Southern peninsular region

SOUTHERN PENINSULAR REGION

This region (semi-arid in central peninsular and hot humid region along the coast) comprises of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and has 19.53 million (47.78%) sheep producing 9.68 million kg (28.0%) wool of which 9.22 million kg is below 36s, mostly coloured and extremely coarse and hairy and only about 0.06 million kg (Nilgiri wool) is above 48s. The important breeds of this region are Deccani / Bellary, Nellore, Mandya, Mecheri, Ramnad white, Madras Red, Coimbatore, Hassan, Triruchi black and Nilgiri. About 50% of the population of sheep in this region does not produce any wool and the rest produce very coarse, hairy and coloured fleeces. Most of the sheep except Nilgiri, of this region are of meat type.

Deccani

  • The breed is spread over the greater part of the Central Peninsular region, comprising the semi-arid areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karanataka. It covers the major part of Maharashtra especially the Pune Division, parts of Kurnool, Mehboobnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Anantpur, Warrangel and the entire districts of Medak and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, Bijapur, Gulbarga and Raichur districts in Karnataka. The animals are medium sized, predominantly black with white markings. White and brown/fawn animals are also seen. In a survey in Maharashtra, 54.92% animals were completely black. 21% black with white or brown spots. Rams are horned but ewes are polled. Ears are medium long, flat and drooping. Tail is short and thin. Fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open. Belly and legs are devoid of wool. According to the 1972 census the total Deccani sheep in the area were 5.106 million.

Bellary

  • This breed is not very different from Deccani. Animals found to the north of the Tungabhadra River are called "Deccani" and those to the south of it "Bellary". Mostly found in Bellary district of Karnataka, the animals are medium sized with body colour ranging from white through various combinations of white and black to black. One third of the males are horned, females are generally polled. Ears are medium long, flat and drooping. Fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open. Belly and legs are devoid of wool.

Nellore

  • Based on coat colour, three varieties of this breed are: "Palla" completely white or white with light brown spots on head, neck, back and Iegs; "Jodipi"(also called 'Jodimpu') are white with black spots particularly around the lips, eyes and lower jaw but also on belly and legs, and "Dora" are completely brown. The animals are relatively tall with little hair except at brisket, withers and breech. The rams are horned but the ewes are almost always polled. The ears are long and drooping. The tail is short and thin. 86% of the animals carry wattles. Nellore district and neighbouring areas of Prakasam and Ongole districts of Andhra Pradesh predominantly contain this breed.

Mandya (Syn. Bannur and Bandur)

  • This breed is found in Mandya district and bordering Mysore district of Karnataka. Relatively small animals are white in colour but in some cases their face is light brown which may extend to the neck. Possess a compact body with a typical reversed U-shape wedge from the rear. Ears are long, leaf-like and drooping. Tail is short and thin. A large percentage of animals carry wattles. Slightly Roman nosed. Both sexes are polled. Coat is extremely coarse and hairy. Their population as per 1972 census was 0.372 million and as per 1977 census, 0.329 million. The actual number of the breed is too small. There is high incidence of cryptorchidism in Mandya, possibly due to selection of animals for meaty conformation. Being the best meat breed of the country, it calls for conservation, though its body weight, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and carcass yield are not very superior to most other breeds.

Hassan

  • This breed is localised to Hassan district of Karnataka. These are small sized animals with white body and light brown or black spots. Ears are medium-long and drooping. 39% of the males are horned, females are usually polled. Fleece is white, extremely coarse and open, legs and belly are generally devoid of wool. Their population as per 1972 census was 0.233 million and as per 1977 census, 0.260 million.

Mecheri

  • Also known as Maiylambadi and Thuvaramchambali in Coimbatore district, it is mostly found in Mecheri, Kolathoor, Nangavalli, Omalur and Taramangalam Panchayat Union areas of Salem district and Bhavani taluk of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. These are medium sized animals, light brown in colour. Ears are medium sized. Both sexes are polled. Tail is short and thin. Body is covered with very short hair, which is not shorn. Their population as per 1972 census was 0.956 million and as per 1977 census, 0.917 million.

