Cattle : AUSTRALIAN FRIESIAN SAHIWAL

Country of origin: Queensland, Australia.

Australian Status: LOST

Australian Population: unknown. 2020 JL. 2022. Probably extinct.

Distribution: Australia.

History: Developed by the Queensland Department of Agriculture from 1961 when a Sahiwal bull, a Bos indicus breed from Pakistan, was crossed with Holstein-Friesian cows. The aim was to create a dairy breed that coped with tropical conditions, as pure Bos indicus had a low milk yield and pure Bos taurus (Friesians in this case) often failed to conceive in hot conditions. The program was hugely successful thence the Australia Friesian Sahiwal (AFS). The milk yield is up to 80% of Friesians, conception and calving are successful and there is a far great tolerance to the heat. Over the development period of 30 years, the 50-50 ratio of the founding breeds was maintained.

To bring numbers up in the current era, a breeding program using Friesian cows put to AFS bulls is in place. The progeny are called F3. After 3 generations of such breeding they may enter the studbook as pure. 

Breed traits: A dairy breed that copes well with tropical conditions and has a high yield of milk. Some are black and white, others are red and black. Good fertility, resistance to ticks and tropical parasites. The milk is high in fat and protein. The cattle thrive well on basic forage, and have sound feet and legs. Low birth weight calves with less wide forehead and shoulders than pure Friesians make calving easier.

Organisation:  Australian Friesian Sahiwal Dairy Society - website no longer exists, can't find any contacts, any help much appreciated.

Additional Notes:
Unable to find any breeders here, despite rumours; might be extinct. Any information most welcome.

Photo : AFS cow, photo by JunaydAnwar, WikiMedia Commons

Page by Janet Lane.

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