The 560-kilogram animal from the Coonabarabran district sold for $1.20 a kilogram at the Gunnedah Prime Cattle Sale on Tuesday morning. 

The incredibly rare, but “healthy and happy”, five-legged cow was quick to become a talking point among agents.

Gunnedah-based agent Adam Pollock, of Pollock & Cummins, said he’d never seen anything like it over his years working with cattle.

“I’ve been working with cattle since I was a kid, and even since I left school and became involved with the agency and the saleyards in 2004, I’ve never come across anything like this,” Mr Pollock said.

“I’ve never, ever seen anything like it in my life.

“It looked perfectly healthy and happy. It’s probably the first and last time I see a five-legged cow.”

Agent Dave Henry, of Davidson Cameron & Co, said the cow came from the Coonabarabran district and sold for $1.20/kg, bound for Kempsey.

“It is very rare, but it’s fat and healthy, shining and you can tell it’s been looked after,” Mr Henry said.

“It’s been given the best life.”