Abstract This paper provides a history of the Texas Longhorn breed of cattle and the cattle ranching industry in Texas. The paper discusses the origins of the Texas Longhorn, explains why this particular breed thrived so well in Texas and looks at the history of cattle ranching in Texas, explaining that it was Texas's production of beef for the Confederacy that started the industry in the first place. The paper also describes the more famous trails used to herd cattle, the round-up that took place before driving the cattle across the trails and life on the range. Additionally, the paper discusses the impact of the cattle trade on the American economy and examines the cattle industry in America today.
Table of Contents
Arrival of Cattle in the Americas
Cattle Trade
Impacts of the Cattle Trade
Cattle Industry in America Today
From the Paper "In Texas, the climate conditions and the range conditions were ideal for the raising of cattle, and perhaps this was why Texas became so very good in cattle rearing and farming. In addition, there was a liberal land system in Texas at the time, and this made it easy to acquire land, which everyone did. Soon, small acreage owners began to let their cattle graze on unoccupied lands, and others who had invested most of their money in cattle, came to depend on the open ranges for pastures. Even though some cattle were used to feed the soldiers of the Confederate Troops at that time, for the most part, the cattle were all left alone, and they grew in numbers as well as in size, and according to estimates, there were about five million longhorns at the end of the Civil War. The Longhorns in fact had long legs, and lanky bodies, that seemed to have been designed for speed, and because of the fact that for centuries these cattle had been allowed to run wild, they had developed into creatures that could withstand droughts and blizzards and other adversities with ease. In addition, they did not need much water to survive, and they had strong horizontal horns that could attack when provoked."
Tags: single, ancestor, auroch, domesticated, devon, purebred, explorers, great, plains
Abstract The objective of this work is to explore the aspects of raising beef cattle for 'profit' in the area of the United States that is comprised of Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and other areas of the Southeastern United States. It examines the factors that have the potential to affect costs and profits and ultimately examines the feeding methods through a compare and contrast analysis of 'grain' fed cattle and 'grass' fed cattle in relation to cost, health and profitability.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Changes in the Cattle Business over the Past Two Decades
Challenges and Difficulties in Raising Beef Cattle Herds
Profit And Loss Considerations in Raising Beef Cattle Grain-Fed versus Grass/Pasture-Fed Beef
Nutritional Differences in Grass- And Grain-Fed Beef
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The cattle business is not a livelihood that can be scheduled on a clock for indeed just as the beef cattleman has decided to head in from the barns and fields it is time for a calf to be born, or a calf has been born and rejected by its' mother requiring bottle-feeding every few hours and around the clock. Other difficulties are illustrated in the fence that the cattle broke at 3:00 a.m. or the sick cow that must be 'put down' in order to keep infection from the rest of the herd. While the cattle business is rewarding and has the potential to be, very profitable it is not a business for those who tend to be lackadaisical or for the faint at heart. "
A proposal to study the effects of supplemental lighting on the reproductive functions of dairy cattle through changes induced in melatonin production.
Abstract Melatonin is a substance that is used in the husbandry of a variety of producing animals in agriculture. The substance is available for such applications as both injections and implants for the purpose of boosting melatonin levels in production animals. Alternatively, some research has indicated that melatonin production in agricultural animals can be increased through the use of supplemental light. This paper proposes a study to determine the effect of supplemental lighting on melatonin production in dairy cattle and to determine the effects of increased levels of melatonin production in dairy cattle on the productive output of such cattle. The paper also includes a literature review of the subject.
From the Paper "In the contemporary period, diary farmers face increasing economic pressures through the interaction of demands for reduced market prices and increased costs of production inputs. Government subsidies no longer can be relied upon to provide stability in dairy farming. Thus, dairy farmers must seek ways to improve the productivity of their operations where possible. A failure to identify and implement effective strategies to improve productivity will lead to further declines in agriculture generally and for the quality of rural life more specifically."
Explores the destruction of the Amazon rain forest from the perspective of the commercial beef growers ,as well as from the perspective of the ecological advocates.
