heifer

A heifer is a female bovine that has reached puberty and is intended for breeding but has not yet borne a calf. In agricultural practice, the term distinguishes a breeding-age female from a cow, which is a female that has calved at least once. Some definitions include that a heifer has not calved, while others emphasize that she is of breeding age but has not calved; in either case, the distinction is primarily management-based.

Age and use vary by production system. In dairy operations, heifers are raised to replace retiring cows and to contribute future milk production. In beef systems, heifers may be kept as breeding stock or finished for meat. First calving in dairy cattle commonly occurs around two years of age, though management, breed, and nutrition can shift this timing.

Rearing and nutrition emphasize growth, body condition, and the development of mammary tissue in anticipation of calving. Breeding often occurs around 12 to 15 months, aiming for a first calving near 24 months. Pregnancy lasts about 283 days.

Physically, heifers are typically more slender and have lighter udders than cows, with udders and teats developing as calving approaches. Throughout their lives, heifers transition to cows once they have calved, otherwise remaining as heifers until that event occurs. The term applies across cattle breeds and production systems, reflecting a stage in a female cattle’s productive life.