Cattle: Encyclopedia II - Cattle - Uses of cattle

Cattle - Uses of cattle

Cattle occupy a unique role in human history. Some consider them the oldest form of wealth. Their ability to provide meat, dairy and draft while reproducing themselves and eating nothing but grass has furthered human interests dramatically through the millennia.

In Hinduism, the cow is said to be holy (and thus should not be eaten); "The cow is my mother. The bull is my sire.". [2] The importance of the cow is highlighted by the fact that a regional holiday called Mattu Pongal (literally Cow Pongal in Tamil) exists which is akin to a bovine thanksgiving day. In fact a divine cow named Kamadhenu is considered to be the mother of all Hindu Gods. It is common to see loose cattle walking the streets, because the holiness it holds in India and other countries that practice Hinduism.

In Latin America, Australia and the western North America cattle are grazed on large tracts of rangeland called ranchos, ranches or Stations (Australia).

In Portugal, Spain and some Latin American countries, bulls are used in the sport of bullfighting while a similar sport Jallikattu is seen in South India; in many other countries this is illegal. Other sports like Bull riding are seen as part of a Rodeo, especially in North America.

The outbreaks of mad cow disease have reduced or prevented some traditional uses of cattle for food, for example the eating of brains or spinal cords.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Uses of cattle", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki