ADF See acid detergent fiber.
ADG See average daily gain.
ADIN Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen. Undigestible dietary protein or nitrogen.
AP AM/PM. Abbreviations commonly used to describe alternate
morning/evening monthly types of testing plans. Milk
weights and samples are collected at the morning milking for
1 month and at the evening milking the following month.
Abomasum The fourth stomach compartment (true stomach) of a
ruminant.
Abortion Premature expulsion of the fetus or unborn animal.
Acetonemia (ketosis) A condition characterized by an elevated
concentration of ketone bodies in body tissues and fluids.
It is more common among high-producing cows in a negative
energy balance.
Acid detergent fiber Fiber measurement extracted with acidic
detergent in a technique employed to help appraise the
quality of forages. Includes cellulose, lignin, ADIN, and
acid-insoluble ash.
Ad libitum (ad lib.) At pleasure. Commonly used to express
feed available on free-choice basis.
Aerobic Requiring oxygen. For example, many microorganisms
require oxygen for the oxidation of food materials.
Afterbirth The placenta and allied membranes with which the
fetus is connected with the mother. It is expelled from the
uterus following parturition.
Agalactia Failure to secrete milk following parturition.
Age and Month-of-Calving Factors Factors used to eliminate the
environmental effects of different ages and months of the
year at calving. These factors standardize lactation
records for genetic evaluations.
Age at Last Calving Age determined by subtracting the cow's
birth date from her most recent calving date.
AI Daughter Female offspring of an artificially inseminated dam.
Alley A walking area for cattle within a barn, as a loafing alley or feeding alley.
Alopecia Baldness; loss or deficiency of hair, natural or
abnormal.
Ammonia A colorless pungent gas, NH3, composed of nitrogen and hydrogen; its compounds are used as fertilizers.
Ammonium An ion (NH4+) derived from ammonia (NH3).
Anaerobic treatment lagoon A structure to treat animal waste by
predominantly anaerobic biological action using anaerobic or
facultative organisms, in the absence of air, for the
purpose of reducing organic matter in wastes.
Anaphylactic shock (anaphylaxis) A state of immediate
hypersensitivity following sensitization to a foreign
protein or drug.
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) A U.S. Department
of Agriculture research service computing laboratory that
calculates genetic evaluations of cows and sires using data
collected through the DHI system.
Animal Unit A unit of measurement of livestock, the equivalent
of one mature cow weighing 1,000 pounds. The measure is
used in making comparisons of feed consumption and grazing.
Anorexia Lack or loss of appetite.
Anthelmintic A remedy for destruction or elimination of
parasitic worms.
Antibiotic A metabolic product of one microorganism or a
chemical that in low concentrations is detrimental to
activities of other microorganisms. Penicillin,
tetracycline, and streptomycin are antibiotics. Not
effective against viruses.
Antibody A protein (modified type of blood serum) developed or
synthesized by lymphoid tissue of the body in response to an
antigen. Each antigen elicits production of a specific
antibody.
Antigen A high-molecular-weight substance (usually protein)
which, when foreign to the bloodstream of an animal,
stimulates formation of a specific antibody.
Artificial insemination Placement of fresh or frozen male semen
into the female mechanically without normal sexual contact.
Aseptic Preventing or free from contamination by
microorganisms.
Aseptic packaging Method of filling packages without allowing
the entry of microorganisms. Commonly used for sterile milk
products to provide improved keeping quality.
As fed Refers to feed as it is consumed by an animal, including
moisture.
Atrophy A defect or failure of nutrition or physiologic
function manifested as a wasting away or reduction in the
size of cell, tissue, organ, or body part.
Automatic take-off A device for sensing the end of milk flow in
the milking machine, for shutting off the milking vacuum,
and for retracting the milking unit from the cow's udder.
Average daily gain The average amount of daily liveweight
increase as applied to farm animals.
Babcock test Traditional method of measuring the butterfat
content of milk, which may be used for calibrating modern
electronic testing devices.
Bactericide An agent or substance capable of destroying
bacteria.
Bacterin A suspension of killed or attenuated bacteria
(vaccine) used to increase disease resistance.
Bacteriostatic Describes a substance that prevents the growth
of bacteria but does not kill them.
Bag See udder.
Balanced ration The daily food allowance of an animal, mixed to
include suitable proportions of nutrients required for
normal health, growth, production, and well-being. A ration
containing all the dietary requirements to meet the purpose
for which it is being fed.
Bang's disease see Brucellosis.
Baled hay Forage that has been compressed into a bale (round or
rectangular) to save space in storage and aid in handling.
Barnsheet The prelisted sheet used in the DHI system for
collection and input of DHI data and information at the
farm.
Barren Sterile, infertile, nonbreeder, incapable, of producing
offspring. Also, open or not pregnant.
Basal metabolism (BM) The chemical changes that occur in the
cells of an animal in the fasting or resting state when it
uses just enough energy to maintain vital cellular activity,
respiration, and circulation as measured by the basal
metabolic rate (BMR).
Base-excess pricing A system of pricing grade A milk whereby
the quantity of milk delivered by each producer during base-
forming months (usually October through December) becomes
the quantity eligible for the Class I price. The excess
(surplus) is paid for only at the Class II or Class III
price.
BASIC A simplified, inexpensive testing plan to provide basic
management information to dairy farmers. Since basic plans
involve owner sampling and recording, Official DHI Rules
need not be followed.
Beefy (beefiness) A term used to designate the desirable
physical conformation of a beef animal, as contrasted with a
dairy animal which is trimmer (not beefy) and more angular.
Bleat The vocal sound made by a goat.
Blend price The price paid producers for market milk when
classified pricing is used. The blend price is an average
of class prices weighted by the quantity of milk used in
each class. See classified pricing.
Blind quarter A quarter of an udder that does not secrete milk
or one that has an obstruction in the teat which prevents
the removal of milk. A nonfunctional mammary gland.
Bloat A disorder of ruminants usually characterized by an
accumulation of gas in the rumen.
Blood plasma The liquid portion of blood in which the
corpuscles of blood cells are suspended.
Bloom A term commonly used to describe the beauty and freshness
of a cow in early lactation. A dairy cow in bloom has a
smooth hair coat and presents evidence of milking ability
(dairy character).
BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) An indirect measure of the
concentration of biodegradable substances in an aqueous
solution. The degradation of organic matter uses up
dissolved oxygen.
Bolus Regurgitated food that has been chewed and is ready to be
swallowed; a large pill for dosing animals.
