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{{Short description|Large, domesticated, cloven-hooved herbivores}}
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{{dablink|For general information about the genus, including other species of cattle, see ]. For other uses of the terms ''cow'' and ''ox'', see ] and ].}}
{{Redirect2|Cow|Cows|other uses|Cattle (disambiguation)|and|Cow (disambiguation)}}
{{Taxobox
{{redirect|Taurus cattle|the breeding project|Taurus Project}}
| color = pink
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
| name = Cattle
{{Use British English|date=May 2023}}
| status = DOM
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
| image = Cow.jpg
{{CS1 config|mode=cs1}}
| image_width = 200px
{{Speciesbox
| image_caption = ] cow
|image=Cow (Fleckvieh breed) Oeschinensee Slaunger 2009-07-07.jpg
| regnum = ]ia
|image_upright=1.1
| phylum = ]
|image_caption=A brown Swiss ] cow wearing a ]
| classis = ]ia
|status=DOM
| ordo = ]
|genus=Bos
| familia = ]
|species=taurus
| subfamilia = ]
|authority=], ]
| genus = '']''
| species = '''''B. taurus''''' |synonyms=* ''Bos primigenius taurus''
| binomial = ''Bos taurus'' * ''Bos longifrons''
|range_map=GLW 2 global distributions of a) cattle.tif
| binomial_authority = ], 1758
|range_map_caption=Bovine distribution
}}
}}
'''Cattle''', commonly referred to as '''cows''', are ] ]s, a member of the ] ] of the ] ]. They are raised as ] for meat (called ] and ]), ]s (]), ] and as ]s (pulling ]s, ]s and the like). In some countries, such as ], they are subject to religious ceremonies and respect. It is estimated that there are 1.4 billion head of cattle in the world today.<ref>http://cattle-today.com/</ref>
'''Cattle''' ('''''Bos taurus''''') are large, ], ] ] widely kept as ]. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily ] and the most widespread species of the genus '']''. Mature female cattle are called '''cows''' and mature male cattle are ]s. Young female cattle are called '''heifers''', young male cattle are ]en or '''bullocks''', and castrated male cattle are known as '''steers'''.


Cattle are commonly ], ], and for ]. As ]s, they pull ]s and ]. In ], cattle are ] within Hinduism, and may not be killed. Small breeds such as the ] are kept as ]s.
Cattle were originally identified by ] as three separate species. These were ''Bos taurus'', the European cattle, including similar types from Africa and Asia; ''Bos indicus'', the ]; and the extinct ''Bos primigenius'', the ]. The aurochs is ancestral to both zebu and European cattle. More recently these three have increasingly been grouped as one species, sometimes using the names ''Bos primigenius taurus'', ''Bos primigenius indicus'' and ''Bos primigenius primigenius''. Complicating the matter is the ability of cattle to interbreed with other closely related species. Hybrid individuals and even breeds exist, not only between European cattle and zebu but also with ]s, ], ], and ], a cross-genera hybrid. For example, genetic testing of the Dwarf Lulu breed, the only humpless "''Bos taurus''-type" cattle in Nepal, found them to be a mix of European cattle, zebu and yak.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Takeda | first = Kumiko | coauthors = et al. | title = Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Nepalese domestic dwarf cattle Lulu | journal = Animal Science Journal | volume = 75 | issue = 2 | pages = 103-110 | publisher = Blackwell Publishing | date = April 2004 | url = http://www.blackwell-synergy.com.ezproxy.lib.unimelb.edu.au/links/doi/10.1111%2Fj.1740-0929.2004.00163.x | doi = 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2004.00163.x | accessdate = 2006-11-07 }}</ref> Cattle cannot successfully be bred with ] or ]. (See ] for the history of domestication, and ] for peculiarities of that group.)
==Terminology==


Taurine cattle are widely distributed across Europe and temperate areas of Asia, the Americas, and Australia. ]s are found mainly in India and tropical areas of Asia, America, and Australia. ] are found primarily in ]. These types, sometimes classified as separate species or subspecies, are further divided into ].
The word "cattle" did not originate as a name for ] animals. It derives from the Latin ''caput'', head, and thus originally meant "unit of livestock" or "one head". The word is closely related to "chattel" (a unit of property) and to "capital" in the sense of property.
Older English sources like ] of the ] refer to livestock in general as cattle.
Additionally other species of the genus '']'' are often called cattle or wild cattle. This article refers to the common modern meaning of "cattle", the European domestic bovine.


Around 10,500 years ago, taurine cattle were domesticated from wild ] progenitors in ], the ] and ]. A separate domestication event occurred in the ], which gave rise to zebu. There were over 940 million cattle in the world by 2022. Cattle are responsible for around 7% of global ]. They were one of the first domesticated animals to have ].
The term 'cattle' itself is not a plural, but a ]. Thus one may refer to "some cattle", but not "three cattle". There is no universally used singular equivalent in modern English to 'cattle' other than the various gender and age-specific terms (though 'catron' is occasionally seen as a half-serious proposal). The use of such a term is rare in the English language and hence a source of confusion. Strictly speaking, the singular noun for the domestic bovine is ''ox'': a bull is a male ox and a cow is a female ox. That this was once the standard name for domestic bovines is shown in placenames such as ]. But "ox" is now rarely used in this general sense. Today "cow" is frequently used by the general population as a gender-neutral term, although it is meant to be used solely to mean female (females of other animals, such as whales or elephants, are also called cows). To refer to a specific number of these animals without specifying their gender, it must be stated as (for example) "ten head of cattle." The archaic plural of cow is 'kine' or 'kyne' (which comes from the same English stem as 'cow'). Some ]n, ], ] and ] farmers use the term 'cattlebeast' or simply "beast". In some areas of the American South (particularly the Appalachian region) the local inhabitants call an individual animal a "beef critter". This was common until the 1960s and has faded from usage in all but a few areas and even then it is used mostly among the aged inhabitants.


== Etymology ==
Obsolete terms for cattle include 'neat' (horned oxen, from which ']' is derived), 'beef' (young ox) and 'beefing' (young animal fit for ]). Cattle raised for human consumption are called 'beef cattle'. Within the beef cattle industry in parts of the United States, the older term 'beef' (plural 'beeves') is still used to refer to an animal of either gender. Cows of certain breeds that are kept for the milk they give are called ']s'.
{{see|List of cattle terminology}}
Young cattle are called ]. A young female before she has calved is called a 'heifer' <ref>{{cite web
| url = http://webster.com/dictionary/heifer
| title = Definition of heifer
| accessdate = 2006-11-29
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}} </ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last = Warren
| first = Andrea
| title = Pioneer Girl: Growing Up on the Praire
| publisher = Lexile
| format = PDF
| url = http://www.lexile.com/PowerV/Pioneer%20Girl%20Growng%20Up%20on%20the%20Prairie.pdf
| accessdate = 2006-11-29 }}
</ref> (] {{IPA|/ˈhɛfəɹ/}}, "heffer"). A young female that has had only one calf is sometimes called a "first-calf heifer." A castrated male is called a 'bullock' or 'steer', unless kept for draft purposes, in which case it is called an 'ox' (plural 'oxen'), not to be confused with the related wild ]. If castrated as an adult, it is called a 'stag'. An intact male is called a 'bull'. An adult female who has had more than two calves is called a 'cow'. The adjective applying to cattle is 'bovine'.


The term ''cattle'' was borrowed from ] {{lang|xno|catel}} (replacing native ] terms like {{wikt-lang|en|kine}}, now considered archaic, poetic, or dialectal),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kine |title=kine |website=] |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref> itself from ] {{lang|la|capitale}} 'principal sum of money, capital', itself derived in turn from Latin {{lang|la|caput}} 'head'. ''Cattle'' originally meant movable ], especially livestock of any kind, as opposed to ] (the land, which also included wild or small free-roaming animals such as chickens—they were sold as part of the land).<ref name="OED Cattle">{{Cite OED|cattle, n.|date=13 October 2024}}</ref> The word is a variant of '']'' (a unit of personal property) and closely related to '']'' in the economic sense.<ref>{{OEtymD|chattel|accessdate=13 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="OED Cattle"/> The word ''cow'' came via ] {{lang|ang|cū}} (plural {{lang|ang|cȳ}}), from ] {{PIE|''gʷōus''}} (] {{PIE|''gʷowés''}}) 'a bovine animal', cf. {{langx|fa-Latn|gâv}}, {{langx|sa-Latn|go-}}.<ref name="OED cow n1">{{Cite OED|cow, n.1.|date=13 October 2024}}</ref> In older English sources such as the ] of the Bible, ''cattle'' often means livestock, as opposed to ''deer'', which are wild.<ref name="OED Cattle"/>
==Biology==
]
Cattle are ]s, meaning that they have a ] that allows them to utilize otherwise undigestible foods by repeatedly regurgitating and rechewing them as "cud." The ] is then reswallowed and further digested by specialized microorganisms that live in the ]. These microbes are primarily responsible for breaking down ] and other carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that cattle use as their primary ] fuel. The microbes that live inside of the rumen are also able to synthesize ]s from non-protein nitrogenous sources such as urea and ammonia. These features allow cattle to thrive on ] and other ].
Cattle have one stomach, with four compartments. They are the ], ], ], and ], the rumen being the largest compartment. Cattle sometimes consume metal objects which are deposited in the reticulum, the smallest compartment, and this is where ] occurs. The reticulum is known as the "Honeycomb." The omasum's main function is to absorb water and nutrients from the digestible feed. The omasum is known as the "Many Plies." The abomasum is most like the human stomach; this is why it is known as the "True Stomach."
The ] was originally spread throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. In historical times, their range was restricted to Europe, and the last animals were killed by poachers in ], ], in 1627. Breeders have attempted to recreate the original gene pool of the aurochs by careful crossing of commercial breeds, creating the ] breed.
A popular misconception about cattle (primarily bulls) is that they are enraged by the color red. This is incorrect, as cattle are mostly ]. The myth arose from the use of red capes in the sport of bullfighting; in fact, two different capes are used. The capote is a large, flowing cape that is magenta and yellow. The more famous muleta is the smaller, red cape, used exclusively for the final, fatal segment of the fight. It is not the color of the cape that angers the bull, but rather the movement of the fabric that irritates the bull and incites it to charge.
The gestation period for a cow is nine months. A newborn calf weighs approximately 35-45kg. Cows can live up to be 25 years.
A cow emits a large amount of ] gas in a single day; 95% of this methane is produced through ], not ] <ref>http://www.mycattle.com/health/dsp_health_article.cfm?storyid=10045</ref>. As methane is a potent greenhouse gas (23 times as warming as carbon dioxide), research is underway on dietary supplements that can reduce these releases.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4582174.stm| title = Triad bid to stop belching | accessdate = 2006-01-04}}</ref>.


== Characteristics ==
==Uses of cattle==
]
Cattle occupy a unique role in human history, domesticated since at least the early ].
They are raised for ] (]), ] (]), and ]s. They are also used as ]s and in certain ]s. Some consider cattle the oldest form of wealth, and ] consequently one of the earliest forms of theft.
In ], ] and some ]n countries, bulls are used in the ] of ] while a similar sport, ], is seen in ]; in many other countries this is illegal. Other sports such as ] are seen as part of a ], especially in ]. ], a central ritual in ] ] culture (see ]), still exists in south-western ].
The outbreaks of ] (]) have limited some traditional uses of cattle for food, for example the eating of brains or spinal cords.


=== Description ===
In modern times, cattle are also used for ] in agricultural competitions. In these competitions, the cows are judged in a class, where the judge, after judging the cattle, announces a winner. These competitions can involve live cattle or carcases, which are both judged to determine which cow is the best.


{{multiple image
==Cattle husbandry==
|align=right
{{Expand-section|date=January 2007}}
|total_width=500
] grazing in a field at the Nullamunjie Olive Grove in Tongio, in ], Australia.]]
|direction=horizontal
Cattle are often raised by allowing herds to ] on the grasses of large tracts of ] called ]. Raising cattle in this manner allows the productive use of land that might be unsuitable for growing crops. The most common interactions with cattle involve daily ], cleaning and ]. Many routine husbandry practices involve ], ], loading, ], vaccinations and ] care, as well as training for agricultural shows and preparations. There are also some cultural differences in working with cattle- the cattle husbandry of Fulani men rests on ], whereas in Europe cattle are controlled primarily by physical means like ]s.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Lott | first = Dale F. | coauthors = Hart, Benjamin L. | title = Applied ethology in a nomadic cattle culture | journal = Applied Animal Ethology | volume = 5 | issue = 4 | pages = 309-319 | publisher = Elsevier B.V. | date = October 1979 | doi = 10.1016/0304-3762(79)90102-0 | accessdate = 2006-11-07 }}</ref>
|image1=Скелет домашней коровы.jpg
|caption1=Skeleton
|image2=Modelo didático bovino (fundo branco) (cropped).jpg
|caption2=Anatomical model, showing the large 4-chambered stomach
}}


Cattle are large ]s, ]s with ], meaning that they walk on two toes, the third and fourth digits. Like all bovid species, they can have horns, which are unbranched and are not shed annually.<ref>{{cite web |title=Antelopes, Gazelles, Cattle, Goats, Sheep, and Relatives: Introduction |url=http://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/i10713.pdf |publisher=] |access-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117012951/http://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/i10713.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2024 |pages=1–23 |url-status=live}}</ref> Coloration varies with breed; common colors are black, white, and red/brown, and some breeds are spotted or have mixed colors.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rolf |first1=Megan |title=Color Patterns in Crossbred Beef Cattle |url=https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/color-patterns-in-crossbred-beef-cattle.html |publisher=] Extension |access-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204134435/https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/color-patterns-in-crossbred-beef-cattle.html |archive-date=4 December 2023 |page=AFS-3173 |date=February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bulls are larger than cows of the same breed by up to a few hundred kilograms. British Hereford cows, for example, weigh {{cvt|600|-|800|kg}}, while the bulls weigh {{cvt|1000|-|1200|kg}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cattlenetwork.net/breeds/hereford.htm |title=Hereford cattle weight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124050154/http://www.cattlenetwork.net/breeds/hereford.htm |archive-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> Before 1790, beef cattle averaged only {{convert|350|lb|order=flip|abbr=on}} net. Thereafter, weights climbed steadily.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gallman |first1=Robert E. |last2=Wallis |first2=John Joseph |title=American Economic Growth and Standards of Living before the Civil War |year=2007 |publisher=] |isbn=978-1-2812-2349-4 |page=248}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://beefmagazine.com/genetics/0201-increased-beef-cows |title=Cattle increasing in size |access-date=5 May 2015 |website=Beef Magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503101557/http://beefmagazine.com/genetics/0201-increased-beef-cows |archive-date=3 May 2015 |date=February 2009}}</ref><!--<ref>{{cite book |last=Mathews |first=Kenneth H. |title=U.S. Beef Industry: Cattle Cycles, Price Spreads, and Packer concentration |year=1999 |publisher=] |page=6}}</ref>-->
Breeders can utilise cattle husbandry to reduce ] susceptibility by selective breeding and maintaining herd health to avoid concurrent disease.<ref>{{cite paper | author = Krebs JR, Anderson T, Clutton-Brock WT, ''et al.'' | title = Bovine tuberculosis in cattle and badgers: an independent scientific review | publisher = Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | date = 1997 | url = http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/publications/hpanel.pdf | format = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-04 }}</ref> Cattle are farmed for beef, veal, dairy, leather and they are sometimes used simply to maintain grassland for wildlife- for example, in ], England. They are often used in some of the most wild places for livestock. Depending on the breed, cattle can survive on hill grazing, heaths, marshes, moors and semi desert. Modern cows are more commercial than older breeds and having become more specialised are less versatile. For this reason many smaller farmers still favour old breeds, like the dairy breed of cattle ].
Cattle breeds vary widely in size; the tallest and heaviest is the ], where a mature bull may be up to {{cvt|1.8|m}} at the shoulder, and may reach {{cvt|1280|kg}} in weight.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chianina |url=https://www.thecattlesite.com/breeds/beef/44/chianina |website=The Cattle Site |access-date=26 March 2024 |date=29 September 2022}}</ref>
The natural life of domestic cattle is some 25–30 years. Beef cattle go to slaughter at around 18 months, and dairy cows at about five years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cattle factsheet |url=https://education.rspca.org.uk/documents/1494931/0/FS+Cattle+Factsheet.pdf/7e17fe59-ca4d-fbec-ef60-fd1f2a9eff3f?t=1555165974046 |publisher=] |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>


==Ox== === Digestive system ===
] ] of the ] poem ''God Spede ye Plough'', held at the ] ]]
] in ], ].]]
], ].]]
'''Oxen''' (singular '''ox''') are large and heavy set breeds of ''Bos taurus'' cattle trained as ]. Often they are adult, ] males. Usually an ox is over four years old due to the need for training and to allow it to grow to full size. Oxen are used for ], ], hauling cargo, grain-grinding by trampling or by powering machines, ] by powering pumps, and ] drawing. Oxen were commonly used to skid logs in forests, and sometimes still are, in low-impact select-cut logging. Oxen are most often used in teams of two, paired, for light work such as ]ing. In the past, teams might have been larger, with some teams exceeding twenty animals when used for logging.
An ox is nothing more than a mature bovine with an "education." The education consists of the animal's learning to respond appropriately to the ]'s (ox driver's) signals. These signals are given by verbal commands or by noise (whip cracks) and many ]s were known for their voices and language. In North America, the commands are (1) get up, (2) whoa, (3) back up, (4) gee (turn to the right) and (5) haw (turn to the left). Oxen must be painstakingly trained from a young age. Their teamster must make or buy as many as a dozen yokes of different sizes as the animals grow. A wooden ] is fastened about the neck of each pair so that the force of draft is distributed across their shoulders. From calves, oxen are chosen with horns since the horns hold the yoke in place when the oxen lower their heads, back up, or slow down (particularly with a wheeled vehicle going downhill). Yoked oxen cannot slow a load like harnessed horses can; the load has to be controlled downhill by other means. The gait of the ox is often important to ox trainers, since the speed the animal walks should roughly match the gait of the ox driver who must work with it.
American ox trainers favored larger breeds for their ability to do more work and for their intelligence. Because they are larger animals, the typical ox is the male of a breed, rather than the smaller female. Females are potentially more useful producing ] and ].
Oxen can pull harder and longer than ]s, particularly on obstinate or almost un-movable loads. This is one of the reasons that teams were dragging logs from forests long after horses had taken over most other draught uses in Europe and the New World. Though not as fast as horses, they are less prone to injury because they are more sure-footed and do not try to jerk the load.
An "ox" is not a unique breed of bovine, nor have any "blue" oxen lived outside the ]s surrounding ], the mythical American logger.
Many oxen are still in use worldwide, especially in ]. In the ] oxen can lead lives of misery, as they are frequently malnourished. Oxen are driven with sticks and ]s when they are weak from ]. When there is insufficient food for humans, ] has low priority.


