Scientific name Bos taurus Length Male: 1.6 m Rank Breed | Height Male: 1.5 m (Adult) Higher classification Cattle | |
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Mass Female: 430 – 460 kg, Male: 450 kg Similar Cattle, Madura cattle, Brahman, Oxen, Droughtmaster | ||
Ongole cattle are indigenous to the Andhra region in the Prakasam District in the State of Andhra Pradesh in India. The breed derives its name from the place name, Ongole. Some also refer to this breed as Nellore cattle as this area was once part of the Nelore area. The bull, Bos Indicus, is in great demand as it is said to possess resistance to both foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease. These cattle are commonly used in bull fights in Mexico and some parts of East Africa due to their strength and aggressiveness. This bull also participates traditional bull fight in Tamil Nadu, Andra pradesh. The cattle breeders use the fighting ability of ongole bulls to choose right bulls for breeding and thus sustaining the breed with purity and strength for so long time.
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Origin
Ongole cattle are famous for their bulls. Traditionally, the Ongole have been raised by local farmers, fed by both the Gundlakamma, one of the rivers that originates from the Nallamala Hills, and in the plains, the Paleru river, a tributary of the Krishna River. The Ongole occupy an area no larger than about 100 square miles between the Gundlakamma and Musi rivers.
Ongole bulls have gone as far as America, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Indonesia, West Indies, Australia, Fiji, Mauritius, Indo-China and Philippines. The Brahmana bull in America is an off-breed of the Ongole. Ongole is an island located in India where many Ongoles can be found. The population of Ongole off-breed in Brazil is said to be around several millions. The famous Santa Gertrudis breed developed in Texas, USA have Ongole blood.
Characteristics
Ongole cattle are known for their toughness, rapid growth rate, and natural tolerance to tropical heat and disease resistance. It was the first Indian breed of cattle to gain worldwide recognition.
Ongole bull
The Ongole is one of the heaviest breeds. They weigh approximately half a ton, are 1.5 meters in height and have a body length of 1.6 meters and girth measuring 2 meters.
Ongole cow
The weight of an Ongole female is 432 to 455 kg. Milk yield is 600 kg to 2518 kg. The lactation period is 279 days. Ongole milk has a butterfat content of over five percent. This results in large, well-nourished calves with considerable growth by the time of weaning. Ongole cows stay close to their calves to protect them from predatory animals.