Ongole Breed Cattle

Source: TOI

Context: Viatina-19, an Ongole breed cow, recently set a world record by selling for $4.82 million (~₹41 crore) in Brazil, surpassing Japan’s Wagyu and India’s Brahman breeds.

About Ongole Breed:

• What is the Ongole Breed?

• Ongole cattle is a native Indian Bos Indicus breed known for its high strength, disease resistance, and heat tolerance. It has been historically used for agriculture, dairy, and breeding purposes, contributing to livestock economies.

• Ongole cattle is a native Indian Bos Indicus breed known for its high strength, disease resistance, and heat tolerance.

• It has been historically used for agriculture, dairy, and breeding purposes, contributing to livestock economies.

• Native Region & Distribution:

• Native to: Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Found in: Villages around Guntur, Vinukonda, Narasaraopet, Ongole, Kandukur and along the Gundlakamma and Alluru rivers. Also known as the Nellore breed due to its historical association with Nellore district.

• Native to: Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Found in: Villages around Guntur, Vinukonda, Narasaraopet, Ongole, Kandukur and along the Gundlakamma and Alluru rivers.

• Also known as the Nellore breed due to its historical association with Nellore district.

• Key Features of Ongole Cattle:

• Physical Traits: Large, muscular build with long limbs and short necks. Distinct hump in males, well-developed and erect. Coat Color: Mostly white or gray, with dark gray patches on head, hump, and knees. Horns: Short, stumpy, thick at the base and growing outward. Dewlaps: Fleshy, extending to the navel flap. Temperament & Utility: Docile nature makes them easy to manage. Strong and powerful bulls, used for heavy plowing and transportation. Cows are moderate milk producers.

• Large, muscular build with long limbs and short necks.

• Distinct hump in males, well-developed and erect.

• Coat Color: Mostly white or gray, with dark gray patches on head, hump, and knees.

• Horns: Short, stumpy, thick at the base and growing outward.

• Dewlaps: Fleshy, extending to the navel flap.

• Temperament & Utility: Docile nature makes them easy to manage. Strong and powerful bulls, used for heavy plowing and transportation. Cows are moderate milk producers.

• Docile nature makes them easy to manage.

• Strong and powerful bulls, used for heavy plowing and transportation.

• Cows are moderate milk producers.

• Speciality of Ongole Breed:

• High Heat Resistance: Can withstand harsh tropical climates, making it ideal for drought-prone areas. Genetic Purity: Recognized for strong immune system and low disease susceptibility. Global Recognition: Highly valued in Brazil, USA, and Australia for crossbreeding and dairy farming. Brazilian-developed Ongole cow, Viatina-19, became the world’s most expensive cow in 2025. Historical Significance: Traces of Zebu (Bos Indicus) cattle, including Ongole breed, date back to Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BC). Rigvedic texts mention cattle as an essential part of socio-economic life.

• High Heat Resistance: Can withstand harsh tropical climates, making it ideal for drought-prone areas.

• Genetic Purity: Recognized for strong immune system and low disease susceptibility.

• Global Recognition: Highly valued in Brazil, USA, and Australia for crossbreeding and dairy farming. Brazilian-developed Ongole cow, Viatina-19, became the world’s most expensive cow in 2025.

• Highly valued in Brazil, USA, and Australia for crossbreeding and dairy farming.

• Brazilian-developed Ongole cow, Viatina-19, became the world’s most expensive cow in 2025.

• Historical Significance: Traces of Zebu (Bos Indicus) cattle, including Ongole breed, date back to Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BC). Rigvedic texts mention cattle as an essential part of socio-economic life.

• Traces of Zebu (Bos Indicus) cattle, including Ongole breed, date back to Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BC).

• Rigvedic texts mention cattle as an essential part of socio-economic life.