Animals or cattle: characteristics, breeds and genera

The Animals or cattle Are domesticated and ruminant herbivorous mammals, are part of a subfamily of the group of bovids (bovidae).

They have a large size, with a height of around 120-150 cm and can weigh between 600 and 800 kg on average.

They have a large body, are robust with a long tail that ends with a tuft, have a broad and naked muzzle, usually have thick horns, a little curved.

They are domesticated by the human being for their use and production in order to satisfy some food and / or economic needs.

They are considered as one of the best economic investments, of which they generate many gains from the raising of these animals, of them you can obtain meat, skin and milk.

They are also used as draft animals: because they have enormous force, they can usually pull plows or carts.

Also included in this group of cattle are oxen, bison, buffalo and some species of antelope.

Origin

Since prehistory man has raised these animals since ancient times, the earliest reports are found around 10,000 years ago in the Middle East and then spread throughout the world in the following years.

At first they were only used for the production of milk and meat, in addition to the treaty of the land.

Subsequently also began the use of their horns, as well as their excrement, which is used as fertilizer or fuel; Their skin is also reserved and is used in the production of clothing.

Taxonomic classification of bovine animals

Genus and species of bovine animals

The subfamily Bovinae is composed of the following genera and species:

• Subfamily Bovinae
  • Gender Bison (Bison)
    • Bison bison (American bison, cybolo)
    • Bison bonasus (European bison)
    • Bison priscus (Steppe bison, arctic bison or longicorn) (†)
  • Gender Bos (Oxen)
    • Bos gaurus (Gaur)
    • Bos frontalis (Gayal)
    • Bos mutus (yak)
    • Bos javanicus (Banteng)
    • Bos sauveli (Cuprey, kouprey the kuprey)
    • Bos primigenius (bovine)
      • Bos primigenius taurus (Eurasian domestic cattle, male: 'bull' and 'ox', female: 'cow')
      • Bos primigenius indicus (zebu)
      • Bos primigenius primigenius (Eurasian wilderness) (†)
      • Bos primigenius namadicus (Southeast Asian savage) (†)
      • Bos primigenius africanus ())
    • Gender Boselaphus
      • Boselaphus tragocamelus (Nilgo or blue bull)
    • Gender Bubalus (Buffaloes)
      • Bubalus bubalis (Water buffalo or arni)
      • Bubalus depressicornis (Anoa of plain)
      • Bubalus mindorensis (Tamarao)
      • Bubalus quarlesi (Mountain anoa)
    • Gender Pseudoryx
      • Pseudoryx nghetinhensis (Saola the ox of vu quang)
    • Gender Syncerus
      • Syncerus caffer (Buffalo cafre)
    • Gender Taurotragus (Elands)
      • Taurotragus derbianus (Giant Eland or Derand Eland)
      • Taurotragus oryx (Common eland antelope or common eland)
    • Gender Tetracerus
      • Tetracerus quadricornis (Quadruple antelope)
    • Gender Tragelaphus
      • Tragelaphus angasii (Niala)
      • Tragelaphus buxtoni (Niala montano)
      • Tragelaphus eurycerus (bongo drum)
      • Tragelaphus imberbis (Minor kudú or small kudú)
      • Tragelaphus scriptus (Hieroglyphic antelope or bosbok)
      • Tragelaphus spekii (Sitatunga)
      • Tragelaphus strepsiceros (Great kudu)

Breeds of cattle

The classification of cattle breeds is divided into:

• Dairy type
• Meat type
• Double purpose
• Aimed at work
• The origin of the above classification may vary according to its origin:
• Bos taurus (European bovine): includes most of the current breeds of dairy and beef cattle. Originated in Europe.
• Bos indicus (Indian cattle): originated in India and is characterized by a hump on the cross.

Cattle

They are characterized by possessing:

• Body structure angular and triangular.
• Good udder development.
• A high daily production of milk (40 liters or more).
• Milk with high protein and fat content.

Currently, most of the dairy herd is composed of dual purpose breeds, some of them can be found:

• Holstein Friesian (holando americano): it was developed in New Zealand, very efficient for milk production.

Some of its characteristics are: color white with black, long structure and stylized, can weigh more than 700 kg.

• Black overo (European holando) and overo colorado (German carnation): it is of double purpose, it has a white color with black or white with red, structure less angular than a dairy race, more rustic.
• Jersey: excellent breed for milk production, high percentage of milk fat (good characteristic for butter production), easily adapts to the climate and is very docile, are small animals, weigh approximately 450 kg or less, even coffee color.
• Ayrshire: ideal for the production of butter and cheeses, rustic animal, strong, red with white, weighing approximately 600 kg.

Beef Cattle

Destined only to meat production, some of the best breeds that can be found within this category are:

• Brahman: developed for the tropics and American subtropics.
• Beefmaster: has precocity, weight gain, good survival in the young.
• Charolais: French origin, one of the best meat producers.
• Simmental: high growth capacity, good muscle formation and meat quality (no excess fat).
• Angus: breed of meat, reproductive precocity, easy delivery, longevity. It has good muscle mass and produces good quality meat (tender, juicy, tasty)
• Brangus: synergy between Brahma and Angus.
• Nelore: originated in India, is dual purpose but usually used for meat production.
• Santa Gertrudis: first breed created from controlled mating and crosses in order to adapt to warm climates.
• Wagyu: Japanese origin, meat for refined palates, marbling with fat filtered between muscle fibers.
• Hereford: good musculature.

Cattle double purpose

They have characteristics for the exploitation of meat and milk, among some of these breeds are:

• Brahman
• Gyr or Gir
• Red polled
• Simmental

References

1. Bovine . Taken from boletinagrario.com.
2. Bovine . Definition.
3. Definition of cattle or cattle . Taken from concept definition.
4. Cattle. Taken from uco.es.
5. Livestock World. Breeds of cattle. Taken from mundo-pecuario.com.
6. Top 10 breeds of beef cattle. Taken from Abc.finkeros.com.
7. Bovine cattle breeds and their characteristics. Taken from .uc.cl.
8. Meat-producing breeds . Taken from sagarpa.gob.mx.