1 / 8An Indian-origin Nelore cow named Viatina-19 has made history by fetching ₹40 crore at an auction in Minas Gerais, Brazil, breaking the Guinness World Record for the highest price ever fetched at an auction. (Image: AP)
2 / 8What Makes Viatina-19 So Special? | Viatina-19 is no ordinary cow; she possesses characteristics that set her apart from others in her breed. One of her most notable physical traits is her immense size. Weighing 1,101 kilograms, she is nearly twice the average weight of a typical Nelore cow. (Image: AP)
3 / 8Beyond her impressive size, Viatina-19’s distinctive physical attributes contribute to her uniqueness. She has a striking white coat, loose skin, and a prominent hump on her shoulders. These features are not only aesthetically appealing but also serve a functional purpose—helping her adapt to hot climates, which is crucial for cattle bred in tropical regions like Brazil. (Image: AP)
4 / 8Viatina-19 is also an award-winning bovine beauty queen. She has bagged several prestigious titles, including the coveted “Miss South America” title at the Fort Worth, Texas-based “Champion of the World” competition. This competition is considered the bovine equivalent of Miss Universe, where the finest cows and bulls from various countries compete for top honours. (Image: AP)
5 / 8The Science Behind Viatina-19’s Value | The extraordinary price attached to Viatina-19 can be attributed to several factors, including her rapid muscle development, high fertility, and—most importantly—her ability to pass these exceptional traits to her offspring. Lorrany Martins, a veterinarian, previously explained to The Associated Press (AP) that these qualities contribute significantly to her value. (Image: AP)
6 / 8The Superiority of the Nelore Breed | Brazil’s cattle industry is dominated by Zebu cows, a subspecies originally from India, which accounts for 80% of the country’s cattle population. Viatina-19 belongs to the Nelore breed, which is a specific strain of Zebu cattle also known as the Ongole cow. The breed was introduced to Brazil in the 1800s and has since become the backbone of the country’s beef industry. Unlike dairy cattle, Nelore cows are bred primarily for meat production and contribute significantly to Brazil’s livestock economy. (Image: AP)
7 / 8The breed is highly sought after due to its robust musculature, superior heat tolerance, resistance to disease, and efficient grazing abilities. These factors make Nelore cattle some of the most economically valuable livestock in the world. (Image: AP)
8 / 8The Global Demand for Viatina-19’s Genetics | The breed’s overall superiority lies in its remarkable reproductive capabilities, ensuring that its offspring inherit desirable genetic traits. Numerous reports indicate that there is a considerable global demand for Viatina-19’s embryos for breeding purposes. Due to their high value, cows like Viatina-19 are often traded through partial ownership agreements, reflecting the significant investment potential of the breed in the livestock market. (Image: AP)
