurus indicus''), sometimes known in the plural as indicine cattle or humped cattle, is a species or subspecies of domestic cattle originating in the Indian sub-continent. Zebu are characterised by a fatty h ...

cattle and originates from

Sibi Sibi (Sindhi: سيوي ur, ) is a city situated in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The city is the headquarters of the district and tehsil of the same name. Etymology The origin of the town's name is attributed to Rani Sewi, a Hindu lad ...

in Baluchistan, though also found elsewhere in

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...

and also

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. The name is derived from the town of Bhag which is found to the south of Sibi and Naari which is a river that flows through the breeding area. The areas consists of Talli,

Khajjak The Khajjak is a village at a 8 kilometers distance from Sibi city of Balochistan, Pakistan. The whole of the Khajjak town is very rich particularly in wheat. The Khajjak tribe hold the means of irrigation by the Nari completely in their hands and ...

, Kurak, Mithri and

Bhag Bhag ( ur, بھاگ) is a city located within Kachhi District of Balochistan Province of Pakistan. It is the largest city of the district and sits at an altitude of 90 meters (298 feet). Prior to 2013, Bhag Tehsil was located within Kachhi Dis ...

. Each year the giant cattle are shown at the

Sibi Mela The Sibi Mela is an annual cultural show held in Sibi, in the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. The first Sibi Mela was held in Sibi in January 1885. It has subsequently developed into a cultural festival, with animal markets, camel racing, tent ...

Description

The breed typically has a white or grey coloured body and is black around the neck and has a black tail switch. The head is medium-sized with a short strong neck, small ears, short horns, small

dewlap A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin or similar flesh that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. More loosely, it can be various similar structures in the neck area, such as those caused by a double chin or the submandibul ...

, straight back, wide chest and a moderate sized hump. Adult bulls can grow to in height with a mass of up to The bulls of the breed surpass the

Brahman In Hinduism, ''Brahman'' ( sa, ब्रह्मन्) connotes the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality in the universe.P. T. Raju (2006), ''Idealistic Thought of India'', Routledge, , page 426 and Conclusion chapter part X ...

by more than in mass. It is still been debated whether the Sibi is the biggest cattle breed in the world. Bulls have been shown to compete with Chianina. Sibi Bhagnari together with the smaller White Nukra are the only indicine cattle which give complete white coloured animals. (

is more white-greyish.)

Environment

Sibi are suited to extremes in conditions; in the breeding area it copes with a temperature range from and an average rainfall that is less than .

Farming

The cattle are mostly fed on dry fodder with sorghum used as green and grain. Other grains include wheat, barley, pearl millet which are fed to force weight gain. Other supplements include desi ghee, milk, yogurt, mustard oil, and occasionally eggs. Cattle breeds Cattle breeds originating in Pakistan

References

{{cattle-stub Cattle breeds originating in India