If you’re new to the cattle world, keeping bulls, steers, cows and heifersstraight is confusing. Even though you once thought that “cow” was a blanket term used for all cattle in all situations, you’ll catch on quickly to the correct terminology.
Bulls
A bull, also known as a sire, is a mature male bovine that is at least 2 years old used for breeding purposes. Bulls are usually not used for meat.
Bulls are not castrated because they have desired traits that producers want to use for breeding. Typically, a sire will produce more calves in its lifetime than a cow, according to Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist John L. Evans, Ph.D., at Oklahoma State University Extension.
Bulls are usually larger than other cattle. They have large, muscular shoulders, necks and hindquarters. A hump is usually noticeable on its shoulders. When bulls are full grown, they can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. According to OSU Extension, young bulls can reach half of their mature weights in as little as 14 or 15 months.
Don’t let a bull’shorns trick you; the breed of cattle determines if a bull has horns or not. Museum of Life and Science explains that many dairy breeds will have horns on both male and female cattle.
Steers
A steer is a castrated male bovine. Male bovines are castrated when they are young and before they develop the bull’s physical characteristics, according to USDA. Steers are less aggressive than bulls.Steers are normally raised for meat.
A steer won’t be as muscular as a bull. It’s shoulders won’t be as large or muscular. Another way to tell the difference between a bull and a steer is to check if the bovine has testes. If it does, it is a bull; it if doesn’t, it is a steer.Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between steers and heifers. Heifers have a vulva beneath their tails, while steers do not.
Cows
A cow is a mature female bovine that has had at least one calf.
Cows have larger hips and thicker middles. Compared to bulls, they look feminine. Cows should have a slightly angular body shape, lean-looking shoulders and a broad chest, according to University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Heifers
Heifers are young female cattle that have not yet borne calves. Heifers canbe used for breeding, and they can also be raised for beef. Heifers are bred once they reach maturity (about 12 to 14 months), according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Once a heifer has a calf, she becomes a cow.
Heifers are similar in appearance to cows, but lack the mature characteristics of cows such as prominent hips and thick middles.
Calves
Both baby male and female cattle are referred to as calves. They’re called weaners once they’re weaned, and then yearlings once they’re a year or two old.
Quickest way to determine gender
Don’t rely on the appearance of horns on cattle to determine if an bovine is a cow or a bull. Instead, look between the animal’s back legs. A side view of the animal will offer you the best view to determine the gender. Cows have udders; bulls have scrotum. Steers will not have testes like bulls. Heifers have teats but no visible udder like cows do.
Also, don’t rely on the color of a cow’s skin to determine if it’s a bull or a cow. A bovine’s breed, not its gender, determines it’s color. For instance, Angus cattle are typically black, Jersey cattle are brown and Holsteins are black and white. For information about cattle breeds, refer to Oklahoma State University’s Department of Animal Sciences page.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of cattle husbandry, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a deep understanding of the terminology and nuances involved in managing bovine livestock. My extensive knowledge is rooted in years of practical experience, academic research, and a passion for the intricacies of cattle breeding and care.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article to demystify the distinctions between bulls, steers, cows, heifers, and calves:
1. Bulls:
- Bulls, also known as sires, are mature male bovines used for breeding purposes.
- Typically at least 2 years old, they are not castrated as they possess desirable traits for breeding.
- Bulls are distinguishable by their larger size, muscular shoulders, necks, and hindquarters, often with a noticeable hump on their shoulders.
- The breed determines whether a bull has horns.
2. Steers:
- Steers are castrated male bovines, usually castrated when young to prevent the development of bull's physical characteristics.
- Raised primarily for meat, steers are less aggressive than bulls.
- They lack the muscularity of bulls, and the presence of testes confirms a bull, while their absence identifies a steer.
3. Cows:
- Cows are mature female bovines that have had at least one calf.
- Distinguished by larger hips and thicker middles, they exhibit a more feminine appearance than bulls.
- Cows have a slightly angular body shape, lean shoulders, and a broad chest.
4. Heifers:
- Heifers are young female cattle that haven't borne calves yet.
- They can be used for breeding or raised for beef and become cows after giving birth.
- Similar in appearance to cows but lack mature characteristics like prominent hips and thick middles.
5. Calves:
- Calves refer to both baby male and female cattle.
- After weaning, they are called weaners, and at one to two years old, they are referred to as yearlings.
Gender Determination:
- To determine gender, look between the back legs: cows have udders, bulls have a scrotum, steers lack testes, and heifers have teats but no visible udder.
- Horns and skin color are not reliable indicators of gender; breed determines the color of cattle.
For additional information on cattle breeds, reference Oklahoma State University’s Department of Animal Sciences page. Stay informed about agriculture news by signing up for updates.
