Animals played an important role in the progress of the human race since time immemorial. One of the animals that have not lost its value among humans is Ox, Oxen (plural).
In the early human age, people used to hunt these magnificent wild beasts for their meat, skin, and fur. Years have passed, but the importance of these animals remains the same.
Beef vs Ox
The difference between Beef and Ox is that Beef is meat or flesh of an adult bovine (which is grouped as cattle) consumed by humans as the main source of food. Whereas, Ox is a castrated bull used as a draught animal, it is trained for plowing the fields, pulling carts, dragging wagons, etc.
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Beef is a comestible name for the meat of a bull or cow, humans hunt these animals since ancient times for their meat, fur, and skin.
After pork and chicken Beef is the most consumed meat in the world. China, the USA, and Brazil are the largest producers of Beef. Alambre, Bakso, Balbacua, Beef ball are some dishes made from Beef.
Instead of being slaughtered, Ox is retained for performing tasks, it is a castrated male bull, domesticated and trained for plowing fields, threshing grains, pulling carts, etc.
The yoke (wooden crosspiece) helps the oxen pull heavier loads for longer periods; hence they are mainly used for farming purposes: breaking the sod, plowing the field, and making the soil ready for growing crops.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Beef | Ox |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Structure | Beef is a flesh with no definite structure | Ox is a quadruped animal with, ears, tails, and other body parts. |
| Uses | It is used for consumption | It is used for agriculture purposes |
| Cost | Affordable | Costly |
| Harmful for environment | Harmful | Harmful |
| Living/Non-Living | Non-Living | Living |
What is Beef?
The flesh of an adult bovine (cow, steer, the bull) is called Beef, it is considered one of the important food items in western countries.
Beef is consumed mainly by Christians and Muslims people, most of the Hindu people refrain from eating Beef as they consider it as a sacred animal. Also, cow is the national animal of Nepal hence it is prohibited to consume Beef in Nepal as well.
Beef is rich in protein, iron, and B12, consumption of beef in the right amount helps people suffering from the deficiency of these vitamins and minerals.
However, if we consume Beef in a huge amount it can lead to several diseases such as colorectal cancer, blood pressure, and coronary heart disease, especially if we take processed Beef.
It is the third-largest consumed meat all over the world. Therefore, we should monitor the intake of beef. As we know the demand for Beef is increasing over time, to satisfy the demand people are engaged in animal husbandry.
Among all the animal products that are produced, Beef production requires a significant amount of land and water that adds to the production of Green House Gas and deforestation and ultimately leads to Environmental threat.
What is Ox?
In ancient times the early humans hunted the aurochs (extinct cattle species); for meat and fur and later domesticated them for different farming purposes. From this, we came to know that cattle had a vital role in the life of human beings since the time beginning.
One of the cattle species that is considered to be most helpful in farming purposes is the Ox, these animals are being domesticated for various farming purposes such as; plowing fields, drawing carts, riding, and so on.
Ox is trained for serving different purposes on the farm. As they have huge body structures sometimes it becomes difficult for farmers to control them so they are being castrated.
By inhibiting testosterone and aggression, castration makes the males tame and safer to work with.
Every year a pair of ox of about three years is bought and trained with the mature animals. They serve their purpose for seven years. At the age of seven, they are sold off to build up for Beef.
A vast area of the forest is being clear for the rearing of cattle which leads to deforestation and an increase in environmental pollution.
Due to its significant role in deforestation and habitat destruction, animal husbandry causes biodiversity loss; species-rich habitats are destroyed.
Main Differences Between Beef and Ox
1. Beef is the flesh or meat of cattle. Whereas, Ox is a bovine male.
2. Beef is used as a food item and consumed by many people all around the world. However, Ox
is an animal that is used for farming purposes.
3. The cost of Beef is affordable, but Ox being a living animal is very costly.
4. Beef is a non-living food item. On the other hand, Ox is a living creature.
5. Beef does not have any fixed shape or structure. Whereas, Ox has a definite body structure and size.
- https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20113161498
- https://rupress.org/jgp/article/45/6/1031/26736
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