Bone meal Animal bones that were steamed under pressure and
then ground. It contains 1.5 to 2.5 percent nitrogen, 12 to
15 percent phosphorus, and 20 to 34 percent calcium. It is
used as a fertilizer and as a mineral supplement for feeding
farm animals.
Bovine Pertaining to the ox or cow.
Bovine Growth Hormone (See BST or Somatotropin)
Bran The seed coat of wheat and other cereal grains which is
separated from flour and used as animal food.
Breed Animals having a common origin and characteristics that
distinguish them from other groups within the same species.
Breed average The average milk production of cows for a given
dairy breed.
Breeding value (genetic value) The genetic ability or merit of
an animal for a given trait, for example, secreting milk.
One-half of this genetic ability is transmitted to
offspring.
British breeds Those native to Great Britain, such as Hereford,
Angus, and Shorthorn.
Broad-spectrum antibiotic An antibiotic that is active against
a large number of microbial species.
Broken udder A term sometimes used to indicate an udder that is pendulous and loosely attached.
Bronopol A noncorrosive milk preservative.
Browse Small, woody plants with fedder shoots used as feed by goats, sheep, and cattle.
Brucellosis Contagious abortion in beef and dairy cattle, caused by Brucella abortus.
BST (bovine somatotropin) A complex, biologically active
protein secreted by the pituitary gland. It stimulates body
cell growth and milk production available as a synthetically
produced product for use in cattle. Sometimes called
"growth hormone" or BGH.
Buck A sexually mature male goat.
Bulk milk Milk stored on the farm in a tank (or tanks), as
compared with that stored in cans.
Bulk milk tank A refrigerated stainless steel vessel in which
milk is cooled quickly to 2 to 4øC. (35 to 39øF.) and stored
until picked up in a bulk tank truck.
Bull A sexually mature uncastrated bovine male.
Bulling A cow in heat (estrus).
Butterfat see milk fat.
Buttermilks There are two kinds of buttermilk. Natural
buttermilk is the by-product of churning cream into butter.
Cultured buttermilk is usually made from skim milk by adding
a starter culture and incubating until lactic acid develops
to about 0.8 percent. Salt is usually added to accentuate
the flavor.
CF See crude fiber.
CIP (cleaned-in-place) Most milk-handling equipment are cleaned
by circulating washing solutions through them without
disassembly.
CP See crude protein and intake protein.
California Mastitis Test (CMT) A mastitis screening test useful
for determining the somatic cell content in milk. A reagent
is required to react with nuclear material of cells present
in milk to form a gel.
Calving interval The average number of days between the latest
two calving dates for individual cows or a herd.
Can milk That milk placed in 10-gallon cans on the farm for
cooling and transportation to a dairy product manufacturing
plant.
Capriculture The study of goat keeping.
Carrying capacity The number of animals that a pasture can
properly carry with feed for a certain period of time.
Casein The major protein of milk and cheese.
Castration The removal of male reproductive organs (testicles)
to reduce sexual activity and increase fattening of meat
animals.
Cellulose The principal carbohydrate constituent of plant cell
membranes. It is made available to ruminants through the
action of cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen.
Centrifugal separation Removal of one substance from another
mechanically by centrifugal force, as with cream which is
less dense than skim milk.
Certified milk Milk produced and distributed under conditions
which conform with high standards for cleanliness and
quality set forth by the American Association of Medical
Milk Commissions.
Check-offs The practice of deducting a portion of the payment
to a farmer for his or her produce.
Cholesterol A white, fat-soluble substance found in animal fats
and oils, in bile, blood, brain tissue,, nervous tissue, the
liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. It is important in
metabolism and is a precursor of certain hormones.
Clarification The process of removing suspended material; in
milk processing, clarification is achieved by centrifugal
treatment which removes sediment (extraneous matter) and
somatic cells.
Class I base plan The system used in some Federal Milk
Marketing Orders whereby a producer is allowed to deliver a
specific quantity of milk based on production during the
lowest production period of the previous year, at one price,
but receives a lower price for remaining deliveries.
Classification An appraisal program offered by a breed
association to evaluate each animal's resemblance to the
breed's ideal. A numerical score is assigned to each
animal.
Classified pricing A pricing plan by which handlers are charged
for market milk according to the products in which it is
used, hence the term use classification. Class I milk goes
into fluid products and demands the highest price. Prices
of surplus milk, Class II or III, depending on the Federal
Milk Marketing Order, are about the price of manufacturing
milk.
Clean A lay term commonly used by cattle breeders to mean that
a cow has shed her afterbirth. Also refers to the natural,
wholesome flavor of dairy products.
Close breeding A form of inbreeding, such as mating brothers to
sisters, sire to daughter, and son to dam.
COD (chemical oxygen demand) An indirect measure of the
biochemical load exerted on the oxygen of a body of water
when organic wastes are introduced into the water. If
wastes are readily biodegradable, COD and BOD are nearly the
same.
Coliform bacteria Bacteria from the intestinal tract of warmblooded
animals. Presence is considered indicative of fecal
contamination.
Colostrum The first milk secreted after calving. Higher in
total solids than normal milk.
Compaction Closely packed feed in the stomach and intestines of
an animal causing constipation and/or digestive
disturbances.
Complete ration A blend of all feedstuffs (forages and grains)
in one feed. A complete ration fits well into mechanized
feeding and the use of computers to formulate least-cost
rations. Sometimes called total mixed ration or TMR.
Components The nutritional solids in milk other than water, like fat, protein, lactose, and minerals.
Concentrate A feed high in nitrogen-free-extract (NFE) and
total digestible nutrients (TDN) and low in crude fiber
(less than 18 percent). Included are cereal grains, soybean
oil meal, cottonseed meal, and by-products of the milling
industry such as corn gluten and wheat bran. A concentrate
may be low or rich in protein.
Concentrated milks Milk, skim milk, and components of these
that have been concentrated by removing varying amounts of
water under carefully controlled conditions of heat and/or
vacuum. Concentrated milks may be reconstituted by adding
appropriate quantities of water.
Conception Fertilization or penetration of the ovum by a sperm
cell.
Conception rate Total number of conceptions obtained divided by
total number of services.
Condition Refers to the amount of flesh (body weight), quality
of hair coat, and general health of animals. Also called
body condition.
Confidence range (CR) Indicates the accuracy in the estimation
of a sire's genetic merit in a sire proof by giving a
probable range for future summaries.
