The breeding animals are cows producing calves. The cows produce the first calf at 2 years of age and then one calf each year until 8 or 10 years old. The meat animals are calves that nurse the cow from about 6 months and then fed to 1000-1200 pound usually about 18 months old for beef markets.
Beef cattle produce meat.
The beef cow is a ruminant which means she can eat grass and other plants to make milk for her calf and grow. Beef cattle are raised to convert plants into meat for human consumption. There are several different breeds of beef cattle. Beef cattle can live on farms in North Carolina from the sea coast to the mountains.