Abstract As the world becomes more crowded, it is becoming evident that decisions have to be made regarding resources available to mankind. One of the points of controversy in today's battle between saving our natural resources and providing for man's future is the battle over the Amazon rain forest. The paper shows that the Amazon rain forest is currently providing areas for cattle to graze, which, of course, provides food for immediate need. However, the rain forest also has a large potential impact on the survival of mankind in the future, as long as it is not destroyed today. The paper describes the tug of war that exists between the cattle ranchers, who are clearing the land now, and the ecologists, who are trying to stop the destruction of the forest. Sociological and ecological themes conflict as the arguments and competition continue.
From the Paper "According to ecological research there is already 16 percent of the forest gone through destruction., This is equal to 1.6 million square miles of forest. The ecologists believe that the destruction has sped up the global warming process which in turn is speeding up other future problems for the world. The argument between the cattle ranchers and the ecologists is centered on this and other consequences of the ranchers efforts(Brazil, 2003)."
This paper discusses mad cow disease, a virulent cattle disease, which led to the destruction of 180,000 livestock in the United Kingdom and other European countries and plunged other major cattle-producing nations into a global panic.
Abstract This paper explains that mad cow disease is bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, a fatal brain disorder in cattle caused by a still-unknown agent. The author points out that U.K. reports also listed other animals as having been infected by TSEs, including domestic cats, mice, hamsters, goats, mink, monkeys, pigs, and some exotic species of the cat family. The paper reports that there is also suspicion that mad cow can be spread through human blood; therefore, the American Red Cross bans blood donations from people who have lived abroad, especially from those who spent as few as three months in the UK between 1980 and 1996.
From the Paper "The disease spread to cattle in other countries through infected animal feed UK exported to them within that decade. These countries in Europe alone included Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland (Lohn), which were reported to have at least one infected cow each. The UK also supplied animal feed to South Africa and non-European countries at that time, extending the reach Mad Cow beyond Europe and making it a global health scare."
Abstract The writer of this well-researched paper details the health risks which can and do result, due to the use of hormones in the beef produced in America and around the world. This paper traces the use of hormones in beef back to the 1970s, when the U.S. began using hormones to accelerate the growth rate of animals in an effort to conserve time and money. The writer contends that over 95% of the cattle in the U.S. are currently being administered growth promoting hormones. This paper examines the ongoing conflict between the U.S., the European Union and Canada over the ban on cattle products produced with growth hormones. Since the 1950s, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been researching the effects of growth hormones and it, as well as other scientific experts, have found that there is no difference between beef raised on hormones and those raised without. This paper delves into the various FDA laws which permit the use of hormones in restricted amounts. The writer of this paper also focuses on the health risks involved with the ingestion of these hormones. Scientists and health experts contend that any increase in the level of hormones, above that which occurs naturally in humans, carries a potential risk of carcinogenic effects.
From the Paper "Beginning in the 1970's the United State's meat industry began using hormones to improve the growth rate of animals in an effort to conserve time and money. In 1981, the European Union began restricting the use of growth hormones within the Union itself, and also began restricting the import of meat and meat products derived from cattle that had been given hormones. During the past years, the European Union have updated and/or amended its regulations several times, generally to include more hormones, however, for the most part, the regulations have remained the same. The dispute at the World Trade Organization concerns the use of six scientifically approved hormones used for cattle growth promotion, estradiol, melengestrol acetate, progesterone, testosterone, trenbolone acetate, and zeranol."
Abstract The paper looks at the main causes of rainforest deforestation, which are logging, agriculture and cattle grazing. The paper reveals that Japan has the highest amount of rainforest product consumption in the world and discusses the country's proposed road that is contributing to further deforestation. The paper then discusses the loss of tribal plant knowledge but focuses on the Yanomami tribe who are helpless as the government, Brazilian soldiers, poachers, cattle ranchers and other invaders continue to destroy their homeland, culture and health. The paper concludes that because we care for our own well-being and survival, we must care for the survival of the forests which is essential for present and future generations.
From the Paper "Rainforests are the richest, oldest, most productive and complex land ecosystems on our planet. These humid and dense forests are home to over half the wild animal and plant species in existence. Rainforests are filled with all kinds of biological treasures that include hundreds of thousands of plant, animal, and insect species, most which have not yet been discovered. Biologist Norman Myers notes, "Rainforests are the finest celebration of nature ever known on the planet." They help to control the balance of atmospheric gases and have an immense impact on the world's climates. Earth's rainforests are commonly referred to as the "lungs of our planet." The turnover of oxygen that the hundreds of thousands of plant species in the rainforests produce is one of our primary defenses against global warming and the greenhouse effect. Rainforests regulate the flow of water to rivers and lakes, and release water into the atmosphere to form rain clouds. It is no exaggeration to say that future life on this planet may depend on their survival."
