Bargur farmers have a lot to expect from the Government following the exhibition of indigenous cattle at Thurasanampalayam on March 29.

At the outset, the prize money has been doubled this time. The first prize winner for the best breeder will receive Rs. 20,000. The second and third prize winners respectively will receive Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000.

There will be two first prizes, four second prizes, and eight third prizes.

Besides, there will be consolation prize of Rs. 2,500 each. In all, there will be 13 prizes for cows and same number of prizes for oxen.

The prizes will be distributed by Animal Husbandry Minister T.K.M. Chinniah.The Minister is also expected to announce formation of a milk society for Bargur cattle rearers, it is learnt. Presence of the society would logically lead to increase in animal population, which has come down drastically, in due course

At preset, the milk sourced from Bargur cows are being used for self-consumption since the yielding capacity of the cows is low.

With the Bargur Cattle Research Station coming up, there is scope for enhancing the yield through selective breeding, sources said.

In the long run, the idea of Aavin is to source the milk yielded by Bargur cows separately and sell it in the premium category, sources said.

Casein 2 protein present in the milk of Bargur cows is considered ideal for consumption by people with cardiac problems, sources said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by R. KrishnaMoorthy / Erode – March 27th, 2015