Cattle are large, domesticated animals raised by farmers and ranchers primarily for their meat (called beef), milk, and leather. When you see a herd of cows grazing in a pasture, you're looking at cattle. The word refers to the animals collectively: one animal might be a cow, bull, steer, or calf, but a group of them together is cattle.

Cattle have been domesticated for about 10,000 years and transformed human civilization. Before cattle, many people had to hunt for meat and could only travel as far as their own legs could carry them. Cattle provided a steady supply of food and milk, and their strength made them useful for pulling plows and wagons. This allowed humans to farm larger fields, transport heavy loads, and build more permanent settlements.

In the American West during the 1800s, cattle drives moved thousands of cattle across vast distances to reach railroads and markets. Cowboys would spend months herding cattle through difficult terrain, creating the legendary images of the Old West that still capture our imagination today.

For most of human history, owning cattle meant you were prosperous. Even today, in many parts of the world, the number of cattle a family owns can indicate their wealth and status.