{{Further|Digestive system of ruminants}}
==Cattle in religion, traditions and folklore==
] is that monks carrying the body of ] were led to the location by a milk maid who had lost her ], which was found resting on the spot.]]
*For the mythology and lore connected with the bull, see ].
*The Evangelist ] is depicted as an ox in Christian art.
*In ], as described in {{bibleverse||Numbers|19:2|HE}}, the ashes of a sacrificed unblemished ] that has never been yoked can be used for ritual purification of people who came into contact with a corpse.
*The ox is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the ] related to the ]. See: ].
*The constellation ] represents a bull.
*An apocryphal story has it that a cow started the ] by kicking over a ] lamp. Michael Ahern, the reporter who created the cow story, admitted in 1893 that he had made it up because he thought it would make colorful copy.
*On ], ] ] became the first cow to fly in an ] and also the first cow to be milked in an airplane.
*A ] anecdote among farmers suggests that instant death will come to anyone bitten by a cattle's upper front teeth. The joke is apparent to anyone who knows that a cow possesses no such teeth.
*The first known law requiring branding in North America was enacted on ], ] by Connecticut. It said that all cattle and pigs have to have a registered brand or earmark by ], ].<ref>{{cite book| last=Kane| first=J.| coauthors=Anzovin, S., & Podell, J.| year=1997| title=Famous First Facts| location=New York, NY| publisher= H.W. Wilson| id= ISBN 0-8242-0930-3| pages=5}}</ref>
*The {{nihongo|]|赤べこ, ''red cow''}} is a traditional toy from the ] region of ] that is thought to ward off illness.<ref>Madden, Thomas (May 1992). "". ''OUTLOOK''. Online copy accessed ] ].</ref>


]
===Cattle in Hindu tradition===
{{main|Sacred cow}}
]], the cow is a symbol wealth, strength, abundance, selfless giving and a full Earthly life.]]*Cows are venerated within the ] religion of ]. According to ] scripture they are to be treated with the same respect 'as one's mother' because of the milk they provide; "The cow is my mother. The bull is my sire.".<ref></ref>. They appear in numerous stories from the ]s and ]s, for example the deity ] is brought up in a family of cowherders, and given the name ] (protector of the cows). Also ] , Hindu personality & termed as God is traditionally said to ride on the back of a bull named Nandi. Bulls in particular are seen as a symbolic emblem of selfless ] and ]. In ancient rural India every household had a few cows which provided a constant supply of milk and a few bulls that helped as draft animals. Thus the Hindus felt it was economically wise to keep them rather than consume their flesh for a single meal.


Cattle are ]s, meaning their ] is highly specialized for processing plant material such as ] rich in ], a tough carbohydrate polymer which many animals cannot digest. They do this in symbiosis with micro-organisms – ], ], and ] – that possess ]s, ]s that split cellulose into its constituent ]s. Among the many bacteria that contribute are '']'', '']'', and ''Ruminococcus albus''. Cellulolytic fungi include several species of '']'', while the protozoa include the ]s ''Eudiplodinium maggie'' and ''Ostracodinium album''.<ref name="Hua Hendriks Xiong Pellikaan 2022">{{cite journal |last1=Hua |first1=Dengke |last2=Hendriks |first2=Wouter H. |last3=Xiong |first3=Benhai |last4=Pellikaan |first4=Wilbert F. |title=Starch and Cellulose Degradation in the Rumen and Applications of Metagenomics on Ruminal Microorganisms |journal=] |volume=12 |issue=21 |date=3 November 2022 |pmid=36359144 |pmc=9653558 |doi=10.3390/ani12213020 |doi-access=free |page=3020}}</ref> If the animal's feed changes over time, the composition of this ] changes in response.<ref name="Kibegwa2023"/>
] explained the Hindu feelings about cattle in this way:


Cattle have one large ] with four compartments; the ], ], ], and ]. The rumen is the largest compartment and it harbours the most important parts of the microbiome.<ref name="Kibegwa2023">{{cite journal |last1=Kibegwa |first1=Felix M. |last2=Bett |first2=Rawlynce C. |last3=Gachuiri |first3=Charles K. |last4=Machuka |first4=Eunice |last5=Stomeo |first5=Francesca |last6=Mujibi |first6=Fidalis D. |date=13 January 2023 |title=Diversity and functional analysis of rumen and fecal microbial communities associated with dietary changes in crossbreed dairy cattle |journal=] |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=e0274371 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0274371 |doi-access=free |pmid=36638091 |bibcode=2023PLoSO..1874371K |pmc=9838872}}</ref> The reticulum, the smallest compartment, is known as the "honeycomb". The omasum's main function is to absorb water and nutrients from the digestible feed. The abomasum has a similar function to the human stomach.<ref name="Orr 2023">{{cite web |last1=Orr |first1=Adam I. |title=How Cows Eat Grass: Exploring Cow Digestion |url=https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/how-cows-eat-grass |publisher=] |access-date=13 February 2024 |date=28 June 2023}}</ref>
:The cow to me means the entire sub-human world, extending man’s sympathies beyond his own species. Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives. Why the ancient ]s selected the cow for apotheosis is obvious to me. The cow in India was the best comparison; she was the giver of plenty. Not only did she give milk, but she also made agriculture possible. The cow is a poem of pity; one reads pity in the gentle animal. She is the second mother to millions of mankind. Protection of the cow means protection of the whole dumb creation of God. The appeal of the lower order of creation is all the more forceful because it is speechless.


Cattle ] and re-chew their food in the process of chewing the ], like most ruminants. While feeding, cows swallow their food without chewing; it goes into the rumen for storage. Later, the food is regurgitated to the mouth, a mouthful at a time, where the cud is chewed by the molars, grinding down the coarse vegetation to small particles. The cud is then swallowed again and further digested by the micro-organisms in the cow's stomach.<ref name="Orr 2023"/>
==Cattle in popular culture==
{{main|Cattle in popular culture}}
Cattle are thought by many to be inherently funny, and appear often in ]. Most of the time, the cattle in question is a ], since this breed's black on white markings best represent a stereotypical 'cow'. This is largely because of the essentially stationary and unreactive nature of the domestic cow, which makes them appear wry, as well as their propensity for ]. The discordant sound made by a cow in distress is also held to be very funny.


=== Reproduction ===
==Present status==


]
The world cattle population is estimated to be about 1.3 billion head. ] is the nation with the largest number of cattle, about 400 million, followed by ] and ], with about 150 million each, and the ], with about 100 million. ] has about 200 million head of cattle, many of which are herded in traditional ways and serve largely as tokens of their owners' wealth. ] has about 130 million head of cattle (CT 2006, SC 2006).


The ] for a cow is about nine months long. The ] is approximately 52:48.<ref name="Roche Lee Berry 2006 pp. 2119–2125">{{cite journal |last1=Roche |first1=J.R. |last2=Lee |first2=J.M. |last3=Berry |first3=D.P. |year=2006 |title=Pre-Conception Energy Balance and Secondary Sex Ratio—Partial Support for the Trivers-Willard Hypothesis in Dairy Cows |journal=] |publisher=] |volume=89 |issue=6 |pages=2119–2125 |doi=10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(06)72282-2 |pmid=16702278 |doi-access=free}}</ref> A cow's ] has two pairs of ]s or teats.<ref name="Frandson 2013">{{cite book |last1=Frandson |first1=Rowen D. |last2=Wilke |first2=W. Lee |last3=Fails |first3=Anna Dee |title=Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals |date= 2013 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-68601-0 |pages=449–451}}</ref> Farms often use ], the artificial deposition of ] in the ]; this allows farmers to choose from a wide range of bulls to breed their cattle. ] too may be artificially induced to facilitate the process.<ref name="Hopper2014">{{cite book |last=Hopper |first=Richard M. |chapter=32. Artificial Insemination; 33. Pharmacological Intervention of Estrous Cycles |title=Bovine Reproduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxZTBAAAQBAJ |year=2014 |publisher=] |isbn=978-1-118-47085-5}}</ref> ] lasts several seconds and consists of a single ].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Youngquist |first1=Robert S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7qogKGcOENAC&dq=copulation&pg=PA940 |title=Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenology |last2=Threlfall |first2=Walter R. |date=2006-10-10 |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn=978-1-4377-1340-4 |page=940 }}</ref>
Cattle today are the basis of a many billion dollar industry worldwide. The international trade in beef for 2000 was over $30 billion and represented only 23 percent of world beef production. (Clay 2004). The production of ], which is also made into ], ], ], and other dairy products, is comparable in size to beef production and provides an important part of the food supply for much of the world's people. Cattle hides, used for ] to make ]s and ], are another important product. In India and other poorer nations, cattle are also important as draft animals as they have been for thousands of years.


Cows seek secluded areas for calving.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Edwards |first1=S.A. |last2=Broom |first2=D.M. |year=1982 |title=Behavioural interactions of dairy cows with their newborn calves and the effects of parity |journal=] |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=525–535 |doi=10.1016/s0003-3472(82)80065-1 |s2cid=53145854 }}</ref> Semi-wild ] heifers first give birth at 2 or 3 years of age, and the timing of birth is synchronized with increases in natural food quality. Average calving interval is 391&nbsp;days, and calving mortality within the first year of life is 5%.<ref name="Reinhardt1986">{{cite journal |last1=Reinhardt |first1=C. |last2=Reinhardt |first2=A. |last3=Reinhardt |first3=V. |year=1986 |title=Social behaviour and reproductive performance in semi-wild Scottish Highland cattle |journal=] |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=125–136 |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(86)90058-4}}</ref> Beef calves suckle an average of 5 times per day, spending some 46 minutes suckling. There is a diurnal rhythm in suckling, peaking at roughly 6am, 11:30am, and 7pm.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Odde |first1=K. G. |last2=Kiracofe |first2=G.H. |last3=Schalles |first3=R.R. |year=1985 |title=Suckling behavior in range beef calves |journal=Journal of Animal Science |volume=61 |issue=2 |pages=307–309 |doi=10.2527/jas1985.612307x |pmid=4044428 }}</ref> Under natural conditions, calves stay with their mother until weaning at 8 to 11 months. Heifer and bull calves are equally attached to their mothers in the first few months of life.<ref name="Johnsen2015">{{cite journal |last1=Johnsen |first1=J.F. |last2=Ellingsen |first2=K. |last3=Grøndahl |first3=A.M. |last4=Bøe |first4=K.E. |last5=Lidfors |first5=L. |last6=Mejdell |first6=C.M. |year=2015 |title=The effect of physical contact between dairy cows and calves during separation on their post-separation behavioural |journal=] |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274013035 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2015.03.002 |volume=166 |pages=11–19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707160417/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julie_Johnsen/publication/274013035_The_effect_of_physical_contact_between_dairy_cows_and_calves_during_separation_on_their_post-separation_behavioural_response/links/551541630cf2d70ee26fee97.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2017 }}</ref>
Concerns have been expressed about the impact of cattle on the environment. ] land for cattle grazing is now the largest agricultural land use world-wide. The conversion of natural environments to pasture land has threatened native ]s and ]s in many places; this is especially a problem in Brazil where large areas of ] are being cut down for cattle pasture. Cattle naturally produce ] gas though their digestive process and, because of their large numbers, this is thought to contribute to the process of ]. Cattle keeping also can contribute to ], ], and ] degradation (Clay 2004). ] cattle, domestic cattle which have returned to the wild, are also an environmental problem in many places (ISSG 2005).


=== Cognition ===
A large part of the ]s, ]s, and other crops grown world-wide are used to feed cattle. Cattle keeping also is a big user of ] and of ] and other ] sources. It has sometimes been asked if it would benefit humanity more if the cattle population was less and more of these resources were used to feed people directly (Clay 2004).