Confinement Livestock kept in corrals or housing for maximum
year-round production. Facilities may be partial or
complete, usually with a solid floor and enclosed, or
covered.
Conformation The body form or physical traits of an animal; its
shape and arrangement of parts.
Conjunctiva The tissue covering the anterior portion of an
eyeball.
Contemporaries Cows of the same breed that were born and
raised, and initiated their lactations during similar
periods. Usually separated into two lactation groups for
comparison--first lactation and all other lactations.
Contemporary comparison Method for estimating the transmitting
ability of bulls and cows using information on
contemporaries.
Cooperative A form of business owned and controlled by the
people who use its services, such as a milk marketing or
processing cooperative.
Cooperative Extension Service (CES) The state, university and
county educational outreach service of each state land-grant
institution. This service extends the research results and
educational programs of land-grant institutions to all the
people in the state.
Cow A mature female bovine.
Cow-hocked A condition of a cow in which the hocks are close
together and the fetlocks (located just above the hoof) wide
apart.
Crampiness A condition among cattle, especially bulls in
confinement, in which involuntary contractions of muscles of
the hind legs result in pain and discomfort. Affected
animals shift from foot to foot.
Creamery A butter factory or, more commonly, a milk processing
plant.
Crimped Rolled with corrugated rollers. The grain to which
this term refers may be tempered or conditioned before
crimping, and may be cooled afterward.
Crossbred Offspring of parents of different breeds.
Crossbreeding Mating animals of different breeds.
Crude fiber (CF) That portion of feedstuffs composed of
cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and other polysaccharides
which serve as structural and protective parts of plants
(high in forages and low in grains). Not soluble in acid or
alkali detergents.
Crude protein (CP) Total protein in a feed. To calculate the
protein percentage, a feed is first chemically analyzed for
nitrogen content. Since proteins average about 16 percent
(100 ö 6.25) nitrogen, the percentage of nitrogen in the
analysis is multiplied by 6.25 to give the CP percentage.
Cud A bolus of regurgitated food (common to ruminants). See
rumination.
Culling The process of eliminating nonproductive or undesirable
animals. The removal of cows from a herd as a result of low
production or other factors that reduce the profitability of
the cow.
Culture In microbiology, a population of microorganisms in a
growth medium or the act of growing bacteria in media for
identification. A pure culture contains only organisms that
initially arose from a single cell. Cultures are used in
manufacturing cultured dairy products and most cheeses.
Curd The coagulated or thickened part of milk. Curd from whole
milk consists of casein, fat, and whey, whereas curd from
skim milk contains casein and whey but only traces of fat.
Cwt. Hundredweight or 100 pounds of milk
DIM See days in milk.
DIP Degradable intake protein. That protein or nitrogen
degraded in the rumen by micoorganisms into microbial
protein or freed as ammonia.
DM See dry matter.
DMI Dry matter intake.
DNA See deoxyribonucleic acid.
Dairy cattle breed Group of dairy cattle having a common origin
and identifiable traits (frequently color). The major U.S.
breeds are Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey
and Milking Shorthorn.
Dairy character Physical traits that suggest high milking
ability. Important indications of this include an alert,
feminine head; long thin neck; openness and sharpness
throughout; prominent hips and pins; sharp withers; thin
thighs; flat flinty bone; and thin, pliable hide with a soft
silky hair coat. See bloom.
Dairy cow A bovine from which milk production is intended for
human consumption, or is kept for raising replacement dairy
heifers.
Dairy goat Any goat from which milk production is intended for
human consumption, or is kept for raising replacement dairy
kids.
Dairy goat breed Group of dairy goats having a common origin
and identifiable traits (frequently color). The major U.S.
breeds are Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen and
Toggenberg.
Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) Official DHI type of testing plan
that requires supervision and compliance with all Official
DHI Rules (DHI abbreviation is used commonly to designate
the testing plans).
DHI records Generic term used to classify any records computed
by the Dairy Record Processing Centers.
DHI supervisor An officially trained and DHIA-certified
employee qualified to collect milk samples and record milk
weights for all official types of testing plans.
Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) An organization with
programs and objectives intended to improve production of
dairy cattle and profitability of dairy farming and
especially to aid dairy farmers in keeping milk production
and management records.
Dairy Herd Improvement Registry (DHIR) A modification of the
DHIA program to make milk production records acceptable by
dairy breed associations. An official production record
program. Abbreviation used to designate Official DHIR type
of testing plan for registered cows. Record supervision and
verification are required in compliance with Official DHI
and DHIR rules.
Dairy Records Processing Center (DRPC) A computing facility
where information from the periodic tests in NCDHIP herds is
summarized and analyzed and where information to be used in
future management decisions is prepared for the dairy
producer.
Dam The female parent of any dairy animal.
Daughter-herdmate comparison Amount by which a daughter of a
bull differs in yield or other traits from the average of
cows of other bulls' daughters of the same breed in the same
herd during the same period.
Days dry As used in DHIA records, this is the number of days
dry prior to calving at the start of the production record
listed.
Days in milk (DIM) The number of days during the present
lactation that the cow has been milking, beginning with the
last date of calving to the current test date.
Degraded intake protein See DIP.
Dehorn To remove horns from animals or to treat young animals
so horns will not develop.
Denitrification The chemical or biological reduction of nitrate
or nitrite to gaseous nitrogen, either as molecular nitrogen
(N2) or as an oxide of nitrogen (N2O).
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) The chemical substance that is the
principal nuclear material of cells. The structure of DNA
determines the structure of ribonucleic acid which, in turn,
determines the structure of proteins of the cell.
Dicoumarol A chemical compound found in spoiled sweet clover
and lespedeza hays. It is an anticoagulant and can cause
internal hemorrhages when ingested by cattle.
Digestible energy (DE) That portion of energy of a feed that
can be digested or absorbed into the body by an animal.
Digestible protein (DP) The amount of protein of feed that is
absorbed by the digestive tract; it may be computed using
the formula: Percent DP = percent crude protein of feed x
digestion coefficient for protein in the feed.
Digestibility That percentage of food ingested which is
absorbed into the body as opposed to that which is excreted
as feces.
Digestion coefficient The digestion coefficient of feed
ingredients (DCFI) may be calculated using the formula:
Wt. of ingredient consumed -- Wt. of undigested ingredient in feces
DCFI =
Wt. of ingredient consumed
X 100
Direct microscopic somatic cell count (DMSCC) Microscopic count
of the actual number of somatic cells in milk. (This system
is used to check and verify electronic cell count machines
used in DHI laboratories.)
