livestock, farm animals, with the exception ofpoultry. In Western countries the categoryencompasses primarily cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, and mules; other animals, such as buffalo, oxen, llamas, or camels, may predominate in the agriculture of other areas. By the 21st century, livestock made up slightly more than1/9 of allvertebratebiomass. Estimates suggest that themass ofEarth’s livestock, some 100 million metric tons (about 110 million tons), is more than that ofhuman beings, wildbirds, and wildmammals put together.

A brief treatment of livestock follows. For information on individualspecies,seealpaca, buffalo,camel,cattle,cow,donkey,goat,horse,llama,ox,pig,reindeer,sheep,water buffalo, andyak.

Cattle (genusBos) make up the largest livestock group worldwide. Among those prominent inbeef production areHereford,Shorthorn, andAngus. The chiefdairy cattle breeds areHolstein-Friesian,Brown Swiss,Ayrshire,Jersey, andGuernsey. Cattlefeed primarily on pasture bygrazing, but in modernfarming their diet is ordinarily supplemented with preparedanimal feeds. Cattle are sometimes used asdraft animals, particularly in small-scale farming and in less developed regions.

Britannica Quiz

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Sheep (genusOvis) were among the firstanimals to bedomesticated, perhaps as early as 10,000bce. Some 200 breeds are recognized. Closely related to goats, sheep are raised primarily for the fleece orwool of their coats, formeat (mutton and lamb), and, to a lesser degree, formilk. Like cattle, sheep graze for theirfood, eating both short, finegrasses and coarse, brushy weeds.

Pigs, or domesticswine (family Suidae), have been raised for their meat (pork) since ancient times. There are more than 300 breeds worldwide. In theUnited States the termhog is used for swine weighing more than 54 kg (120 pounds), and the animals, regardless of breed, are classified for marketing purposes aslard,bacon, or pork types, the lard types being the heaviest.Corn is usually the basic feed for pigs, althoughwheat,sorghum,oats, andbarley are often included in their diet.

Goats (genusCapra) are raised for their milk and its by-products and for meat, hides, andwool. The numerous breedsconstitute three major groups: the prick-eared (e.g., Swiss); the eastern (e.g., Nubian); and the wool (e.g.,Angora [mohair] and Cashmere). Goats eat pasture grass,alfalfa or otherhays, and feeds made from grain.

Horses (Equus caballus), first intensively domesticated inCentral Asia, are bred not only as livestock but also for riding, show, and racing. As livestock, horses are used for farm work or for riding, the latter especially on large cattle ranches. The numerous breeds may be classified according to place of origin (e.g.,Clydesdale,Arabian), by their principal use (e.g., riding, draft), or by outward appearance (light, heavy, pony). Horses feed on grass and other pasture growths, and their diets are usuallysupplemented with hays, grain (primarilyoats), and other nutritive feeds.

Get Unlimited Access

Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.

Subscribe

Donkeys (Equus asinus), also called asses, andmules, the hybrids formed by crossbreeding a male donkey and a female horse, are used as work animals on many farms. Sure-footed and strong, they are often employed as saddle mounts as well.