Rathi cattle
The Rathi (Hindi:राठी) is an Indian breed of dairy cattle. It originates in the state of Rajasthan, and is found principally in the Thar Desert, in the Bikaner, Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts of the state. It is particularly numerous in the tehsil of Lunkaransar, in Bikaner District. In 2022 the total number of the cattle was estimated at 878852–1169828 head. It is named for the nomadic Rath people of that area, who move with their cattle according to the available pasture and water resources, and depend on sales of cattle, ghee and milk for their living. It is quite distinct from the white or grey Rath breed of draught cattle similar to the Hariana, described in 1909 and again in 1953 in the Alwar district of eastern Rajasthan – some 400 km from the range of the Rathi breed – for which no modern status data is available.
| Life Span | 18-22 years |
| Weight | 450-900 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Rathi cattle
Finding a responsible Rathi cattle breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells cattles commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Rathi cattle. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Rathi cattles appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Rathi cattle breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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