Ongole cattle
Ongole Bull of Moses | |
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| Country of origin | India |
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| Traits | |
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| Skin colour | Pigmented, dark |
| Coat | White or light grey; black markings on head, neck, hump, and feet |
| Horn status | Horned (short, thick, stumpy) |
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The Ongole cattle also known as Ongole Gitta are an indigenous cattle breed that originates from Prakasam District in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The breed derives its name from the place the breed originates from, Ongole. The Ongole breed of cattle, Bos indicus, is in great demand as it is said to possess resistance to both foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease.[1] This demand has cemented its status as one of the world's most expensive cattle breed, with elite breeding bulls commanding extraordinarily high prices at auctions.[2] These cattle are commonly used in bull fights in Mexico and some parts of East Africa due to their strength and aggressiveness. They also participate in traditional bull fights in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Cattle breeders use the fighting ability of the bulls to choose the right stock for breeding in terms of purity and strength. The mascot of the 2002 National Games of India was Veera, an Ongole Bull.[3][4][5][6]
History
Ongole Gitta (ఓంగోలు గిట్ట) is a indigenous cattle breeds (Bos indicus) of Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, developed over centuries by local breeders for draught power and adaptability to the tropical climate.[7] It is believed that the breed may have influenced or been crossed with other Indian draught breeds. The breed gained international fame due to its export to countries like Brazil, the United States, and Mexico, where it contributed to the development of breeds like the Brahman.
The breed's strength and aggressiveness have made it a traditional choice for bull fights in Mexico, parts of East Africa, and in South India, where it participates in events like Jallikattu in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Breeders often use the bull's fighting spirit as a metric for selecting pure and robust stock for breeding. The Ongole bull was celebrated nationally as the mascot (Veera) for the 2002 National Games of India.[3] In 2024, a cow of the Ongole breed set a global record by selling for $4.82 million (approximately ₹41 crore) at an auction in Brazil, making it the most expensive cow ever sold in the world.[8]
Notably, the breed has been associated with the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, who is said to have promoted cattle breeding and agriculture in the region during his time. His teachings emphasised compassion and sustainability, which aligned with the careful stewardship of robust native breeds like the Ongole.
Characteristics
The Ongole is a large, muscular breed with a prominent hump and long legs. Height at the withers ranges from 160–170 cm for bulls and 140–155 cm for cows. Body weight can be 500–700 kg for bulls and 400–500 kg for cows.
The coat colour is typically white or light grey, with black markings on the head, neck, and hump common in bulls. The skin is loose and pigmented, the ears are long and drooping, and the horns are short and stumpy, growing backwards. The breed is renowned for its hardiness, heat tolerance, and resistance to diseases such as foot and mouth disease. It is also noted for its walking ability and endurance.
Use
Primarily used as a draught animal for agriculture and carting. While not a high milk producer, cows yield a modest amount of milk (approximately 1000–1500 kg per lactation) with a high fat content, suitable for local consumption. Bulls are integral to traditional bull fights and sports like Jallikattu, testing their power and agility. Their genetic traits of disease resistance and adaptability have made them highly valuable in crossbreeding programs worldwide to improve tropical cattle breeds.[9]
Gallery
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This Ongole bull reared by Sri Polavarapu Hanumaiah (third from right) won National Award 1961-62 . Jawaharlal Nehru, the then prime minister of India, seen second from right
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Ongole Bull reared by Sri D. T. Moses at Pernamitta after winning the Andhra Pradesh State Award in 1988 with Sri N.T. Rama Rao (green turban) then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Sri Balaram Jhakar (red turban) then Agricultural Minister, Government of India.
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A young Ongole bull
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A brown Ongole Bull found in the Philippines
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Ongole Bull, India
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See also
References
- ^ A Load of Bull Ongole bulls are prized as they are said to be resistant to mad cow disease - source Outlook India. Archived at The Wayback Machine
- ^ "'The world's most expensive cattle': Booming in Brazil, dwindling in India". The Indian Express. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Bull parade hits oblivion track".
- ^ Breeds of Livestock - Ongole, at Oklahoma State University. Reference: Joshi, N.R., Phillips, R.W. (1953) Zebu Cattle of India and Pakistan, FAO Agriculture Studies No. 19, Publ. By FAO, Rome, 256 pp.
- ^ Important Breeds of Cattle and Buffalos in India.
- ^ Characteristics of the Ongole Cattle Breed - Source Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) in India
- ^ Murali, S. (12 August 2017). "For sheer love of the majestic bull". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "This Andhra-origin breed becomes world's most expensive cow at Rs 41 crore in Brazil but is neglected in India". The Economic Times. 13 February 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Murali, S. (12 August 2022). "Ongole breed of cattle back in favour". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
External links
- The mascot of the 2002 Indian National Games was Veera, an Ongole Bull. Source - Press Information Bureau, Government of India
- Estimation of Draught ability of Ongole bullocks by different methods*. R. Vinoo1, G. N. Rao2, B. Ramesh Gupta3 and K. Babu Rao4 Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.
- Genetic evaluation of Ongole bulls at organized herds by Umesh Singh, G K Gaur, R C Garg, R Vinod. Source - The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences
- [4] https://www.gofundme.com/save-neloreongole-breed Archived 8 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine