Ongole cattle status in India

Abstract

SummaryThe Ongole cattle breed, also known as Nellore, is the native of the coastal districts Guntur, Prakasham and Nellore of Andhra Pradesh. This is a dual-purpose breed. Bullocks are very powerful and suitablefor ploughing and cart pulling. These animals are resistant to various insect-born diseases. The coat colour of Ongoles is glossy white but some maleshave grey markings on their hump and grey markings on the back quarters have also been noticed. The animals of this breed are heavy having long/large ears, dewlap, hump, limbs and barrel. The size of a tail, neck and horns is in general short. Ears are alert with a moderately short black tip. Horns are short and stumpy. The dewlap is large, fan shaped, fleshy and slightly pendulous. The udder is well formed with well-placed and developed teats. A survey was conducted in 60 villages in the breeding tract and 7 341 cattle true to the breed (Ongole) type were found. A genetic improvement/conservation programme for Ongoles is being executed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in collaboration with Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). The progress of the programme was presented.