Two-day livestock fair begins at Chappar Chiri

Mohali, October 25

“The livestock sector has made a valuable contribution to the state’s economy. The livestock fair and cattle milking contests have been beneficial for farmers,” said Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu while inaugurating the annual two-day livestock fair at Chappar Chiri today.

Sidhu said the fair, organised by the Animal Husbandry Department, had witnessed an increase in participation by breeders and farmers over the years. 

He said the government had initiated schemes to help farmers in dairy-related activities. “For the breeding of animals, mission banks have been set up and the yield of milk has increased,” the MLA said. 

A total of 55 contests have been scheduled for the two days and the total prize money to be distributed among the winners is Rs 7 lakh, along with certificates.  A 2-month-old female calf, Honeypreet, beat more than 20 competitors. The calf belonged to the murrah breed. Its owner said the calf was named Honeypreet after the confidante of jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. — TNS

Marwari horses draw crowd 

• Marwari mares attracted a huge crowd on the first day of the livestock fair. A 15-month-old mare of Marwari breed, Rosy, emerged winner in the contest. Rosy, having a height of 61 inches, beat another Marwari mare Kheeri in the three pair milk teeth contest. 
• The Marwari horses are popular due to their lineage and bloodline. They are employed for polo, horse safaris and ceremonial purposes. 
• Mankirat Singh from Bhago Majra, owner of Kheeri, said his mare came from a family of winners. Kheeri’s mother Noori won the contest last year.  

Pakistani bully dogs star attraction      

• At the livestock fair in Chappar Chiri, in the large (giant) breed category, two dogs of the Pakistani bully breed, also known as Sindh bully, are attracting visitors.
• The dogs, Sultan and Sheru, both 17-month-old, are competing for the first time against each other. 
• The owner, Gurvinder Singh, who owns a farm in Fatehpur Jattan, said, “Sultan won the quality show last year and Sheru is making his debut in the competition.”
• Singh said, “Since Sultan won at the fair, everyone is bringing Pakistani bully dogs to competitions,” adding that his dog had emerged the winner at fairs in Muktsar and Patiala.
• The breed is extremely popular in Punjab. The average price of a dog can range from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 while that of a bitch is from Rs10,000 to Rs 30,000. A fully grown dog can weigh as much as 80 kg and attain a height of 30 inches.