]
====Gallery====

<gallery style="float: right">
Cattle have a variety of cognitive abilities. They can memorize the locations of multiple food sources,<ref name="Bailey1989">{{cite journal |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=23 |issue=4 |year=1989 |pages=331–340 |title=Characteristics of spatial memory in cattle |last1=Bailey |first1=D.W. |last2=Rittenhouse |first2=L.R. |last3=Hart |first3=R.H. |last4=Richards |first4=R.W |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(89)90101-9 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1258397 }}</ref> and can retain memories for at least 48 days.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ksiksi |first1=T. |last2=Laca |first2=E.A. |year=2002 |title=Cattle do remember locations of preferred food over extended periods |journal= Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences |volume=15 |issue=6 |pages=900–904 |doi=10.5713/ajas.2002.900|doi-access=free }}</ref> Young cattle learn more quickly than adults,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kovalčik |first1=K. |last2=Kovalčik |first2=M. |year=1986 |title=Learning ability and memory testing in cattle of different ages |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=27–29 |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(86)90019-5}}</ref> and calves are capable of discrimination learning,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schaeffer |first1=R.G. |last2=Sikes |first2=J.D. |title=Discrimination learning in dairy calves |journal=Journal of Dairy Science |year=1971 |volume=54 |issue=6 |pages=893–896 |doi=10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(71)85937-4 |pmid=5141440 |doi-access=free }}</ref> distinguishing familiar and unfamiliar animals,<ref name="Coulon2011"/> and between humans, using faces and other cues.<ref name="Passille1996">{{cite journal |last1=de Passille |first1=A.M. |last2=Rushen |first2=J. |last3=Ladewig |first3=J. |last4=Petherick |first4=C. |title=Dairy calves' discrimination of people based on previous handling |year=1996 |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=969–974 |journal=Journal of Animal Science|doi=10.2527/1996.745969x |pmid=8726728 }}</ref> Calves prefer their own mother's vocalizations to those of an unfamiliar cow.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barfield |first1=C.H. |last2=Tang-Martinez |first2=Z. |last3=Trainer |first3=J.M. |year=1994 |title=Domestic calves (Bos taurus) recognize their own mothers by auditory cues |journal=Ethology |volume=97 |issue=4 |pages=257–264 |doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01045.x |bibcode=1994Ethol..97..257B }}</ref> Vocalizations provide information on the age, sex, dominance status and reproductive status of the caller, and may indicate ] in cows and competitive display in bulls.<ref name="Watts2000">{{cite journal |last1=Watts |first1=J.M. |last2=Stookey |first2=J.M. |year=2000 |title=Vocal behaviour in cattle: the animal's commentary on its biological processes and welfare |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=67 |issue=1 |pages=15–33 |doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00108-2 |pmid=10719186}}</ref> Cows can ] images as familiar and unfamiliar individuals.<ref name="Coulon2011">{{cite journal |last1=Coulon |first1=M. |last2=Baudoin |first2=C. |last3=Heyman |first3=Y. |last4=Deputte |first4=B.L. |year=2011 |title=Cattle discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics by using only head visual cues |journal=] |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=279–290 |doi=10.1007/s10071-010-0361-6 |pmid=21132446 |s2cid=39755371 }}</ref> ] calves from the same donor form subgroups, suggesting that kin discrimination may be a basis of grouping behaviour.<ref name="Coulon2010x">{{cite journal |last1=Coulon |first1=M. |last2=Baudoin |first2=C. |last3=Abdi |first3=H. |last4=Heyman |first4=Y. |last5=Deputte |first5=B.L. |year=2010 |title=Social behavior and kin discrimination in a mixed group of cloned and non cloned heifers (Bos taurus) |journal=] |volume=74 |issue=9 |pages=1596–1603 |doi=10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.06.031|pmid=20708240 }}</ref> Cattle use ] when scanning novel and familiar stimuli.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Phillips |first1=C.J.C. |last2=Oevermans |first2=H. |last3=Syrett |first3=K.L. |last4=Jespersen |first4=A.Y. |last5=Pearce |first5=G.P. |year=2015 |title=Lateralization of behavior in dairy cows in response to conspecifics and novel persons |journal=] |volume=98 |issue=4 |pages=2389–2400 |doi=10.3168/jds.2014-8648|pmid=25648820 |url=https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/247470 |doi-access=free }}</ref> They prefer to view novel stimuli with the left eye (using the right brain hemisphere), but the right eye for familiar stimuli.<ref name="Robins">{{cite journal |last1=Robins |first1=A. |last2=Phillips |first2=C. |year=2010 |title=Lateralised visual processing in domestic cattle herds responding to novel and familiar stimuli |journal=Laterality |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=514–534 |doi=10.1080/13576500903049324 |pmid=19629847 |s2cid=13283847 }}</ref> Individual cattle have also been observed to display different personality traits, such as fearfulness and sociability.<ref name="Lecorps2018">{{cite journal |last1=Lecorps |first1=Benjamin |last2=Weary |first2=Daniel M. |last3=von Keyserlingk |first3=Marina A. G. |date=23 January 2018 |title=Pessimism and fearfulness in dairy calves |journal=] |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=1421 |doi=10.1038/s41598-017-17214-3 |pmid=29362460 |pmc=5780456 |bibcode=2018NatSR...8.1421L }}</ref>
Image:HighlandCow.01.jpg|]

Image:TexasLonghorn.jpeg|]
=== Senses ===
Image:Hereford.jpg|] heifer grazing

Image:BuckinghamshireCo.show.2006.gif|A champion bull
Vision is the dominant sense; cattle obtain almost half of their information visually.<ref name="Adamczyk">{{cite journal |author1=Adamczyk, K. |author2=Górecka-Bruzda, A. |author3=Nowicki, J. |author4=Gumułka, M. |author5=Molik, E. |author6=Schwarz, T. |author7=Klocek, C. |year=2015 |title=Perception of environment in farm animals – A review |journal=Annals of Animal Science |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=565–589 |doi=10.1515/aoas-2015-0031 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Being prey animals, cattle evolved to look out for predators almost all around, with eyes that are on the sides of their head rather than the front. This gives them a field of view of 330°, but limits ] (and therefore ]) to some 30° to 50°, compared to 140° in humans.<ref name="Coulon2011"/> They are ], like most mammals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jacobs |first1=G.H. |last2=Deegan |first2=J.F. |last3=Neitz |first3=J. |year=1998 |title=Photopigment basis for dichromatic color vision in cows, goats and sheep |journal=Vis. Neurosci. |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=581–584 |doi=10.1017/s0952523898153154 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |pmid=9685209 |s2cid=3719972}}</ref> Cattle avoid bitter-tasting foods, selecting sweet foods for energy. Their sensitivity to sour-tasting foods helps them to maintain optimal ruminal ].<ref name="Adamczyk"/> They seek out salty foods by taste and smell to maintain their ] balance.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bell |first1=F.R. |last2=Sly |first2=J. |year=1983 |title=The olfactory detection of sodium and lithium salts by sodium deficient cattle. |journal=] |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=307–312 |doi=10.1016/0031-9384(83)90193-2 |pmid=6634998 |s2cid=34619742}}</ref> Their hearing is better than that of horses,<ref name="Heffner">{{cite journal |last1=Heffner |first1=R.S. |last2=Heffner |first2=H.E. |year=1983 |title=Hearing in large mammals: Horses (Equus caballus) and cattle (Bos taurus) |journal=Behavioral Neuroscience |volume=97 |issue=2 |pages=299–309 |doi=10.1037/0735-7044.97.2.299}}</ref> but worse at localising sounds than goats, and much worse than dogs or humans.<ref name="Heffner1992">{{cite journal |last1=Heffner |first1=R.S. |last2=Heffner |first2=H.E. |year=1992 |title=Hearing in large mammals: sound-localization acuity in cattle (Bos taurus) and goats (Capra hircus) |journal=Journal of Comparative Psychology |volume=106 |issue=2 |pages=107–113 |doi=10.1037/0735-7036.106.2.107 |pmid=1600717}}</ref> They can distinguish between live and recorded human speech.<ref name="Lange2020">{{Cite journal |last1=Lange |first1=Annika |last2=Bauer |first2=Lisa |last3=Futschik |first3=Andreas |last4=Waiblinger |first4=Susanne |last5=Lürzel |first5=Stephanie |date=15 October 2020 |title=Talking to Cows: Reactions to Different Auditory Stimuli During Gentle Human-Animal Interactions |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |volume=11 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579346 |doi-access=free |pmid=33178082 |pmc=7593841 }}</ref> Olfaction probably plays a large role in their social life, indicating social and reproductive status.<ref name="Adamczyk"/><ref name="Keeling">{{cite book |last1=Bouissou |first1=M.F. |title=Social Behavior in Farm Animals |last2=Boissy |first2=A. |last3=Le Niendre |first3=P. |last4=Vessier |first4=I. |publisher=CABI Publishing |year=2001 |editor-last1=Keeling |editor-first1=L. |pages=113–133 |chapter=The Social Behaviour of Cattle 5. |editor-last2=Gonyou |editor-first2=H.}}</ref> Cattle can tell when other animals are stressed by smelling the alarm chemicals in their urine.<ref name="Boissy1998">{{cite journal |last1=Boissy |first1=A. |last2=Terlouw |first2=C. |last3=Le Neindre |first3=P. |year=1998 |title=Presence of cues from stressed conspecifics increases reactivity to aversive events in cattle: evidence for the existence of alarm substances in urine |journal=Physiology and Behavior |volume=63 |issue=4 |pages=489–495 |doi=10.1016/s0031-9384(97)00466-6 |pmid=9523888 |s2cid=36904002}}</ref> Cattle can be trained to recognise conspecific individuals using olfaction only.<ref name="Keeling"/>
Image:Sixten.jpg|Riding an ox in Hova, Sweden.

Image:Blackangus.jpg|] calf with its mother.
== Behavior ==
Image:Brahman Baby.jpg|Brahman cow, Heredia Province, Costa Rica.

Image:Iran bastan 19 - pottery cow - Chogha zanbil.jpg|Pottery Bull from ], ].
=== Dominance hierarchy ===
Dated 1250 BC. Kept at ].

Image:Bull Oostvaardersplassen.JPG|Bull
] watch a fight between bulls.]]
Image:Bull on uk farm 3n06.jpg|Bull with nosering

Image:Surabhi Cow.jpg|Cow in ], India
Cattle live in a ]. This is maintained in several ways. Cattle often engage in mock fights where they test each other's strength in a non-aggressive way. ] is primarily performed by subordinates and received by dominant animals. Mounting is a playful behavior shown by calves of both sexes and by bulls and sometimes by cows in estrus,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/health/reproduction/insemination/ec402/signs-of-heat |title=Signs of Heat (Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle) |website=Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle (Penn State Extension) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105161839/http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/health/reproduction/insemination/ec402/signs-of-heat |archive-date=5 November 2016 }}</ref> however, this is not a dominance related behavior as has been found in other species.<ref name="Reinhardt1986"/> Dominance-associated aggressiveness does not correlate with rank position, but is closely related to rank distance between individuals.<ref name="Reinhardt1986" /> The horns of cattle are ] used in mate selection. Horned cattle attempt to keep greater distances between themselves and have fewer physical interactions than hornless cattle, resulting in more stable social relationships.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Knierim |first1=U. |last2=Irrgang |first2=N. |last3=Roth |first3=B.A. |year=2015 |title=To be or not to be horned–consequences in cattle |journal=Livestock Science |doi=10.1016/j.livsci.2015.05.014 |volume=179 |pages=29–37}}</ref> In calves, agonistic behavior becomes less frequent as space allowance increases, but not as group size changes, whereas in adults, the number of agonistic encounters increases with group size.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kondo |first1=S. |last2=Sekine |first2=J. |last3=Okubo |first3=M. |last4=Asahida |first4=Y. |year=1989 |title=The effect of group size and space allowance on the agonistic and spacing behavior of cattle. |journal=] |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=127–135 |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(89)90040-3}}</ref>
Image:Brahman cattle.JPG|] cattle in Costa Rica.

Dominance relationships in semi-wild highland cattle are very firm, with few overt aggressive conflicts: most disputes are settled by ] (non-aggressive, competitive) behaviors with no physical contact between opponents, reducing the risk of injury. Dominance status depends on age and sex, with older animals usually dominant to young ones and males dominant to females. Young bulls gain superior dominance status over adult cows when they reach about 2 years of age.<ref name="Reinhardt1986"/>

=== Grazing behavior ===

] bull grazing]]

Cattle eat mixed diets, but prefer to eat approximately 70% clover and 30% grass. This preference has a diurnal pattern, with a stronger preference for clover in the morning, and the proportion of grass increasing towards the evening.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rutter |first=S.M. |year=2006 |title=Diet preference for grass and legumes in free-ranging domestic sheep and cattle: current theory and future application. |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=97 |issue=1 |pages=17–35 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2005.11.016}}</ref> When grazing, cattle vary several aspects of their bite, i.e. tongue and jaw movements, depending on characteristics of the plant they are eating. Bite area decreases with the density of the plants but increases with their height. Bite area is determined by the sweep of the tongue; in one study observing {{convert|750|kg|adj=on}} steers, bite area reached a maximum of approximately {{convert|170|cm2|sigfig=1|abbr=on}}. Bite depth increases with the height of the plants. By adjusting their behavior, cattle obtain heavier bites in swards that are tall and sparse compared with short, dense swards of equal mass/area.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Laca |first1=E.A. |last2=Ungar |first2=E.D. |last3=Seligman |first3=N. |last4=Demment |first4=M.W. |year=1992 |title=Effects of sward height and bulk density on bite dimensions of cattle grazing homogeneous swards |journal=Grass and Forage Science |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=91–102 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2494.1992.tb02251.x |bibcode=1992GForS..47...91L }}</ref> Cattle adjust other aspects of their grazing behavior in relation to the available food; foraging velocity decreases and intake rate increases in areas of abundant palatable forage.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bailey |first1=D.W. |last2=Gross |first2=J.E. |last3=Laca |first3=E.A. |last4=Rittenhouse |first4=L.R. |last5=Coughenour |first5=M.B. |last6=Swift |first6=D.M. |last7=Sims |first7=P.L. |year=1996 |title=Mechanisms that result in large herbivore grazing distribution patterns |journal=Journal of Range Management |volume=49 |issue=5 |pages=386–400 |doi=10.2307/4002919|jstor=4002919 |hdl=10150/644282 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Cattle avoid grazing areas contaminated by the faeces of other cattle more strongly than they avoid areas contaminated by sheep,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Forbes |first1=T.D.A. |last2=Hodgson |first2=J. |year=1985 |title=The reaction of grazing sheep and cattle to the presence of dung from the same or the other species |journal=Grass and Forage Science |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=177–182 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2494.1985.tb01735.x |bibcode=1985GForS..40..177F }}</ref> but they do not avoid pasture contaminated by rabbits.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Daniels |first1=M.J. |last2=Ball |first2=N. |last3=Hutchings |first3=M.R. |last4=Greig |first4=A. |year=2001 |title=The grazing response of cattle to pasture contaminated with rabbit faeces and the implications for the transmission of paratuberculosis |journal=] |volume=161 |issue=3 |pages=306–313 |doi=10.1053/tvjl.2000.0550 |pmid=11352488 }}</ref>

=== Temperament and emotions ===

]

In cattle, temperament or behavioral disposition can affect productivity, overall health, and reproduction.<ref name="Brand 2015">{{cite journal |last1=Brand |first1=B. |author2=Hadlich, F. |author3=Brandt, B. |author4=Schauer, N. |author5=Graunke, K.L. |author6=Langbein, J. |author7=Schwerin, M. |year=2015 |title=Temperament type specific metabolite profiles of the prefrontal cortex and serum in cattle. |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=e0125044 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1025044B |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0125044 |pmc=4416037 |pmid=25927228 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Five underlying categories of temperament traits have been proposed: shyness–boldness, exploration–avoidance, activity, ], and sociability.<ref name="Reale 2007">{{cite journal |last1=Réale |first1=D. |last2=Reader |first2=S.M. |last3=Sol |first3=D. |last4=McDougall |first4=P.T. |last5=Dingemanse |first5=N.J. |year=2007 |title=Integrating animal temperament within ecology and evolution |journal=Biological Reviews |volume=82 |issue=2 |pages=291–318 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-185x.2007.00010.x |pmid=17437562 |s2cid=44753594 |hdl-access=free |hdl=1874/25732}}</ref> There are many indicators of emotion in cattle. Holstein–Friesian heifers that had made clear improvements in a learning experiment had higher heart rates, indicating an emotional reaction to their own learning.<ref name="Hagen 2004">{{cite journal |last1=Hagen |first1=K. |last2=Broom |first2=D. |year=2004 |title=Emotional reactions to learning in cattle |url=http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591%2803%2900294-6/abstract |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=85 |issue=3–4 |pages=203–213 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2003.11.007}}</ref> After separation from their mothers, Holstein calves react, indicating low mood.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Daros |first1=R.R. |last2=Costa |first2=J.H. |last3=von Keyserlingk |first3=M.A. |last4=Hötzel |first4=M.J. |last5=Weary |first5=D.M. |year=2014 |title=Separation from the dam causes negative judgement bias in dairy calves |journal=] |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=e98429 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...998429D |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0098429 |pmc=4029834 |pmid=24848635 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Similarly, after hot-iron ], calves react to the post-operative pain.<ref name="Neave">{{cite journal |last1=Neave |first1=H.W. |last2=Daros |first2=R.R. |last3=Costa |first3=J.H.C. |last4=von Keyserlingk |first4=M.A.G. |last5=Weary |first5=D.M. |year=2013 |title=Pain and pessimism: Dairy calves exhibit negative judgement bias following hot-iron disbudding |journal=] |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=e80556 |bibcode=2013PLoSO...880556N |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0080556 |pmc=3851165 |pmid=24324609 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The position of the ears has been used as an indicator of emotional state.<ref name="Coulon2011" /> Cattle can tell when other cattle are stressed by the chemicals in their urine.<ref name="Boissy1998" /> Cattle are ], and even short-term isolation causes psychological ]. When heifers are isolated, vocalizations, ] and plasma ] all increase. When visual contact is re-instated, vocalizations rapidly decline; heart rate decreases more rapidly if the returning cattle are familiar to the previously isolated individual.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Boissy |first1=A. |last2=Le Neindre |first2=P. |year=1997 |title=Behavioral, cardiac and cortisol responses to brief peer separation and reunion in cattle |journal=Physiology & Behavior |volume=61 |issue=5 |pages=693–699 |doi=10.1016/s0031-9384(96)00521-5 |pmid=9145939 |s2cid=8507049}}</ref> Mirrors have been used to reduce stress in isolated cattle.<ref name="Piller Stookey Watts 1999">{{cite journal |last1=Piller |first1=Carol A.K. |last2=Stookey |first2=Joseph M |last3=Watts |first3=Jon M. |title=Effects of mirror-image exposure on heart rate and movement of isolated heifers |journal=] |volume=63 |issue=2 |date=1999 |doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00010-6 |pages=93–102}}</ref>

