According to Guinness World Records, a Brazilian Nelore cow valued at $4 million has become the world's most expensive cow sold at auction.
The cow, called Viatina-19 FIV Mara Movéis, is white and weighs 1,100 kilograms.
As a coveted item, the cow has been monitored by security cameras, an armed guard, and a veterinarian on standby.
“She is the closest to perfection that has been attained so far, she’s a complete cow, has all the characteristics that all the proprietors are looking for,” said her veterinarian, Lorrany Martins.
Dominating Brazil’s lucrative meat industry, the staggering price of the cow stems from how quickly she can put on muscle, her fertility, and how easily she can pass these characteristics on to her offspring.
The cow, which dominates Brazil's lucrative meat market, is priced so high because she can rapidly gain muscle, is fertile, and easily transmits these traits to her kids.
Martins said that champion animals' eggs and semen are taken to make embryos, which are then implanted in surrogate cows.
She stated that Viatina-19's egg cells are sold to individuals interested in such cattle genetics for $250,000.
When bidding on identical cows, posture, foot solidarity, docility, maternal capacity, and attractiveness contribute to their appeal.