Kilakarsal (Syn. Keezhakkaraisal, Karuvai, Keezha Karauvai, Ramnad Karuvi and Adikarasial)

  • The breed is found in Rarnnathpuram, Madurai, Thanjavur and Rarnnad districts of Tamil Nadu. Their population as per 1972 and 1977 census was 0.181 million and 0.173 million, respectively.

Vembur

  • This is also called Karnadhai. The animals are tall. Their colour is white with irregular red and fawn patches all over the body. Ears are medium sized and drooping. Tail is thin and short. Males are horned but ewes polled. The body is covered with short hair, which is not shorn. The breed is found in Vembur, Kavundhanapatty, Achangulam and some other villages of Pudur panchayat Union and Vilathikulam Panchayat areas of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The total sheep population in the Vembur breed distribution area, according to the 1972 census was 0.262 million and according to the 1977 census, 0.251 million.

Coimbatore

  • This is also called Kurumbai. It is widely available in Coimbatore and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu and bordering areas of Kerala and Karnataka. The animals are of medium size and white colour with black or brown spots. Ears are medium in size and directed outward and backward, tail is small and thin. 38% of the males are horned but the females are polled. Fleece is white, coarse hairy and open. The total sheep population in the Coirnbatore area according to the 1972 census was 0.500 million and as per 1977 census, 0.475 million.

Nilagiri

  • Evolved during the 19th century, the breed has originated from a crossbred base and contains an unknown level of inheritance of Coimbatore (the local hairy breed) and Tasmanian Merino, Cheviot and South Down exotic breeds. It is localised to Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. The animals are medium sized. Their body colour is generally white with exceptionally brown patches on face and body. Face line is convex, giving a typical Roman nose. Ears are broad, flat and drooping. Males have horn buds and scars but the females are polled. The tail is medium and thin. The fleece is fine and dense. According to the 1972 census the Nilgiri breed totalled 8,000 and as per 1977 census, 7,677. Well adapted to the conditions of the Nilgiri hills, the breed produces fine fleece but there is little organized shearing and marketing of wool. The breed is mostly maintained for manure by tea planters and other flock owners.

Ramnad White

  • This breed is distributed over Ramnad district and adjoining areas of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The animals are medium sized, predominantly white though some animals have fawn or black markings over the body. The ears are medium sized and directed outward and downward. Males have twisted horns but females are polled. Tail is short and thin. The total Ramnad sheep population in the area according to the 1972 census was 0.782 million and as per 1977 census, 0.750 million.

Madras Red

  • It is distributed in Chengalpet and Madras districts of Tamil Nadu. The animals are medium in sized. Their body colour is predominantly brown whose intensity varies from light tan to dark brown. Some animals have white markings on the forehead, inside the thighs and on the lower abdomen. Ears are medium long and twisted horns and the ewes are polled. Their body is covered with short hair, which is not shorn. The total sheep population in the Madras Red distribution area according to the 1972 and 1977 census was 0.595 million and 0.571 million respectively.

Tiruchi Black

  • Also known as Tiruchi Karungurumbai, the breed is largely found in Perambalur and Ariyalur taluks of Tiruchi district, Kallakurichy taluk of South Arcot district, Tirupathur and Tiruvannamalai taluks of North Arcot district and Dharampuri and a portion of Krishnagiri taluk of Dharampuri district of Tamil Nadu. These are small sized animals with completely black body. Males are horned but ewes polled. Ears are short and directed downward and forward. Tail is short and thin. Their fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open. The total sheep population in the Tiruchi Black distribution area was 0.520 million and 0.499 million according to the 1972 and 1977 census respectively.

Kenguri

  • This is also known as Tenguri. It is found in hilly tracts of Raichur district (particularly Lingasagar, Sethanaur and Gangarati taluks) of Kamataka. These are medium sized animals. Their body colour is mostly dark brown, but colours ranging from white to black with spots of different shades are also not uncommon. Males are horned, while the females are generally polled. Although their exact number is not known, but their population is too small.
Last modified: Monday, 7 May 2012, 11:27 AM