The Ongole cattle are a beautiful breed of cattle from India. They are most widely distributed and are bred in the largest numbers in many other countries throughout the world.
The breed is indigenous to the Andhra region in the Prakasam District in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Like most other Indian cattle breeds, the Ongole cattle are also named from the place name, Ongole.
Some people also refer to this breed as Nellore cattle, because this area was once part of the Nellore area. Ongole cattle cattle, especially the bulls are very famous for their appearance.
The breed has been raised by the local farmers traditionally for milk production and as working animals.
Ongole cattle are a very important cattle breed of India which played a very important role in producing many other famous cattle breeds. For example, the Brahmana bull in America is an off-breed of the Ongole, and the famous Santa Gertrudis cattle breed has Ongole blood which developed in Texus, United States.
Currently the Ongole cattle are available in many countries throughout the world. It is now available in West Indies, Fiji, Mauritius, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, Netherlands, America, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Malaysia, Indo-China and Philippines. Read more information about the breed below.
Ongole Cattle Characteristics
Ongole cattle are large animals with large dewlaps, loosely knit frames and slightly pendulous sheaths. Their limbs are usually long and muscular. Their necks are short and body is relatively long.
Forehead is broad between the eyes and slightly prominent. Their eyes are elliptical in shape with black eyelashes and a ring of black skin around the eyes.
Ears of these animals are slightly dropping and are moderately long. Both bulls and cows have horns which are short and stumpy, growing outwards and backwards.
The bulls have well developed hump, which is erect and filled up on both sides and not concave. The animals are mostly white in color. The bulls have dark gray markings on the head, neck and hump.
They sometimes have black points on the knees and on the pasterns of both the fore and hind legs. Other colors are also occasionally seen. The bulls weight up to 500 kg, and average body weight of the cows vary from 432 to 455 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Ongole cattle are efficiently used for both working purpose and milk production in their native area. The cows are fair milkers. Outside India, they are also used for meat production.
Special Notes
Ongole cattle are well known and noted for their toughness, rapid growth rate and natural tolerance to tropical heat and disease resistance power. They usually have docile temperament.
The bulls are very strong and powerful, they are suitable for heavy work. They are traditionally being used as working animals in ti’s native area for heavy plowing or other work.
The bulls commonly used in bull fights due to their strength and aggressiveness in Mexico and some other parts of East Africa. They are also used for traditional fight in Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu.
The Ongole cattle were the first Indian breed of cattle to gain worldwide recognition. However, review full breed profile of this breed in the following table.
| Breed Name | Ongole |
| Other Name | Nellore Cattle |
| Breed Purpose | Milk, Work, Meat |
| Special Notes | Hardy, strong, fast growers |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Bulls | Up to 500 kg |
| Cows | Vary from 432 to 455 kg |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | Mainly white, occasionally other colors |
| Horned | Yes |
| Milk Yield | Good |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | India |
