Short supply of cows from India

Cattle fattening gets a boost in northern region

Restriction on cattle export by India has given a boost to farms that fatten animals, usually using illegal means, in northern districts of the country, including Sirajganj and Pabna, ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival.
The farms are expecting to make huge profits by selling artificially fattened cattle heads at the Eid markets as there is reduced supply of the animals from across the border.
Livestock department sources said about five lakh sacrificial animals are being fattened in 16 districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Of them, around two lakh cattle have been raised by farmers and dairy farms in Sirajganj and Pabna districts targeting the festival. But there are reports of adopting illegal methods to fatten the animals.
The farmers and farm owners reportedly use banned steroids and hormones to fatten their cattle to make a good profit. They collect contraband steroid tablets and injections from local markets, sources said.
They feed the harmful substances to the cattle mixed with fodder. The additives make the cows look healthy and attractive, and help the farmers earn higher profit. But the toxic steroids and hormones stay in the meat and cannot be destroyed even by boiling at high temperature.
Dr Masum Sarker, director of Avicenna Hospital in Sirajganj, said steroids or hormones may cause fatal diseases like cancer, cardiac arrest and kidney damage in people who consume the meat of such artificially fattened cattle.   
Kalyan Kumar Fowzder, assistant director of Divisional Livestock Office in Rajshahi, told The Independent that around 12 lakh cows, 7.5 lakh goats and 6 lakh of sheep will likely be slaughtered in the upcoming Eid in the 16 districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. Of them, around 5 lakh sacrificial cattle have been fattened in the two divisions by farmers and dairy farm owners. The rate of artificial fattening is higher in Sirajganj and Pabna districts. About 2 lakh out of 5 lakh cattle have been fattened in the two districts.
However, the degree of steroid and hormone application to fatten cattle has been reduced due to campaign against their use and awareness among the people, Fowzder said.
Abul Hossain, 45, a cattle trader of Talgachhi market in Shahzadpur upazila, said the price of local cattle has already been increased due to short supply. But, the demand for cattle has remained largely unchanged, he added.
Abdur Rashid, 40, a cattle fattener of Baghabarighat area in Shahzadpur upazila, said he has fattened 20 cows and those will be sent to Dhaka and Chittagong for sale. He expects good profit this year.
District Livestock Officer in Sirajganj Mazharul Alam Akanda said bulk of the cattle fattened in Sirajganj and Pabna district are supplied to Dhaka and Chittagong for higher prices.
Now, a normal cow is being sold between Tk40,000 and Tk45,000 in different markets in the northern region. But, the same size of cattle was sold between Tk20,000 and Tk25,000 about six months ago. The price is likely to double or more than that by the next seven or 10 days, traders said.

Short supply of cows from India

Cattle fattening gets a boost in northern region

Restriction on cattle export by India has given a boost to farms that fatten animals, usually using illegal means, in northern districts of the country, including Sirajganj and Pabna, ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival. The farms are expecting to make huge profits by selling artificially fattened cattle heads at the Eid markets as there is reduced supply of the animals from across the border. Livestock department sources said about five lakh sacrificial animals are being fattened in 16 districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Of them, around two lakh cattle have been raised by farmers and dairy farms in Sirajganj and Pabna districts targeting the festival. But there are reports of adopting illegal methods to fatten the animals. The farmers and farm owners reportedly use banned steroids and hormones to fatten their cattle to make a good profit. They collect contraband steroid tablets and injections from local markets, sources said. They feed the harmful substances to the cattle mixed with fodder. The additives make the cows look healthy and attractive, and help the farmers earn higher profit. But the toxic steroids and hormones stay in the meat and cannot be destroyed even by boiling at high temperature. Dr Masum Sarker, director of Avicenna Hospital in Sirajganj, said steroids or hormones may cause fatal diseases like cancer, cardiac arrest and kidney damage in people who consume the meat of such artificially fattened cattle. Kalyan Kumar Fowzder, assistant director of Divisional Livestock Office in Rajshahi, told The Independent that around 12 lakh cows, 7.5 lakh goats and 6 lakh of sheep will likely be slaughtered in the upcoming Eid in the 16 districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. Of them, around 5 lakh sacrificial cattle have been fattened in the two divisions by farmers and dairy farm owners. The rate of artificial fattening is higher in Sirajganj and Pabna districts. About 2 lakh out of 5 lakh cattle have been fattened in the two districts. However, the degree of steroid and hormone application to fatten cattle has been reduced due to campaign against their use and awareness among the people, Fowzder said. Abul Hossain, 45, a cattle trader of Talgachhi market in Shahzadpur upazila, said the price of local cattle has already been increased due to short supply. But, the demand for cattle has remained largely unchanged, he added. Abdur Rashid, 40, a cattle fattener of Baghabarighat area in Shahzadpur upazila, said he has fattened 20 cows and those will be sent to Dhaka and Chittagong for sale. He expects good profit this year. District Livestock Officer in Sirajganj Mazharul Alam Akanda said bulk of the cattle fattened in Sirajganj and Pabna district are supplied to Dhaka and Chittagong for higher prices. Now, a normal cow is being sold between Tk40,000 and Tk45,000 in different markets in the northern region. But, the same size of cattle was sold between Tk20,000 and Tk25,000 about six months ago. The price is likely to double or more than that by the next seven or 10 days, traders said.