Cattle are raised as livestock in small settlements in rural areas or in specialised farms. Their total numbers today are believed to be around 1.3 billion and raising every year as more are needed for the ever increasing population.
Although today the word cattle commonly refer to domesticated bovines, it has not always been the case. The word comes from Latin caput which meant movable personal property, especially livestock of any kind. It is also related to the Old French word chatel and interestingly capital in the economic sense. It is nowadays also colloquially called cow.
Cattle is very important livestock because of its very good ratio of produce/weight. They are primarily bred for meat (beef and veal), milk and other dairy products, and as draft animals for helping with pulling carts and the like. The meat of and adult cattle is known as beef and that of calves is veal. It is widely known that veal is a higher quality product that commands higher prices in the market, mainly because of the better taste and consistency that can only be achieved at earlier ages of the cattle.
Cattle Breeds Exporter
There are over 800 recorded cattle breeds in existence worldwide, most of which adapted to various climates and terrains. Some of them though were bred by humans specifically for specialised uses and increased ratio of meat/weight. There are two main subspecies of cattle breeds: zebu (Bos Taurus Indicus) and taurine (Bos Taurus Taurus). The so called taurine are the typical cattle of Europe. Their main characteristic is their good adaptation to cooler commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere. Zebu are mainly found in hot temperature regions.
Our livestock export service aims to meet all regulatory and quarantine requirements whether it’s in Ireland or one of our many European clients. Europe is a valuable market for Irish livestock exports and demand is growing. That’s why animal welfare is our main priority, as this ensures a sustainable business model.
At Wicklow Calf Company, it’s important that all animals commence their export journey to Europe with the appropriate standards in place.
Our team of qualified and professional veterinarians carry out a range of livestock health testing to ensure compliance with health requirements. We want to make sure your livestock is safe to be transported overseas. Rest assured, Irish cattle are amongst the healthiest in the world against disease.
We have opened a lot of new doors for the live trade of Irish livestock over the past years with supplying top quality stock for our customers. All this is done through our EU trained transport team with customers spanning from Spain, The Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom. Russia, France, the Middle East and most recently Algeria.
You are even welcome to scroll through our web page and view and select the livestock yourself. This way we offer you a fully transparent and authentic experience while showcasing the best Irish livestock.
We also offer aftercare services and advice that will guarantee your calves are properly housed, fed, and that their wellbeing is fully protected.
If you can think of it, we’ve thought of it too – we’re your one-stop calf shop, and we look forward to being of service. Contact us today for more information.