Ongole Cow

ఒంగోలు

Also called: Nellore (in Brazil)

The breed Brazil built its beef industry on.

Native tract: Prakasam, Nellore, Guntur

Milk per day (peak)

4–7 L

Milk per lactation (~300 days)

1,000–1,800 L

Milk fat

4.5–5.0%

Adult weight

430–550 kg

Distinctive features

Coat: White or light grey; black points (knees, neck, shoulder).

Large, well-muscled body — among the heaviest desi breeds
Short stumpy horns
Massive hump and dewlap in males
Long, swinging tail with black switch

Temperament & utility

Premier draught and beef-type indigenous breed
Modest milker; cows give 4–7 litres a day
Disease resistant, particularly to foot-and-mouth
Long productive life

History & lineage

Ongole was exported to Brazil in the late 1800s, where it became "Nelore" and now numbers 200 million animals — the foundation of Brazilian beef. In India, the breed declined after independence as draught demand fell. Andhra Pradesh's Livestock Research Station at Lam, Guntur, maintains a nucleus herd. An elite Ongole bull can fetch ₹50 lakh+ from Brazilian buyers.

Why Ongole matters

Ongole reminds us that India's cow genetics built modern tropical livestock economies abroad — while we let the home herd shrink. Strengthening Ongole herds is both heritage protection and an export opportunity.