Disallowed practices Certain procedures or practices that may
impair or attempt to impair the reliability of any Official
DHI record.
Diuretic A drug or agent used to increase flow of urine.
Docking Removing the tail for sanitation purposes.
Doe A sexually mature female goat.
Doeling A female goat from one to two years old, or from one
year old until first parturition.
Dominant Describes a gene that covers up the physical
expression of its paired allele or recessive gene. For
example, black-and-white, Holsteins (B) is dominant over
red-and-white (b). Thus, BB and Bb Holsteins are black-and-
white, whereas bb individuals are red-and-white.
Donor dams Genetically superior cows from which embryos are
collected and transferred to recipients to allow these cows
to produce a greater number of offspring than possible in a
normal reproduction scheme.
Double standardization This refers to standardization of milk
for both fat and nonfat solids (or protein).
Dried milks Dried milk is made from whole milk; nonfat dry milk
is manufactured from skim milk. In drying milks, about 95
to 98 percent of the water is removed by concentrating the
solids in vacuum pans and then drying by spraying milk into
a chamber of hot air or onto a slowly revolving heated drum
under vacuum.
DRPC see Dairy Records Processing Center.
Dry Describes a nonlactating female. The dry period of cows is
the time between lactations (when a female is not secreting
milk).
Dry cow Any cow that has calved once and is not producing milk.
Dry date First calendar day the cow is not milked (See dry
period).
Drylot A relatively small area in which cattle are confined
indefinitely as opposed to being allowed to have free access
to pasture.
Dry matter (DM) The moisture-free content of feeds.
Dry off To change a lactating animal to a nonlactating one.
Usually done 6 to 8 weeks prior to freshening. See
involution.
Dry period Nonlactating days between lactations. This
nonlactating time is generally a 5- to 6-week rest period
before freshening.
Dyspnea Difficult or labored respiration.
Dystocia Abnormal or difficult labor (parturition), causing
difficulty in delivering the fetus and placenta.
Eartag A tag that generally is attached to the ear of a dairy
cow for easy and accurate identification.
Earthen storage basin An earthen pond or basin for storing
animal waste. Difers from an anaerobic treatment lagoon in
that wastes are not stored for and extended period and
microbial breakdown or treatment does not occur.
Economic indexes PTA Dollars (PTA$), PTA$ Protein and PTA$
Cheese (Cheese Yield$) are economic indexes used in
selecting cattle that combine relative values of milk and
components.
Edema The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the
intercellular tissue spaces of the body, as in swelling of
mammary glands commonly accompanying parturition in many
farm animals.
Efficacy Effectiveness.
Effluent The liquid outflow or discharge of a waste treatment process.
ELUD See extra label use drug.
Emaciation A wasted condition of the body; great losses of body weight or condition.
Embryo recipient Any cow or heifer that serves as a surrogate
mother and carries the embryo of another cow throughout the
development of the embryo and birth of the calf.
Embryo transfer Modern technology whereby multiple fertilized
eggs (ova) are flushed from the donor's uterus, and are
transferred to a recipient animal that serves as a surrogate
mother. The fertilized ova may be frozen and stored
indefinitely before they are thawed and transferred to
recipients.
Ensilage A green chop (forage) preserved by fermentation in a
silo, pit, or stack, usually in chopped form. Also called
silage.
Epidemic The rapid spreading of a disease so that many animals
or people have it concurrently. See epizootic.
Epizootic Designating a widely diffused disease of animals
spreading rapidly and affecting many individuals of a kind
concurrently in any region, thus corresponding to an
epidemic in man.
Equalization fund See producer settlement fund.
Ergosterol A plant sterol which, when activated by ultraviolet
rays, becomes vitamin D2 , also called provitamin D2 and
ergosterin.
Eructation The act of belching or casting up gas from the
stomach.
Escutcheon The part of a cow that extends upward just above and
back of the udder where the hair turns upward in contrast to
the normal downward direction of hair. Also called milk
mirror.
Estrus (oestrus, estrous) The recurrent, restricted sexual
receptivity (heat) in female mammals, commonly marked by
intense sexual urge. Estrous pertains to the entire cycle
of reproductive changes in the nonpregnant female animal.
Ether extract (EE) Fatty substances or lipids of foods and
feeds that are soluble in ether.
European breeds Those native to Great Britain or continental
Europe such as Charolais, Simmental, Limousin, Jersey,
Holstein, and Guernsey.
Evaporated milk The liquid food obtained by partial removal of
water from milk. The MF and TMS contents are not less than
7.5 and 25.5 percent, respectively. It contains 25 IU
vitamin D per ounce and is homogenized. The food is sealed
in a container and is so processed by heat, either before or
after sealing, as to prevent spoilage.
Exocrine (eccrine) Secreting outwardly, into, or through a duct.
Extra label use drug An antibiotic or other chemical used on
the advice of a veterinarian in a dosage, route of
administration, for a disease, or in some other manner not
included on the approved printed package label.
Extroversion The process of exposure of tissues inside the
streak canal of cows' teats. It is usually caused by
prolonged milking and excessive milking vacuum or inadequate
pulsation.
FCM See fat-corrected milk.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) An agency of the U.S.
government responsible for the safety of human food
supplies. They evaluate the safety and efficacy of food
additives and chemicals used with domestic animals providing
approval for use in a prescribed manner.
False heat The display of estrus by a female animal when she is
pregnant.
Fat See milk fat.
Fat-corrected milk The estimated quantity of milk calculated on
an equivalent energy basis. It is a means of evaluating
milk production records of different dairy animals and
breeds on a common energy basis.
Fat differential The amount added to or subtracted from the
blend price for each 0.1 percent that the milk fat is above
or below 3.5 percent. For example, if the blend price is
$9.00/cwt and the fat differential is 10›, a dairyman with
milk of 4.0 percent milk fat would receive $9.50/cwt.
Fecal coliform bacteria See coliform bacteria.
Federal Milk Marketing Order A milk marketing regulation issued
by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. It establishes
minimum prices paid by processors to producers in a region
for milk.
Federal Order Administrator An appointee of the U.S. Secretary
of Agriculture who supervises a Federal Milk Marketing
Order.
Federation of cooperatives An organization of cooperatives that
provides for joint activities but allows each cooperative to
manage its own affairs.
Feed efficiency (feed conversion). The units of feed consumed
per unit of weight increase or unit of production (milk,
meat, eggs).
Fiber The cellulose portion of roughages (forages) that is low
in TDN and hard to digest by monogastric animals.
