Cattle, Buffalo, and Bison

Cattle, buffalo, and bison belong to the Bovidae family of oxenlike animals. Cattle include both the humpless Bos taurus (comprising the socalled European breeds) and the humped Bos indicus (known as Zebu cattle); both are of the same species in that they are fully interfertile. Buffalo, or Asiatic or water buffalo, include the river buffalo and swamp buffalo. Bison come in three varieties (interfertile and hence of the same species), namely the European wood bison, the American plains bison, and the American wood bison; while the latter two are commonly referred to as buffalo, they are actually more closely related to cattle than to the Asiatic buffalo. Cattle, Asiatic buffalo, and bison constitute three of the five genera in this family, the other two being the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the yak (Poephagus grunniens), although the latter is sometimes classified in the same genus as cattle (Bos). All are herbivores, dependent solely on plant material for their nutrition. Furthermore, they are ruminants, having the ability to rapidly ingest their food and to subsequently regurgitate and rechew it. The first of their four stomach compartments, the rumen, is used for microbial fermentation of plant material, some of which would not otherwise be digestible. All the animals are fourfooted and have split hooves. Both male and female have horns, except for those with a genetic variation leading to polled (hornless) animals. They have a keen sense of smell, and good sight and hearing. They are herd animals and generally produce a single offspring annually; when nutritionally or metabolically stressed, they may calve every other year. They usually give birth in the spring, except for intensively managed cattle, which can do so year-round. Cattle evolved on the plains and forests of Europe and Asia. Bos taurus was first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent 6000 b.c.e. and Bos indicus independently in south Asia, probably India, about one thousand years later. They were likely first domesticated for religious purposes, and they are still considered sacred in India. They subsequently were developed for work (such as pulling carts and riding), milk, and meat. Their hides were used for shelter and clothing. In addition, their manure is used for fertilizer and, when dried, for fuel. Currently, they are the most numerous livestock species in the world, numbering 1.3 billion, and are found in most areas of the world, except Antarctica. Depending on the breed and nutrition, mature males weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds (450 to 1,350 kilograms).Worldwide, cattle produce 85 percent of the milk consumed by humans. In developed countries, cattle have been highly selected for milk or meat production, leading to specialized breeds. Holstein-Friesian is the primary dairy cattle breed, while Hereford, Angus, and Brahman are three well-known beef cattle breeds; the latter is a Bos indicus breed. Various crossbred and regional varieties exist. The transportation of feed grains permits cattle to be raised in areas that would otherwise not support them. The Asiatic buffalo evolved in the forests and swamps of south and east Asia. It was also probably domesticated in two locations, the river buffalo on the Indian subcontinent 3000 b.c.e. and the swamp buffalo in east or southeast Asia about one thousand years later. Depending on the breed and nutrition, the mature male buffalo can weigh up to two thousand pounds (nine hundred kilograms). It lacks ahumpand a dewlap. Like cattle, it is used for work, meat, milk, clothing, fertilizer, and fuel. While most of the world's 150 million buffalo are still found in Asia, some are around the Mediterranean (Italy and Egypt), in eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia), Brazil, and Australia. In the developing world, its use as a work animal is paramount, particularly in plowing rice paddies. However, breeds of river buffalo have been selected for milk production and account for fully half of the milk production in India. Mozzarella cheese was originally made from buffalo milk in Italy, and the very best continues to be so made. The bison evolved in the colder regions of Europe and Central Asia; it came to North America over a land bridge from Asia during the last ice age. It was never domesticated, in large measure because of its unpredictable behavior, including a tendency to stampede. The European wood bison was hunted nearly to extinction and only survives in a few small herds. After the last ice age and the demise of mammoths, the bison was the largest animal in the Western Hemisphere; the mature male weighs around two thousand pounds (nine hundred kilograms). In 1500 c.e., over forty million bison roamed the plains and woods of North America. The Plains Indians depended on the bison for food, shelter, clothing, and fuel. With the completion of the transcontinental railroad, the American bison was decimated for meat, hide, sport, and sometimes no apparent reason. By the end of the nineteenth century, fewer than one thousand survived. However, conservation efforts by the American Bison Society were successful and today over 200,000 animals are found in hundreds of herds, including twenty-five with more than 500 animals each. The Bronx Zoo was particularly important in preserving seventy-seven animals from five founding herds, fromwhich most American bison today are descended.

Comparison of Cattle and Buffalo
Compared to cattle, the Asiatic buffalo is bigboned, massive, and set on strong legs with large hooves. It can pull heavier loads, but is slower. It is better suited to muddy conditions because of its larger hooves and lower susceptibility to foot rot; accordingly, it is much more useful in working flooded rice paddies. On the other hand, its hooves are softer; if used extensively on hard surfaces, it must have its hooves protected by metal plates, wooden shoes, or straw pads. Perhaps surprisingly in view of its origin in the hot and humid areas of Asia, the buffalo is more susceptible to heat stress because of its limited sweat glands. It is best worked in the early morning or evening and must have access to water or mud to wallow in and dissipate heat. It is not tolerant of cold because it lacks hair and the added insulation it provides. It is relatively slow growing and, hence, is not as efficient as a producer of meat. Under similar environments and management in the Third World, buffalo and cattle produce similar amounts of milk. In the developed world, the milk production of buffalo is much lower, probably because of the greater genetic selection that has been practiced on dairy cattle. Its hide is very thick and tough; this appears to provide some protection from tick-borne diseases. The disposition of swamp buffalo, especially, is very placid, with its care often entrusted to children. However, it does have a strong hunger reflex and requires heavier fencing than cattle generally do.

Comparison of Bison with Cattle and Buffalo
Compared with cattle and the Asiatic buffalo, the bison has never been domesticated. However, it can be farmed, and around 90 percent of the animals are currently in private herds. Compared with cattle and buffalo, it is the most homogeneous in terms of color, with mature animals often a dark brown, although a few white bison do occur. While it will charge to defend itself, its preferred defense is to run; it can maintain a speed of thirty-five miles per hour (fifty-six kilometers per hour) for half an hour. Because of its hardiness, it can survive severe winters, with temperatures down to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 degrees Celsius). It is easily more cold tolerant than the buffalo and even most cattle. It is susceptible to many diseases that affect cattle, specifically brucellosis, which causes abortions in cattle and undulant fever in humans. Controlling the disease in wild animals is more difficult than in cattle. Accordingly, it is important to keep bison and cattle separate unless both are known to be brucellosis-free. Bison require sturdier fencing than do cattle and probably buffalo.