Sahiwal Cattle

Bos indicus

Originally from the Punjab region of Pakistan/India, the Sahiwal was imported into Kenya between 1939 and 1963 and has since been developed as the country's leading indigenous dairy-beef dual-purpose breed, known for its reddish-dun coat, large drooping ears, and well-developed hump.

Species: Bovine
Family: Bovidae
Climate requirements: Highly adapted to hot, semi-arid and arid conditions found across much of Kenya's lowlands, combining heat tolerance and drought resistance with better milk production than most other Zebu types, though it also performs adequately in cooler mid-altitude zones.

Husbandry

Care & Economics

Husbandry guide: Traditionally reared under extensive or semi-intensive grazing systems, though improved Sahiwals adapt well to zero-grazing with cut-and-carry napier grass and concentrate supplementation. Average lactation yield in Kenya is around 1,574 kg over roughly 293 days (range about 972-2,490 kg depending on management), with butterfat of 3.5-5.3%. The breed is noted for easy calving, tick resistance, and longevity, but milk let-down can be a problem typical of Zebu cattle, so calm, consistent milking routines matter. Standard vaccination against East Coast fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and anthrax, alongside regular deworming and tick control, is recommended; pre-weaning calf survival is around 78% and post-weaning about 96%.
Economic importance: Sahiwal genetics underpin much of Kenya's smallholder dairy-beef crossbreeding, especially in drier regions where pure exotic dairy breeds struggle, giving farmers a source of both milk income and marketable beef animals with lower veterinary input costs.

Genetics

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Animal health

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Nutrition

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Veterinary

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Value chain

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