Male dairy animals are referred to as bulls, while female dairy animals are called cows. Bulls are typically used to breed the cows and are not used in the production of dairy products. When a calf is born it is usually referred to as a heifer. Heifers are typically female cows that have not yet had a calf and are still too young to breed. Bulls are usually not used in the dairy industry, but are bred to produce healthy cows with the desired traits for dairy production.
Cows are used primarily for the production of dairy products such as milk, cheese, and butter. Cows are usually bred to produce the highest amount of milk in the most efficient manner. Dairy cows are usually bred to produce the highest quality milk with the desired composition, such as higher levels of butterfat. Farmers also select cows based on health, conformation, and other traits.
To ensure a steady supply of milk, dairy cows are usually kept in confinement for most of their lives. Cows are typically milked twice a day and may be fed a balanced diet of grain, hay, and other byproducts. Cows that are kept for dairy production are generally bred for their milking abilities and are not used for breeding.
Bulls are kept mainly for the purpose of breeding cows and occasionally for showing purposes. Bulls are bred for their size, power, strength, and overall conformation to ensure that they produce healthy and strong offspring. Bulls are usually kept separately from the cows and may be housed in a separate area of the farm.
Male and female dairy animals play a vital role in the production of dairy products around the world. Cows are used for their milk production and bulls are bred to produce healthy offspring. Dairy farmers carefully select the cows and bulls based on their ability to produce high quality milk with desired characteristics. This allows the farmer to produce a steady supply of high quality dairy products to meet the demands of the consumer.