Fibrotic (fibrosis) Of a condition marked by the presence of
interstitial fibrous tissue, especially in the mammary gland
resulting from mastitis.
Fill A term designating the fullness of the digestive tract of
an animal. Also used to identify a phase of packaging milk
and/or milk products in which containers are filled with
product.
Filled milk Milk from which milk fat has been removed and
replaced with other fats or oils.
Filter DNA A mastitis screening test useful in determining
somatic cells present in milk by filtering and measuring the
amount of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) produced.
First-calf A term commonly used to indicate the first calf born
to bovine females.
Fistula An artificial opening into an animal, e.g. the rumen.
Flat barn milking area An area for milking cattle where the
person milking cattle is on the same level or floor as the
cattle. May be used with pipeline or bucket milking
systems.
Fluid milk Milk commonly marketed as fresh liquid milks and
creams. It is the most perishable form of milk and commands
the highest price per unit volume. Also called market milk.
Fluid milk products Milk, flavored milk, concentrated milk,
filled milk, skim milk, fortified skim milk, lowfat milk,
buttermilk, milk drinks, and cream products.
Flush season Time during the year, usually spring and early
summer, of maximum milk production.
Fodder Coarse food for cattle or horses, such as corn stalks or
straw.
Foot rot An inflammation occurring between the toes and in the
hooves of sheep and cattle. It is caused by a combination
of fungus and bacteria.
Forage Roughage of high feeding value. Grasses and legumes cut
at the proper stage of maturity and stored to preserve
quality are forage. A crop that is high in fiber and grown
especially to feed ruminant animals.
Forestripping Expressing streams of milk from the teat prior to
machine milking to determine visual quality and to stimulate
"letdown."
Forequarters The two front quarters of a cow. Also called fore
udder.
Founder (laminitis) Inflammation of foot and lower leg of
ruminant animals caused by overeating grain or green grass.
Free-choice A feeding system that allows animals to eat at will. See self-feeder.
Freemartin Female born twin to a bull calf (about 9 out of 10
of these will not conceive). A sterile heifer born twin
with a bull.
Free stalls Resting cubicles or "beds" in which dairy animals
are free to enter and leave, as opposed to being confined in
stanchions.
Freeze branding A method of identification with a cold iron to
aid in easily identifying dairy cattle
Freeze drying The evaporation of water from a frozen product
with the aid of high vacuum. Also called lyophilization.
Fresh A cow that has recently given birth to a calf. Also
refers to dairy products having original qualities
unimpaired and those recently produced or processed.
Freshen Commonly used to designate the act of calving
(parturition); to give birth to a calf and concurrently
initiate lactation.
Full-sibs Animals having the same sire and dam, such as full
brothers, full sisters, and/or a full brother-sister pair.
GPD (gaseous products of digestion) These include the
combustible gases produced in the digestive tract during
fermentation of the ration. Methane constitutes the major
proportion of the combustible gases produced by ruminants;
however, nonruminants also produce methane. Trace amounts
of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, acetone, ethane, and hydrogen
sulfide are also produced.
Galactopoietic Stimulating or increasing secretion of milk.
Garget A common term for an inflammation of the udder of cows
or the resulting abnormal milk. More accurately referred to
as mastitis.
Gastroenteritis Chemical, bacterial, or viral inflammation of
the mucosa of the stomach and intestines.
Genetic appraisal Cows and sires are evaluated by researchers
at the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory, ARS-USDA, to
determine their genetic values. (See PTA and PPA).
Genetic base The average genetic merit of a population (usually
a breed) at a specific period, which is used as a reference
point to express a genetic difference from a base population
(genetic merit of cows and bulls).
Genetic merit The genetic value of the animal used in a
breeding program. (Also see breeding value).
Genetic trend Genetic change per year for a trait in the
population.
Genotype The actual genetic constitution (makeup) of an
individual as determined by its germ plasm. For example,
there are two genotypes for black-and-white Holsteins--BB
and Bb. See dominant.
Gestation Pregnancy (gravidity). The period from conception to
birth. The period of fetal development between
fertilization of the ovum and birth of the offspring.
Get The offspring of a male. A get-of-sire refers to given
number (commonly four) of progeny from a sire.
Ghee Concentrated milk fat prepared by melting butter,
decanting the fat after gravity separation from the serum,
and driving off most of the remaining moisture by heating.
About 1 percent moisture remains. It is used mostly in Asia
and Africa.
Giving milk Lactating, or the act of yielding milk by a mammal.
Goitrogenic Producing or tending to produce goiter (enlargement
of the thyroid gland).
Gossypol A toxic yellow pigment found in cottonseed. Heat and
pressure tend to bind it with protein and thereby render it
safe for animal consumption.
Grade Animals showing the predominant characteristics of a
given breed. They usually have at least one purebred
parent, ordinarily the bull.
Grade A milk Milk produced and processed under rigid sanitary
regulations. Milking and processing facilities are approved
and inspected by public health officials. Fluid milk
products must meet this inspection standard.
Grade cattle An animal possessing the distinct characteristic
of a particular breed but not registered with a breed
association. Sometimes called commercial cattle.
Grading up The continued use of purebred sires on grade dams.
Grass tetany A magnesium-deficiency disease of cattle
characterized by hyperirritability, muscular spasms of legs,
and convulsions.
Graze To consume standing vegetation, as by livestock or wild
animals.
Green cheese A term applied to the fresh uncured product. It
refers to flavor, odor, body, and texture, not color.
Green chop (fresh forage) Forages harvested (cut and chopped)
in the field and hauled to livestock. This minimizes the
loss of moisture, color, nutrients, and wastage. Also
called zero grazing or soilage.
Gross energy (GE) The amount of heat, measured in calories,
released when a substance is completely oxidized in a bomb
calorimeter.
Growthy Describes an animal that is large and well-developed
for its age.
HTST (high-temperature short-time) The temperature and time
combination for pasteurization of milk and milk products.
The minimum for milk is 71.7øC (161øF) for at least 15
seconds. Higher temperatures are used in pasteurizing
products of high solids because of the protection afforded
bacteria by solids.
Half-sib In genetics, a half brother or half sister.
Handlers Processors or dealers of milk who commonly purchase raw
milk and sell pasteurized milk and milk products.
Hand milking The manual milking of an animal as opposed to
mechanical milking.
Hardware disease Commonly, an inflammation of the body cavity
by an animal eating metal objects and perforation of the
digestive tract.
