It is common for people to use different words to refer to animals that look alike. But in livestock, the ox, the bull, the calf, the cow and the calf are very different animals. Do you want to know what are the traits that define them? We invite you to continue reading this article.
Differences between the Ox and the Bull
Before we tell you what are the features that distinguish a bull and an ox, we consider it important to first explain what each of these words means. In productive or subsistence farming, they are terms that are used differently to refer to productive specimens.
This way of referring to animals that have many similarities does not really mean that they are different species or breeds, but rather each one of them fulfills a certain function or role due to its own characteristics.
Another matter is the fact that in our daily events we use these denominations without having full knowledge of what their concrete meaning is. For this reason, we observe that it is common for there to be some confusion about what is a bull, an ox, a cow, a steer, a heifer, a calf, and some others.
Next, we will try to explain the meaning of each of these names and how they are used in livestock farming, before we conclude with the differences that distinguish an ox from a bull.
Meaning of each term
The Bull is an adult male, fertile and not castrated, whose fundamental role in livestock is reproduction. That is, they are the stallion specimens with which the adult and fertile females will mate to generate offspring.
The Cow in livestock is the adult and sexually active female that has already had offspring. But this is also the word used to refer colloquially to the various breeds of the Bos primigenius species, which is the term used to identify domestic cattle.
The Ox, generally defined as general use, oxen are usually adult males that have gone through the castration process, after having reached their stage of sexual maturity. Unfortunately, these are the animals that today are used as a work tool in the field, which is colloquially called a yoke of oxen.
For a long time, oxen are the ones that have carried out very heavy work, such as pulling carts or ploughs. It is true that on many occasions the bulls and the females have also carried out these tasks, but it is not the ordinary thing. There are certain countries in which the word ox is commonly used to designate the males of various breeds of domestic cattle.
The Steer is the term used to designate young males castrated before they reach sexual maturity. Their meat has a great value in the market, for that reason, these specimens almost never reach adulthood.
The Calf, with this term is usually designated a young and fertile male that is still in the lactation period.
Heifer is the denomination used to designate young and fertile females, around one to two years old that have not yet had offspring.
Calf is designated by this name to all male or female bovines, which are less than ten months old, which are still suckled by cows.
We have shown you a definition of the terms that are commonly used in the world of livestock to designate animals that have the characteristics that we have specified, but you can also find a number of variants that depend on the country you are in. In addition, we must mention a relatively new term that is the freemartin, which refers to sterile specimens that do not have the ability to generate offspring.
Peculiarities between an Ox and a Bull
Once the terminologies, the words and their meanings of the terms ox and bull have been clarified, it will be relatively simple for you to understand the differences that exist between them.
In principle, it must be explained that it is not a difference that refers to races or species. Both words are used to refer to male animals of different breeds that belong to the same species, which is the Bos primigenius.
Actually, the essential differences between an ox and a bull are given by the uses that humans have given to each of them, both in agricultural activity and in activities related to livestock.
As we have already indicated, bulls are adult males, fertile and sexually active, whose essential role is to create offspring. For this reason, they are also given the name of stallion specimens, which are dedicated in a high percentage and in an integral way to the reproductive activity.
Instead, the oxen are the adult males that, for some reason of convenience of their owner, have been castrated after they have reached sexual maturity. Its main role is to be able to execute multiple tasks in the productive field, due to its great physical resistance and strength.
The meaning of the distinction
This distinction does not necessarily mean that oxen are infertile or sterile specimens. It is even probable that the oxen were breeding stud bulls in their youth, before having gone through the castration process.
From the beginning, the reason for having to make the decision to castrate an adult male specimen has been related to the need for him to perform the hard work in the field. Let us remember that there were no machines or tractors, and that agricultural production depended on the strength and power of some animals, such as oxen, horses and even dogs.
Due to reasons of convenience, part of the cattle was also castrated in order to control their reproductive instincts and their sexual desire, and thus be able to direct their activity in moving the plows, loading the produced food and many other activities.
Fortunately, evolution and technology have allowed man to replace the so-called blood traction with machines and tractors with motors and gears. However, even animal exploitation for work subsists and a great struggle is being carried out to prevent it.
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