Tag: Steer

Approximately 300 million cattle are slaughtered each year for food globally, and yes, female cows are part of this process. While the beef industry often focuses on young male steers and heifers for high-quality cuts, mature female dairy and beef cows also contribute significantly to the overall beef supply, typically destined for ground meat and other processed products.

The word "beef" traces its roots to the Old French "buef," a distinction introduced by the Norman conquerors of England, who used the term for the meat consumed by the upper classes. This linguistic history reveals that answering "Is beef just cow meat?" requires understanding the broader term "cattle."