ABSTRACT
Cattle produce a substantial share of the value of agricultural output globally and in many regions. Of course, shares vary from year to year as market prices rise and fall, but in higher income countries and regions, cattle represent almost one-third of the value of farm output. In higher income regions, cattle are used primarily as food-producing animals for milk and meat. Of course, substantial economic value is also generated from many by-products, primarily leather from hides, including fertilizer from manure; household goods from fats, hair and collagen; medicine ingredients from internal organs; and nutritional supplements from bones. East and South East Asia are not major milk producers or major milk consumers per capita. Productivity per cow roughly equals the world average. Central and Western Asia have about six percent of both the milk and the cows. International trade in milk is mainly in dry products. About ten percent of milk production is traded.
