Study Guides/General Knowledge/Murrah Buffalo — Best Milk Breed of India
Study Guide · General Knowledge

Murrah Buffalo

Murrah is the world's most productive buffalo breed and India's premier dairy buffalo. It originates from the Rohtak, Hisar, and Fatehabad districts of Haryana, and is also found in Punjab. Murrah buffaloes are known for their distinctively tight, coiled (corkscrew) horns and high milk yield of 8–15 litres per day. The milk has high fat content (6–8%), making it ideal for ghee and dairy products.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the Murrah buffalo and why is it important?

Answer

Murrah is India's and the world's most productive dairy buffalo breed, originating from Rohtak and Hisar districts of Haryana. It is recognised by its tightly coiled (corkscrew) black horns. Murrah produces 8–15 litres of milk per day with 6–8% fat content — ideal for ghee and dairy products. India is the world's largest buffalo milk producer, with Murrah as the leading breed.

Card 1 of 1 free previews

Key Facts

Murrah is the world's most productive dairy buffalo breed.

Origin: Rohtak, Hisar, Fatehabad districts of Haryana.

Distinctive feature: tightly coiled (corkscrew) black horns.

Milk yield: 8–15 litres/day; fat content 6–8%.

India is the world's largest buffalo milk producer; Murrah is the leading breed.

Murrah semen is exported to Italy, Bulgaria, Brazil for crossbreeding.

Murrah Buffalo — Characteristics, Milk Yield, and Importance

Origin: • Native to: Rohtak, Hisar, Fatehabad districts — Haryana • Also found in Punjab and parts of Delhi region • Name 'Murrah' possibly from 'Muradabad' region or means 'folded' (referring to horns)

Physical Characteristics: • Colour: Jet black; may have white markings on face/limbs • Horns: Tightly coiled (corkscrew/spiral) — distinguishing feature • Body: Heavy, compact build; massive neck and chest • Tail: Long, reaching below the hocks • Average weight: Male — 550–650 kg; Female — 400–500 kg

Milk Production: • Average daily milk yield: 8–15 litres • Top performers: 20–25 litres/day • Fat content: 6–8% (higher than cow's milk) • Lactation period: 270–305 days • World record: Individual Murrah buffaloes have set global milk production records

Importance: • India is the world's largest buffalo milk producer • Murrah provides highest quality milk among buffalo breeds • High fat content → ideal for butter, ghee, khoya, paneer • Also exported to: Bulgaria, Italy, Brazil for improving local breeds

Comparison — Indian Buffalo Breeds:

BreedOriginKnown For
MurrahHaryanaHighest milk yield
SurtiGujaratGood milk, dual purpose
Nili-RaviPunjabHigh milk production
JaffarabadiGujaratHeaviest breed
BhadawariUP/MPHighest fat % in milk

Murrah in Agriculture: • Used for draft work (ploughing) in addition to milk • Preferred by dairy farmers in North India • NDRI (National Dairy Research Institute), Karnal — key research on Murrah • Murrah semen exported globally for breed improvement

Questions and Answers

What is the Murrah buffalo and why is it important?+

Murrah is India's and the world's most productive dairy buffalo breed, originating from Rohtak and Hisar districts of Haryana. It is recognised by its tightly coiled (corkscrew) black horns. Murrah produces 8–15 litres of milk per day with 6–8% fat content — ideal for ghee and dairy products. India is the world's largest buffalo milk producer, with Murrah as the leading breed.

More in General Knowledge

Study Smarter with Shinyu.ai

Turn this guide into revision flashcards, a practice exam, or an AI-generated podcast — free, no signup required.