LPT 312: Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology (1+1)

CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING OF HIDES AND SKINS

Classification of buffalo hides

• In India, buffalo hides are generally classified as
  • Buffalo (buff) calf skin
  • Buff heifer hide
  • Buff hide
  • Buff bull hide

Classification of goat and sheep skin

• In India, this is done on the basis of weight and length (Baba and Bhote, 1966)

Class	Weight (kg)	Length (cm)	Region
Big goat skin	1.3	96.5 and above	Punjab, Kashmir-Punjab border, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh
Medium goat skin	0.91	96.4	Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka
Small goat skin	0.86	76.2	Eastern part of India

• It may be noted that sheepskins are mostly of medium size without much regional variation.

Grading of hides and skins

• FAO Expert, Aten (1995) suggested a useful system of grading hides based on the degree of faults

S. No	Grades	Properties
1.	First grade	Shape or pattern regular and symmetrical, Minor scores and gouges may be over looked
2.	Second grade	Good shape or pattern Reasonably free from knife damage i.e. upto 1/16th of area may show concentrated scores or gouges or 1/8th of area may show dispersed scores or gouges. One or two cuts may be allowed on the edges of belly
3.	Third grade	Irregular shape or pattern Upto 1/2 of the area damaged by knife showing cuts, scores or gouges.
4.	Reject grade	Irregular shape or pattern Extensive damage of the back or butt.