Male Cattle:
- Bull: A mature, intact male cattle that has not been castrated. Bulls are typically used for breeding purposes. They are known for their strength, size, and aggressive tendencies when compared to other cattle.
- Steer: A male cattle that has been castrated, typically before reaching maturity. Steers are raised primarily for beef production since castration makes them less aggressive and more manageable. They tend to have a better temperament for handling compared to bulls.
- Calf: This is the term for a male or female cattle in their first year of life. This term is used for both genders until they are weaned and grow into either a heifer or a bull.
Female Cattle:
- Cow: A mature female cattle that has given birth to at least one calf. The term “cow” is commonly used to refer to female cattle, although it specifically applies to those that are mature and have had offspring.
- Heifer: A young female cattle that has not yet had a calf. Heifers can become cows once they reach maturity and give birth for the first time. If a heifer is bred, she can become a cow once she has her first calf.
- Calf: Like the male calf, female cattle in their first year of life are called calves as well. After this stage, they will be referred to as heifers (if they are female) or bulls (if they are male).
Other Terms:
- Bullock: A term sometimes used for a young male cattle, particularly one that has been castrated later than a steer.
- Ox: Typically a castrated male cattle that has been trained for draft work, like pulling carts or plows.
In short:
- Bull = mature male (intact).
- Steer = castrated male.
- Cow = mature female (has given birth).
- Heifer = young female (hasn’t given birth).
- Calf = both young males and females.