Nadudana Zebu cattle
From: Southern Asia, especially India Rare: critically endangered worldwide
Captain (above) is a small but spectacular Nadudana Zebu bull who spends his days with John’s herd of Dexter cattle. Zebu cattle are distinguishable by the hump on their shoulder and dewlap under their chin.
Nadudana is Hindi for ‘miniature cattle.’ The breed reaches just 90cm-110cm at the shoulder, and were traditionally kept in temple grounds due to their size and good nature.
Common dairy breeds drop milk production and reproduction once it gets over 21°C, but the Zebu can handle much higher temperatures.
It produces A2-type milk with high fat, and yields 60% lean meat. It has a high resistance to disease and bloat. It has also developed very strong sub-dermal twitches of the skin, which shake off ticks and flies.
The muscley hump, which develops with age, helps the animal cope with dry, hot conditions. It’s also a delicacy around the world for its tender meat.