Hay Dried forage (e.g., grasses, alfalfa, clovers) used for
feeding farm animals.
Haylage Low-moisture silage (35 to 55 percent moisture). Grass
and legume crops are cut and wilted in the field to a lower
moisture level than normal for grass silage, but the crop is
not sufficiently dry for baling. It is commonly stored in a
sealed, or airtight, storage system.
Heart girth The circumference of the body just back of the
shoulders of an animal. It is used to estimate body weight.
Heat See estrus.
Heat increment (HI) The increase in heat produced following
consumption of food. It consists of calories released in
fermentation and nutrient metabolism. When environmental
temperature is below critical temperature, this heat may be
used to keep the body warm; therefore, it is not wasted.
Also called work of digestion.
Heat period That period of time when a female will accept a
male in the act of mating. Also called in heat or estrus.
Hectare A metric unit of land measurement (2.47 acres).
Heifer A bovine female less than three years of age who has not
borne a calf. Young cows with their first calves are
sometimes called first-calf heifers.
Herd A group of animals (especially cattle), collectively
considered as a unit.
Herd average Average milk and component production per cow for
all cows in the herd unit for 12 months.
Herd code An exclusive reference number that identifies every
DHI herd. The first two numbers identify the state, the
next two, the association, and the final numerical series
identifies the herd within an association.
Herd owner The declared owner of a herd of dairy cattle as
recorded on a legal document, registration papers or other
official documents.
Herdmate comparison Method of estimating the genetic
transmitting ability in which a cow's yield is compared to
that of other cows in the same breed from different sires
that calved in the same herd during the same season.
Heritability The proportion (fraction) of difference among
animals for a trait, such as milk production, due to genetic
difference rather than environmental factors. The fraction
of variation in a trait that is genetically transmissible
from parent to offspring.
Herringbone milking parlor A raised, zigzag-designed milking
stall which allows the group milking of several cows at one
time in a pipeline milking system.
High-moisture silage Silage usually containing 70 percent or
more moisture.
Holding area An area to hold cows prior to entry into the
milking parlor. Sometimes called a holding pen. May also
include a wash pen.
Homogenized milk Milk that has been treated to ensure breakup
of fat globules to such an extent that, after 48 hours of
quiescent storage at 7øC, no visible cream separation occurs
on the milk. The reduced size of fat particles results in
formation of a softer curd in the stomach.
Hundredweight (cwt.) Generally refers to milk sold off the farm in 100 pound units.
Hybrid vigor (heterosis) The increased growth or production
exhibited by the first generation over the average of its
two parent breeds. It is usually expressed as a percentage.
Hypocalcemia See parturient paresis.
Hypoglycemia Below normal blood glucose level.
IP See intake protein.
IU (international unit) A unit of measurement of a biologic
(e.g., a vitamin, hormone, antibiotic, antitoxin) as defined
by the International Conference for Unification of Formulae.
Potency is based on bioassay that produces a particular
effect agreed on internationally. Also called USP unit.
Ice milk A frozen product resembling ice cream, except that it
contains less fat (2 to 5 percent versus 10 percent) and
more SNF (12 percent versus 10 percent) than ice cream.
Both ice milk and ice cream contain stabilizers and
emulsifiers and about 15 percent sugar.
Imitation milks Mixtures of nondairy ingredients (other than
milk, milk fat, and nonfat milk solids) which are combined
forming a product similar to milk, lowfat milk, or skim
milk. Sodium caseinate, though derived from milk, is
commonly termed a nondairy ingredient and is often used as a
source of protein in imitation milks. Vegetable oils are
commonly used as the source of fat.
Immunity The power an animal has to resist and/or overcome an
infection to which most of its species is susceptible.
Active immunity is attributable to the presence of
antibodies formed by an animal in response to antigenetic
stimulus. Passive immunity is produced by the
administration of preformed antibodies.
Impaction Constipation. See compaction.
Incomplete record A cow's production in a lactation that is
terminated early for some reason. (Lactations not yet
completed may be referred to as a "record in progress.")
Individual handler pool See pool, individual handler.
Induced lactation A lactation that is artificially initiated by
the use of hormones, not by birth.
In milk Designating a lactating female.
Intake protein (IP) Total protein or nitrogen consumed without regard to quality.
In vitro Within an artificial environment, as within a test
tube.
In vivo Within the living body.
Involution A decline in size or activity of tissues and/or
organs. For example, the mammary gland tissues normally
involute with advancing lactation. It is part of the
process of lactating cows wherein they dry off.
Iodinated casein Milk protein (casein) to which iodine is
bound. It is commonly referred to a thyroprotein and can be
used to stimulate dairy cows to secrete more milk.
Ketonuria The presence of ketone bodies in the urine, as with
ketosis in high-producing cows.
Ketosis See acetonemia.
Kid A goat up to one year old.
Kidding Parturition in the goat; the act of giving birth to
young.
Kilocalorie (kcal) Equivalent to 1000 calories.
Lachrymation The act of tearing; secreting and conveying tears.
Lactate To secrete or produce milk; also, salt of beta-hydroxy
propionic acid.
Lactation average Actual 305-day average milk and component
production for all cows in the herd that was completed
during a 12-month period. (Since dry days are not included,
lactation averages usually are 8 to 15 percent higher than
rolling herd averages.)
Lactation period The number of days an animal secretes milk
following each parturition. Usually 11 to 12 months.
Lactation record The total milk and components produced by a
cow beginning on the day of calving and ending on the day
the cow goes dry. For purposes of genetic comparison, 10-
month (305-day) lactation records are the standard of the
industry. A 306 to 365-day lactation record may be used for
promotion. Lactation records greater than 365 days will not
be published.
Lactation totals to date The production totals for milk and
components through the current test date.
Lactogenic Stimulating the secretion of milk.
Lactose The 12-carbon sugar unique to milk; a disaccharide
composed of glucose and galactose. Average milk contains
about 5 percent lactose which varies little by breed.
Lactose intolerance A condition in which lactose is not
adequately hydrolyzed in the intestine because of
insufficient lactase enzyme.
Lagoon see anaerobic treatment lagoon.
Leaching The process of removal of soluble materials by the passage of water through soil.
Lead feeding Gradually increasing grain fed cows to a level
equal 1.0 to 1.5 percent of body weight beginning about
three weeks prior to the predicted calving date. Following
parturition, grain is increased until a cow reaches maximum
feed intake. Also called challenge feeding.
