Vaca

Vaca is the Spanish word for a cow, generally referring to a mature female bovine. In English, “cow” designates a female that has given birth, while “cattle” describes the species Bos taurus and Bos indicus as a group. Adult males are bulls, and castrated males used for work are steers or oxen.

Biology: Cattle are ruminant mammals with a four-chambered stomach that enables fermentation of plant matter. They vary in size and may have horns or be naturally hornless (polled). They are typically herbivores, feeding on grasses and forages. Dairy cattle are managed for milk production; beef cattle for meat.

Domestication and classification: Cattle were domesticated from wild aurochs in multiple centers, including the Near East and South Asia. The two primary domestic lineages are Bos taurus (taurine cattle) and Bos indicus (zebu). Breeds are numerous and specialized for milk, meat, draft work, or climate adaptation.

Uses and production: Milk is a key product; dairy cattle such as Holstein and Jersey are bred for high milk yield. Beef cattle are raised for meat. Cattle provide leather and other byproducts. Modern systems range from pasture-based to intensive farming and feedlots.

Reproduction and lifecycle: Females reach puberty at varying ages and become pregnant after breeding. Gestation lasts about nine months, producing a calf. Calves are weaned and may be raised for dairy or beef; cows can produce milk for several lactation cycles before culling.

Economic and environmental context: Cattle farming is a major agricultural activity worldwide, with substantial water, feed, and land requirements. The industry faces welfare concerns and environmental impacts, including methane emissions from enteric fermentation.