Many people that enter the cattle industry are surprised at just how many terms there are for different cattle. While most of us are familiar with terms like cow and bull, these are only a few of the terms used to describe cattle.
Cattle terminology is diverse, with different names used depending on factors such as the age, gender, and breeding of each cattle. Thankfully, learning the different cattle terms is easy enough, especially with a handy guide like the one below!
So, if you’ve ever asked yourself ‘are all cows female?’ or ‘what’s the difference between a bull and a cow?’, then our guide has you covered. Continue reading to find out all the information you need to know about the various types of cattle terminology!
Are All Cows Female?
Yes, the term cow especially refers to a type of female cow. However, the cow has become a colloquial term to describe all types of cattle, often male and female. So, while all cows are female, there are specific terms that we use to differentiate the different types of female cows.
Also, male cattle aren’t technically cows – more on that soon. That said, many people use the term cow as a blanket term for all cattle, including males. Just make sure you never use cow to describe male cattle if you’re working in the cattle industry – you’re likely to raise a few eyebrows!
The Different Types of Female Cattle
As mentioned above, a cow is a type of female cattle, although it’s just one of several terms used to describe these animals. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each type of female cattle:
Cow
Let’s start with the most widely known type of female cattle – the cow.
Cows is the term used to describe breeding female cattle. A cow is a female that has given birth to at least one calf. Of course, cows must be fully grown to give birth, so cows are adult female cattle that have birthed a minimum of one calf.
The term cow is used as a blanket term for most cows, both male, and female, yet this is incorrect. Yes, a cow is a type of female bovine, the only one that is fully mature and started breeding.
So, to answer the question – are all cows female? Yes, they technically are!
Heifer
Some people are familiar with the term heifer, which also refers to a type of female bovine. However, there are some subtle differences between cows and heifers, such as their age and breeding habits.
As described above, the cow is the term used to describe a female bovine that is mature and started breeding, having given birth to at least one calf. A heifer is also female cattle, but not quite a cow – at least yet!
For example, a heifer is female cattle that are aged between one and two years. Because a female bovine isn’t fully matured by two years of age, a heifer isn’t quite ready for breeding! So, heifers cannot give birth to calves because they are still too young.
The term heifer is used to help differentiate the ages and breeding status of female cattle. When a female bovine is between one and two years of age, she remains a heifer, until she is old enough to give birth.
The Different Types of Male Cattle
The term cow is often mistakenly used to describe male cattle. Of course, most people are familiar with bulls, which are a type of male cattle, yet there is also another type of male bovine. Let’s take a closer look:
Bull
A bull is perhaps the most widely known cattle term after cow. Like cows, bulls are a type of cattle used for breeding. However, unlike cows, bulls reach breeding age at an earlier age, usually around one year old.
Before a bull reaches puberty, it’s typically just referred to as a bull calf. Some bull calves take longer to reach puberty than others, although most usually hit breeding age at the 12-month mark.
Unlike cows, bulls don’t need to be reproductive to be called bulls. They must simply have fully intact testicles and be ready to breed.
Steer
Not everyone is familiar with the term steer, which refers to another type of male cattle. While both are male bovines, there is one notable difference!
The main difference between a bull and a steer is that a steer doesn’t have terciles, so cannot reproduce. A steer typically has its testicles removed before they reach breeding age (about one year) in a process called castration.
So, steers aren’t used for breeding, whereas bulls are. A bull has intact testicles, while a steer is castrated as a calf.
While most male bovines are castrated before sexual maturity, there are instances of bulls being castrated after sexual maturity. When this happens, the bull is then referred to as a stag.
Are you wondering what steers are used for if they cannot reproduce? Steers are used primarily for beef, as they lack the ability to reproduce.
The reason that steers are preferred for beef over cows is due to their high levels of testosterone. More testosterone in bovines results in larger muscle mass, meaning more meat for the beef.
How Long do Cows Breed For?
So, now we know the differences between cows and heifers, you might be wondering long cows are used for breeding. As mentioned, heifers become cows around age two after they’ve given birth to their first calf.
But how long does this breeding last? How many calves does a cow birth throughout her life?
Most dairy cows are used for breeding for about four years. While cows are capable of breeding for up to 8-10 years, there is often a notable decline once she reaches about six. Therefore, most cows are culled at about six, having typically bred for four years.
Cows breeding abilities do see a notable decline at around six to eight years old. Yes, they can still give birth but there are increased risks associated with these pregnancies, such as bovine mastitis.
Moreover, a cow’s ability to produce milk declines the older they are. So, while they can continue to get pregnant, their milk production drops significantly at around six years of age. Because of the financial risks of continuing to breed older cows, most are culled at about six.
Most dairy cows give birth to one calf per year. At this breeding rate, the cow produces enough milk for 9-months, providing a steady supply for dairy farmers.
How Long Do Bulls Breed for?
To summarize above, dairy cows are typically bred until about six years old, after which they produce less milk, become less fertile, and are more susceptible to disease.
Bulls’ breeding habits are slightly different from this, as bulls remain fertile longer than cows. Moreover, bulls are used primarily for their semen, so don’t need to worry about producing milk like cows.
As a result, bulls are used for breeding for upwards of ten years, providing they continue to produce quality semen. However, bulls may show signs of infertility before this point, even after just a few years.
Plus, bulls are susceptible to certain conditions that may lower fertility or cause infertility. For example, infection of the testicles may cause infertility, while things like a poor diet or injury may also hamper their reproductive abilities.
A healthy, fertile bull is used throughout the cattle breeding season. While dairy cows only have one calf per year, a bull can service up to 30 cows throughout the breeding season. 30 cows over 10 years result in a lot of offspring for a single bull!
How to Tell the Difference Between Male and Female Cattle
So, now you know all the terms to describe male and female cattle, how do you tell the difference between each gender
Telling the difference between male and female cattle is simple – just look beneath the animal!
If there are udders under the cattle, then it’s a cow, and if there are testicles, then it’s a bull. If there are no udders or testicles, then it is a steer.
It’s more difficult to tell the difference between male and female calves. Female calves don’t have udders yet, so if there is a scrotum sack at the bottom, then the calf is male.
Conclusion
Cows, heifers, bulls, and steers are all types of cattle, yet there are notable differences in each animal. Cows and heifers describe female cattle, while bulls and steers refer to male cattle.
Things become slightly more confusing once you get into age and breeding habits.
Cows are at least two years old and have given birth, while heifers are not fully mature and aren’t used for breeding yet. Bulls are male cattle used for breeding, usually at about age one, while steers are male cattle castrated before reaching puberty so cannot breed.
Cows, heifers, bulls, and steers are the four main terms to describe male and female cattle – these are the only terms you need to worry about!