A bull weighing 1,100 kg (over 27 maunds), named “Raja Babu,” is prepared to dominate sacrificial cattle markets in Tangail. The bull, a Holstein Friesian breed, has earned its name due to being raised with “king-like” care.
Mir Sajibuzzaman, the owner of Mir Sanowar Ali Agro and Dairy Farm located in Berabuchna area of Tangail municipality, is seeking Tk8 lakh for the bull.
The three-and-a-half-year-old animal measures 11 feet in length and stands 6 feet tall. Its enormous size and calm nature have made it a sensation throughout Tangail.
Crowds gather daily at the farm to glimpse the black giant, which many observers say resembles a small elephant from a distance. The farm staff treat the bull with immense affection, noting its preference for a clean environment.
Mir Sajibuzzaman, who launched his farm in 2024, prepares 30 to 40 bulls for sale each Eid-ul-Adha.
He told Times of Bangladesh the history of Raja Babu, explaining that he purchased the bull’s mother – a Holstein cow – while she was pregnant five years ago for Tk1.5 lakh.
Regarding the bull’s upbringing, Sajibuzzaman said, “Since day one, I have raised him like my own child. The bull’s behaviour is like a king; he does not want to stay in dirty places and eats clean food. His behaviour is also king-like. That is why the bull has been named ‘Raja Babu’.”
He also said, “From childhood, ‘Raja Babu’ has been a beloved member of our family. From the beginning, we have raised him with natural food without using any artificial fattening injections or feed.”
“Every day, the bull is fed special food made by mixing grass, straw, wheat, and maize produced on our own land. As a result, the bull is healthy and has an impressive physique. The bull is now ready for sale,” he added.
Despite the excitement, he expressed concern over the rising cost of cattle feed. He said, “If Indian cattle are stopped from entering, we will see the face of profit. For that, I strongly urge the Prime Minister so that Indian cattle do not enter the country.”
According to the District Livestock Department, there are 26,759 small and large farms across Tangail, all busy preparing cattle for the festival. At Mir Sanowar Ali Agro and Dairy Farm, 10 other large bulls, including those named Bahadur, Samrat, and Simba, are also ready for market.
District Livestock Officer Md Helal Uddin Khan told TIMES, “Many farmers in the district are raising large bulls as a hobby. We provide them with regular supervision and overall advice. Farmers are assisted in various ways, including training, so they can fatten animals in a completely natural way. As a result, farmers are profiting by fattening cows naturally.”
He added that the department has kept “Raja Babu” under constant observation and provided necessary medical support, expressing hope that the owner receives a fair price.
