The Characteristics and Performances of Sonok Compared to Karapan Cows as Important Consideration for Conservation of Madura Cattle

Madura cattle are a prominent example of local cattle in Indonesia. They cattle were formed from crossing of Bali ,Ongole and Javanese cattle in Madura island, Indonesia, starting around 1500 years ago. The uniformity of the breed was developed through tuft selection by the people in Madura. The social and cultural values of Maduranese embedded with the existence of Madura cattle. There are two cultural activities that involve Madura cattle, there are Sonok and Karapan. These are identify markers of the Maduranese throughout Indonesia. Sonok is aheifer/cow contest for which good heifers and cows are selected based on their exterior performance. Karapanis a colourful male cattle race held every year after harvest season. Karapancattle are mostly produced in an isolated district, where Madura cattle are conserved pure. The cattle here are threatened by inbreeding. While Sonokcattle are produced in other districts, where crossbreeding with exotic breed also occurs. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and reproduction performances of Madura cows that produce progeny for Sonokand Karapan cattle. Twenty five heads of cows which produce Sonokcattle and 39 heads of cows which produce Karapancattle were measured and judged of their exterior performance. A total of 55 Sonokand Karapancow owners have been interviewed to obtain the reproduction performance of the cattle. The officials in the Sonokcontest and Karapanrace have been interviewed to reveal the criteria applied to select cattle used for those activities. In general, body size of Sonok cows was bigger than that of Karapan cows. The differences on the body size of Sonokand Karapancows can be explained by several factors, such as selection within breed and management by farmers. Selection criteria for Sonok emphasize on exterior performance, while for Karapan, only on their speed of running. Reproduction performances of Sonokand Karapancows are relatively high. Cultural practices in keeping Sonokcattle and criteria applied to select it, can be considered for conservation Madura cattle. Keywords : Madura cattle, Sonok, Karapan, conservatio