Five huge bulls from one farm are the talk of the sacrificial cattle market in Kuakata, Patuakhali, this year. Habibur Rahman Misbah, known across the country as "Kuakata Huzur", has prepared the animals on his own farm for Eid-ul-Azha. Their size and weight have already caused a stir locally and on social media.

According to the farm, the animals were raised with special care, a balanced diet and regular health checks. The owner says the bulls, of local breeds as well as Sahiwal and Friesian, were raised entirely by natural means. Each weighs more than 1,000 kg and is expected to be a major attraction for buyers and visitors at the market.

Farm staff said a few of the animals are local breeds, but most are Sahiwal and Friesian bulls. A 20-maund bull has an asking price of Tk 19 lakh, and the others are priced at Tk 20 lakh to Tk 25 lakh.

Shahin, who is in charge of the farm, said two people look after the cattle round the clock. They are fed home-made silage, fresh grass and straw every day, kept clean and bathed as needed to keep them healthy.

Farm owner Habibur Rahman Misbah said the farm began purely as a hobby with just two cows, and by the grace of Allah and years of hard work it had grown into a well-organised farm. "For the past four to five years we have cared for these animals tirelessly, and with regular feeding, proper nutrition and care we have made them fit for sacrifice," he said.

He added that no harmful medicine, hormones or unapproved feed had been used, and the animals had been raised by entirely local, natural methods, with feeding at set times each day, cleanliness and health checks. "Our aim was to prepare the biggest and healthiest sacrificial animals in the area. This year we have specially prepared five big bulls, each over 1,000 kg. We hope they will catch buyers' eyes at the Kuakata market and sell at a fair price. There is also a special discount for anyone who buys them together," he said.

Local people say there is demand for large cattle at the Kuakata market every year and this year will be no different. They believe the huge bulls will create extra excitement among buyers and visitors when they reach the market.

Local resident Abul Hossain Raju said big animals are marketed in the area every year, but this farm's bulls would draw special attention this year, and many people were coming just to see them.

Upazila livestock officer Dr Maruf Billah Khan said the number of sacrificial animals in the upazila was rising every year and enough animals had been prepared this year too. The livestock department was regularly monitoring markets and farms to ensure no harmful substances were used, advising farmers to raise animals by hygienic and safe methods, and would keep special watch before Eid and during the markets.

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