=== Sleep ===

{{further|Sleep in non-human animals}}

The average sleep time of a domestic cow is about 4 hours a day.<ref>"40 Winks?" Jennifer S. Holland, ''National Geographic'' Vol. 220, No. 1. July 2011.</ref> Cattle do have a ],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asprea |first1=Lori |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=74Hd_YLuHsUC&pg=PT109 |title=Anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians and nurses a clinical approach. |last2=Sturtz |first2=Robin |date=2012 |publisher=] Pre |isbn=978-1-118-40584-0 |location=Chichester |page=109}}</ref> but do not sleep standing up;<ref>{{cite web |title=Animal MythBusters |publisher=Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association |url=http://www.mvma.ca/resources/animal-owners/animal-mythbusters#cow+tipping |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415135131/http://www.mvma.ca/resources/animal-owners/animal-mythbusters#cow+tipping |archive-date=15 April 2016 |website=www.mvma.ca}}</ref> they lie down to sleep deeply.<ref name="collins">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Nick |date=6 September 2013 |title=Cow tipping myth dispelled |website=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10289862/Cow-tipping-myth-dispelled.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426021919/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10289862/Cow-tipping-myth-dispelled.html |archive-date=26 April 2016}}</ref>

== Genetics ==

{{see|Bovine genome}}

]

In 2009, the National Institutes of Health and the ] reported having mapped the ].<ref name="Cattle genome">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042303453.html |title=Scientists Unravel Genome of the Cow |newspaper=] |date=23 April 2009 |access-date=23 April 2009 |first=David |last=Brown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203746/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042303453.html |archive-date=28 June 2011 }}</ref> Cattle have some 22,000 genes, of which 80% are shared with humans; they have about 1000 genes that they share with dogs and rodents, but not with humans. Using this bovine "HapMap", researchers can track the differences between breeds that affect meat and milk yields.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gill |first=Victoria |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8014598.stm |title=BBC: Cow genome 'to transform farming' |work=BBC News |date=23 April 2009 |access-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017195942/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8014598.stm |archive-date=17 October 2013 }}</ref> Early research focused on Hereford genetic sequences; a wider study mapped a further 4.2% of the cattle genome.<ref name="Talenti 2022">{{cite journal |last1=Talenti |first1=A. |last2=Powell |first2=J. |last3=Hemmink |first3=J. D. |last4=Cook |first4=E. A. J. |last5=Wragg |first5=D. |last6=Jayaraman |first6=S. |last7=Paxton |first7=E. |last8=Ezeasor |first8=C. |last9=Obishakin |first9=E. T. |last10=Agusi |first10=E. R. |last11=Tijjani |first11=A. |last12=Amanyire |first12=W. |last13=Muhanguzi |first13=D. |last14=Marshall |first14=K. |last15=Fisch |first15=A. |last16=Ferreira |first16=B. R. |last17=Qasim |first17=A. |last18=Chaudhry |first18=U. |last19=Wiener |first19=P. |last20=Toye |first20=P. |last21=Morrison |first21=L. J. |last22=Connelley |first22=T. |last23=Prendergast |first23=J. G. D. |display-authors=6 |date=17 February 2022 |title=A cattle graph genome incorporating global breed diversity |journal=Nature Communications |volume=13 |issue=1 |page=910 |doi=10.1038/s41467-022-28605-0 |pmid=35177600 |pmc=8854726 |bibcode=2022NatCo..13..910T }}</ref>

Behavioral traits of cattle can be as ] as some production traits, and often, the two can be related.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Canario |first1=L. |last2=Mignon-Grasteau |first2=S. |last3=Dupont-Nivet |first3=M. |last4=Phocas |first4=F. |year=2013 |title=Genetics of behavioural adaptation of livestock to farming conditions |journal=Animal |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=357–377 |doi=10.1017/S1751731112001978 |pmid=23127553 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01019444/file/2013_Canario_Animal_1.pdf |doi-access=free |bibcode=2013Anim....7..357C }}</ref> The heritability of temperament (response to isolation during handling) has been calculated as 0.36 and 0.46 for ] to handling.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schmutz |first1=S. M. |last2=Stookey |first2=J. M. |last3=Winkelman-Sim |first3=D. C. |last4=Waltz |first4=C. S. |last5=Plante |first5=Y. |last6=Buchanan |first6=F. C. |year=2001 |title=A QTL study of cattle behavioral traits in embryo transfer families |journal=Journal of Heredity |volume=92 |issue=3 |pages=290–292 |doi=10.1093/jhered/92.3.290 |pmid=11447250 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Rangeland assessments show that the heritability of aggressiveness in cattle is around 0.36.<ref>{{cite journal |year=2013 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=357–377 |doi=10.1017/S1751731112001978 |pmid=23127553 |journal=Animal |title=Genetics of behavioural adaptation of livestock to farming conditions |last1=Canario |first1=L. |last2=Mignon-Grasteau |first2=S. |last3=Dupont-Nivet |first3=M. |last4=Phocas |first4=F. |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01019444/file/2013_Canario_Animal_1.pdf |doi-access=free |bibcode=2013Anim....7..357C }}</ref>

] have been found for a range of production and behavioral characteristics for both dairy and beef cattle.<ref name="Friedrich">{{cite journal |last1=Friedrich |first1=J. |last2=Brand |first2=B. |last3=Schwerin |first3=M. |year=2015 |title=Genetics of cattle temperament and its impact on livestock production and breeding – a review |journal=Archives Animal Breeding |volume=58 |pages=13–21 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275837207 |doi=10.5194/aab-58-13-2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121237/http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bodo_Brand/publication/275837207_Genetics_of_cattle_temperament_and_its_impact_on_livestock_production_and_breeding__a_review/links/55485d420cf2e2031b386dd8.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Evolution ==

=== Phylogeny ===

Cattle have played a key role in ], having been domesticated since at least the early ] age. Archaeozoological and genetic data indicate that cattle were first domesticated from wild ] (''Bos primigenius'') approximately 10,500 years ago. There were two major areas of domestication: one in ], the ] and ], giving rise to the taurine line, and a second in the area that is now Pakistan, resulting in the indicine line.<ref name="McTavish">{{cite journal |last1=McTavish |first1=E.J. |last2=Decker |first2=J.E. |last3=Schnabel |first3=R.D. |last4=Taylor |first4=J.F. |last5=Hillis |first5=D.M. |year=2013 |title=New World cattle show ancestry from multiple independent domestication events |journal=PNAS |volume=110 |issue=15 |pages=E1398–1406 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1303367110 |pmid=23530234 |pmc=3625352 |bibcode=2013PNAS..110E1398M |doi-access=free }}</ref> Modern mitochondrial DNA variation indicates the taurine line may have arisen from as few as 80 ] tamed in the upper reaches of ] near the villages of ] in what is now southeastern Turkey, and ] in what is now northern Syria.<ref name="HowNowCow">{{cite journal |last1=Bollongino |first1=R. |last2=Burger |first2=J. |last3=Powell |first3=A. |last4=Mashkour |first4=M. |last5=Vigne |first5=J.-D. |last6=Thomas |first6=M. G. |year=2012 |title=Modern taurine cattle descended from small number of Near-Eastern founders |journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution |volume=29 |issue=9 |pages=2101–2104 |doi=10.1093/molbev/mss092 |pmid=22422765 |doi-access=free }} Op. cit. in {{cite news |last1=Wilkins |first1=Alasdair |work=] |url=http://io9.com/5897169/dna-reveals-that-cows-were-almost-impossible-to-domesticate?tag=archaeology |title=DNA reveals that cows were almost impossible to domesticate |date=28 March 2012 |access-date=2 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512072737/http://io9.com/5897169/dna-reveals-that-cows-were-almost-impossible-to-domesticate?tag=archaeology |archive-date=12 May 2012 }}</ref>

Although European cattle are largely descended from the taurine lineage, gene flow from African cattle (partially of indicine origin) contributed substantial genomic components to both southern European cattle breeds and their New World descendants.<ref name="McTavish"/> A study on 134 breeds showed that modern taurine cattle originated from Africa, Asia, North and South America, Australia, and Europe.<ref name="Decker">{{cite journal |last1=Decker |first1=J.E. |last2=McKay |first2=S.D. |last3=Rolf |first3=M.M. |last4=Kim |first4=J. |last5=Molina Alcalá |first5=A. |last6=Sonstegard |first6=T.S. |year=2014 |title=Worldwide patterns of ancestry, divergence, and admixture in domesticated cattle. |journal=PLOS Genet. |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=e1004254 |doi=10.1371/journal.pgen.1004254 |display-authors=etal |pmid=24675901 |pmc=3967955 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Some researchers have suggested that African taurine cattle are derived from a third independent domestication from the North African aurochs.<ref name="McTavish"/> Whether there have been two or three domestications, European, African, and Asian cattle share much of their genomes both through their species ancestry and through repeated migrations of livestock and genetic material between species, as shown in the diagram.<ref name="Pitt Sevane Nicolazzi MacHugh 2019">{{cite journal |last1=Pitt |first1=Daniel |last2=Sevane |first2=Natalia |last3=Nicolazzi |first3=Ezequiel L. |last4=MacHugh |first4=David E. |last5=Park |first5=Stephen D. E. |last6=Colli |first6=Licia |last7=Martinez |first7=Rodrigo |last8=Bruford |first8=Michael W. |last9=Orozco-terWengel |first9=Pablo |title=Domestication of cattle: Two or three events? |journal=Evolutionary Applications |volume=12 |issue=1 |date=2019 |pmid=30622640 |pmc=6304694 |doi=10.1111/eva.12674 |pages=123–136 |bibcode=2019EvApp..12..123P }}</ref>

]

=== Taxonomy ===

{{See also|Bos|Bovinae}}

], a ]–cattle hybrid]]

Cattle were originally identified as three separate species: ''Bos taurus'', the European or "taurine" cattle (including similar types from Africa and Asia); ''Bos indicus'', the ]; and the extinct ''Bos primigenius'', the ]. The aurochs is ancestral to both zebu and taurine cattle.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222110938 |title=On the origin of cattle: How aurochs became domestic and colonized the world |journal=Evolutionary Anthropology |volume=19 |pages=148–157 |access-date=3 December 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171106/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222110938_On_the_origin_of_cattle_how_aurochs_became_domestic_and_colonized_the_world |archive-date=4 December 2017 |date=January 2010 |last1=Ajmone-Marsan |first1=Paolo |last2=Garcia |first2=J.F. |last3=Lenstra |first3=Johannes |doi=10.1002/evan.20267 |s2cid=86035650 }}</ref> They were later reclassified as one species, ''Bos taurus'', with the aurochs (''B. t. primigenius''), zebu (''B. t. indicus''), and taurine (''B. t. taurus'') cattle as subspecies.<ref name="MSW3Bostaurus" /> However, this taxonomy is contentious, and authorities such as the ] treat these taxa as separate species.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore the Database|url=https://www.mammaldiversity.org/explore.html#species-id=1006267 |access-date=21 August 2021 |website=www.mammaldiversity.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 May 2004 |title=The naming of wild animal species and their domestic derivatives|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440303001638 |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=645–651 |doi=10.1016/j.jas.2003.10.006 |last1=Gentry |first1=Anthea |last2=Clutton-Brock |first2=Juliet |last3=Groves |first3=Colin P. |bibcode=2004JArSc..31..645G }}</ref>

Complicating the matter is the ability of cattle to ] with other closely related species. Hybrid individuals and even breeds exist, not only between taurine cattle and zebu (such as the ] (''Bos taurus africanus'' x ''Bos indicus''), but also between one or both of these and some other members of the ] '']'' – ]s (the ] or yattle<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mummolo |first=Jonathan |date=2007-08-11 |title=Yattle What? |newspaper=] |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/10/AR2007081002119.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701203752/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/10/AR2007081002119.html |archive-date=1 July 2017 |access-date=2023-03-10}}</ref>), ], and ]. Hybrids such as the ] breed can even occur between taurine cattle and either species of ], leading some authors to consider them part of the genus ''Bos'', as well.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Groves |first=C. P. |year=1981 |title=Systematic relationships in the Bovini (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) |journal=Zeitschrift für Zoologische Systematik und Evolutionsforschung |volume=4 |pages=264–278}}, quoted in {{MSW3 Artiodactyla|id=14200668|heading= Genus ''Bison''}}</ref> The hybrid origin of some types may not be obvious – for example, ] of the ] breed, the only taurine-type cattle in Nepal, found them to be a mix of taurine cattle, zebu, and yak.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Takeda |first=Kumiko |title=Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Nepalese domestic dwarf cattle Lulu |journal=Animal Science Journal |volume=75 |issue=2 |pages=103–110 |date=April 2004 |doi=10.1111/j.1740-0929.2004.00163.x |display-authors=etal }}</ref>

] ]]

The aurochs originally ranged throughout Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia. In historical times, its range became restricted to Europe, and the last known individual died in ], Poland, around 1627.<ref>Van Vuure, C.T. 2003. ''De Oeros – Het spoor terug'' (in Dutch), Cis van Vuure, Wageningen University and Research Centrum: quoted by {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420140454/http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/aurochs.htm |date=20 April 2009 }}</ref> Breeders have attempted to recreate a similar appearance to the aurochs by crossing traditional types of domesticated cattle, producing the ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Heck |first=H. |title=The Breeding-Back of the Aurochs |doi=10.1017/S0030605300035286 |journal=] |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=117–122 |year=1951|doi-access=free }}</ref>

A group of taurine-type cattle exist in Africa; they either represent an independent domestication event or were the result of crossing taurines domesticated elsewhere with local aurochs, but they are genetically distinct;<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pitt |first1=Daniel |last2=Sevane |first2=Natalia |last3=Nicolazzi |first3=Ezequiel L. |last4=MacHugh |first4=David E. |last5=Park |first5=Stephen D. E. |last6=Colli |first6=Licia |last7=Martinez |first7=Rodrigo |last8=Bruford |first8=Michael W. |last9=Orozco-terWengel |first9=Pablo |title=Domestication of cattle: Two or three events? |journal=Evolutionary Applications |date=January 2019 |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=123–136 |doi=10.1111/eva.12674 |pmid=30622640 |pmc=6304694 |bibcode=2019EvApp..12..123P }}</ref> some authors name them as a separate subspecies, '']''.<ref name="Strydom et al 2001">{{cite journal |last1=Strydom |first1=P.E. |last2=Naude |first2=R.T. |last3=Smith |first3=M.F. |last4=Kotze |first4=A. |last5=Scholtz |first5=M.M. |last6=Van Wyk |first6=J.B. |title=Relationships between production and product traits in subpopulations of Bonsmara and Nguni cattle |journal=South African Journal of Animal Science |date=1 March 2001 |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=181–194 |doi=10.4314/sajas.v31i3.3801 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The only pure African taurine breeds remaining are the ], ] and some varieties of the West African Shorthorn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/3/t1300t/t1300t0j.htm |title=Genetic characterization and West African cattle |first1=C. |last1=Meghen |first2=D.E. |last2=MacHugh |first3=D.G. |last3=Bradley |website=fao.org |access-date=20 September 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226101512/http://www.fao.org:80/3/t1300t/t1300T0j.htm |archive-date=26 February 2019 }}</ref>

] cattle are those that have been allowed to go wild.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of Feral cattle |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feral |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921162050/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feral |archive-date=21 September 2015 |access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref> Populations exist in many parts of the world,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sahagun |first1=Louis |date=2 March 2018 |title=Feral cattle terrorize hikers and devour native plants in a California national monument |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-feral-bulls-20180302-story.html |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NGRC Bos taurus |url=http://www.nodai-genome.org/bos_taurus.html?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223064915/http://www.nodai-genome.org/bos_taurus.html?lang=en |archive-date=23 February 2016 |website=www.nodai-genome.org}}</ref> sometimes on small islands.<ref>{{cite web |title=口之島牛(Bos Taurus)の成長曲線の作成とその特徴 |url=http://www.tech.nagoya-u.ac.jp/event/h26/Vol10/hon_secur/O9-SEI-1-s.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425012219/http://www.tech.nagoya-u.ac.jp/event/h26/Vol10/hon_secur/O9-SEI-1-s.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref><!--<ref>{{cite web |title=葛島(野生化した和牛のいる島) – 奈留島港レンタカー |url=http://www.narusima.com/cont3/17.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714115549/http://www.narusima.com/cont3/17.html |archive-date=14 July 2016 |website=www.narusima.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=牛ばかりいる台湾の孤島・金門島 / 牛による牛のためのモーモーパラダイスだったことが判明 |url=http://photrip-guide.com/2016/04/10/taiwan-kinmon-ushi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507102829/http://photrip-guide.com/2016/04/10/taiwan-kinmon-ushi/ |archive-date=7 May 2016 |website=世界を旅するガイドブック Photrip フォトリップ}}</ref>--> Some, such as ],<ref name="MSW3Bostaurus">{{MSW3 Artiodactyla|id=14200687|heading=''Bos taurus''}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |date=16 June 2015 |title=Science – Chillingham Wild Cattle |url=http://chillinghamwildcattle.com/science/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509052751/http://chillinghamwildcattle.com/science/ |archive-date=9 May 2016 |website=chillinghamwildcattle.com}}</ref> and ] have become sufficiently distinct to be described as breeds.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 October 2005 |title=Alaska Isle a Corral For Feral Cattle Herd; U.S. Wants to Trade Cows for Birds |newspaper=] |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-80866.html |url-status=dead |access-date=26 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020122750/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-80866.html |archive-date=20 October 2012}}</ref>

