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EveryCow

Fairs and shows: the breeds

Pushkar and Sonepur, the county shows and the breed shows where cattle are judged.

Cattle fairs are among the oldest markets in the world, and many are festivals too. India's great fairs, at Pushkar, Sonepur and Nagaur, bring together traders, herders, pilgrims and visitors in their hundreds of thousands. In Britain, Europe, North America and Australia, agricultural shows judge cattle against breed standards, and breeders travel far to show their best animals. A fair is where prices are set, bloodlines spread, news is shared and marriages are sometimes arranged.

Pushkar and Sonepur

The Pushkar fair in Rajasthan is held in the month of Kartika and ends on Kartika Purnima, the full moon, usually in November. It is best known for camels, but cattle and horses are traded too, and pilgrims bathe in the sacred lake. The Sonepur fair in Bihar, held at the meeting of the Gandak and the Ganges from Kartika Purnima, has long been one of the largest livestock fairs in Asia. Both combine trade with worship, music and entertainment.

Nagaur and the Rajasthan fairs

The Nagaur cattle fair, held each year in the cold season, is one of the largest in India for draught cattle. Nagori bullocks, known for their speed and strength, are traded alongside other breeds, and owners decorate their animals for buyers. Rajasthan's state government organises several cattle fairs a year in different districts, each linked to local breeds such as the Tharparkar, the Rathi and the Gir.

Agricultural shows

In Britain and Ireland, county and national shows such as the Royal Highland Show near Edinburgh and the Royal Welsh Show judge cattle breed by breed. In France, the Paris International Agricultural Show, held each February and March, brings cattle from every region to the capital. In North America, the National Western Stock Show in Denver and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto are long-running events. Young handlers learn to wash, groom and lead cattle in the ring.

Markets and auctions

Beyond the great fairs, most cattle change hands at weekly markets and auctions. In India, weekly cattle markets serve groups of villages. In Africa, markets in places such as Mopti in Mali and Maradi in Niger serve herders across a wide region. In Europe and North America, livestock auction marts sell by the head or by weight, with bids called fast by an auctioneer from a box above the ring.

Worth knowing

  • Pushkar Fair: Kartika fair on the edge of the Thar
  • Sonepur Mela: Livestock fair at the Gandak and Ganges confluence
  • Nagaur cattle fair: Fair of the Nagori bullocks, Rajasthan
  • Royal Highland Show: Scotland's national agricultural show
  • Paris International Agricultural Show: Cattle from every French region
  • National Western Stock Show: Denver's January stock show
  • Royal Agricultural Winter Fair: Toronto's November fair

Sources and further reading

About this page

Original text by the EveryCow desk, written with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Customs are described as tradition, not as advice. If we have something wrong, tell us.

Fairs and shows on EveryCow

The breeds written up so far, best known first.

PurposeDairyBeefDraughtDual-purposeTriple-purposeSportCeremonialGrazingHeritageMiniature
LineageTaurineZebuSangaCompositeYakMithunBantengWild
TraitHeat-tolerantCold-hardyDrought-hardyDisease-resistantThrifty foragersDocileSpiritedQuick and strongPolledLong-hornedRich milkMarbled beefLong-livedEasy calving
🇫🇷 FranceLourdaiseLordés A rare white Pyrenean breed from near Lourdes, once milk, meat and draught in oneTaurine · Beef

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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