What's the Difference Between Dairy & Beef Cattle?

What’s the Difference Between Dairy Cattle and Beef Cattle?

Ever wondered why some cattle give us milk while others give us steak? It all comes down to their purpose and how they’re raised.

Let’s break down the differences between dairy cattle and beef cattle, so you can impress your friends with some farm knowledge next time the topic comes up!

Dairy Cattle: The Milk Machines

Their Purpose: Dairy cows are the ladies responsible for your morning cereal milk, cheese, and ice cream. They’re bred to produce a lot of milk—sometimes up to eight gallons a day!

Physical Traits: These gals are built lean and tall, with large udders that can store all that milk. Think of them as the marathon runners of the cow world—they’ve got to stay fit to keep the milk flowing.

Diet: Because they need to produce so much milk, dairy cows eat a special diet rich in energy-packed grains and forages. It’s like they’re on a high-protein, high-energy diet to keep up with the demands of milking.

Please know that there are 100% grass fed dairy cows, but they are few and far between. At Edwards Family Farms, animal healthy is our top priority and because we know our grass is not the best yet and understand the nutritional needs of our animal, we supplement our dairy girls with a high quality grain so they can live out a high quality life on our farm.

Farming Life: Dairy farming is a full-time gig. These cows need to be milked every day, sometimes twice a day, which means dairy farmers are always on the go. The focus here is all about keeping the milk supply steady and of high quality.

Beef Cows: The Meat Masters

Their Purpose: Beef cows, on the other hand, are raised for one thing—meat. When you’re grilling up a juicy steak or flipping a burger, you’ve got these cows to thank.

Physical Traits: Beef cows are the bodybuilders of the bovine world. They’re stocky and muscular, with a build designed for producing tender, flavorful meat. They’re built to bulk up, not to give milk.

Diet: Beef cows are typically raised on pasture, grazing on grass until they reach a certain weight. Some might be finished on grain to add that delicious marbling we all love in a good steak.

Farming Life: Raising beef cows is a bit more laid-back compared to dairy farming. These cows spend a lot of time grazing, and farmers focus on getting them to market weight. When it’s time, some beef cows might head to a feedlot for a final round of fattening up before they’re ready for your plate.

Lifespan and Lifestyle

Dairy cows generally live longer because they’re kept around for multiple milk cycles, while beef cows are raised until they’re ready to be processed for meat. It’s all about what they’re meant to do—dairy cows stick around to keep the milk flowing, and beef cows are raised to give us that perfect steak.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re sipping on a glass of milk or enjoying a tender steak, now you know the cow behind the product. 

Dairy cows and beef cows each have their own special role on the farm, and they’re raised with different goals in mind. Next time you’re at the market or grilling out, you’ll have a little extra knowledge to chew on!

Got more questions about cows or curious about farm life? Come visit us at one of our events, or drop a comment below! 

We’re always happy to share more about what we do and the animals that make it all possible.