Sacrificial animals have started arriving at markets in Jhenaidah for sale ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, but trade has yet to pick up. The livestock department has advised special care with feed in the final days to avoid digestive problems and the risk of heat stroke in cattle in the intense heat.

In the district headquarters' Circuit House Para, Dhanhariya, Hatgopalpur, Shailkupa, Harinakunda and other upazilas, more medium and small cattle have been raised for Qurbani this year. But farmers say raising cattle has cost more.

According to the district livestock department, 1 lakh 11 thousand 848 cattle have been prepared on 23,126 farms in the district this year, 14,087 more than last year. Ninety per cent of these farms are small family farms. Demand for Qurbani cattle in the district is about 66,000. Twenty-six animal markets are being held in the district this year, 22 permanent and four temporary.

Azizur Rahman works at a farm in the town's Circuit House Para. "We have 25 cattle on our farm, of which 20 are ready for sale," he told Jago News. "Each will fetch three to three and a half lakh taka. If the market is good, we will get a good price."

Piluar Rahman, a farmer in Dhanhariya in Sadar, said: "A year ago I raised one large and one small animal. At home I was offered Tk 2 lakh 10 thousand and Tk 1 lakh 30 thousand for them. Hoping for a good profit, I took them to Gabtali market in Dhaka, but had to sell them for Tk 1 lakh 70 thousand and Tk 1 lakh 18 thousand. I did not even cover my costs. So this time I have raised three small cattle. I hope to make a profit if prices are good."

A visit to the Goalpara and Boidanga markets in Sadar upazila showed that the supply of cattle was relatively low. Most buyers were coming to see the cattle and get an idea of the market. Sellers said trade would be in full swing a week before Eid.

Trader Mohammad Koushik of Ratanpur village, at Boidanga market, said: "There are still several days to go until Eid. I am walking around the market to see what kind of cattle are coming in and what the prices are. I will buy a few days before Eid."

Cattle seller Mintu said: "I have brought three cattle to the market to sell, but there are very few buyers. I cannot tell when they will sell."

District livestock officer Dr Subrata Kumar Banerjee said the current hot weather is risky for healthy cattle. Too much concentrate feed can cause digestive problems and raises the risk of heat stroke. Fresh grass, liquid and fibrous feed must be given with great care, and concentrate feed avoided as far as possible.

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