Abstract This paper explores the social, economic and political consequences of beef, as depicted in Jeremy Rifkin's "Beyond Beef: the Rise and Fall of the Cattle Culture".
Abstract This paper explains that Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove, which won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, is filled with scenes of western action and colorful western characters of all kinds; however, it is really about the problems and aspirations that challenge people in almost any time or place. The author points out that, when defining the word "quest" as an adventurous journey, the plot of "Lonesome Dove" has at least two literal quests: (1) The central narrative concerning the main characters' efforts to drive cattle from their home in Texas to a new frontier in Montana and (2) the journey of one main characters to fulfill the last wish of the other main character by taking his dead body back to Texas for burial. The paper relates that, when "quest" is defined as a pursuit, the entire novel can be seen as a quest in which the characters pursue things they don't have but deeply need or want such as trying to forget terrible past realities.
From the Paper "Captain Call's quest to bury his friend back in Texas is successful, but it is marked by self-discoveries he cannot tolerate. Before departing for the long trek back to Texas, Call leaves young Newt Dobbs in charge of the new Montana ranch. He also gives him his rifle, his favorite horse, and his father's watch. He does these things because he is not sure he will ever return and because Newt is his son. But even then, after years, after all that has happened, including the death of his best friend, Call cannot bring himself to admit to this young man that he is Call's illegitimate child by a prostitute mother. For much of the remainder of the book, Call berates himself for his dishonesty and his hypocrisy--remember that he has never tolerated dishonesty in others."
Abstract Mad Cow Disease is a brain disease of cattle, which was first identified in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s. Although not as widespread as some other livestock diseases, such as hoof-and mouth-disease, the Mad Cow Disease has attracted a lot of publicity because of its apparent apparent ability to transmit to humans, the fact that there is no known cure for the disease and the horrifying nature of the brain decay it causes. This paper explains the cause of the disease, how it affects the organisms, how it is transmitted from one organism to another, and the ways in which it could be transmitted to humans. The paper also discusses the human equivalents of the disease.
Paper Outline:
Cause of the Disease
How the Disease Affects the Organism
How is the Disease Transmitted from one Organism to Another
The Ways in Which it Could be Transmitted from Cows to Humans
Human Equivalents of the Disease
Works Cited
From the Paper "This theory about the spread of disease is based on the observation that incidences of the disease have mostly been found in the UK where feeding of meat and bone meal to cattle was most common. Although other European countries also fed meat and bone meals to cattle as a protein supplement, the British laws about high temperature sterilization of the protein meal were relatively lax in order to keep meat prices competitive."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Pfizer's Animal Health Group, which must develop a solution that allows it to maintain its brand reputation and profitability in its animal health business despite growing price pressure in the cattle market. The paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Pfizer.
Outline:
Problem Statement
Situation Analysis
Major Strategic Alternatives
Decision Criteria
Analysis of Alternatives
Recommended Solution
From the Paper "A final alternative is to help ranchers build value for their beef. Currently, beef is a commodity product where cheaper is better. Experts predict that the beef industry will engage in more marketing and more development of ready-to-eat products in the near future, and perhaps consumers will be interested in branded beef that they know is of a high quality (Cravens and Piercy, 509). The advantage of this strategy is that it could ease pressure on beef prices and even force ranchers to use Pfizer's premium products to meet the new standards. The disadvantage is that there is a risk that consumers and meatpackers won't be interested in the program."
Abstract The paper explains factory farming to be an environmentally destructive way of producing food at a lower cost. The paper discusses the toxic runoff and the lagoons that store waste disposal and shows how they harm the environment. The paper paints a vivid picture of the cruel treatment of pigs and cows and reveals the abundant use of hormones and antibiotics given to cows, as well as the shocking types of foods cattle are being fed. The paper thus shows how factory farming has damaging effects on our environment as well as on our health.
