牛 (Kanji for cow) | KANJIDAMAGE

Onyomi

GYUU	GYUU is the Japanese sound-effect for hugging. Picture the farmer hugging the cow's nipples to make the milk come out.

Cow is basically noon (午) plus a little head sticking up on top: Here's how to remember the difference:

The cow has a head that sticks up in the middle. Noon does not have a head because it is an abstract concept, not a physical animal with 8 nipples.

うし

cow
★★★★☆

牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう)	cow's milk ★★★★★ 牛 (cow) + 乳 (milk) = 牛乳 (cow's milk)
牛肉(ぎゅうにく)	beef ★★☆☆☆ 牛 (cow) + 肉 (meat) = 牛肉 (beef)

	Meaning	Hint	Radical
牛	cow	HEAD
午	noon	NO HEAD

The cow has a head that sticks up in the middle.

Noon does not have a head because it is an abstract concept, not a physical animal with four nipples.

I had to google that. This is my job.