Cattle

Bos taurus

Cattle are domesticated bovines, classified here as Bos taurus, and include the cows, bulls, steers, heifers, and calves raised around the world. They descend from wild aurochs and have been shaped into dairy, beef, draft, dual-purpose, miniature, and heritage breeds. Taurine cattle are usually humpless, while many tropical lines include humped zebu ancestry or influence. As ruminants, cattle convert grass, hay, silage, and other roughage into milk, meat, manure, hides, and pulling power, which is why they are central to many farming systems.

Practical cattle management depends on purpose and scale. A family milk cow, a registered beef herd, a feedlot pen, and a pair of working oxen all need different feeding plans, fencing, handling facilities, and breeding decisions. Good stockmanship pays close attention to body condition, clean water, mineral balance, hoof care, calving, and disease prevention. Buyers should match breed type to climate, forage, temperament, market goals, and local regulations before bringing cattle onto a property.