Legume Clovers, alfalfa, and similar crops that can absorb
nitrogen directly from the atmosphere through action of
bacteria that live in their roots and use it as a nutrient
for growth.
Letdown The process in a cow where physical stimulation causes
a release of oxytocin and the contraction of smooth muscles
surrounding milk alveoli resulting in fluid pressure within
the udder and milk flow.
Libido Sexual desire or instinct.
Lifetime production totals The production totals for milk and
components for a cow since her first calving (or first time
on DHI test). Totals will include production beyond 365
days in a lactation, production credits for an abnormally
initiated record and any production from prepartum milking.
Lignin A compound which, with cellulose, forms the cell walls
of plants. It is practically indigestible.
Linear score (SCC) Linear scores for somatic cell counts
(SCC's) convert SCC logarithmically from cells per
milliliter to a linear score from 0 to 9. The linear score
has a straight line, inverse relationship with milk yield.
An increase of one in the linear score is associated with a
400-pound decrease in lactation milk yield or a 1.5 pound
drop in daily yield.
Liner A flexible sleeve in the milking teat cup or rigid-walled
liner holder. Responsible for massaging the teat end and
intermittantly cutting vacuum at the teat end during
milking. Also called inflation.
Liner slip Slippage of the liner and teat cup during milking.
Caused a sharp change of milking vacuum within the unit or
cluster.
Lipid Any one of a group of organic substances that are
insoluble in water though soluble in alcohol, ether,
chloroform, and other fat solvents, and have a greasy feel.
They are rich sources of dietary energy.
Liquid-solid separation The process of passing a liquid-solid
suspension, such as animal manure, over a screen or similar
device to partially remove solids prior to storage or
application.
Loafing (area) (alley) (barn) (shed) A resting area for cattle.
Long feed Coarse or unchopped feed such as hay, as contrasted
with short, or chopped, feed.
Long test interval Routinely, tests are conducted each 15 to 45
days, or approximately one each month. An emergency or
supervisor vacation schedules may extend the interval beyond
45 days. For herds on official plans, reasons for a long
test interval (46 to 75 days) must be reported on the
barnsheet by the supervisor. Official status of the record
is lost if the interval exceeds 75 days.
Loose housing Facilities which allow cattle access to a large,
open bedded area for resting. Also known as free housing.
Loose housing provides at least 200 square feet per animal
for feeding and resting while freestall housing uses only 90
square feet per animal.
Lowfat milk Milk containing at least 8.25 percent solids and
from which sufficient milk fat has been removed to produce,
within limits of good manufacturing practice, a milk fat
content of 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 percent.
Low-moisture silage Silage that contains 35 to 55 percent
moisture. See haylage.
Lucerne Alfalfa (Medicago sativa); a legume of high feeding value for ruminants.
ME See mature equivalent or metabolizable energy.
MF (milk fat) The lipid or fatty acid components of milk.
Manufactured milk products These include cheeses, butter,
evaporated whole milk, condensed whole and skim milks, whole
milk powder, nonfat dry milk, ice cream, frozen desserts,
aerated cream, frozen and plastic creams, and milk used in
candy, soup, bakery products, and animal feeds.
Manufacturing grade milk Milk produced under regulations less
strict than those for grade A milk production.
Manufacturing milk Milk for the manufacture of dairy products.
Manure The fecal and urinary excretions of livestock.
Market milk Milk produced and handled under conditions that
qualify it for use as fluid milk in an organized marketing
area. Grade A milk meets this requirement. See fluid milk.
Marketing order see Federal Milk Market Order.
Mastectomy Removal of the mammary glands.
Mastitis An inflammation of the mammary gland (or glands), usually caused by bacteria.
Mature equivalency (ME) Age-conversion formulas (provided by
the USDA and dairy breed associations) applied to milk
production records of young cows to predict their expected
milk production potential as mature cows.
Mature equivalent (ME) lactation average ME average milk and
component production per cow for all cows in the herd for
the previous 365 days. ME lactation averages are updated
with each new test. Since ME represents an estimate of
mature production, an ME lactation average usually is 5 to
10 percent higher than the rolling herd average.
Megacalorie (Mcal) Equivalent to 1000 kcal or 1,000,000 cal. A
megacalorie is equivalent to a therm.
Metabolic weight The weight of an animal raised to threequarter
power (W0.75).
Metabolizable energy (ME) Food-intake gross energy minus fecal
energy, energy in the gaseous products of digestion (mostly
methane), and urinary energy.
Metritis An inflammation of the uterus.
Milk composition Average composition of dairy cow milk includes
the following constituents: 87% water, 3.25% protein, 2.5%
casein, 5% sugar (lactose), 3.7% fat and 0.8% minerals and
vitamins.
Milk equivalent The quantity of milk, as produced, required to
furnish the milk solids in manufactured dairy products. For
example, approximately 10 and 20 pounds of milk are required
to manufacture 1 pound of Cheddar cheese and butter,
respectively.
Milk fat A complex mixture of triglycerides containing numerous
fatty acids. DHI laboratories use electronic photometry and
infrared absorption for rapid milkfat tests. Milk fat also
is referred to as butterfat or fat.
Milk fever See parturient paresis.
Milk meter A device between the cluster or milking unit and the
milkline for measuring a cow's milk yield in either mass or
volume.
Milk only (MO) record Type of testing plan where only milk
weights are recorded and no milk samples are collected for
component sampling. This plan is intended for management
use only. The records made are not official and DHI rules
need not be followed.
Milk preservative A compound used to stabilize and to prevent
decomposition of milk samples sent to DHI laboratories for
component analysis. See bronopol.
Milk serum The nonfat components of milk.
Milk shed A geographical area in which milk is produced for a
given milk-marketing area.
Milk soil Residue on equipment, utensils, or containers after
emptying.
Milk Solids-not-fat (SNF) The solids portion of the milk minus
the fat component represents about 8.5 to 9.2 percent of the
total milk solids.
Milkstone Residue on equipment, utensils, or containers used
for handling milk. It is characterized by a high mineral
content, especially calcium. It is normally soluble in
acid.
Milk well The opening in the abdominal wall through which milk
veins (subcutaneous abdominal veins) enter to join the vena
cava and return blood from udder to heart.
Minnesota-Wisconsin price The average price paid for
manufacturing grade milk in about 400 plants in Minnesota
and Wisconsin, an area in which about 50 percent of the U.S.
manufacturing grade milk is produced. The price often used
as the basis for classified pricing in Federal Milk
Marketing orders.