== Husbandry ==

=== Practices ===

{{further|Animal husbandry}}

]s, the cattle are not allowed to wander and graze, as food is brought to them in a ].<ref name="EPA CAFO Manual"/>]]

Cattle are often raised by allowing herds to ] of large tracts of ]. Raising cattle extensively in this manner allows the use of land that might be unsuitable for growing crops. The most common interactions with cattle involve daily ], cleaning and ]. Many routine husbandry practices involve ]ging, ], loading, ], ], vaccinations and ] care, as well as training for agricultural shows and preparations. Around the world, ] husbandry rests on behavioural techniques, whereas in Europe, cattle are controlled primarily by physical means, such as ]s.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Lott |first=Dale F. |author2=Hart, Benjamin L. |title=Applied ethology in a nomadic cattle culture |journal=Applied Animal Ethology |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=309–319 |date=October 1979 |doi=10.1016/0304-3762(79)90102-0}}</ref> Breeders use cattle husbandry to reduce ] susceptibility by ] and maintaining herd health to avoid concurrent disease.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Krebs |first1=J.R. |last2=Anderson |first2=T. |last3=Clutton-Brock |first3=W.T. |title=Bovine tuberculosis in cattle and badgers: an independent scientific review |publisher=] |year=1997 |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/publications/hpanel.pdf |access-date=4 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040722232232/http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/publications/hpanel.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2004|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

In the United States, many cattle are raised intensively, kept in ]s, meaning there are at least 700 mature dairy cows or at least 1000 other cattle stabled or confined in a ] for "45 days or more in a 12-month period".<ref name="EPA CAFO Manual">{{cite report |date=February 2012 |title=NPDES Permit Writers' Manual for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations |url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/cafo_permitmanual_entire.pdf|publisher=] |location=Washington, D.C. |id=EPA 833-F-12-001 |chapter=2. AFOs and CAFOs}}</ref>{{-}}

<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=220 heights=220>
File:Cattle inspected for ticks.jpg|A Hereford being inspected for ]s. Cattle are often restrained in ]es when given medical attention.
File:Anneau anti tetee P1190486.jpg|A calf with a ] to prevent it from suckling, usually to assist in ]
File:Cattle Feedlot near Rocky Ford, CO IMG 5651-2.jpg|Cattle feedlot in ], United States
</gallery> </gallery>


=== Population ===
==See also==

* ] (])
]
* ]

Historically, the cattle population of Britain rose from 9.8 million in 1878 to 11.7 million in 1908, but beef consumption rose much faster. Britain became the "stud farm of the world" exporting livestock to countries where there were no indigenous cattle. In 1929 80% of the meat trade of the world was products of what were originally English breeds. There were nearly 70 million cattle in the US by the early 1930s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Otter |first1=Chris |title=Diet for a large planet |date=2020 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-69710-9 |location=USA |page=26}}</ref>

Cattle have the largest biomass of any animal species on Earth, at roughly 400 million tonnes, followed closely by ] at 379 million tonnes and humans at 373 million tonnes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bar-On |first1=Yinon M. |last2=Phillips |first2=Rob |last3=Milo |first3=Ron |date=21 May 2018 |title=The biomass distribution on Earth |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=115 |issue=25 |pages=6506–6511 |bibcode=2018PNAS..115.6506B |doi=10.1073/pnas.1711842115 |pmc=6016768 |pmid=29784790 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In 2023, the countries with the most cattle were India with 307.5 million (32.6% of the total), Brazil with 194.4 million, and China with 101.5 million, out of a total of 942.6 million in the world.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Rob |title=Ranking Of Countries With The Most Cattle |url=https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/ranking-of-countries-with-the-most-cattle |website=National Beef Wire |access-date=14 February 2024 |date=9 January 2024}}</ref>

== Economy ==

Cattle are kept on farms to produce meat, milk, and leather, and sometimes to pull carts or farm implements.<ref name="FAO Cattle">{{cite web |title=Cattle |url=https://www.fao.org/livestock-systems/global-distributions/cattle/en/ |publisher=] |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref>

=== Meat ===

{{further|Beef cattle|Beef}}

The meat of adult cattle is known as ], and that of ] as ]. Other body parts are used as food products, including blood, ], ], ] and ]. Approximately 300 million cattle, including dairy animals, are slaughtered each year for food.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL |title=FAOSTAT |website=www.fao.org|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref> About a quarter of the world's meat comes from cattle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-the-most-consumed-meat-in-the-world#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20United%20Nations,goats%2Fsheep%20(5%25) |title=AskUSDA: What is the most consumed meat in the world? |publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture |date=17 July 2019 |access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref> World cattle meat production in 2021 was 72.3 million tons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mapped: Global Livestock Distribution and Density |url=https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/mapped-global-livestock-distribution-and-density/ |website=Visual Capitalist |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed heights=160>
File:Hereford bull in a field by the B4452 (cropped).jpg|The ] is a widespread beef breed, introduced in the 18th century
File:Cattle Selwyn Road Boulia Shire Central Western Queensland P1080822 (cropped).jpg|Australian ] cattle on an extensive farm in ], Australia
File:Aberdeen Angus im Gadental 2.JPG|], a popular small breed, here in Austria with a traditional cattle bell
</gallery>

<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=300 heights=220 caption="] data for 2021">
File:World Production Of Meat, Main Items.svg|Beef is the third most commonly consumed meat worldwide.
File:Beef_production_1961_2021.png|Beef (and buffalo meat) production has grown substantially over the recent 60 years.
File:Production Of Cattle Meat (2021).svg|Production of beef worldwide, by country in 2021.
</gallery>

=== Dairy ===

{{main|Dairy cattle|Dairy product}}

Certain breeds of cattle, such as the ], are used to produce ],<ref name=ukcows>{{Cite web |url=http://ukcows.com/holsteinUK/publicweb/Education/HUK_Edu_DairyCows.aspx?cmh=66 |title=UK Dairy Cows |access-date=7 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518064015/http://ukcows.com/holsteinUK/publicweb/Education/HUK_Edu_DairyCows.aspx?cmh=66 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref><ref name="CIWF 2015"/> much of which is processed into ]s such as ], ], and ]. Dairy cattle are usually kept on specialized dairy farms designed for milk production. Most cows are milked twice per day, with milk processed at a dairy, which may be onsite at the farm or the milk may be shipped to a dairy plant for eventual sale of a dairy product.<ref name="dairy science">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302%2879%2983526-2/abstract |title=Milking 3 Times per day |journal=] |volume=62 |issue=12 |pages=1941–1950 |doi=10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(79)83526-2 |pmid=541464 |year=1979 |last1=Pearson |first1=R.E. |last2=Fulton |first2=L.A. |last3=Thompson |first3=P.D. |last4=Smith |first4=J.W. |doi-access=free}}</ref> Lactation is induced in heifers and spayed cows by a combination of physical and psychological stimulation, by drugs, or by a combination of those methods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Larry Smith |first1=K. |last2=Schanbacher |first2=F. L. |date=1973-06-01 |title=Hormone Induced Lactation in the Bovine. I. Lactational Performance Following Injections of 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone1 |journal=Journal of Dairy Science |volume=56 |issue=6 |pages=738–743 |doi=10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(73)85243-9 |doi-access=free |pmid=4708130 }}</ref> For mother cows to continue producing milk, they give birth to one calf per year. If the calf is male, it is generally slaughtered at a young age to produce ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/veal-calves/ |title=About calves reared for veal |access-date=9 May 2015 |website=Compassion in World Farming |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074915/http://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/veal-calves/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> Cows produce milk until three weeks before birth.<ref name="CIWF 2015">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/dairy-cows/ |title=Compassion in World Farming: Dairy Cattle |access-date=7 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074913/http://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/dairy-cows/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> Over the last fifty years, dairy farming has become more intensive to increase the yield of milk produced by each cow. The ] is the breed of dairy cow most common in the UK, Europe and the United States. It has been bred selectively to produce the highest yields of milk of any cow. The average in the UK is around 22 litres per day.<ref name=ukcows/><ref name="CIWF 2015"/>

Dairy is a large industry worldwide. In 2023, the 27 European Union countries produced 143 million tons of cow's milk; the United States 104.1 million tons; and India 99.5 million tons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major producers of cow milk worldwide in 2023, by country |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/268191/cow-milk-production-worldwide-top-producers/ |website=Statista |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref> India further produces 94.4 million tons of ],<ref>{{cite web |title=Buffalo Milk |url=https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/buffalo-milk/production |website=Tridge |access-date=14 February 2024 |quote=FAO Code: 0951 - Raw milk of buffalo}}</ref> making it (in 2023) the world's largest milk producer; its dairy industry employs some 80 million people.<ref>{{cite web |title=India Largest Producer of Milk in the World |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1929183 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |access-date=14 February 2024 |date=1 June 2023}}</ref>

<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=220 heights=220>
File:Cow female black white.jpg|] are the primary dairy breed, bred for high milk production.
File:Hand milking a cow at Cobbes Farm Museum.jpg|The milking of cattle was once largely by hand. Demonstration at ], Oxfordshire
File:2014-07-25 Melkkarussel - Hemme Milch (5).jpg|A modern rotary ], Germany
</gallery>

<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=440 heights=220 caption="] data for 2021">
File:World Production Of Bovine Milk.svg|World production of bovine milk (cow + buffalo)
</gallery>

=== Draft animals ===

{{further|Ox}}

] ]]

] are cattle trained as ]s. Oxen can pull heavier loads and for a longer period of time than ]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Tess|title=On Small Farms, Hoof Power Return s|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/dining/04oxen.html |access-date=19 June 2011 |newspaper=] |date=May 3, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522213735/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/dining/04oxen.html?_r=4&sq=Oxen&st=cse&scp=3&pagewanted=all |archive-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> Oxen are used worldwide, especially in ]. There are some 11 million draft oxen in sub-Saharan Africa,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Muruvimi |first1=F. |last2=Ellis-Jones |first2=J. |chapter=A farming systems approach to improving draft animal power in Sub-Saharan Africa |editor1=Starkey, P. |editor2=Kaumbutho, P. |year=1999 |title=Meeting the challenges of animal traction |publisher=Intermediate Technology Publications |location=London |pages=10–19}}</ref> while in 1998 India had over 65 million oxen.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Phaniraja |first1=K. L. |last2=Panchasara |first2=H. H. |year=2009 |title=Indian draught animals power |journal=Veterinary World |issue=2 |pages=404–407}}</ref> At the start of the 21st century, about half the world's crop production depended on land preparation by draft animals.<ref name="Nicholson Blake Reid Schelhas 2001">{{cite journal |last1=Nicholson |first1=Charles F. |last2=Blake |first2=Robert W. |last3=Reid |first3=Robin S. |last4=Schelhas |first4=John |title=Environmental Impacts of Livestock in the Developing World |journal=Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development |volume=43 |issue=2 |date=2001 |doi=10.1080/00139150109605120 |pages=7–17 |bibcode=2001ESPSD..43b...7N |s2cid=133316829 }}</ref>

=== Hides ===

Cattle are not often kept solely for hides, and they are usually a by-product of beef production. Hides are used mainly for leather products such as shoes. In 2012, India was the world's largest producer of cattle hides.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/est/COMM_MARKETS_MONITORING/Hides_Skins/Documents/COMPENDIUM2013.pdf |title=World Statistical Compendium for raw hides and skins, leather and leather footwear 1993-2012 |website=FAO |access-date=16 May 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128005513/http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/est/COMM_MARKETS_MONITORING/Hides_Skins/Documents/COMPENDIUM2013.pdf |archive-date=28 January 2015 }}</ref> Cattle hides account for around 65% of the world's leather production.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EST: Hides & Skins|url=http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-commodities/hides-skins/en/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.leathercouncil.org/introtoleather.htm |title=Introduction to Leather |website=International Council of Tanners |access-date=8 August 2018 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804104737/http://www.leathercouncil.org/introtoleather.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Health ==

=== Pests and diseases ===

{{see|Veterinary medicine}}

{{multiple image
|total_width = 250
|image1 = Shorthorn heifer foot-and-mouth disease1.png
|caption1 = Drooling due to foot-and-mouth disease
|image2 = Shorthorn heifer foot-and-mouth disease2.png
|caption2 = Infected hoof of the same heifer
}}

Cattle are subject to pests including arthropod ]s such as ]s (which can in turn transmit diseases caused by bacteria and protozoa),<ref>{{cite web |title=Ectoparasites of Cattle |url=https://www.nadis.org.uk/disease-a-z/cattle/ectoparasites-of-cattle/ |website=NADIS Animal Health Skills |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref> and diseases caused by ]s including ] and ]es. Some viral diseases are ] - i.e. ] is spread by ]s. ] is a disabling skin condition caused by ]s. ] is caused by a bacterium; it causes disease in humans and in wild animals such as deer and badgers.<ref name="DAERA 2024">{{cite web |title=Diseases that affect cattle |date=26 April 2015 |url=https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-diseases/diseases-affect-cattle |publisher=Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref> ] is caused by a virus, affects a range of hoofed livestock and is highly contagious.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Donaldson |first1=A. I. |last2=Alexandersen |first2=S. |last3=Sorensen |first3=J. H. |last4=Mikkelsen |first4=T. |title=Relative risks of the uncontrollable (airborne) spread of FMD by different species |journal=Veterinary Record |date=May 2001 |volume=148 |issue=19 |pages=602–604 |doi=10.1136/vr.148.19.602 |pmid=11386448 |s2cid=12025498 }}</ref> ] is a neurodegenerative disease spread by a ], a misfolded ], in contaminated meat.<ref name="TSE">{{cite web |title=Bovine Spongiform Encephalopaphy: An Overview |url=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/BSEbrochure12-2006.pdf |access-date=8 April 2008 |date=December 2006 |publisher=], ] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308030306/http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/BSEbrochure12-2006.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref> Among the ] of cattle are '']'' flukes, affecting the rumen, and ]s in the small intestine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=VanHoy |first1=Grace |title=Common Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cattle |url=https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-ruminants/common-gastrointestinal-parasites-of-cattle |newspaper=MSD Veterinary Manual |access-date=14 February 2024 |date=June 2023}}</ref>

=== Role of climate change ===
{{Main|Effects of climate change on livestock}}
]

