What is the term for a castrated male bovine?

The term for a castrated male bovine is indeed "steer." In livestock terminology, a steer is specifically a male bovine that has been castrated primarily for the purpose of beef production. This process alters the animal’s hormonal balance, preventing the development of secondary sexual characteristics, which can make the animal easier to handle and improve meat quality.

Heifers refer to young female cattle that have not yet borne a calf, thus they are not related to castration. Bulls are intact males that are capable of breeding, distinguishing them from steers. Calves are simply young cattle of either sex, not specifically describing any reproductive status or castration. Understanding these definitions helps in grasping the basic concepts of cattle husbandry and production classifications.