TCFA Feedyard Technician Certification Practice Test

The "Steering wheel" of a steer is the?

1. Nose

2. Tail

3. Eye

4. Ear

The correct answer is: Eye

The "steering wheel" of a steer refers to its eye. This analogy highlights the importance of eye movement in directing the animal's actions and responses. Cattle are prey animals and rely heavily on their vision to detect threats and navigate their environment. The position of a steer’s eye allows it to monitor its surroundings, and the direction it looks can indicate where it will move or which direction it is focused on. Each of the other choices—nose, tail, and ear—serve different functions in cattle behavior but do not take on the metaphorical role of steering. The nose is primarily for smelling and foraging, the tail is used for swatting flies and communicating mood or irritation, and the ears convey sound detection and communication but are not directly involved in guiding movement in the same way the eyes are. Understanding the role of the eye in cattle behavior is key for anyone working with livestock, especially in terms of handling and managing their movements in a feeder yard environment.