Viatina-19:
An Ongole cow named Viatina-19 was sold for a record-breaking 4.38 million USD (approximately INR 40 crore) in Brazil’s Minas Gerais.
- Viatina-19 is a Nelore breed cow (Ongole cattle), renowned for its exceptional genetic qualities. The Nelore breed, originating from India and now prevalent in Brazil, is prized for its adaptability and meat quality.
- They are known for their unique genetic traits, including exceptional physical strength, heat resistance, and superior muscular structure. These qualities make them highly desirable for dairy.
- The Nelore breed is well known for its ability to adapt to tropical climates and disease resistance. Due to this, Viatina-19’s embryos are in high demand globally for breeding programs.
- The Nelore breed, which makes up the majority of Brazil’s cattle stock, is primarily raised for meat. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Brazil has about 230 million cows.
- However, in India, the original home of the Ongoles, the breed is facing the threat of extinction, its numbers halving from 15 lakh in 1944 to 6.34 lakh in the 2019 Livestock Census.
- The price of the cattle, too, is relatively low in India – Rs 1 lakh for a cow and Rs 10 to 15 lakh for a prized bull.
