Bos Primigenius.
Yes, that is the Latin name for cows, as my husband so frequently corrects me. He likes to get all smart and college-y on me sometimes to remind me that he has a Bachelor's degree. Believe it or not - and maybe I just think so because I have fallen in love with cows in the past few years - but there are a lot of fun facts about Bos Primigenius. When I first moved out to Wyoming, my husband would excitedly point out how cute Hereford cows roaming around the desert were (you know, the red/brown and white ones?) I would kind of laugh then think, "Cows? Cute? I don't think so." However, when the cows started to calve and the little Hereford babies were all jumping and running around I couldn't think of a better word to describe cows other than CUTE!
Our little calf affectionately named Socks. (Yes, most people name their pets, not their cattle) Although not a Hereford, he's pretty cute!
We'll be seeing more calves in a few weeks!
My husband on a beautiful spring day in Wyoming. I think the cows are his second family.
Socks' mom.
Fun Facts about Cows:
Here's are a few fun facts about cows, or Bos Primigenius...I won't judge if you don't like to use the Latin name, I don't either.
-Cows age of maturity is 2 years old
-Gestation period is 9 months, like a human being
-A cow can climb up the stairs, but cannot climb down because her knees won't bend properly
-A cow stands up and sits down about 14 times a day
-A cow that weighs 1000 pounds can produce an average of 10 tons of manure each year (that's a lot of cow pucky...another one of my husband's favorite words)
-An average cow has more than 40,000 jaw moooovements in a day
-Cows are venerated in the Hindu religion of India
-Cows can drink up to 35 gallons of water a day
-Cows do not bite grass but rather they curl their tongues around it
Cows have almost total 360-degree panoramic vision
-Cows have an acute sense of smell and can smell something up to 6 miles away (that would explain why they come running from way across the field when I go to feed them in the morning...it's like when I smell coffee in the morning. I could be 6 miles away, but if I smell coffee, I come running.)
-The average body temperature of a cow is 101.5 degrees F.
-One gallon of ice cream requires 12 pounds of whole milk
-Sometimes cows sleep standing up
-29 cuts of beef meet government guidelines for lean
-Cattle are herbivores so they only have teeth on the bottom
-Raising cattle beef is the single largest segment of American agriculture
-Beef is the #1 source of protein, vitamin B12 and zinc
-The U.S. supplies 25% of the world's beef with 10% of the world's cattle
-Cows age of maturity is 2 years old
-Gestation period is 9 months, like a human being
-A cow can climb up the stairs, but cannot climb down because her knees won't bend properly
-A cow stands up and sits down about 14 times a day
-A cow that weighs 1000 pounds can produce an average of 10 tons of manure each year (that's a lot of cow pucky...another one of my husband's favorite words)
-An average cow has more than 40,000 jaw moooovements in a day
-Cows are venerated in the Hindu religion of India
-Cows can drink up to 35 gallons of water a day
-Cows do not bite grass but rather they curl their tongues around it
Cows have almost total 360-degree panoramic vision
-Cows have an acute sense of smell and can smell something up to 6 miles away (that would explain why they come running from way across the field when I go to feed them in the morning...it's like when I smell coffee in the morning. I could be 6 miles away, but if I smell coffee, I come running.)
-The average body temperature of a cow is 101.5 degrees F.
-One gallon of ice cream requires 12 pounds of whole milk
-Sometimes cows sleep standing up
-29 cuts of beef meet government guidelines for lean
-Cattle are herbivores so they only have teeth on the bottom
-Raising cattle beef is the single largest segment of American agriculture
-Beef is the #1 source of protein, vitamin B12 and zinc
-The U.S. supplies 25% of the world's beef with 10% of the world's cattle
The bottom line is, cows are pretty cool animals! Even though we raise beef cattle and they will eventually become our hamburger or steak, they are blessings that God has given us, our families, and our country to provide nutrition for us for years to come.
Oh, and here's a picture of me working the Bobcat Skidsteer from this day. So proud of myself.
Oh, and here's a picture of me working the Bobcat Skidsteer from this day. So proud of myself.
Have a fantastic day!
<3 Teresa
<3 Teresa