Cow (cow) - Cow

Japanese: ウシ(牛) - ウシ

A mammal of the Bovidae family in the order Artiodactyla. In a broad sense, it includes the genus Buffalo and the genus Caprifolius, but generally refers to the genus Bovidae, especially domestic cattle. It is the most widely kept animal, and its origin as a domestic animal is said to date back to the Neolithic period. There are two types: the European cattle and the Zebu cattle. The European cattle are believed to have been domesticated from the extinct Aurochs (distributed in Europe and North Africa). There are many varieties, all of which have sturdy bodies with low necks and wattles below them. Both sexes have horns that are circular in cross section. There are two pairs of nipples. There are no incisors on the upper jaw, and the canines on the lower jaw are incisor-shaped. The stomach is divided into four chambers and is for ruminating. Depending on the purpose, they are classified as dairy, meat, labor, etc. [Dairy breeds] Generally, they have thin bones and are thin, but they have large udders and produce a lot of milk. Representative breeds include the Holstein, Jersey, and Guernsey. [Beef breeds] Generally have thick bones, are sturdy, and produce a lot of meat. Well-known breeds include the Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, and Charolais, which originated in the UK. Japanese Wagyu cattle are mostly of the zebu lineage and are used for both draft and meat purposes. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, Brown Swiss, Aberdeen Angus, and Simmental breeds were imported from Europe and improved. Currently, there are varieties such as Japanese Black, Horned, and Brown. Japanese Black (originally Tajima, Jinseki, and Chiya cattle) are mainly bred in the Chugoku region, and their meat is very tasty. Horned and Brown were improved and bred in Yamaguchi and Kumamoto prefectures, respectively.
→ Related topics Livestock

Source : Heibonsha Encyclopedia About MyPedia Information

Japanese:

偶蹄(てい)目ウシ科の哺乳(ほにゅう)類。広義にはスイギュウ属，ヤギュウ属も含めるが，ふつうウシ属のもの，特に家畜牛をいう。最も広く飼われ，家畜としての起源は新石器時代といわれる。ヨーロッパウシとコブウシの２系統がある。ヨーロッパウシは絶滅したオーロックス（ヨーロッパ，北アフリカに分布）を飼いならしたものとされている。多くの品種があり，いずれも体は頑丈(がんじょう)で，頸(くび)は低く，その下に肉垂がある。角は雌雄ともにあり，断面は円形。乳頭は２対。上顎には門歯がなく，下顎の犬歯は門歯状。胃は４室に分かれ，反芻(はんすう)する。用途により乳用，肉用，労役用などに分けられる。〔乳用種〕　一般に骨が細く，やせているが乳房は大きく，乳量が多い。ホルスタイン種，ジャージー種，ガーンジー種などが代表的。〔肉用種〕　一般に骨が太く，頑丈で肉量が多い。英国原産のショートホーン種，ヘレフォード種，アバディーン・アンガス種，シャロレー種などが著名。日本の和牛はコブウシの系統で役肉兼用のものが多く，明治〜大正時代にヨーロッパからブラウンスイス種，アバディーン・アンガス種，シンメンタール種などを輸入して品種改良を行った。現在では黒毛和種，無角和種，褐毛(あかげ)和種などの品種がある。黒毛和種（但馬(たじま)牛，神石牛，千屋牛などが原牛）はおもに中国地方で飼育され，肉の味がはなはだよい。無角・褐毛和種はそれぞれ山口県と熊本県で改良作出された。
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