] is expected to exacerbate ] in cattle, and for longer periods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Çaylı |first1=Ali M. |last2=Arslan |first2=Bilge |date=7 February 2022 |title=Analysis of the Thermal Environment and Determination of Heat Stress Periods for Dairy Cattle Under Eastern Mediterranean Climate Conditions |journal=Journal of Biosystems Engineering |volume=47 |pages=39–47 |doi=10.1007/s42853-021-00126-6 |s2cid=246655199}}</ref> Heat-stressed cattle may experience accelerated breakdown of ] by the liver, causing ].<ref name="Lacetera2018">{{Cite journal |last=Lacetera |first=Nicola |date=2019-01-03 |title=Impact of climate change on animal health and welfare |journal=Animal Frontiers |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=26–31 |doi=10.1093/af/vfy030 |pmc=6951873 |pmid=32002236}}</ref> Cattle eat less when heat stressed, resulting in ] ], which can lead to ]. Cattle can attempt to deal with higher temperatures by ]; this rapidly decreases ] concentrations at the price of increasing ], respiratory ]. To deal with this, cattle are forced to shed ] through ], at the expense of ] buffering. These two pathologies can both cause ].<ref name="Lacetera2018"/> Another specific risk is ].<ref name="Lacetera2018"/><!--<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lecchi |first1=Cristina |last2=Rota |first2=Nicola |last3=Vitali |first3=Andrea |last4=Ceciliani |first4=Fabrizio |last5=Lacetera |first5=Nicola |date=December 2016 |title=In vitro assessment of the effects of temperature on phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis in bovine polymorphonuclear cells |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0165242716302148 |journal=Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology |volume=182 |pages=89–94 |doi=10.1016/j.vetimm.2016.10.007 |pmid=27863557 |hdl=2434/454100 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>--> This worsens as '']'' blowflies increase in number with continued warming, spreading mastitis-causing bacteria.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Goulson |first1=Dave |last2=Derwent |first2=Lara C. |last3=Hanley |first3=Michael E. |last4=Dunn |first4=Derek W. |last5=Abolins |first5=Steven R. |date=5 September 2005 |title=Predicting calyptrate fly populations from the weather, and probable consequences of climate change |url=https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2005.01078.x |journal=Journal of Applied Ecology |volume=42 |issue=5 |pages=795–804 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2664.2005.01078.x |bibcode=2005JApEc..42..795G |s2cid=3892520 }}</ref> ]s too are likely to increase in temperate zones as the climate warms, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nava |first1=Santiago |last2=Gamietea |first2=Ignacio J. |last3=Morel |first3=Nicolas |last4=Guglielmone |first4=Alberto A. |last5=Estrada-Pena |first5=Agustin |date=6 July 2022 |title=Assessment of habitat suitability for the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in temperate areas |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034528822001850 |journal=Research in Veterinary Science |volume=150 |pages=10–21 |doi=10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.04.020 |pmid=35803002 |s2cid=250252036}}</ref> Both beef and milk production are likely to experience declines due to climate change.<ref name="Liu2024">{{cite journal |last1=Liu |first1=Weihang |last2=Zhou |first2=Junxiong |last3=Ma |first3=Yuchi |last4=Chen |first4=Shuo |last5=Luo |first5=Yuchuan |date=3 February 2024 |title=Unequal impact of climate warming on meat yields of global cattle farming |journal=Communications Earth and Environment |volume=5 |issue=1 |page=65 |doi=10.1038/s43247-024-01232-x |bibcode=2024ComEE...5...65L |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ranjitkar |first1=Sailesh |last2=Bu |first2=Dengpan |last3=Van Wijk |first3=Mark |last4=Ma |first4=Ying |last5=Ma |first5=Lu |last6=Zhao |first6=Lianshen |last7=Shi |first7=Jianmin |last8=Liu |first8=Chousheng |last9=Xu |first9=Jianchu |date=2 April 2020 |title=Will heat stress take its toll on milk production in China? |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-020-02688-4 |journal=Climatic Change |language=en |volume=161 |issue=4 |pages=637–652 |doi=10.1007/s10584-020-02688-4 |bibcode=2020ClCh..161..637R |s2cid=214783104}}</ref>

== Impact of cattle husbandry ==

=== On public health ===

Cattle health is at once a veterinary issue (for animal welfare and productivity), a ] issue (to limit the spread of disease), and a ] issue (to ensure meat and dairy products are safe to eat). These concerns are reflected in farming regulations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cattle Disease Guide |url=http://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/ |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128061325/http://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> These rules can become political matters, as when it was proposed in the UK in 2011 that milk from ]-infected cattle should be allowed to enter the food chain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=17 May 2011 |title=Easing of farming regulations could allow milk from TB-infected cattle into food chain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/may/17/farming-regulation-tb-cattle-milk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201102312/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/may/17/farming-regulation-tb-cattle-milk |archive-date=1 February 2014 |access-date=4 December 2013 |newspaper=]}}</ref> Cattle disease attracted attention in the 1980s and 1990s when ] (mad cow disease) ]. BSE can cross into humans as the deadly ]; 178 people in the UK had died from it by 2010.<ref name="Garske 2010">{{cite journal |last1=Garske |first1=Tini |last2=Ghani |first2=Azra C. |date=23 December 2010 |title=Uncertainty in the Tail of the Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Epidemic in the UK |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=5 |issue=12 |pages=e15626 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0015626 |doi-access=free |pmid=21203419 |pmc=3009744 |bibcode=2010PLoSO...515626G }}</ref>

=== On the environment ===

{{Main|Environmental impact of cattle production}}

].]]

The ] of cattle ], a powerful<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=Methane vs Carbon Dioxide: A Greenhouse Gas Showdown |url=https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/methane-vs-carbon-dioxide-a-greenhouse-gas-showdown/ |access-date=29 January 2022 |work=One Green Planet}}</ref> greenhouse gas, as a byproduct of ], with each cow belching out 100kg a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=tdus |date=2019-06-27 |title=Cows and Climate Change |url=https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/making-cattle-more-sustainable |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=UC Davis}}</ref> Additional methane is produced by anaerobic fermentation of ].<ref>US EPA. 2012. Inventory of U.S. greenhouse gases emissions and sinks: 1990–2010. US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA 430-R-12-001. Section 6.2.</ref> The FAO estimates that in 2015 around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions were due to cattle, but this is uncertain.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Livestock Don't Contribute 14.5% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/food-agriculture-environment/livestock-dont-contribute-14-5-of-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Breakthrough Institute}}</ref> Reducing ] quickly helps ].<ref name=":3"/>

] in particular produce substantial amounts of wastewater and manure,<ref name="Bradford Segal Zheng Wang 2008">{{cite journal |last1=Bradford |first1=Scott A. |last2=Segal |first2=Eran |last3=Zheng |first3=Wei |last4=Wang |first4=Qiquan |last5=Hutchins |first5=Stephen R. |title=Reuse of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Wastewater on Agricultural Lands |journal=Journal of Environmental Quality |volume=37 |issue=S5 |date=2008 |pages=S97–S115 |doi=10.2134/jeq2007.0393| pmid=18765783 }}</ref><ref name=Koelsch>{{cite web |url=http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/waste_mgt/natlcenter/sanantonio/balvanz.pdf |title=Applying Alternative Technologies to CAFOs: A Case Study |first1=Richard |last1=Koelsch |first2=Carol |last2=Balvanz |first3=John |last3=George |first4=Dan |last4=Meyer |first5=John |last5=Nienaber |first6=Gene |last6=Tinker |access-date=16 January 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017230339/http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/waste_mgt/natlcenter/sanantonio/balvanz.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2013 }}</ref> which can cause environmental harms such as soil erosion, human and animal exposure to toxic chemicals, development of ] and an increase in '']'' contamination.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ikerd |first=John |title=The Economics of CAFOs & Sustainable Alternatives |url=http://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/Fairfield%20IA%20-%20Economics%20of%20CAFOs.htm |publisher=Web.missouri.edu |access-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810081852/http://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/Fairfield%20IA%20-%20Economics%20of%20CAFOs.htm |archive-date=10 August 2014 }}</ref><ref name="UCS">{{cite web |last=Gurian-Sherman |first=Doug |title=CAFOs Uncovered: The Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations |url=http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/cafos-uncovered.pdf |access-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126213408/http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/cafos-uncovered.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2013 }}</ref>

In many world regions, ] by cattle has reduced ] of the grazed plants and of animals at different ]s in the ].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Filazzola |first=Alessandro |display-authors=etal |title=The effects of livestock grazing on biodiversity are multi-trophic: a meta-analysis |journal=] |volume=23 |issue=8 |year=2020 |pages=1298–1309 |doi=10.1111/ele.13527|pmid=32369874 |bibcode=2020EcolL..23.1298F }}</ref> A well documented consequence of overgrazing is ] in rangelands, which significantly reduces the ] of the land over time.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Archer |first1=Steven R. |chapter=Woody Plant Encroachment: Causes and Consequences |date=2017 |title=Rangeland Systems |pages=25–84 |editor-last=Briske |editor-first=David D. |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-46709-2_2 |isbn=978-3-319-46707-8 |last2=Andersen |first2=Erik M. |last3=Predick |first3=Katharine I. |last4=Schwinning |first4=Susanne |last5=Steidl |first5=Robert J. |last6=Woods |first6=Steven R.|doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== On animal welfare ===

{{further|Cruelty to animals#Welfare concerns of farm animals}}

] production in individual crates has attracted welfare concerns.]]

Cattle husbandry practices including ],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Schwartzkopf-Genswein |first1=K. S. |last2=Stookey |first2=J. M. |last3=Welford |first3=R. |date=1 August 1997 |title=Behavior of cattle during hot-iron and freeze branding and the effects on subsequent handling ease |journal=Journal of Animal Science |volume=75 |issue=8 |pages=2064–2072 |pmid=9263052 |doi=10.2527/1997.7582064x}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LpIbwuYIyEcC&q=cattle+castration+painful&pg=PT70 |title=Pain Management, An Issue of Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice |last=Coetzee |first=Hans |date=19 May 2013 |publisher=] Health Sciences |isbn=978-1-4557-7376-3 |page=PT70}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/Welfare-Implications-of-Dehorning-and-Disbudding-Cattle.aspx |title=Welfare Implications of Dehorning and Disbudding Cattle |website=www.avma.org |access-date=5 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905191320/https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/Welfare-Implications-of-Dehorning-and-Disbudding-Cattle.aspx |archive-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> ]ging,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/us/ear-tagging-proposal-may-mean-fewer-branded-cattle.html |title=Ear-Tagging Proposal May Mean Fewer Branded Cattle |last=Goode |first=Erica |date=25 January 2012 |work=The New York Times |access-date=5 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406111331/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/us/ear-tagging-proposal-may-mean-fewer-branded-cattle.html |archive-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzc7CgAAQBAJ&q=cattle+nose+ring+pain&pg=PA111 |title=Improving Animal Welfare, 2 Edition: A Practical Approach |last=Grandin |first=Temple |date=21 July 2015 |publisher=CABI |isbn=978-1-78064-467-7 |page=111}}</ref> restraint,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grandin.com/references/abdlps.html |title=Restraint of Livestock |website=www.grandin.com |access-date=5 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213024104/http://www.grandin.com/references/abdlps.html |archive-date=13 December 2017}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xPt1BgAAQBAJ&q=cattle+tail+docking+pain&pg=PA21 |title=Cow Talk: Understanding Dairy Cow Behaviour to Improve Their Welfare on Asian Farms |last1=Doyle |first1=Rebecca |last2=Moran |first2=John |date=3 February 2015 |publisher=Csiro Publishing |isbn=978-1-4863-0162-1 |pages=20–21}}</ref> the use of ] crates,<ref name="McKenna">{{cite web |title=The case against the veal crate: An examination of the scientific evidence that led to the banning of the veal crate system in the EU and of the alternative group housed systems that are better for calves, farmers and consumers |author=McKenna, C. |publisher=Compassion in World Farming |year=2001 |access-date=19 April 2016 |url=https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/3818635/case-against-the-veal-crate.pdf}}</ref> and ]s<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://grandin.com/behaviour/principles/prods.html |title=Using Prods and Persuaders Properly to Handle Cattle, Pigs, and Sheep |website=grandin.com |access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> have raised welfare concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://awionline.org/content/cattle |title=Cattle |website=awionline.org |access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref>

Stocking density is the number of animals within a specified area. High stocking density can affect cattle health, welfare, productivity,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Grant, R. |date=2011 |title=Taking advantage of natural behavior improves dairy cow performance |url=http://articles.extension.org/pages/11129/taking-advantage-of-natural-behavior-improves-dairy-cow-performance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202101756/http://articles.extension.org/pages/11129/taking-advantage-of-natural-behavior-improves-dairy-cow-performance |archive-date=2 December 2016}}</ref> and feeding behaviour.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Huzzey |first1=J. |last2=Keyserlingk |first2=M. |last3=Overton |first3=T. |year=2012 |title=The behaviour and physiological consequences of overstocking dairy cattle |url=https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20143159639 |journal=American Association of Bovine Practitioners |pages=92–97 |doi=10.21423/aabppro20123879 |doi-broken-date=3 December 2024 |s2cid=203405605}}</ref> Densely-stocked cattle feed more rapidly and lie down sooner, increasing the risk of teat infection, mastitis, and ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Tyler |first1=J.W |last2=Fox |first2=L.K. |last3=Parish |first3=S.M. |last4=Swain |first4=J. |last5=Johnson |first5=D.J. |last6=Grassechi |first6=H.A. |year=1997 |title=Effect of feed availability on post-milking standing time in dairy cows |journal=Journal of Dairy Research |volume=64 |issue=4 |pages=617–620 |doi=10.1017/s0022029997002501 |pmid=9403771 |s2cid=41754001}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Schefers |first1=J.M. |last2=Weigel |first2=K.A. |last3=Rawson |first3=C.L. |last4=Zwald |first4=N.R. |last5=Cook |first5=N.B. |year=2010 |title=Management practices associated with conception rate and service rate of lactating Holstein cows in large, commercial dairy herds |journal=Journal of Dairy Science |volume=93 |issue=4 |pages=1459–1467 |doi=10.3168/jds.2009-2015 |pmid=20338423 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The stress and negative health impacts induced by high stocking density such as in ] or ], auctions, and transport may be detrimental to cattle welfare.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Grandin |first=Temple |date=1 December 2016 |title=Evaluation of the welfare of cattle housed in outdoor feedlot pens |journal=Veterinary and Animal Science |volume=1–2 |pages=23–28 |doi=10.1016/j.vas.2016.11.001 |pmid=32734021 |pmc=7386639 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

To produce milk from ], most calves are separated from their mothers soon after birth and fed milk replacement in order to retain the cows' milk for human consumption.<ref name="milk">{{cite web |url=https://www.vegsoc.org/info-hub/why-go-veggie/animals/cattle/ |title=Cattle |author=Vegetarian Society |author-link=Vegetarian Society |access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> Animal welfare advocates are ], stating that this breaks the natural bond between the mother and her calf.<ref name="milk"/> The ] is also a concern.<ref name="EFSA 2023 Veal">{{cite web |title=EFSA: house calves in small groups to improve welfare |url=https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/efsa-house-calves-small-groups-improve-welfare |publisher=European Food Safety Authority |access-date=14 February 2024 |date=29 March 2023}}</ref>

Two sports involving cattle are thought to be cruel by animal welfare groups: ] and ]. Such groups oppose rodeo activities including ], ] and ], stating that rodeos are unnecessary and cause stress, injury, and death to the animals.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna25725170 |title=Animal rights group targets popular rodeo |last=Smith |first=Michael |agency=AP |date=17 July 2008 |website=msnbc.com |access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> In Spain, the ] due to the stress and injuries incurred by the bulls during the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lamalla.net/actualitat_cultural/festes_populars/article?id=71973 |archive-date=11 September 2012 |title=Passion for bulls in the street |first=Andres |last=Antebi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911032132/http://www.lamalla.net/actualitat_cultural/festes_populars/article?id=71973 |access-date=23 October 2020 |language=ca}}</ref>

== In culture ==

From early in civilisation, cattle have been used in barter; an advantage of using cattle as currency is that it allows the seller to set a fixed price.<ref name="Davies2002">{{cite book |author1=Glyn Davies |author2=Julian Hodge Bank |title=A history of money: from ancient times to the present day |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yx68AAAAIAAJ |year=2002 |publisher=University of Wales Press |isbn=978-0-7083-1717-4 |pages=42–44}}</ref><ref name="de Soto">{{cite book |last=Huerta de Soto |first=Jesús |title=Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_AJLGKdOZneMC |year=2006 |publisher=Ludwig von Mises Institute |isbn=978-1-61016-388-0 |page=}}</ref>
Cattle play a part ]. Veneration of the cow is a symbol of Hindu community identity.<ref name="Jha 2002">{{cite book |last=Jha |first=D. N. |title=The myth of the holy cow |date=2002 |publisher=Verso |isbn=978-1-85984-676-6 |location=London |pages=20, 130}}</ref> Slaughter of cows (including oxen, bulls and calves) is forbidden by law in several states of the Indian Union.<ref>{{cite news |title=India Supreme Court suspends cattle slaughter ban |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-40565457 |access-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714075428/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-40565457 |archive-date=14 July 2017 |date=11 July 2017 |quote=Cows are considered holy by India's majority Hindu population and slaughtering them is already banned in most but not all states,}}</ref>
In ], the Evangelist ] is symbolised as an ox.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Zuffi |first=Stefano |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tL3YeduAk8gC&pg=PA8 |title=Gospel Figures in Art |publisher=Getty Publications |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-89236-727-6 |chapter=The Evangelists and their symbols |page=8}}</ref> The second and longest surah of the ] is named ] ("The Cow"); it mentions cows seven times.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/essentialislamco0000morg |url-access=registration |title=Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice |author=Diane Morgan |publisher=] |year=2010 |page= |isbn=978-0-313-36025-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O84eYLVHvB0C&pg=PA364 |title=Dictionary of Islam |author=Thomas Hughes |publisher=] |year=1995 |orig-year=first published in 1885 |page=364 |isbn=9788120606722 |author-link=Thomas Hughes (priest)}}</ref> The ] is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the ]. The astrological sign ] is represented as a bull in the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Taurus |url=https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017060 |publisher=] |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref> The {{Nihongo |] |赤べこ ||''red cow''}} is a traditional toy from the ] region of Japan, thought to ward off illness.<ref>{{cite web |last=Madden |first=Thomas |date=May 1992 |url=http://www6.plala.or.jp/awia/AizuGlossary.html |title=Akabeko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221103824/http://www6.plala.or.jp/awia/AizuGlossary.html |archive-date=21 February 2007 |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> In the Jewish religion, cattle appear as the ], the idol that the Israelites made when Moses was on Mount Sinai,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|32:1–35|HE}}</ref> and as the ], used for certain ritual purifications.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|19:1–22|HE}}</ref>
In film, ] is a 1938 animated short about a bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting other bulls, or taking part in bullfights;<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=1999 |publisher=Checkmark Books |isbn=0-8160-3831-7 |page=153}}</ref> in Sweden, the film is broadcast every year at Christmas time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2009/12/nordic_quack.html |title=Nordic Quack – Sweden's bizarre tradition of watching Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve |work=Slate |first=Jeremy |last=Stahl |date=22 December 2011 |archive-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207062906/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2009/12/nordic_quack.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In literature, ]'s 1932 book '']'' describes the history, ceremony and traditions of Spanish bullfighting,<ref>{{cite book |last=Meyers |first=Jeffrey |title=Hemingway: A Biography |year=1985 |publisher=] |location=London |isbn=0-333-42126-4 |pages=118–119}}</ref> while his 1926 novel '']'' involves both the ] and bullfighting.<ref>Herlihy-Mera, Jeffrey (2023). . '']''. '''42''' (2): 25–55</ref>

