bovine

Bovine is a biological term that refers to cattle and their close relatives within the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. The term is used as both an adjective and a noun to denote domestic cattle and other members of Bovinae, including wild species such as bison, gaur, banteng, yak, and the aurochs, the extinct wild ancestor of modern cattle.

Within Bovinae, the most well-known groups are the genus Bos, which includes Bos taurus (taurine cattle) and Bos indicus (zebu), and the genus Bison (American and European bisons). Other bovines include Syncerus (African buffalo) and additional Bos species such as gaur and banteng, reflecting a broad evolutionary and geographic diversity.

Domestic cattle were domesticated from wild aurochs in regions of the Near East and South Asia, beginning several millennia ago. They are among the most widespread and economically important livestock, raised for meat, milk, leather, and draft work, with numerous breeds adapted to a variety of climates and uses.

Bovine are ruminant herbivores with a four-chambered stomach, enabling them to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material. Their diet is primarily grass and forage, and many breeds have been selectively bred for specific production traits, such as milk yield or meat quality. Horns occur in many species; in some domestic breeds, horns may be removed for safety or management reasons.

The cattle sector contributes significantly to economies worldwide but also raises welfare and environmental concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions and land use. These issues drive ongoing regulation, industry standards, and ongoing debates about sustainability and animal welfare.