From the Paper "Factory farming is an environmentally destructive way of producing food at a lower cost for food manufacturers that has recently been developed within the last fifty years. The environmental, social and moral consequences of creating food in this harmful way have recently been the target of scrutiny from the American public as well as many other populations across the world. Industrial agriculture and factory farming methods vary depending on what type of meat and or product is being produced, but the general objective of these industries share a common goal: to produce as much product in as little time possible with as little effort and money spent in the process. Factory farming has had negative effects on not only the health of the animals themselves, but the communities, landscapes and cultures surrounding them as well."
Abstract This paper explains that the cowboy ("vaqueros", Spanish,which evolved from the root word, "vaca" meaning cow) was first introduced in 1598 in the United States then known as the New Mexico Kingdom. The author points out that the American cowboys of the late 1800's trail drives came from Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Gaelic roots in the British Isles thus their distinctive lingo was based generally on the English language; their poems and songs are a part of the old tradition of balladry, the modern form of which is called western music. The paper relates that modern cowboys are still working in comfortable homes with their families, use advanced technology and husbandry in working cattle, use horses on the range but trucks are more common and helicopters and airplanes are used to supplement horses in herding cattle
From the Paper "Equestrians, mounted horsemen, date back to 4000 B.C. and can be seen in Mesolithic representations of halters on domesticated horses. Archaeological evidence of horsemen in Spain can be found in rock art dating before 2000 B.C. and "in fragments of Celtic weapons, horseshoes, bridle bits and prick spurs by 500 B.C.." Other evidence from this same era include "bent-knee riders in saddles of concave silhouette" that appear in Iberian stone carvings, bronze castings, and vase paintings. During the Middle Ages, mounted herdsmen were a frequent fixture on the semi-arid lands of Spain, but rare in many other European countries, such as England and France."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses that the primary reasons for imposing bans on U.S. beef products concern health issues relating to hormone-treated beef products. The writer also looks at the potential for human consumption of potentially harmful beef products resulting from cattle diseases such as Mad Cow. The writer points out that there are some politically charged factors involved in this issue. Further, the writer maintains that the U.S. beef industry is the leading competitor in this industry in the global marketplace, but the agricultural industry in general has been adversely affected in years past because of arbitrary bans from key trading partners such as the European Union. The writer notes that such bans may be based on a number of factors, including cultural perceptions of quality, politically motivated initiatives and the potential threats represented by cattle-borne diseases such as Mad Cow that are amplified by urban legend and the mainstream media. The writer concludes that the importance of the European Union to U.S. exporters means that such bans will have to be justified by more than just cultural lip service in the future, and U.S. exporters are going to increasingly demand that the Europeans put their money where they mouths are - literally.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Factors Influencing Trade Decisions for U.S. Beef Products
Conclusion
From the Paper "From the perspective of the U.S. beef industry, the European Union's standard is simply a politically motivated trade barrier that provides no actual health protection for European consumers but rather serves to inflate for them; by sharp contrast, the European controversy is fairly longstanding and began during the 1970s when a series of health scares in Europe caused created an atmosphere in which the public was increasingly concerned about the potential side effects of eating beef products that had been treated with hormones. A number of stories in the European press linked the consumption of hormone-treated beef to hormone-related health problems and some of the accounts simply fueled the fires with increasingly skeptical European consumers."
Abstract This paper discusses the different types of deforestation and their causes, and suggests various areas in which possible solutions may be found. Both tropical deforestation and dry forest clearing are addressed. Increased population growth, agribusiness, cattle ranching, and small-scale farming and wood collecting are among the reasons given for destruction of forests. Proposed solutions include a discussion of preservation policies, greater economic use of forests currently destroyed, and 'tolerant forest management'.
From the Paper "The deforestation of vegetation has been carried out for millennia, in all parts of the world inhabited by man. But in recent decades, with the growth of "green" issues in general, great concern has been raised about deforestation and it's causes, especially in developing countries, which do not safeguard their forests in the way the west usually does. The term deforestation is vague, which makes it difficult to define, record and make comparisons. But deforestation can generally be divided into two broad categories. These are tropical deforestation (the clearing of dense rainforests, usually for agricultural purposes) and dry forest clearing (where trees are generally cut for firewood (Todaro: 1997). We shall look here at the causes of deforestation in developing countries in all it's forms, and then hopefully outline possible solutions to the apparent destruction caused to the bio-diversity of plants and animals, and environmental stability. "
