Farm Facts - 6 Things Most People Don’t Know About Cows

The average person driving past cows in a field likely doesn’t think much about their lives, behaviors, benefits, or personalities. Cows are cows, and while you might buy the products they produce – like milk and beef – that doesn’t mean you know much about them. 

However, cows are curious creatures, and there’s certainly value in finding out more about them. Get set to be surprised by some of the odd habits and sweet behaviors these gentle giants exhibit. 

They Produce Different Types Of Milk

Many people with milk intolerances or sensitivities have resigned themselves to a dairy-free lifestyle. However, a2 milk offers some promise in that respect. Regular milk contains beta-casein a1 and a2, whereas a2 milk only features a2. Some studies have shown that a2 milk may be more beneficial to your overall health while being easier for people with milk intolerances to digest. 

Cows Are Social

Think back to every encounter with cows you’ve ever had. You likely never saw them alone. Like humans, cows are social creatures. They rarely like to be by themselves, and if they are, it’s either because they’re sick or ready to give birth. 

Many studies have documented how a cow’s social hierarchy impacts its productivity. As a result, farmers are often encouraged to create herd sizes based on how well a group can form a stable social order through herd mate recognition. 

They Chew A Lot

Chewing on chewing gum for an hour can make your jaw hurt. However, that’s nothing compared to cows who spend their lives chewing up to 50 times a minute. Cows will move their jaws up to 40,000 times a day, for up to eight hours of total chew time. 

They have 32 teeth but no upper front teeth, which means when eating food, they rely on the sharpness of their bottom teeth to cut the grass against the harder top plates of their mouths. 

They Eat A Lot

If cows chew a lot, it’s because they eat a lot. Cows are cud-chewing mammals that can eat up to 40 pounds of food per day. Their main stomach (the rumen) is big enough to hold up to 50 gallons of food. This is about as much water as the average bathtub can hold! 

Ear Tags Are Helpful

Nearly all cows you’ll see have tags on their ears. As you probably already know, these tags aren’t fashion statements. They actually tell farmers a lot of helpful information about each cow. By inputting the number into their systems, they can learn about the cow’s weight, date of birth, age, gender, and other valuable information. Numbers also allow farmers to make mental notes to follow up on if they notice anything strange about a cow during milking. 

They Have Strange Sleep Habits

Unless you’re a farmer who has spent a lot of time around cows, you may not be familiar with their sleeping habits. More often than not, you just catch a fleeting glimpse as you drive past a field. 

It may surprise you to learn that cows will spend about 10 hours a day lying down. They will also stand up and lie back down again over a dozen times in between meals. While cows do generally lie down to sleep, some people have reported seeing them sleeping standing up. 

Even if you don’t usually think about cows as you drive past them, you won’t be able to help it now. Your mind will be filled with information about their social circles, a2 milk, bathtub-sized stomachs, and unique sleeping habits.