Cattle (Bos
primigenius) are one of the most widely known domesticated species in the
world. Ranging from Holstein to Jersey cattle, our society has raised cows for
many reasons, but primarily for production purposes. Let’s look a little at the
history of its domestication.
Along
with domestication came the establishment of a more stable lifestyle. Human survival no longer depended on hunting and gathering their food sources, but
rather on the domestication of livestock. To this day, cattle of all different
species remain one of the top-regarded sources for meat, milk, and even
leather. The Taurine was believed to have been domesticated first somewhere
within the Fertile Crescent by the Asian peoples (China, Mongolia, and Korea)
about 8,000 years ago. But several other incidences of domestication may have
occurred in other regions around the world (including Africa and Pakistan). Cattle were strong candidates for domestication due to these specific qualities:
Not
too flighty- To be able to handle them more easily, civilizations domesticated
animals that were less fearful of people. By doing this, they were hoping to
lower, if not eliminate, the possibility of injuries while handling the animal.
Breeds
well in captivity- In order to avoid depletion, a big part of animal management
was being able to breed for large quantities of offspring. Their food and
material supply would be constant.
Grows
at a relatively good pace- Because different lifestyles take different
expenditures, individuals looked for a fast growing rate as to avoid putting
too much of their costs and efforts in neonate and pubertal nutrition.
Not
aggressive- Once again, this deals greatly with the matter of safety. This
allowed them to handle the animals more easily and avoid major injuries.
Requires
a low maintenance diet- The diet is the most expensive (in the long term)
expenditure to raising animals and at large quantities, individuals look for
animals with low maintenance qualities to avoid the high costs (outweigh their
products from the products they make take to be raised).
Despite cattle having these characteristic
dispositions, studies on their mitochondrial DNA suggest that domestication of
cattle happened, although it was highly unlikely to occur. The most commonly
known breed of cattle Taurine is descended from only about 80 females total. In
other words, all cattle could be traced back to a small heard of just 80
animals that were domesticated from wild ox. However, because of this
domestication and the heights reached, new technology and better research
allows us to produce milk, meat, and leather at an even higher production level
worldwide.
Taurine Cattle in Asia are descended from about 80 females total
that were originally domesticated from the wild ox.
With new findings, come
new responsibilities however. In recent years, epidemic outbreaks of mad cow
disease, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, has startled the public into
questioning what is really happening with cattle and the products they consume
as their food. Because the main way in which people interact with cattle is via
food, the treatment and care for these animals becomes a large concern. What
are they being fed? How are they being treated? And, is genetic research and
advancements to blame for these horrific occurrences? Not only are they seen
for their meat quality however, but more universally, they are known for their
milk quality. Have you ever seen the “Make us part of your family” commercials?
"California Cow Singing Swagger Jagger in the
Shower- Real Californa Milk Commercial"
Or this commercial…
"Protein Fight Club- Milk V.S. Omelet-
Milk Mustache Campaign"
These are just a few of the many examples in which
we relate to cows in our society. Although we have had major setbacks with
quality and security of meat, the nutritional standing of milk quality is
higher than ever. Campaigns such as the Milk Mustache campaign and Real
California Milk continue to promote public health via endorsements for dairy
and with raising awareness in our communities for healthy lifestyles, the
indirect interaction between cows and humans are becoming much more crucial.
But, nonetheless cows are still seen today as a commodity due to what they
offer to our food supply as well as material supply. Although the nutritional
value of cattle products is important to our society, some groups of
individuals such as PETA are involved more directly with these animals via
investigations. Currently, their goal appears to be to change social
perceptions of cattle from food sources and “stupid” animals to cattle that
are, “as diverse as cats, dogs and people: some are bright; others are slow
learners; some are adventurous; others are shy and timid; some are friendly and
considerate; others are bossy and devious”. As opposed to companion animals
however, the current social discernment for cattle of all kinds seems to be
primarily centered around what they have to offer on the breakfast table rather
than what they can do for us as friends.
