A young cow is called a calf. Calves are typically born after a gestation period of about nine months. They are usually weaned from their mother’s milk at around six to eight months old, depending on the farming practices.
Calves can be either male or female. Male calves are often raised for beef, while female calves may be raised to become dairy cows. The term ‘calf’ is used until the young cow reaches a certain age, after which it may be referred to as a heifer (young female) or a bullock (young male).