Cattle were originally identified by Carolus Linnaeus as three separate species. These were Bos taurus, the European animals, including similar types from Africa and Asia; Bos indicus, the zebu; and the extinct Bos primigenius, the aurochs. Cattle occupy a unique role in human history, domesticated since at least the early Neolithic. They are raised for meat (beef animals), dairy products and hides. They are also used as draft animals and in certain sports. Some consider cattle the oldest form of wealth, and the raiding consequently one of the earliest forms of theft. Cattle are often raised by allowing herds to graze on the grasses of large tracts of rangeland. Raising animals in this manner allows the use of land that might be unsuitable for growing crops. The most common interactions with animals involve daily feeding, cleaning and milking. They are ruminants, meaning that they have a digestive system that allows use of otherwise indigestible foods by repeatedly regurgitating. The microbes inside of the rumen are also able to synthesize amino acids from non-protein nitrogenous sources such as urea and ammonia. As these microbes reproduce in the rumen, older generations die and their carcasses continue on through the digestive tract. These carcasses are then partially digested by the animals, allowing it to gain a high quality protein source. These features allow bulls to thrive on grasses and other vegetation. Texas Longhorns are an iconic U.S. breed. Depending on the breed, Texas bulls can survive on hill grazing, heaths, marshes, moors and semi desert. Modern cows are more commercial than older breeds, having become more specialized, are less versatile, important facts.

Cattle are farmed for beef, veal, dairy, leather and they are less commonly used simply to maintain grassland for wildlife for example, in Epping Forest, England. They are often used in some of the wildest places for livestock. In Portugal, Spain, Africa and some Latin American countries, the cattle are used in the activity of bullfighting; a similar activity too.

Other activities such as bull riding are seen as part of a rodeo, especially in North America. Bull leaping, a central ritual in Bronze Age Minoan culture still exists in south western France. In modern times, cattle are also entered into agricultural competitions. These competitions can involve live animals or bull carcasses, depending of country the use of these animals.

In terms of food intake by humans, consumption animal is less efficient than of grain or vegetables with regard to land use, hence cattle grazing consume more area than such other agricultural production when raised on grains and other forms of domesticated animals can sometimes help to utilize plant resources in areas not easily amenable to other forms of agriculture.

It is important today grazing animals such as Texas animals, goats and pigs can use pastures unsuitable for growing crops. When kept on enormous feedlots such as this one have been named as a contributing factor in the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. Grazing by these animals at low intensities can create favourable environment for native herbs and forbs; by cattle.

Cattleman’s Research: The Cattle Pages