If we use the word "cattle" not only for the cow and steer, but for other members of the cattle family — such as the yak and buffalo — then cattle are by far the most important domesticated animals on
earth.

This single creature provides man with his number-one work animal, half of all his meat, 80% of his leather, and 95% of his milk!

Cattle were one of the earliest animals to be domesticated, second only perhaps to the dog. Used at first only for milk and for work, cattle did not become man's source of beef until a few centuries ago.