Cows and other animals have been intentionally bred to become bigger. If you look at medieval illustrations of shepherds and farmers [0], one thing that strike

Cows and other animals have been intentionally bred to become bigger. If you look at medieval illustrations of shepherds and farmers [0], one thing that strikes you is just how small all the animals are. Even in relation to the medieval humans who were significantly shorter than us. It had its advantages - for example, a leaner, smaller animal can walk long distances and won't get stuck in swampy ground. But it doesn't give you a lot of anything - hide, meat, milk... Nowadays, we have huge animals, which nevertheless have to be transported by trucks. No longer capable of walking 50 miles from the lowland to the mountains to graze. [0] https://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef01b8d186fbc6970c-500wi https://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef01... https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Medieval_pig_slaughter.jpg/358px-Medieval_pig_slaughter.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Me... https://imgcdn.stablediffusionweb.com/2024/11/21/ce988f0d-9e6a-4a5c-84ea-05dd04c9f1ee.jpg https://imgcdn.stablediffusionweb.com/2024/11/21/ce988f0d-9e... - note how the cow barely reaches Villon's waist!