Viatina-19, a Nelore cow from Brazil, was sold at a record $4.8 million, making her the world’s most expensive cow.
Renowned for her unmatched genetics and muscular build, Viatina-19’s lineage will influence future cattle breeding.
Here are six things to know about the expensive cow.
1. She weighs 1,101kg, which is double the weight of a typical adult of her breed.
2. Viatina-19 holds the Guinness World Record for being the highest-priced cow,. Her record-breaking sale took place in Minas Gerais, where she was auctioned as the most expensive cow in history
3. She has also been crowned Miss South America at the Champions of the World, for her beauty for unmatched genetics and muscular build.
4. She features the breed’s signature white fur, loose skin for heat dissipation, and a prominent hump that stores fat for energy during food scarcity—traits that make Nelore cattle particularly suited for tropical and subtropical regions.
5. Originally from India and introduced to Brazil in the 1800s, the Nelore breed has become a pillar of the country’s livestock industry due to its heat tolerance, disease resistance, reproductive capacity and efficient grazing abilities.
6. Viatina-19’s genetic legacy is expected to influence future breeding, as her eggs will be sold worldwide to enhance cattle quality and productivity.
