Dairy cow - Definition and Overview

Introduction

Dairy cattle, generally of the species bos taurus, are domesticated animals bred to produce large quantities of milk.

Terminology

A young dairy animal is known as a calf. A female calf which has not given birth to a calf and is less than thirty months old is called a heifer. When more than seven months pregnant with its first calf, a female heifer is known as a springer. After calving, or when more than thirty months old, a female dairy animal is known as a cow.

A male dairy animal is called a bull at any stage of life, unless castrated, in which case he is known as a steer.

A dairy animal's mother is known as its dam. Similarly, a dairy animal's father is known as its sire.

Historical Background

Cattle were first domesticated around 6,500 B.C. Early cattle served a triple-purpose, providing meat, milk and labor.