CATTLE TERMINOLOGY

Question 1

Calf

Answer 1

Up to 6 months old

Question 2

Bobby calf

Answer 2

Surplus bull calf from dairy herd

Question 3

Pail-fed calf

Answer 3

reared artificially with milk or milk substitute

Question 4

Suckled calf

Answer 4

reared on a cow

Question 5

Weaned/speaned

Answer 5

calf off milk/away from mother

Question 6

Stirk

Answer 6

Inexact term (varies from region to region) usually describes an animal between 3 months and 1 year

Question 7

Store cattle

Answer 7

Young animals being fed for growth prior to fattening and slaughter

Question 8

Fattening/finishing cattle

Answer 8

Cattle being fattened for slaughter; usually beef breeds or beef crosses

Question 9

Bull

Answer 9

Uncastrated male at least 6 months old

Question 10

Bullock/steer

Answer 10

castrated male

Question 11

Cow

Answer 11

For official purposes this describes an animal after the start of her first lactation; on most farms describes cows after they have completed their first lactation

Question 12

Beef cow

Answer 12

beef breed cow or crossbred whose progeny is fattened for meat

Question 13

Suckler cow

Answer 13

Alternative description for beef cow. Occasionally get a cow on a farm that is used for multiple suckling a group of calves

Question 14

Dairy cow

Answer 14

Cow kept for milk production

Question 15

Cull cow

Answer 15

Cow transferred out of herd, usually to slaughter but may be sold on elsewhere

Question 16

Heifer

Answer 16

Female until first lactation

Question 17

Maiden heifer

Answer 17

Heifer which has not been served or inseminated

Question 18

Bulling heifer

Answer 18

usually from 14 months old to mating / artificially inseminated

Question 19

In-calf heifer

Answer 19

Heifer confirmed pregnant