Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

What is an infertile female calf born as a twin to a fertile male calf called?

1. Freemartin

2. Heifer

3. Bullock

4. Steer

The correct answer is: Freemartin

An infertile female calf born as a twin to a fertile male calf is called a freemartin. This condition arises due to the shared bloodstream between the male and female twins during development, leading to hormonal influence on the female twin. Because the female is exposed to male hormones, it often results in reproductive abnormalities, including infertility. Freemartins typically have underdeveloped reproductive organs and other characteristics that differentiate them from typical heifers. The other terms refer to different classes of cattle. A heifer is a female calf that has not borne a calf herself and is usually fertile. A bullock refers to a young male cattle that has not been castrated or is sometimes used to refer to a young bull. A steer is a castrated male calf intended for beef production. These definitions highlight the specific reproductive roles of the animals, which distinguishes them from the infertile freemartin condition.