Comparison · breed
Zebu cattle breeds: Brahman vs Nellore vs Gir
Compare heat-tolerant Bos indicus (zebu) cattle breeds.
| Dimension | Brahman | Nellore | Gir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Cattle (Bos taurus indicus) | Cattle (Bos taurus indicus) | Cattle (Bos taurus indicus) |
| Type | Beef | Beef | Dairy |
| Origin | Gulf Coast of the United States; foundation stock from the Indian subcontinent, United States | Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India; developed extensively in Brazil, India (Ongole ancestor); developed in Brazil | Gir region, Kathiawar peninsula, Gujarat, India, India |
| Primary uses | Beef production in tropical and subtropical regions, Crossbreeding to add heat tolerance and hardiness | Beef production in tropical regions, Crossbreeding for tropical adaptation | Milk production in hot climates, Tropical dairy crossbreeding |
| Climate adaptation | Among the most heat- and humidity-tolerant beef breeds, with associated resistance to many external parasites; central to tropical and subtropical beef systems. | Highly adapted to hot, humid tropical conditions, with heat tolerance and resistance to many external parasites and the ability to perform on tropical forages. | Adapted to hot climates, with tolerance of heat and of external parasites such as ticks, and able to produce milk on tropical feed resources. |
| Conservation status | unknown | unknown | unknown |
Methodology
Attributes read from each entry.
Limitations
- Adaptation varies by regional population.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]DAD-IS — Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12