<gallery class=center mode=nolines heights=220 widths=220>
File:Nuremberg chronicles f 108r 1.png|] the evangelist depicted with a bull in the 1493 '']''
File:UK Durham Dun-Cow.jpg |A legend claims that monks carrying the body of ] were led by a milk maid who had lost her ]. They built ] where it was found.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cuthbert's Move to Durham: Two Stories |url=https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/learn/history/st-cuthbert/body/durham |website=Durham Castle and Cathedral |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref>
File:Aelbert Cuyp - Young Herdsman with Cows - WGA5829.jpg|]: ''Young Herdsman with Cows'' by ], 1655–60
File:Norske Folkelivsbilleder 08 - En Aften ved Sæteren (Knud Bergslien).jpg|''An evening at the hut of the cow-herdesses'', ], before 1858
File:Turin coat of arms.svg|Bull in the ] of ], Italy
</gallery>

== See also ==

{{colbegin|colwidth=20em}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ] (game)
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
{{colend}}
* ]

* ]
== References ==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


{{Reflist|30em}}
==References==
<references/>


== Further reading ==
* Bhattacharya, S. 2003. . ''Newscientist.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
* Cattle Today (CT). 2006. Website. . ''Cattle Today''. Retrieved December 26, 2006)
* Clay, J. 2004. ''World Agriculture and the Environment: A Commodity-by-Commodity Guide to Impacts and Practices''. Washington, D.C., USA: Island Press. ISBN 1559633700.
* Clutton-Brock, J. 1999. ''A Natural History of Domesticated Mammals''. Cambridge UK : Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521634954.
* Huffman, B. 2006. . ''UltimateUngulate.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
* Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). 2005. .. ''Global Invasive Species Database''.
* Nowak, R.M. and Paradiso, J.L. 1983. ''Walker's Mammals of the World''. Baltimore, Maryland, USA: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801825253
* Oklahoma State University (OSU). 2006. . Retrieved January 5, 2007.
* Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). 2004. . ''PBS Nature''. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
* Rath, S. 1998. ''The Complete Cow''. Stillwater, Minnesota, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 0896583759.
* Raudiansky, S. 1992. ''The Covenant of the Wild''. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN 0688096107.
* Spectrum Commodities (SC). 2006. . ''Spectrumcommodities.com''. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
* Voelker, W. 1986. ''The Natural History of Living Mammals''. Medford, New Jersey, USA: Plexus Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0937548081.
* Yogananda, P. 1946. ''The Autobiography of a Yogi''. Los Angeles, California, USA: Self Realization Fellowship. ISBN 0876120834.


{{Wikispecies}}
==External links==
{{Commons|Bos taurus}} {{Commons|Bos taurus}}
{{Commons|Bull|Bull (cattle)}} {{Commons|Bull|Bull (cattle)}}
{{refbegin}}
{{Wikibooks|Raising Cattle}}
* ''Cattle Today''. 2006. .
*
* Johns, Catherine. 2011 ''Cattle: History, Myth, Art''. London: The British Museum Press. 978-0-7141-5084-0.
* - Sinalunga, Siena, Italy
* Oklahoma State University (OSU). 2006. . Retrieved 5 January 2007.
* - Cows versus Conservation
* {{cite book |last=Purdy |first=Herman R. |author2=R. John Dawes |author3=Robert Hough |url=http://www.breedsofcattle.net/ |title=Breeds Of Cattle |edition=2nd |year=2008 |ref=none}} – A visual textbook containing History/Origin, Phenotype & Statistics of 45 breeds.
* - Oklahoma State University
* Rath, S. 1998. ''The Complete Cow''. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press. {{ISBN|0-89658-375-9}}.
* - Comprehensive Beef Portal
{{refend}}
*
*
*
*
*
*
* - Directory of information, cattle associations, and cattle breeders
*


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Latest revision as of 19:30, 23 December 2024

Large, domesticated, cloven-hooved herbivores

"Cow" and "Cows" redirect here. For other uses, see Cattle (disambiguation) and Cow (disambiguation). "Taurus cattle" redirects here. For the breeding project, see Taurus Project.

Cattle
A brown Swiss Fleckvieh cow wearing a cowbell
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Bos
Species: B. taurus
Binomial name
Bos taurus
Linnaeus, 1758
Bovine distribution
Synonyms
  • Bos primigenius taurus
  • Bos longifrons

Cattle (Bos taurus) are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus Bos. Mature female cattle are called cows and mature male cattle are bulls. Young female cattle are called heifers, young male cattle are oxen or bullocks, and castrated male cattle are known as steers.

Cattle are commonly raised for meat, for dairy products, and for leather. As draft animals, they pull carts and farm implements. In India, cattle are sacred animals within Hinduism, and may not be killed. Small breeds such as the miniature Zebu are kept as pets.

Taurine cattle are widely distributed across Europe and temperate areas of Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Zebus are found mainly in India and tropical areas of Asia, America, and Australia. Sanga cattle are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. These types, sometimes classified as separate species or subspecies, are further divided into over 1,000 recognized breeds.

Around 10,500 years ago, taurine cattle were domesticated from wild aurochs progenitors in central Anatolia, the Levant and Western Iran. A separate domestication event occurred in the Indian subcontinent, which gave rise to zebu. There were over 940 million cattle in the world by 2022. Cattle are responsible for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. They were one of the first domesticated animals to have a fully-mapped genome.

Etymology

Further information: List of cattle terminology

The term cattle was borrowed from Anglo-Norman catel (replacing native Old English terms like kine, now considered archaic, poetic, or dialectal), itself from Medieval Latin capitale 'principal sum of money, capital', itself derived in turn from Latin caput 'head'. Cattle originally meant movable personal property, especially livestock of any kind, as opposed to real property (the land, which also included wild or small free-roaming animals such as chickens—they were sold as part of the land). The word is a variant of chattel (a unit of personal property) and closely related to capital in the economic sense. The word cow came via Anglo-Saxon (plural ), from Common Indo-European gʷōus (genitive gʷowés) 'a bovine animal', cf. Persian: gâv, Sanskrit: go-. In older English sources such as the King James Version of the Bible, cattle often means livestock, as opposed to deer, which are wild.

Characteristics

Description

SkeletonAnatomical model, showing the large 4-chambered stomach

Cattle are large artiodactyls, mammals with cloven hooves, meaning that they walk on two toes, the third and fourth digits. Like all bovid species, they can have horns, which are unbranched and are not shed annually. Coloration varies with breed; common colors are black, white, and red/brown, and some breeds are spotted or have mixed colors. Bulls are larger than cows of the same breed by up to a few hundred kilograms. British Hereford cows, for example, weigh 600–800 kg (1,300–1,800 lb), while the bulls weigh 1,000–1,200 kg (2,200–2,600 lb). Before 1790, beef cattle averaged only 160 kg (350 lb) net. Thereafter, weights climbed steadily. Cattle breeds vary widely in size; the tallest and heaviest is the Chianina, where a mature bull may be up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) at the shoulder, and may reach 1,280 kg (2,820 lb) in weight. The natural life of domestic cattle is some 25–30 years. Beef cattle go to slaughter at around 18 months, and dairy cows at about five years.

Digestive system

Further information: Digestive system of ruminants
Bacteria dominate the rumen microbiome; composition can change substantially with diet.

Cattle are ruminants, meaning their digestive system is highly specialized for processing plant material such as grass rich in cellulose, a tough carbohydrate polymer which many animals cannot digest. They do this in symbiosis with micro-organisms – bacteria, fungi, and protozoa – that possess cellulases, enzymes that split cellulose into its constituent sugars. Among the many bacteria that contribute are Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Ruminococcus albus. Cellulolytic fungi include several species of Neocallimastix, while the protozoa include the ciliates Eudiplodinium maggie and Ostracodinium album. If the animal's feed changes over time, the composition of this microbiome changes in response.

Cattle have one large stomach with four compartments; the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen is the largest compartment and it harbours the most important parts of the microbiome. The reticulum, the smallest compartment, is known as the "honeycomb". The omasum's main function is to absorb water and nutrients from the digestible feed. The abomasum has a similar function to the human stomach.

Cattle regurgitate and re-chew their food in the process of chewing the cud, like most ruminants. While feeding, cows swallow their food without chewing; it goes into the rumen for storage. Later, the food is regurgitated to the mouth, a mouthful at a time, where the cud is chewed by the molars, grinding down the coarse vegetation to small particles. The cud is then swallowed again and further digested by the micro-organisms in the cow's stomach.

Reproduction

Nine sequential photos showing the calf being born
A cow giving birth

The gestation period for a cow is about nine months long. The ratio of male to female offspring at birth is approximately 52:48. A cow's udder has two pairs of mammary glands or teats. Farms often use artificial insemination, the artificial deposition of semen in the female's genital tract; this allows farmers to choose from a wide range of bulls to breed their cattle. Estrus too may be artificially induced to facilitate the process. Copulation lasts several seconds and consists of a single pelvic thrust.

Cows seek secluded areas for calving. Semi-wild Highland cattle heifers first give birth at 2 or 3 years of age, and the timing of birth is synchronized with increases in natural food quality. Average calving interval is 391 days, and calving mortality within the first year of life is 5%. Beef calves suckle an average of 5 times per day, spending some 46 minutes suckling. There is a diurnal rhythm in suckling, peaking at roughly 6am, 11:30am, and 7pm. Under natural conditions, calves stay with their mother until weaning at 8 to 11 months. Heifer and bull calves are equally attached to their mothers in the first few months of life.

Cognition

Individual cattle differ in personality traits such as fearfulness and sociability.

Cattle have a variety of cognitive abilities. They can memorize the locations of multiple food sources, and can retain memories for at least 48 days. Young cattle learn more quickly than adults, and calves are capable of discrimination learning, distinguishing familiar and unfamiliar animals, and between humans, using faces and other cues. Calves prefer their own mother's vocalizations to those of an unfamiliar cow. Vocalizations provide information on the age, sex, dominance status and reproductive status of the caller, and may indicate estrus in cows and competitive display in bulls. Cows can categorize images as familiar and unfamiliar individuals. Cloned calves from the same donor form subgroups, suggesting that kin discrimination may be a basis of grouping behaviour. Cattle use visual/brain lateralisation when scanning novel and familiar stimuli. They prefer to view novel stimuli with the left eye (using the right brain hemisphere), but the right eye for familiar stimuli. Individual cattle have also been observed to display different personality traits, such as fearfulness and sociability.

Senses

Vision is the dominant sense; cattle obtain almost half of their information visually. Being prey animals, cattle evolved to look out for predators almost all around, with eyes that are on the sides of their head rather than the front. This gives them a field of view of 330°, but limits binocular vision (and therefore stereopsis) to some 30° to 50°, compared to 140° in humans. They are dichromatic, like most mammals. Cattle avoid bitter-tasting foods, selecting sweet foods for energy. Their sensitivity to sour-tasting foods helps them to maintain optimal ruminal pH. They seek out salty foods by taste and smell to maintain their electrolyte balance. Their hearing is better than that of horses, but worse at localising sounds than goats, and much worse than dogs or humans. They can distinguish between live and recorded human speech. Olfaction probably plays a large role in their social life, indicating social and reproductive status. Cattle can tell when other animals are stressed by smelling the alarm chemicals in their urine. Cattle can be trained to recognise conspecific individuals using olfaction only.

Behavior

Dominance hierarchy

Spectators in Oman watch a fight between bulls.

Cattle live in a dominance hierarchy. This is maintained in several ways. Cattle often engage in mock fights where they test each other's strength in a non-aggressive way. Licking is primarily performed by subordinates and received by dominant animals. Mounting is a playful behavior shown by calves of both sexes and by bulls and sometimes by cows in estrus, however, this is not a dominance related behavior as has been found in other species. Dominance-associated aggressiveness does not correlate with rank position, but is closely related to rank distance between individuals. The horns of cattle are honest signals used in mate selection. Horned cattle attempt to keep greater distances between themselves and have fewer physical interactions than hornless cattle, resulting in more stable social relationships. In calves, agonistic behavior becomes less frequent as space allowance increases, but not as group size changes, whereas in adults, the number of agonistic encounters increases with group size.

Dominance relationships in semi-wild highland cattle are very firm, with few overt aggressive conflicts: most disputes are settled by agonistic (non-aggressive, competitive) behaviors with no physical contact between opponents, reducing the risk of injury. Dominance status depends on age and sex, with older animals usually dominant to young ones and males dominant to females. Young bulls gain superior dominance status over adult cows when they reach about 2 years of age.

Grazing behavior

A Charolais bull grazing

Cattle eat mixed diets, but prefer to eat approximately 70% clover and 30% grass. This preference has a diurnal pattern, with a stronger preference for clover in the morning, and the proportion of grass increasing towards the evening. When grazing, cattle vary several aspects of their bite, i.e. tongue and jaw movements, depending on characteristics of the plant they are eating. Bite area decreases with the density of the plants but increases with their height. Bite area is determined by the sweep of the tongue; in one study observing 750-kilogram (1,650 lb) steers, bite area reached a maximum of approximately 170 cm (30 sq in). Bite depth increases with the height of the plants. By adjusting their behavior, cattle obtain heavier bites in swards that are tall and sparse compared with short, dense swards of equal mass/area. Cattle adjust other aspects of their grazing behavior in relation to the available food; foraging velocity decreases and intake rate increases in areas of abundant palatable forage. Cattle avoid grazing areas contaminated by the faeces of other cattle more strongly than they avoid areas contaminated by sheep, but they do not avoid pasture contaminated by rabbits.

Temperament and emotions

Ear postures of cows indicate emotional state and overall welfare.

In cattle, temperament or behavioral disposition can affect productivity, overall health, and reproduction. Five underlying categories of temperament traits have been proposed: shyness–boldness, exploration–avoidance, activity, aggressiveness, and sociability. There are many indicators of emotion in cattle. Holstein–Friesian heifers that had made clear improvements in a learning experiment had higher heart rates, indicating an emotional reaction to their own learning. After separation from their mothers, Holstein calves react, indicating low mood. Similarly, after hot-iron dehorning, calves react to the post-operative pain. The position of the ears has been used as an indicator of emotional state. Cattle can tell when other cattle are stressed by the chemicals in their urine. Cattle are gregarious, and even short-term isolation causes psychological stress. When heifers are isolated, vocalizations, heart rate and plasma cortisol all increase. When visual contact is re-instated, vocalizations rapidly decline; heart rate decreases more rapidly if the returning cattle are familiar to the previously isolated individual. Mirrors have been used to reduce stress in isolated cattle.

Sleep

Further information: Sleep in non-human animals

The average sleep time of a domestic cow is about 4 hours a day. Cattle do have a stay apparatus, but do not sleep standing up; they lie down to sleep deeply.

Genetics

Further information: Bovine genome
Genomic analysis shows there are five main cattle sub-types, here labelled by continent.

