Beef Cattle Terminology

A term to describe young and mature male beef cattle.

• bull
• steer
• heifer
• cow

A specific group of cattle that has similar appearance, characteristics, and behaviors that distinguish it from other cattle in the same species.

• breed
• herd
• seedstock
• feedlot

The term used to describe a cow who is in the process of giving birth.

• calving
• gestation

A term to describe young beef cattle.

• calf
• cow
• steer
• heifer

A cattle operation in which large numbers of cattle are grouped based on size, genetics, and consistency in order to maximize profit; cattle are fed high-grain diets and not allowed to graze.

• Feedlot
• cow-calf operation
• Commercial Operation
• backgrounding operations

Cattle that lack horns by natural or artificial means.

• polled
• herd
• seedstock

A term to describe young, female beef cattle that have not been bred.

• heifer
• steer
• bull
• cow

The cattle breeds that originated in Europe.

• Bos Taurus
• Bos Indicus

A term to describe mature female beef cattle.

• cow
• heifer
• calf
• steer

A group of cattle of a single kind that is kept together for a specific purpose.

• herd
• breed