Yes, a male cow is called a bull. Cattle (bovines) are commonly split into two categories based on sex – cows and bulls. Cows are adult female bovines that have given birth to calves. Bulls are adult intact (not castrated) male bovines. Here’s a quick overview of some of the key differences between cows and bulls:
Terminology
The terms “cow” and “bull” refer specifically to sex and age. A young female bovine is called a heifer until she gives birth, then she becomes a cow. A young intact male is called a bull calf until he reaches adulthood. Some other terminology includes:
- Calf – newborn male or female bovine
- Steer – castrated male bovine
- Ox – castrated adult male bovine used for draft purposes
Physical Appearance
Cows and bulls have some distinct physical differences:
| Trait | Cow | Bull |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Muscling | Less muscular | Heavily muscled, especially neck and shoulders |
| Horns | Smaller horns | Larger horns |
Bulls are noticeably more muscular and thick-shouldered compared to cows. Their necks are also very muscular and thick. Bulls tend to be taller and heavier than cows on average.
Reproduction
The key difference between cows and bulls is their role in reproduction:
- Cows – Carry calves during pregnancy and nurse them after birth. A cow’s gestation period is 9 months and they give birth to one calf at a time. Cows provide milk for human consumption.
- Bulls – Serve as the male parent by mating with cows. A bull may service between 10-60 cows during breeding season. Their role is to provide genetics in the form of semen.
In order to produce calves, a herd needs both cows and at least one bull for breeding. Bulls reach puberty and become capable of breeding around 1 year of age. Cows breed when they reach puberty between 15-24 months of age.
Behavior
There are some behavior differences between the sexes:
- Bulls tend to be more aggressive due to their hormones.
- Cows with calves may become protective and aggressive.
- Bulls exert dominance and establish a hierarchy through behaviors like butting heads.
- Herds are usually structured into smaller groups with one dominant bull.
Bulls require experienced handling as they can become quite dangerous and aggressive, especially during breeding. All cattle have a natural fight or flight instinct that handlers need to understand.
Use by Humans
Cows and bulls serve different useful roles for humans:
- Cows – Milk and meat production. Cows farmed for dairy provide milk for human consumption. Beef cows produce calves for eventual slaughter for beef.
- Bulls – Breeding. Bulls are maintained by cattle breeders for breeding purposes. Their genetics and pedigrees are heavily scrutinized.
Most male dairy calves are sold for veal or beef. Male calves from beef herds that aren’t selected for breeding stock are castrated and become steers raised for beef.
Castration
Castration is the removal of the testicles of a bull. Reasons for castration include:
- Improves temperament – castrated males (steers) are calmer
- Increases fattening – steers put on weight for beef production
- Population control – only the best bulls are retained for breeding
Castration can be performed surgically or by banding when calves are young. Castrated males grow larger than intact bulls but do not display male behaviors like aggression or becoming territorial. Castrated males are still capable of mating activity but cannot produce offspring.
Breeds
There are over 800 worldwide cattle breeds. Some popular beef cattle breeds include:
| Breed | Origin | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Angus | Scotland | Hornless, black, used for premium beef |
| Hereford | England | Red body with white face, hardy |
| Brahman | India | Large humped breed good for hot climates |
Some dairy cattle breeds include:
| Breed | Origin | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Holstein | Netherlands | Black and white coloring, top milk producer |
| Jersey | United States | Smaller breed, high butterfat content milk |
| Ayrshire | Scotland | Red and white spotted, high milk yield |
There are breed differences between cows and bulls. Bulls tend to exhibit masculine characteristics earlier and more prominently. For example, Holstein bulls are usually mostly black versus the iconic black and white spots on cows. Hereford bulls develop their white face and muscle definition much younger than cows.
Diet
As ruminants, cattle have a stomach with four compartments to digest plant materials like grasses. Their diet consists mainly of grazing on pasture or eating hay and grass silage. Key dietary differences between cows and bulls are:
- Cows need optimal nutrition for lactation and reproduction. Their requirements for energy, protein, and minerals are higher than bulls.
- Grass-fed cattle obtain all nutrition from forages. Grain may be supplemented to meet higher needs.
- Feedlot cattle are fed an energy-dense grain-based diet to fatten before slaughter.
- Bulls require adequate protein, energy, and minerals for growth and breeding capacity. Bulls raised for beef have high protein and energy diets.
Providing a balanced diet tailored to needs and production goals is important. Cows in late gestation or early lactation have the highest nutritional demands.
Housing
Housing and facilities differ depending on the operation:
- Pasture-based cattle are raised mainly outdoors on grazing lands.
- Dairies house lactating cows close to the milking parlor in free stalls with access to the feed bunk.
- Feedlots provide outdoor pens with shelter and automated feeding systems.
- Breeding bulls are housed in individual pens or paddocks with strong fencing.
The main considerations for housing include protection from weather extremes, disease control, and providing adequate space for exercise and natural behaviors.
Health
It’s important to monitor cow and bull health. Common health concerns include:
- Reproductive issues – infertility, abortions, dystocia (trouble calving)
- Mastitis – udder infection in cows
- Lameness – hoof infections, injury causing limping
- Bovine respiratory disease – pneumonia in calves and feedlot cattle
- Parasites – worms, flukes, lice
Preventive care includes vaccinations, routine testing, and parasite control. Sick animals should be promptly diagnosed and treated. Health issues can negatively impact growth, milk production, fertility, and performance.
Handling
Understanding natural cattle behavior is key to low-stress handling. Some tips include:
- Use flight zone principles – cattle move away when handlers enter their flight zone space.
- Avoid sudden movements, loud noises, or other actions that cause fear and agitation.
- Use cattle prods and whips judiciously.
- Take advantage of herd behavior – cattle want to follow the leader.
- Have dedicated handling facilities like corrals, chutes, and pens.
Bulls require experienced handlers as they can become aggressive, especially during breeding. Never trust a bull – they can charge suddenly. Ensure proper housing and equipment for bulls.
Identification
All cattle should have permanent identification. Common methods include:
- Ear tags – plastic dangle tags or metal button tags in the ear
- Branding – unique identifying mark burned into the hide
- Ear tattoos – ink symbols tattooed inside the ear
- Electronic ID – microchip implanted under the skin
Identification allows keeping records on ancestry, health, production, and other data for each animal. Certain types like brands also identify ownership.
Terminology
Here are some key terms used in cattle production:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cow-calf operation | Farm that raises weaned calves until they are old enough to sell |
| Stocker operation | Farm that raises weaned calves as “stockers” until they enter feedlots |
| Feedlot | Farm that finishes cattle on grain-based diets until slaughter |
| Heifer | Young female bovine before first calving |
| Freemartin | Sterile female calf born as a twin to a bull |
| Dam | Mother cow that gave birth |
| Sire | Father bull that mated with the dam |
Conclusion
In summary, the terms cow and bull refer to sex differences in mature cattle. Cows are adult females that provide offspring and milk while bulls are uncastrated males used for breeding. Major differences between cows and bulls include physical characteristics, temperament and behavior, their role in reproduction, and how they are utilized by the cattle industry. Both cows and bulls are essential components of cattle operations and complement each other in order to produce calves and keep herds productive.