Brazil’s rise as the fifth-largest milk producer is rooted in the arrival of the Krishna bull from India in the 1960s, revolutionizing dairy farming and enhancing cattle genetics.
Brazil is now the fifth largest milk producer in the world, but this success story has roots tracing back to the 1960s when a significant gift from India transformed the country’s dairy landscape. The Maharaja of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, gifted the legendary Krishna bull to Brazil, marking a pivotal moment in the development of the nation’s dairy sector.
With its distinctive reddish-white coat and downturned horns, Krishna was not just any bull; he became a symbol of dairy innovation. Brazilian cattle baron Celso Garcia Cid recognized the need for genetic improvement in local livestock and sent cowboy Ildefonso dos Santos to India in 1958 to seek a suitable bull. This quest ultimately led to Krishna’s arrival in Brazil.
Krishna’s lineage accounts for a staggering 80% of Brazil’s milk production today. His impact on the Gir breed—a variety highly sought after for its quality and productivity—has been profound. According to Guilherme Sachetim, grandson of Cid Sachetim, Krishna represented a revolutionary advancement in Brazilian cattle breeding, helping to restore the bloodline of the country’s dairy cattle during a time when inbreeding was hindering output.
The success of Krishna’s lineage has driven the rise of genetic enhancement procedures in Brazil, allowing his high-performance DNA to proliferate across the country. Sachetim noted, “Millions of people have enjoyed this import,” highlighting Krishna’s far-reaching influence on Brazil’s dairy industry.
In recognition of Krishna’s contributions, the Indian government is now making efforts to reintroduce the Gir breed back to India, where its numbers had dwindled due to poor crossbreeding practices.
Sadly, the circumstances surrounding Krishna’s death remain unclear. Reports indicate he had engaged in a fight with a younger bull shortly before passing away. In his memory, a glass tomb has been erected at Cid’s farmhouse, with a sign reading, “Want to meet Gir? Watch me!” ensuring that Krishna’s legacy lives on as a key figure in Brazil’s dairy revolution.
