RCC -a Valued Indigenous Cattle Genetic Resource of Bangladesh

Among some other indigenous cattle available in Bangladesh, Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) is one of the promising variety of cattle genetic resource found in greater Chittagong and its peripheral districts having distinct identity with attractive red color in the different parts of the body like coat, muzzle, eyeball, eyebrow, eye lashes, tail switch, hoof, horn, vulva with delicious milk and meat compared to other indigenous make them top preferred in that region. It is small headed and comparatively small body sized (mature females 150-200 kg and males 300-350 kg) but physical condition is very strong and stout. But this type of indigenous cattle are under the thread of extinction due to crossing with foreign breeds during last few decades for enhancing their milk and meat production, although fertility & reproductive efficiency are not satisfactory. Animal scientists are recently giving more value for the conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources globally; therefore, RCC could be such type of genetic resource in Bangladesh. This book will help reader to develop breeding methodology for sustainable development of valuable indigenous cattle genetic resources in the tropics.