Cow Facts

Calf: A young cow, either sex, less than a year old.

Heifer: A young female cow that has not yet had a calf.

2-Year Old Fresh Cow: A 2 year-old heifer that has just had her first calf and is lactating (producing milk). A cow’s lactation period is about 10 months. After having her calf, the cow needs to be bred within 60-90 days so she will be ready to calve again next cycle. The farmer’s goal is to have a 12-month calving cycle with each cow in the herd having a calf every year, giving milk for 10 months and then being dry for 2 months.

Dry Cow: A cow that is not giving milk, giving her udder a chance to recover before she has another calf. A cow needs a two-month dry period before calving.

Fresh Cow: After the two-month dry period, the cow gives birth to another calf and the cycle starts again. An average cow will have about 3 lactations in her life (that is to about 5-6 years old).