No not complicated.
We have sow, boar, pig
We have ewe, ram, sheep
We have cow, bull, cattle, where cattle is always plural.

Sow and boar are pigs pl.
Ewe and ram are sheep pl.
Cow and bull are cattle pl.

Wiki largely has the item: Singular terminology dilemma.
cattle
"All the cattle are standing like statues"

Last edited by BranShea; 03/20/10 09:46 AM. Reason: improvement I hope