Research shows they are able to express more emotions than just primitive ones.
Unfortunately,
the practice of cow-tipping is another way in which the society may interact
with cattle. But, because of this appeal, and because of their appearance, slow
movement, and loud “moos”, the public is quick to assume the essence of a cow
as “dumb”. However, studies conducted by John Webster suggest otherwise.
According to his studies, he was able to demonstrate emotional complexity of
cows through their displays in herds such as social interactions and sexual
behavior. For example, some studies revealed that cattle maintain close
friendships within their herds as well as deep grudges (secondary emotions) against
others. Through another set of observations, Webster was able to perceive
homosexual activities between females in a cattle herd when they were in
estrus. All of this, and more, is explained in depth in Webster’s, “Animal
Welfare: Limping Towards Eden”. More substantially, Webster also ran tests to
test a cow’s ability to solve puzzles, and as a result witnessed a cow’s
ability to express joy and pleasure (primary emotions). In the video following,
these are just some ways in which individuals have witnessed just how
intelligent a cow could be:
"The Interesting Inner Lives and High Intelligence of Cows"
Just like the individuals in this video, our society
is starting to see past cows’ primary emotions sigh as fear, distress, and
flight, to notice the secondary emotions that are evidently present such as
happiness, as some may argue is seen in this video:
"Tap Dancing Cow"
These observations and evidence may help in several
aspects including in production levels. For example, there were studies done to
observe the effect on production levels of dairy cows in “comfortable
conditions” and not so comfortable conditions. It was concluded that cows
placed in environments with less environmental stressors and more comfortable
bedding were more likely to produce more milk at high quality (University of
Kentucky- College of Agriculture). However, with further evidence of emotional
diversity in cattle becoming present came more demonstrations of speciesism in
media, especially within ads and commercials.
With growing
importance on the issues of animal welfare in farming and even for companion
animals, individuals everywhere are starting to realize the trends of
speciesism between differing species. With cows, someone could easily argue why
there is not same consideration or equal treatment for dairy cows as there is
for companion horses. Even more evident, why the process of cauterizing dogs'
tails vs cows' tails is so different. Although companion animals such as dogs
get anesthesia gas during these surgeries, cows are regularly cauterized by
simply using heated scissors and this is done unanesthetized. The same goes for
castration techniques between cattle and companion animals. Why is there a
considerably larger deliberation for the dog's well-being than the cattle's
during these medical procedures? Although it may be argued that it is because
of the differences in history and culture between these animals, there still
seems to be great debate on whether differing degrees of treatment is
justified. Cows may have been used in the past for agricultural purposes as
opposed to dogs who were (starting long ago) rose for companion purposes. Even
more evident in the world today, whereas there is an estimated 78.2 million
owned dogs in the U.S, there may be no cows residing at the foot of people's
beds here currently, nonetheless around the world. These aspects may have
played a role in our society's differing treatment and views on cows versus say
companion animals we keep closer. But some individuals, such as animal
activists, may argue otherwise in that they believe equal treatment should be
put upon all animals as humans are given no matter the past culture of use and
treatment.
Tail docking is a practice used in cattle production to prevent injury or infection of the tail or udder.
The earliest form of art
representing cows and other livestock appeared on rock art motifs. Not
surprisingly, these drawings originated around the time of the Mesolithic
period sometimes simply regarded as the transitional period between Paleolithic
hunting and foraging to the farming, Neolithic period. These drawings of bison
and later, cattle, appeared all around the world ranging from Australia to North Africa.
These “cave paintings” changed continuously reflecting environmental changes
including prey availability within these regions due to extinction or natural
inhabitants. As time progressed, more and more rock art motifs represented the
introduction of domestic animals, including but not limited to cattle. Being so
that the popular subjects of hunters, herdsmen, and breeders during this time
period were animals, the depictions found in Africa were teeming of fauna,
rivers, lakes, the plains with roaming cattle, and even the Savannah and its
inhabitants.
