The Basics of Cattle

Cattle: An Introduction

Cattle are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved herbivores. They are the most common species of the subfamily Bovinae. Male cattle are known as bulls and adult females are known as cows. Both are used as food, but there are differences between the two.

The Importance of Proper Feeding

Cattle's diets consist primarily of hay or roughage and commercial feed, which contains vitamins and minerals. Proper feeding of cattle requires scientific knowledge, creativity, and good management. Depending on the age and weight of a cow, the amount of feed will differ. Cattle spend between six and eight hours per day grazing and ruminating, so feeding a cow correctly will ensure that she has enough energy to get through her day.

The Historical Significance of Cows

Historically, cows played an important role in human society. They were often the most valuable thing a farmer owned, and even in times of drought, their milk provided some income. In some cultures, cows were considered sacred and served as a measure of wealth. Moreover, they are strong, social animals.

Reproduction and Artificial Insemination

To ensure a consistent supply of milk and veal, cows must reproduce regularly. However, cows rarely become pregnant every year. This process takes a toll on the animals. To solve this problem, the cattle industry has adopted artificial insemination methods. Using these methods, a farmer can make sure that his or her cows have a constant supply of milk and meat.

The Global Impact of Cattle

Today, there are over 1.3 billion head of cattle around the world. They produce most of the milk consumed by humans. The mature female of the species is known as a 'cow', while a mature male is known as a 'bull.' Young females are called 'heifers' and babies are known as 'calves'. Cattle spend over eight hours a day chewing their cud, which is partially digested food. Proper feeding of cattle requires scientific knowledge, creativity, and good management. Depending on the age and weight of a cow, the amount of feed will differ. Cattle spend between six and eight hours per day grazing and ruminating, so feeding a cow correctly will ensure that she has enough energy to get through her day.

The Importance of Colostrum

In addition to milk, cows also produce colostrum, a milk that contains antibodies essential to the survival of a newborn calf. This special milk has twice the calories of regular milk and contains antibodies that help protect the calf from disease. A cow produces colostrum for 72 hours after giving birth and then the calf is weaned at about six to seven months of age.

The Journey to Market Weight

After weaning, the cattle are sent to feedlots, where they are fed high energy grain or hay until they reach market weight. A number of different methods are used to raise new steers and heifers for slaughter. Some cattle are bred to produce replacement calves, while others are raised to produce beef.

The Environmental Impact

The practice of raising cattle for food is often romanticized, but it is not without its negative effects on the environment. Cattle farms are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and have displaced local communities in many areas. In addition to air and water pollution, cattle farming is responsible for the destruction of forests.