Which term describes a sexually immature young bovine?

Which term describes a sexually immature young bovine?

• A. calf
• B. heifer
• C. cow
• D. steer

Answer: (A)

In cattle, the term for a sexually immature young animal is calf. Calf refers to a young bovine of either sex before reaching about one year of age, when sexual maturity hasn’t occurred yet. A heifer is a female that has not calved but is generally of reproductive age and capable of pregnancy, so she isn’t the best fit for “sexually immature.” A cow is an adult female that has calved, indicating full maturity and reproduction has occurred. A steer is a castrated male, typically not used to describe a young, sexually immature stage.

In cattle, the term for a sexually immature young animal is calf. Calf refers to a young bovine of either sex before reaching about one year of age, when sexual maturity hasn’t occurred yet. A heifer is a female that has not calved but is generally of reproductive age and capable of pregnancy, so she isn’t the best fit for “sexually immature.” A cow is an adult female that has calved, indicating full maturity and reproduction has occurred. A steer is a castrated male, typically not used to describe a young, sexually immature stage.