Calf

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For the anatomical feature, see calf muscle.

Cattle calf

A Calf (plural calves) is the young of an animal. The term is mainly used for cattle, although whales, dolphins, giraffes, bison, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, yaks and elephants also have calves.

A cattle calf is the offspring of a cow and a bull. A calf that has lost its mother is referred to as a dogie. Calf meat is called veal; fine calf skin used for pages in early codexes is called pergamon. The fourth stomach of slaughtered milk fed calves is the source of rennet. Calves feed from their mother's udder for a few weeks before eating solid food.

A suckling calf with its mother

A modern dairy farm with calf pens in front, Elba, New York