stock here: Male Masculinity is part of the “War on Cattle”.
Little Greta and her Cow Farts: Buffalo are signiifcantly larger than Cows so you can assume they farted too. So what of the Buffalo population say 200 years ago, compared to Cows today? A-Eye
Estimating the number of buffalo (American bison) in the United States approximately 200 years ago can be challenging due to the lack of precise historical records. However, there are reasonable estimates based on historical accounts and ecological studies.
Estimates:
General Consensus: Most estimates suggest that the population of buffalo in North America ranged from 30 to 60 million before European settlement significantly impacted their numbers. These estimates account for the vast herds that roamed the Great Plains and other parts of North America.
Sources and Studies:
Smithsonian Magazine: According to an article from Smithsonian Magazine, historians and biologists estimate that there were about 30 to 60 million buffalo in North America in the early 19th century .
National Park Service: The National Park Service also supports these numbers, indicating that the bison population was around 30 to 60 million before the widespread hunting and habitat destruction caused by European settlers .
Bison Conservation: The American Bison Society and other conservation groups often cite similar figures when discussing the historical abundance of buffalo and their subsequent decline.
Population Decline:
By the late 19th century, the buffalo population had plummeted dramatically due to overhunting, habitat loss, and deliberate extermination policies. By the 1880s, the population was reduced to fewer than 1,000 individuals, primarily due to commercial hunting and government policies aimed at undermining the livelihood of Native American tribes who relied on bison.
Conservation Efforts:
Thanks to conservation efforts starting in the early 20th century, the buffalo population has rebounded to some extent. Today, there are approximately 500,000 bison in North America, though most are in managed herds on private lands and public preserves.
Conclusion:
The historical population of buffalo in the United States was likely between 30 to 60 million around 200 years ago. This dramatic decline and partial recovery highlight the impact of human activity on wildlife populations and the importance of conservation efforts.
References:
Smithsonian Magazine
National Park Service
how many cattle in the usa now? include the milking cows too.
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As of January 1, 2024, the total number of cattle and calves in the United States was approximately 87.2 million head. This figure includes all categories of cattle, such as beef cows, milk cows, bulls, heifers, and calves. The inventory is 2% lower than the previous year, making it the smallest cattle inventory in 73 years (National Agricultural Statistics Service) (Farm Bureau).
Specifically, the number of milk cows in the United States was reported to be around 9.36 million. These cows are primarily used for dairy production and are a significant part of the overall cattle inventory (National Agricultural Statistics Service).
The reduction in cattle numbers is attributed to factors such as drought conditions, high input costs, and increased marketing of female cattle, which typically would have been retained for breeding purposes. Despite the decline in inventory, the supply of cattle on feed for market remains high, which has helped keep beef prices relatively stable in the short term (Farm Bureau).