Rathi cattle

The Rathi (Hindi:राठी) is an Indian breed of dairy cattle. It originates in the state of Rajasthan, and is found principally in the Thar Desert, in the Bikaner, Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts of the state.^[6] It is particularly numerous in the tehsil of Lunkaransar, in Bikaner District.^[6] In 2022 the total number of the cattle was estimated at 878852–1169828 head.^[2]

Rathi

Cow
Bull
Conservation status	FAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 58  DAD-IS (2024): not at risk[2]
Country of origin	India
Distribution	Thar Desert, Rajasthan
Use	dairy[3]: 4
Traits
Weight	Male: 386 kg[4]: 278  Female: 327 kg[4]: 278
Height	Female: 115 cm[4]: 278
Coat	usually brown with patches of white[5]: 133
Cattle Bos (primigenius) indicus

It is named for the nomadic Rath people of that area,^[6] who move with their cattle according to the available pasture and water resources, and depend on sales of cattle, ghee and milk for their living.^[5]: 133

It is quite distinct from the white or grey Rath breed of draught cattle similar to the Hariana, described in 1909 and again in 1953^[7]: 134 in the Alwar district of eastern Rajasthan – some 400 km from the range of the Rathi breed – for which no modern status data is available.^{[5]: 131 [4]: 278}

Use

Milk yield is approximately 1530 kg in a lactation of 309 days; the milk has a fat content of 5.3%.^[2]