Dairy Cows vs. Beef Cattle
Don’t you know you should never talk about a female’s weight?
Dairy cows are not the same as beef cows. They should not, and do not, look alike. They are bred, and therefore built, differently and for their own specific purposes.
To ensure the health and productivity of our cows, a nutritionist and a veterinarian frequently do wellness checks on our cattle, aka our girls.
Beef Cattle
Beef cattle are like weight lifters. They have stocky, rounded bodies with thick, muscular backs. Their energy goes toward building muscle and storing fat; therefore, producing delicious meat.
Beef cows produce milk but only enough to feed their calves – about 1 to 2 gallons per day.
Beef cattle eat a combination of grasses and grains, with more of emphasis on grass.
Dairy Cows
Diary cows are more like marathon runners. They are lean with a more angular shape. Some people may see a dairy cow as skinny or malnourished, but that’s just their build. Their energy goes toward producing milk instead of producing meat.
Dairy cows have large udders and can make 8 to 10 gallons of milk per day.
They are also fed a balanced diet of grains and grasses.
No matter the type of cattle, I can assure you that the farmer or rancher who is caring for these cattle put their heart and soul, and a lot of time and effort, into making sure their cattle are healthy, well-fed and cared for.
Information source: Kansas Farm Food Connection
