What kind of mothering ability do cows have?

The mothering ability of a cow is a term that means how fast that cow (or even heifer) is able to bond with her calf and accept that calf once born. It is a term that encompasses the protective ability and maternal instincts that a cow should have upon having her calf, and is a term that is used in regards to beef breeding herds. A cow with strong mothering ability is a cow worth keeping, but a cow that is protective over her calf towards people is one to be very careful about.