Q: I have a large galvanized cattle water trough that I want to use as a planter. What kind of drainage holes I should drill in the bottom? Steve Conway, Decatur A: Tony Johnson is manager of the UGA ...

Understanding the Context

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 males are called bulls. Cattle are domesticated bovine farm animals that are raised for their meat, milk, or hides or for draft purposes.

Key Insights

The animals most often included under the term are the Western or European domesticated cattle as well as the Indian and African domesticated cattle. Cattle (commonly called cows), are among humankind's most important domesticated animals. They are even-toed ungulates or hoofed mammals, of the species Bos taurus of the family Bovidae, or bovids. Through history, they have had a tremendous effect on human culture, economy, and religion. Some authorities date the domestication of cattle as early as 10,000 years ago, and others almost half that amount of time.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of the time frame it is generally accepted that the domestication of cattle followed sheep, goats, pigs and dogs. Here are common beef cattle breeds. There are more than 250 recognized breeds of cattle throughout the world, with more than 80 readily available to producers in the United States. When you take crossbred cattle into consideration, the possibilities are endless. Cattle are ruminants with a 4-compartment stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum) that lets them turn grass into milk and meat. Gestation averages ~283 days (commonly reported range ~279-287 days in veterinary references).

The meaning of CATTLE is domesticated quadrupeds held as property or raised for use; specifically : bovine animals on a farm or ranch. How to use cattle in a sentence.