Not all bovines are equal. According to Ebert Family Farms, about 920 breeds of cattle are in existence, with about 50 being raised in the United States. Some breeds, like the Guernsey, are prized for their milk. These breeds are called "milkers." Other breeds, like the Black Angus, are prized for their meat. Meat bovines are called "feeders," since they feed you.
Not all bovines are cows. A cow is a female bovine. A steer is born as a male bovine. According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a male bovine castrated before the onset of puberty is called a steer. If left uncastrated, it becomes a bull. Castration is performed for a variety of reasons. First, the temperament of the animal is gentler as a steer. Also, the beef is more desirable as a steer. Very few male bovines are allowed to grow into bulls. These are hand selected for desired traits, and are used for breeding.
A cattle rancher raises feeder steers on a pasture or range, usually up to 18 months old. The rancher sells the feeder steers to a feedlot. In the feedlot, feeder steers and cows are given a special diet composed mostly of corn. This imparts a consumer-desired flavor and tenderness to the beef. Cattle typically spend three to six months in the feedlot. The entire process the feedlot undertakes is called finishing. When the feedlot determines the feeder steers are ready, they are sold to a slaughterhouse for processing into beef.
Male bovines undergo an entire process from birth to slaughterhouse. Cattle ranchers spend time, money and effort to make the process possible. Furthermore, feedlots also invest considerable time, money and effort into the process. Finally, the slaughterhouse has its own set of concerns. It must adhere to federal regulations of hygiene, humane termination and beef safety.