• The Masai culture of East Africa believes that all cattle are property of the Masai through God. After the World Trade Center collapsed in 2001, a Masai tribe gave 14 cows as a gift to the American people. As cows are very important to the Masai both in terms of wealth and religion, the 14 cows were a significant gift. The animals still reside with the tribe, living with the village elder’s herd. Since breeding, the original herd of 14 has grown and each “American” cow is earmarked with their specific brand of two bars, symbolizing the twin towers.

• The Fulani of West Africa are the world’s largest group of nomadic cattle herders.

• Legend has it that the great Chicago Fire of 1871 was started by a milk cow owned by Catherine O’Leary, when the cow kicked over a lamp or lantern, supposedly left too close to her leg.

• It is argued that cattle are contributing to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. However, this is quite a controversial argument which has yet to be satisfactorily proven.

• The oldest cow on record was a Droimeann named Big Bertha. Born on March 17, 1945, she died on December 12, 1993, just short of her 50th birthday. Big Bertha held 2 Guinness World Records: one for her longevity, and the second for having produced 39 calves in her lifetime, several of which her owner still had at the time of the cow’s death, the oldest of which was 35. Through “personal appearances,” Big Bertha raised $75,000 during her lifetime for cancer and other research.

• The Guinness World Record for the longest horns belongs to a Texas Longhorn in Queensland, Australia, named J.R. At just over 9 feet (as of mid 2012) from end to end, his horns are expected to grow even larger due to his young age.