In 2009, the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Agriculture reported having mapped the bovine genome. Cattle have some 22,000 genes, of which 80% are shared with humans; they have about 1000 genes that they share with dogs and rodents, but not with humans. Using this bovine "HapMap", researchers can track the differences between breeds that affect meat and milk yields. Early research focused on Hereford genetic sequences; a wider study mapped a further 4.2% of the cattle genome.

Behavioral traits of cattle can be as heritable as some production traits, and often, the two can be related. The heritability of temperament (response to isolation during handling) has been calculated as 0.36 and 0.46 for habituation to handling. Rangeland assessments show that the heritability of aggressiveness in cattle is around 0.36.

Quantitative trait loci have been found for a range of production and behavioral characteristics for both dairy and beef cattle.

Evolution

Phylogeny

Cattle have played a key role in human history, having been domesticated since at least the early neolithic age. Archaeozoological and genetic data indicate that cattle were first domesticated from wild aurochs (Bos primigenius) approximately 10,500 years ago. There were two major areas of domestication: one in central Anatolia, the Levant and Western Iran, giving rise to the taurine line, and a second in the area that is now Pakistan, resulting in the indicine line. Modern mitochondrial DNA variation indicates the taurine line may have arisen from as few as 80 aurochs tamed in the upper reaches of Mesopotamia near the villages of Çayönü Tepesi in what is now southeastern Turkey, and Dja'de el-Mughara in what is now northern Syria.

Although European cattle are largely descended from the taurine lineage, gene flow from African cattle (partially of indicine origin) contributed substantial genomic components to both southern European cattle breeds and their New World descendants. A study on 134 breeds showed that modern taurine cattle originated from Africa, Asia, North and South America, Australia, and Europe. Some researchers have suggested that African taurine cattle are derived from a third independent domestication from the North African aurochs. Whether there have been two or three domestications, European, African, and Asian cattle share much of their genomes both through their species ancestry and through repeated migrations of livestock and genetic material between species, as shown in the diagram.

Cattle phylogeny and migrations involve two major species, at least two domestications, and migrations between these.

Taxonomy

See also: Bos and Bovinae
Żubroń, a European bison–cattle hybrid

Cattle were originally identified as three separate species: Bos taurus, the European or "taurine" cattle (including similar types from Africa and Asia); Bos indicus, the Indicine or "zebu"; and the extinct Bos primigenius, the aurochs. The aurochs is ancestral to both zebu and taurine cattle. They were later reclassified as one species, Bos taurus, with the aurochs (B. t. primigenius), zebu (B. t. indicus), and taurine (B. t. taurus) cattle as subspecies. However, this taxonomy is contentious, and authorities such as the American Society of Mammalogists treat these taxa as separate species.

Complicating the matter is the ability of cattle to interbreed with other closely related species. Hybrid individuals and even breeds exist, not only between taurine cattle and zebu (such as the sanga cattle (Bos taurus africanus x Bos indicus), but also between one or both of these and some other members of the genus Bosyaks (the dzo or yattle), banteng, and gaur. Hybrids such as the beefalo breed can even occur between taurine cattle and either species of bison, leading some authors to consider them part of the genus Bos, as well. The hybrid origin of some types may not be obvious – for example, genetic testing of the Dwarf Lulu breed, the only taurine-type cattle in Nepal, found them to be a mix of taurine cattle, zebu, and yak.

N'dama cattle in a livestock market in Mali

The aurochs originally ranged throughout Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia. In historical times, its range became restricted to Europe, and the last known individual died in Mazovia, Poland, around 1627. Breeders have attempted to recreate a similar appearance to the aurochs by crossing traditional types of domesticated cattle, producing the Heck breed.

A group of taurine-type cattle exist in Africa; they either represent an independent domestication event or were the result of crossing taurines domesticated elsewhere with local aurochs, but they are genetically distinct; some authors name them as a separate subspecies, Bos taurus africanus. The only pure African taurine breeds remaining are the N'Dama, Kuri and some varieties of the West African Shorthorn.

Feral cattle are those that have been allowed to go wild. Populations exist in many parts of the world, sometimes on small islands. Some, such as Amsterdam Island cattle, Chillingham cattle, and Aleutian wild cattle have become sufficiently distinct to be described as breeds.

Husbandry

Practices

Further information: Animal husbandry
In concentrated animal feeding operations, the cattle are not allowed to wander and graze, as food is brought to them in a feedlot.

Cattle are often raised by allowing herds to graze on the grasses of large tracts of rangeland. Raising cattle extensively in this manner allows the use of land that might be unsuitable for growing crops. The most common interactions with cattle involve daily feeding, cleaning and milking. Many routine husbandry practices involve ear tagging, dehorning, loading, medical operations, artificial insemination, vaccinations and hoof care, as well as training for agricultural shows and preparations. Around the world, Fulani husbandry rests on behavioural techniques, whereas in Europe, cattle are controlled primarily by physical means, such as fences. Breeders use cattle husbandry to reduce tuberculosis susceptibility by selective breeding and maintaining herd health to avoid concurrent disease.

In the United States, many cattle are raised intensively, kept in concentrated animal feeding operations, meaning there are at least 700 mature dairy cows or at least 1000 other cattle stabled or confined in a feedlot for "45 days or more in a 12-month period".

  • A Hereford being inspected for ticks. Cattle are often restrained in cattle crushes when given medical attention. A Hereford being inspected for ticks. Cattle are often restrained in cattle crushes when given medical attention.
  • A calf with a nose ring to prevent it from suckling, usually to assist in weaning A calf with a nose ring to prevent it from suckling, usually to assist in weaning
  • Cattle feedlot in Colorado, United States Cattle feedlot in Colorado, United States

Population

Cattle headcounts by country, as of 2021

Historically, the cattle population of Britain rose from 9.8 million in 1878 to 11.7 million in 1908, but beef consumption rose much faster. Britain became the "stud farm of the world" exporting livestock to countries where there were no indigenous cattle. In 1929 80% of the meat trade of the world was products of what were originally English breeds. There were nearly 70 million cattle in the US by the early 1930s.

Cattle have the largest biomass of any animal species on Earth, at roughly 400 million tonnes, followed closely by Antarctic krill at 379 million tonnes and humans at 373 million tonnes. In 2023, the countries with the most cattle were India with 307.5 million (32.6% of the total), Brazil with 194.4 million, and China with 101.5 million, out of a total of 942.6 million in the world.

Economy

Cattle are kept on farms to produce meat, milk, and leather, and sometimes to pull carts or farm implements.

Meat

Further information: Beef cattle and Beef

The meat of adult cattle is known as beef, and that of calves as veal. Other body parts are used as food products, including blood, liver, kidney, heart and oxtail. Approximately 300 million cattle, including dairy animals, are slaughtered each year for food. About a quarter of the world's meat comes from cattle. World cattle meat production in 2021 was 72.3 million tons.

  • The Hereford is a widespread beef breed, introduced in the 18th century The Hereford is a widespread beef breed, introduced in the 18th century
  • Australian Droughtmaster cattle on an extensive farm in Queensland, Australia Australian Droughtmaster cattle on an extensive farm in Queensland, Australia
  • Aberdeen Angus, a popular small breed, here in Austria with a traditional cattle bell Aberdeen Angus, a popular small breed, here in Austria with a traditional cattle bell
  • FAO data for 2021
  • Beef is the third most commonly consumed meat worldwide. Beef is the third most commonly consumed meat worldwide.
  • Beef (and buffalo meat) production has grown substantially over the recent 60 years. Beef (and buffalo meat) production has grown substantially over the recent 60 years.
  • Production of beef worldwide, by country in 2021. Production of beef worldwide, by country in 2021.

Dairy

Main articles: Dairy cattle and Dairy product

Certain breeds of cattle, such as the Holstein-Friesian, are used to produce milk, much of which is processed into dairy products such as butter, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy cattle are usually kept on specialized dairy farms designed for milk production. Most cows are milked twice per day, with milk processed at a dairy, which may be onsite at the farm or the milk may be shipped to a dairy plant for eventual sale of a dairy product. Lactation is induced in heifers and spayed cows by a combination of physical and psychological stimulation, by drugs, or by a combination of those methods. For mother cows to continue producing milk, they give birth to one calf per year. If the calf is male, it is generally slaughtered at a young age to produce veal. Cows produce milk until three weeks before birth. Over the last fifty years, dairy farming has become more intensive to increase the yield of milk produced by each cow. The Holstein-Friesian is the breed of dairy cow most common in the UK, Europe and the United States. It has been bred selectively to produce the highest yields of milk of any cow. The average in the UK is around 22 litres per day.

Dairy is a large industry worldwide. In 2023, the 27 European Union countries produced 143 million tons of cow's milk; the United States 104.1 million tons; and India 99.5 million tons. India further produces 94.4 million tons of buffalo milk, making it (in 2023) the world's largest milk producer; its dairy industry employs some 80 million people.

  • FAO data for 2021
  • World production of bovine milk (cow + buffalo) World production of bovine milk (cow + buffalo)

Draft animals

Further information: Ox
Oxen used in traditional ploughing – Karnataka

Oxen are cattle trained as draft animals. Oxen can pull heavier loads and for a longer period of time than horses. Oxen are used worldwide, especially in developing countries. There are some 11 million draft oxen in sub-Saharan Africa, while in 1998 India had over 65 million oxen. At the start of the 21st century, about half the world's crop production depended on land preparation by draft animals.

Hides

Cattle are not often kept solely for hides, and they are usually a by-product of beef production. Hides are used mainly for leather products such as shoes. In 2012, India was the world's largest producer of cattle hides. Cattle hides account for around 65% of the world's leather production.

Health

Pests and diseases

Further information: Veterinary medicine Drooling due to foot-and-mouth diseaseInfected hoof of the same heifer

Cattle are subject to pests including arthropod parasites such as ticks (which can in turn transmit diseases caused by bacteria and protozoa), and diseases caused by pathogens including bacteria and viruses. Some viral diseases are spread by insects - i.e. bluetongue disease is spread by midges. Psoroptic mange is a disabling skin condition caused by mites. Bovine tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium; it causes disease in humans and in wild animals such as deer and badgers. Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus, affects a range of hoofed livestock and is highly contagious. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disease spread by a prion, a misfolded brain protein, in contaminated meat. Among the intestinal parasites of cattle are Paramphistomum flukes, affecting the rumen, and hookworms in the small intestine.

Role of climate change

Main article: Effects of climate change on livestock
Most of the top 10 beef-producing countries are likely to see lower production with greater temperatures (left) and heat stress (right).

Climate change is expected to exacerbate heat stress in cattle, and for longer periods. Heat-stressed cattle may experience accelerated breakdown of adipose tissue by the liver, causing lipidosis. Cattle eat less when heat stressed, resulting in ruminal acidosis, which can lead to laminitis. Cattle can attempt to deal with higher temperatures by panting more often; this rapidly decreases carbon dioxide concentrations at the price of increasing pH, respiratory alkalosis. To deal with this, cattle are forced to shed bicarbonate through urination, at the expense of rumen buffering. These two pathologies can both cause lameness. Another specific risk is mastitis. This worsens as Calliphora blowflies increase in number with continued warming, spreading mastitis-causing bacteria. Ticks too are likely to increase in temperate zones as the climate warms, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases. Both beef and milk production are likely to experience declines due to climate change.

Impact of cattle husbandry

On public health

Cattle health is at once a veterinary issue (for animal welfare and productivity), a public health issue (to limit the spread of disease), and a food safety issue (to ensure meat and dairy products are safe to eat). These concerns are reflected in farming regulations. These rules can become political matters, as when it was proposed in the UK in 2011 that milk from tuberculosis-infected cattle should be allowed to enter the food chain. Cattle disease attracted attention in the 1980s and 1990s when bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) broke out in the United Kingdom. BSE can cross into humans as the deadly variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease; 178 people in the UK had died from it by 2010.

On the environment

Main article: Environmental impact of cattle production
Beef has the highest greenhouse gas impact of any agricultural commodity, followed by mutton.

The gut flora of cattle produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, as a byproduct of enteric fermentation, with each cow belching out 100kg a year. Additional methane is produced by anaerobic fermentation of stored manure. The FAO estimates that in 2015 around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions were due to cattle, but this is uncertain. Reducing methane emissions quickly helps limit climate change.

Concentrated animal feeding operations in particular produce substantial amounts of wastewater and manure, which can cause environmental harms such as soil erosion, human and animal exposure to toxic chemicals, development of antibiotic resistant bacteria and an increase in E. coli contamination.

In many world regions, overgrazing by cattle has reduced biodiversity of the grazed plants and of animals at different trophic levels in the ecosystem. A well documented consequence of overgrazing is woody plant encroachment in rangelands, which significantly reduces the carrying capacity of the land over time.

On animal welfare

Further information: Cruelty to animals § Welfare concerns of farm animals
Confining calves for veal production in individual crates has attracted welfare concerns.

Cattle husbandry practices including branding, castration, dehorning, ear tagging, nose ringing, restraint, tail docking, the use of veal crates, and cattle prods have raised welfare concerns.

Stocking density is the number of animals within a specified area. High stocking density can affect cattle health, welfare, productivity, and feeding behaviour. Densely-stocked cattle feed more rapidly and lie down sooner, increasing the risk of teat infection, mastitis, and embryo loss. The stress and negative health impacts induced by high stocking density such as in concentrated animal feeding operations or feedlots, auctions, and transport may be detrimental to cattle welfare.

To produce milk from dairy cattle, most calves are separated from their mothers soon after birth and fed milk replacement in order to retain the cows' milk for human consumption. Animal welfare advocates are critical of this practice, stating that this breaks the natural bond between the mother and her calf. The welfare of veal calves is also a concern.

Two sports involving cattle are thought to be cruel by animal welfare groups: rodeos and bullfighting. Such groups oppose rodeo activities including bull riding, calf roping and steer roping, stating that rodeos are unnecessary and cause stress, injury, and death to the animals. In Spain, the Running of the bulls faces opposition due to the stress and injuries incurred by the bulls during the event.

In culture

From early in civilisation, cattle have been used in barter; an advantage of using cattle as currency is that it allows the seller to set a fixed price. Cattle play a part in several religions. Veneration of the cow is a symbol of Hindu community identity. Slaughter of cows (including oxen, bulls and calves) is forbidden by law in several states of the Indian Union. In Christian art, the Evangelist St. Luke is symbolised as an ox. The second and longest surah of the Quran is named Al-Baqara ("The Cow"); it mentions cows seven times. The ox is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. The astrological sign Taurus is represented as a bull in the Western zodiac. The akabeko (赤べこ, red cow) is a traditional toy from the Aizu region of Japan, thought to ward off illness. In the Jewish religion, cattle appear as the golden calf, the idol that the Israelites made when Moses was on Mount Sinai, and as the red heifer, used for certain ritual purifications. In film, Ferdinand the Bull is a 1938 animated short about a bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting other bulls, or taking part in bullfights; in Sweden, the film is broadcast every year at Christmas time. In literature, Ernest Hemingway's 1932 book Death in the Afternoon describes the history, ceremony and traditions of Spanish bullfighting, while his 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises involves both the running of the bulls and bullfighting.

See also

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Further reading

  • Cattle Today. 2006. Breeds of beef cattle.
  • Johns, Catherine. 2011 Cattle: History, Myth, Art. London: The British Museum Press. 978-0-7141-5084-0.
  • Oklahoma State University (OSU). 2006. Breeds of Cattle. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
  • Purdy, Herman R.; R. John Dawes; Robert Hough (2008). Breeds Of Cattle (2nd ed.). – A visual textbook containing History/Origin, Phenotype & Statistics of 45 breeds.
  • Rath, S. 1998. The Complete Cow. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press. ISBN 0-89658-375-9.
Extant Artiodactyla species
Suborder Ruminantia
Antilocapridae
Antilocapra
Giraffidae
Okapia
Giraffa
Moschidae
Moschus
Tragulidae
Hyemoschus
Moschiola
Tragulus
CervidaeLarge family listed below
BovidaeLarge family listed below
Family Cervidae
Cervinae
Muntiacus
Elaphodus
Dama
Axis
Rucervus
Elaphurus
Rusa
Cervus
Capreolinae
Alces
Hydropotes
Capreolus
Rangifer
Hippocamelus
Mazama
Ozotoceros
Blastocerus
Pudu
Pudella?
Odocoileus
Family Bovidae
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Addax
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Peleinae
Pelea
Alcelaphinae
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Damaliscus
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Connochaetes
Pantholopinae
Pantholops
CaprinaeLarge subfamily listed below
BovinaeLarge subfamily listed below
AntilopinaeLarge subfamily listed below
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Sus
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