Cows and Horses were some of the major resources obtained via hunting in the Mesolithic period. The "cave paintings" found during this time period reflected cattle and other domestic species being hunted.
This representation of the relation between humans and cattle between 9,000-8000 and 3000 BCE was found in the Laas Gaal (Geel) cave and rock shelters in Somaliland, Africa.
A more modern representation of cows, the "Cow Parade" is the single largest public art event in the world ranging over 50 cities worldwide since 1999. It is estimated that over 100 million people came from around the world to witness the famous cows displayed throughout the host city of choosing, and plenty of local artists from around the world participated in painting and "decorating:, if you will, the plaster cow sculptures that start out blank. However, artists are not limited to painters, but also includes architects, designers like Kate Spade, celebrity artists like Radiohead, and even movie directors like David Lynch. However, people may wonder why the corporation has chosen cattle as an initial medium. The creators chose cows simply because they are "universally loved animals" and represent different things to different people around the world ranging from being a sacred animal to even a source of prosperity. As the creators put it, "She simply makes everyone smile". They also felt that the three shapes offered by the cow (standing, grazing, and reclining) offered "subtle, yet interesting angles and curves" that created unique challenges to the work of art for the artists, hence contributing to the fact that worldwide, no two are alike! Not only do they offer a grand site for the public to see, but this particular art exhibition has risen over $20 million for non-profit organizations worldwide via traditional art auctions where these cow sculptures were sold. Some of the buyers are well known individuals such as Oprah Winfrey and Elton John. Below is the video of the creative process of Sadie Rapp meanwhile designing and creating Sprinkles, one of the many cow exhibits that were displayed.
"Sprinkles the Krispy Kreme Challenge Cow is Born; NC Cow Parade; Sadie Rapp"
"Penny, The Amazing Coin Converting Cow"- Debbie Martz
"The Story of the Black Cow" is an old Himalayan Tale about a little stepson who was tossed into the wrong hands. Having had a wicked stepmother, this child turned to a single black cow for consoling advice and relief from his current struggles. In response, the cow nurtured and raised him as her own for many years till the day he was taken by a princess to be wed. Although the story's plot is more complex, the basic trend appeared to be the motherly nature of the cow. This tale and others with cattle characters have an underlying tenor in which they appear to parallel the cow species with the maturing of a young character once dependent on them. Even in the more familiar tale of "Jack and the Beanstalk", the cow's milk symbolizes the weaning process, marking the end of Jack's childhood and infancy, hence his "responsible" adventure. And, as the stories continue so did the relation between maturity and the cow species.
These Himalayan cows are being used as a primary means of backpacking
essentials needed for their travels.
From the opposite side of the world comes the well-known Korean folktale of "Lazy, The Cow" in which yet again, the cow is related to the transcending from childhood to adulthood and responsibility. A lazy boy with no respect for his mother or her hard work is met by a man who tricks the boy into turning into a cow. In his years of turmoil and labor as a working cow, he later realizes his disrespect for his mother, and the apparent lackadaisical lifestyle he carried. Once he was morphed back to human, he led an ambitious life, grown up to be a mature man.
The lazy boy is tricked into becoming a cow and forced to work, later
making him appreciate his mother and change his careless lifestyle.
This analogy may have been brought forth by the mere role of the cow in old societies. Throughout the world, societies as a whole have depended on them to provide them with food, warmth, work power, and prosperity. Being one of the first domesticated species to provide peoples with these novelties may have set forth an association of cows with wisdom, nurturing behavior, and continuance to a more modern and advanced society and lifestyle. In other words, many societies would relate that without the support of the cow species, their societies would fall in health and prosperity. Their role as working animals may have also contributed to this image of cows due to the fact that they were considered "leaders" as they were strapped to carriages and plowing mechanisms. Their strength, stature, and guiding abilities apparent in their work made them a strong candidate for characters responsible for influence, education, and support.
