Born during Cyclone Fani, the bull was fondly named "Foni-2". Leaving aside grass, the 30-maund animal eats an average of 70 kg of feed a day. It is being prepared for sale at Eid-ul-Azha by Abdus Salam and his son Shakil Sumon of Jangalia village in Chakhar union of Banaripara upazila, Barishal.

Raised over three years with the care of the father, son and other family members, the bull is about 12 feet long and 6 feet tall. Its asking price is Tk 15 lakh.

Owner Abdus Salam said: "The cow was born in our hands. We have been raising it for three years. We are thinking of selling this huge cow at this Eid-ul-Azha. If Allah is merciful, I will sell it at a modest price."

He said: "We are village people. Not many customers for such a big cow come here. So if I get a fair price, I will sell it. And if anyone can prove that I raised this cow on commercial feed or food containing formalin, I will give it to them for free. It has been raised on natural food."

Foni-2's diet includes wheat bran, maize flour, soybean husk, chickpeas, crushed maize, broken rice, oilcake, bananas and grass.

Abdus Salam's son Shakil Sumon, member for the local Ward No 2, said the cow normally eats 70 kg of feed a day, but is eating somewhat less now because of the heat.

He said: "The cow has been raised with great care. It always stays under a fan. A mosquito net is put up when it sleeps at night, and it is bathed twice a day."

Shakil Sumon said customers for big cattle are a little scarce in Barishal. Still, customers are coming, but no price has been settled yet. If it fetches Tk 15 lakh, they will sell, though there is room for bargaining, he said.

Banaripara upazila livestock officer Dr Md Golam Maula said they had enquired about the bull. The animal has been raised in a completely natural and healthy way and is fit and healthy, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.