A show of Kangayam might, beauty – The Hindu

It turned out to be a beauty contest with a difference as about 450 cattle of pure Kangayam breed lined up in the ‘Kangayam cattle show,’ organised by Kangayam Cattle Breeders Society and Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation at Vellakoil on Thursday.Competitions were classified into different segments based on true-to-type characteristics (colour, appearance etc) of the cattle.

Cash prizes totalling Rs. 2 lakh were given away to top three finishers in the events held for stud bull, best oxen, Kangayam white cattle, Kangayam red cattle, best Heifer cattle and Kangayam black cattle.

K. Vivekanandan, who bagged third prize in the ‘stud bull’ category, told The Hindu that competitions like this act as a stimulant for farmers to rear genetically pure Kangayam cattle.

“In my case, the Kangayam cattle has been extremely useful in farming activities, spread over 40 acres, because of its sturdy physical characteristics,” he said.

Moreover, the cattle’s urine and cow dung were being used by him as organic manure.

Like Mr. Vivekanandan, who hails from Pothiyapalayam in Tirupur, the other participants from across the ‘Kangayam tract,’ spread from Kangayam to districts like Karur, Erode, Salem and Dindigul, too came covering long distances just to showcase their pride possession.

K.S.M. Karthikeya of Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation said the response was overwhelming as the organising committee never expected very huge number of entries.

“During the event, livestock keepers and other stakeholders have been explained the techniques to maintain the bloodline of pure Kangayam cattle into next generations,” he added.