Commanding a hefty price that belies their diminutive build, their grade is best gauged by farmers who have their fool-proof methods of assessment. While most command a price in the range of ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, there are many which fetch up to ₹3 lakh, at the annual cattle fair in Suttur, where the Amrita Mahal variety dominates the market.
Being held regularly since 50 years, scores of bullocks were lined up for farmers to make their bid. Lokesh of Malavalli, a proud owner of a pair of such bullocks, refused to part with his animals despite the highest bid of ₹5.5 lakh. His pair of bullocks — Lakshmi and Saraswathi — has won him 23 contests so far.
Another farmer, Nagaraju from Bilikere, sold his drought animals for ₹3 lakh. “I have been participating in the Suttur cattle fair for the last three years. I purchase animals at Mudukotore and sell them for profit at Suttur,” he said. Not withstanding consecutive drought and escalating cost of maintaining bullocks, the farmers take pride in their ownership. “They are part of the family and a source of pride for us,” said Mr. Nagaraju.
Another farmer said in rural areas maintaining cattle is a passion among the rich. Some like Mr. Nagaraju have adequate stock of fodder to last another 2 years and is not perturbed by the growing cost of maintenance. “It is akin to people having a passion for vehicles in urban areas,” explained Mr. Nagaraju. Mr. Lokesh maintains another pair of bullocks — Chandi and Chamundi — who have won many races and are in great demand.
As a group of farmers inspect the animals on sale, it is their expertise in assessment and grading that comes to fore. First, they inspect the teeth of the cattle. “We get an idea of the age of the animals depending on the number of teeth. Then, what matters is the colour,” according to Guddappa of Avarehalli near Malavalli.
For many farmers, the slew of cattle fairs that takes place from late December though January is an opportunity to tour the place in search of healthy bovines. Of many such fairs, the Chunchanakatte cattle fair (near K.R. Nagar) is reckoned to be among the oldest and biggest and concludes every year during Makara Sankranti.
