Butana

Butana cattle are African humped dairy cattle from the Butana plain of Sudan within the wider domestic cattle complex. They are usually red to reddish brown, with a zebu-type hump, loose skin, and a build suited to heat, walking, and seasonal feed shortages. Along with related Sudanese dairy types such as the Kenana, Butana cattle can produce more milk than many indigenous dryland cattle while retaining adaptation to local climate and disease pressure.

They are kept by pastoral and agropastoral families, research herds, and dairy improvement programs that need cattle able to perform where imported temperate breeds often struggle. Milk output depends heavily on grazing season, water access, calf management, and supplementary feed during dry months. Practical care includes shade, clean water, tick control, and planning for drought or fodder gaps. Crossbreeding with Friesian or other dairy cattle is common in some programs, but conservation herds try to keep pure Butana genetics available for future climate-resilient breeding.

Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Grey, Highbelt, Highpark, Lineback, Mottled, Pied, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Riggit, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Solid White, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow