An Indian breed is the world's most expensive cow fetching $4.3 million at auction

The world's most expensive cow was sold in Brazil for around $4.8 million. (Image credit: @interesting_aIl/X)

A majestic Nelore cow, adorned with a distinctive hump and cascading "dewlap" skin, set a new global record for the most expensive cow ever sold auctioning for a whopping $4.8 million. The cow, called Viatina-19 FIV Mara Imóveis, captivated bidders and spectators alike in Arandú, Brazil last June where investors were ready to shell out a substantial amount for it.

The bovine is from the Nelore breed, renowned for its lustrous white coat and iconic hump. It is originally from India but found its home in Brazil, where it thrived and flourished, thanks to its resilience to harsh climates and exceptional adaptability.

"The sale of Viatina-19 FIV Mara Imóveis epitomizes the value placed on superior genetic qualities in the livestock industry," remarked a spokesperson for the auction house. "It's not just about the cow herself; it's about the legacy she carries and the potential for future advancements in the breed."

As one of the most genetically superior specimens in the Nelore breed, her genetic material, in the form of embryos and semen, holds the promise of producing offspring with enhanced traits, thereby elevating the breed's quality and desirability.

The auction, held in Arandú, São Paulo, witnessed fervent bidding, with one-third of the cow's ownership fetching a staggering 6.99 million reals, equivalent to $1.44 million USD. This sale catapulted her total value to an unprecedented $4.3 million, surpassing her own previous record set just a year prior.

Comprising 80 percent of the country's bovine population, Nelore cows have long been favoured by ranchers in Brazil for their resilience and ease of breeding.

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Viatina-19 FIV Mara Imóveis is now in the hands of her new owners, breeders Casa Branca Agropastoril, Agropecuária Napemo, and and Nelore HRO.