Cattle fair in Tamil Nadu draws many enthusiastic farmers

A cattle fair held to spread awareness among people about the preservation of livestock drew enthusiastic response from villagers in Tamil Nadu.

The fair, held at Samathur on the outskirts of Pollachi town in Coimbatore district, also drew animal lovers from abroad.

Villagers dressed in traditional attire brought hundreds of cows and bulls of different breeds at the fair ground.

A member of the Vanavarayar Foundation, which organised the event, Shankar Vanavarayar, said the idea was to create awareness about the importance of livestock in agriculture.

"The idea is to bring awareness. More than awareness, we want to bring knowledge to the people, to the farmers to make sure they understand the importance of save cattle and livestock as it is part of agriculture and part of agricultural life. We want to make it profitable," said Vanavarayar.

A cattle specialist from New Zealand, Doctor John Henry Niezen, said the fair offered opportunities to farmers to share their ideas and thoughts with each other about the health of animals.

"The conditions are much hotter here. There are more pests and diseases and these animals have to be able to resist those pests and diseases to a greater degree than the cattle in Australia or New Zealand or North America," Niezen observed.

He said cattle shows are very common in western countries.

Local bulls of Kangeyam region stole the limelight. The bulls are known all over the world for their superior strength and easy adaptability in any condition.

Jenny, another visitor from New Zealand, was impressed with the animal breeds.

"Just to have a look around, I think the animals are beautiful and I am very impressed with what I see. Cows and indigenous nice of cows that I have never seen before, with their calves and some very impressive looking bulls," said a Jenny, visitor from New Zealand.

The fair is the first of its kind being held in the region. Organisers were overwhelmed with the response. The number of cattle far exceeded their expectations. About 700 cattle of nine native breeds were on display.

The animals were later judged on fitness.

Prize money was also announced for the cattle in different categories.