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M.J. Prabu

RARE BREED

TREASURED ONE: An Ongole cattle that is bred at a farm in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district. - M. J. Prabu

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Chennai. Feb. 26

The country is a treasure house of the Ongole cattle breed (Bos indicus) that is most suited for livestock production in the tropics for its draught power, milk and meat. The Ongole cattle is now an international breed, spread through Americas, Africa, Far-East and Australia.

However, the breed is turning out to be a rare one in the country and only a few farmers are rearing it. Mr R. Ranganathan, a farmer in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, currently has an Ongole bull and cow in his farm.

"I had bought both the calves at a farm in Ongole at Rs 15,000. The animals are now nearly two years old and the cow yields about 18 litres of milk a day."

The Ongole breed is majestic in appearance, big in size, docile and extremely hardy.

"I get a lot of offers from abroad for my animals especially the bull. An NRI in Brazil has offered about Rs 50,000 for the animal," he said.

Mr Ranganathan, however, has no plans to sell. He is planning to raise an Ongole cattle farm. A calf is a new addition to the Ongole pair.

"In another 5-6 years, I hope to have at least 10 Ongole cattle in my farm," he said.

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