Monogastric Having only one stomach or stomach compartment, as
does man, dogs, and swine.
Mount To climb onto, as demonstrated by females in heat and by
males in natural service.
Muley A polled cow.
Mummified fetus A shriveled fetus that has remained in the
uterus instead of being aborted or expelled. Fluids from the
fetus have been partially reabsorbed by the mother.
NAAB stud code An identification number composed of a one-or
two-digit prefix indicating the AI stud and a letter
indicating the breed of bull. The remaining numbers
identify the bull within a stud.
NDF See neutral detergent fiber.
NDHIA, Inc. The national DHI organization, made up of member
state DHI organizations and administered by an executive
secretary and an elected board of directors.
NFE See nitrogen-free extract.
NPN Nonprotein nitrogen (e.g., urea). Used by rumen
microorganisms to synthesize protein.
National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) The national
organization made up of representatives from the artificial
insemination (AI) industry.
National cooperative dairy herd improvement programs (NCDHIP)
The national, industry-wide cooperative framework within
which all DHI-related activities function.
National Research Council (NRC) A division of the National
Academy of Sciences established in 1916 to promote the
effective use of scientific and technical resources. This
private, nonprofit organization of scientists publishes
bulletins periodically giving nutrient requirements of
domestic animals.
Natural service In farm animals, it means to allow natural
mating, as opposed to artificial insemination.
Nonfat dry milk (NDM) The product obtained by removing water
from pasteurized skim milk. It contains not more than 5
percent moisture and not more than 1.5 percent MF unless
otherwise indicated. See dried milks.
Neonatal Pertaining to a newborn animal.
Net energy (NE) The difference between metabolizable energy and
heat increment. It includes the amount of energy used
either for maintenance only or for maintenance plus
production.
Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) A measurement of fiber after
digesting in a non-acidic, non-alkaline detergent as an aid
in determining quality of forages. Contains the fibers in
ADF, plus hemicellulose.
Nicking See hybrid vigor.
Nitrate A final decomposition product of organic nitrogen
compounds. A nitrogen-oxygen ion (NO3-) available as a
plant nutrient and soluble in water.
Nitrification The biochemical transformation by oxidation of
ammonium (NH4) to nitrite (NO2) or to nitrate (NO3).
Nitrogen balance Nitrogen in the food consumed minus nitrogen
in feces and nitrogen in urine (nitrogen retention).
Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) Consisting of carbohydrates,
sugars, starches, and a major portion of materials classed
as hemicellulose in feeds. When crude protein, fat, water,
ash, and fiber are added and the sum is subtracted from 100,
the difference is NFE.
Non-point source Entry of effluent into a water body in a
diffuse manner so there is no definite point of entry.
Nonreturn The breeding efficiency of bulls expressed as the
percentage of cows that conceive on first service. Also
called nonreturn rate.
Nurse cow A dairy cow used to supply milk for nursing calves,
commonly other than her own.
Oestrus See estrus.
Off feed Having ceased eating; without a healthy and normal
appetite.
Official production record Standard DHIA and DHIR records
pertaining to milk production made under the supervision of
an unbiased individual. Such records are used for
management purposes (e.g., feeding, breeding, and culling),
genetic evaluation (sire summaries), publicity, and sales.
See DHIR.
Omasum The third division of the stomach of ruminants. Also
called manifold, manyplies, and psalterium.
On the hoof Designating a living meat animal.
Open A term commonly used for nonpregnant farm mammals.
Openness A quality in dairy cattle associated with length of
body and width and length of rib.
Organic nitrogen Nitrogen bound in organic compounds, such as
protein or amino acids. Requires microbial decomposition
prior to nitification as a plant nutrient.
Outcross Mating an individual to another in the same breed who
is not closely related to it.
Out of Terminology for mothered by in animal breeding.
Ovariectomy The surgical removal of an ovary.
Overconditioned An animal with excess flesh and patchy fat
deposits, especially over the shoulders, back, hips, and
thighs.
Owner-sampler (OS) An unofficial milk production record system,
the records of which originate with the breeder (owner)
through a local DHIA. This type of testing plan allows
dairy farmers to weigh and sample milk from their cows.
Records are intended for management use only and are not
official.
Official The status given to DHI records that follow the
Official DHI Rules. Data collection is supervised and the
dairy herd is subject to verification tests. Official
records may be published for advertising and promotional
purposes.
Official DHI Used synonymously with DHI (see DHI).
Official DHI Rules Basic and minimum standards to be followed
uniformly and enforced in Official DHI and Official DHIR
herds throughout the United States, ensuring accuracy,
uniformity and integrity.
Oxytocin A naturally secreted hormone that is important in milk
letdown and the contraction of smooth uterine muscles during
parturition.
Parakeratosis Any abnormality of the stratum corneum (horny
layer of epidermis) of skin, especially a condition caused
by edema between the cells, which prevents the formation of
keratin.
Parallel milking parlor A raised milking area or platform where
the cow stands perpendicular to the operator and milking
units are attached between the rear legs. Also called side-
by-side.
Parenteral Administration by injection, not through the
digestive tract (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular,
intrasternal, intravenous).
Parity price A level of farm prices intended to provide the
same approximate purchasing power for farmers as enjoyed
during a preceding base period.
Parrot mouth A malformed mouth of an animal in which the upper
jaw abnormally protrudes beyond the lower.
Parturient paresis. A condition (observed especially in highproducing
dairy cows) characterized by a low blood calcium
concentration which results in partial to complete paralysis
soon after parturition called milk fever.
Parturition The act or process of giving birth to young.
Pasteurization The process of heating milk to at least 62.8øC.
(145øF.) and holding it at that temperature for not less
than 30 minutes (holding method); to 71.7øC. (161øF.) for 15
seconds (HTST); to 88.3øC. (191øF.) for 1 second, to 95.5øC.
(203.9øF.) for 0.05 second, or to 100øC. (212øF.) for 0.01
second (ultrapasteurization).
Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) Regulations approved by FDA
governing the design and maintenance of dairy farms and
processing plants to make sanitation and milk quality
uniform across state lines.
Pasture Plants, as grass, grown for feeding or grazing animals.
Also to feed cattle and other livestock on pasture.
Pathogen Any microorganism that produces disease (bacteria,
viruses, yeasts, molds, and parasites).
Paunch (rumen) The large, first stomach compartment of a
ruminant.
Pediculicide An agent that destroys lice.
Pedigree A record of an animal's ancestors, usually only those
of the five closest generations. A complete pedigree may
include milk production, type classification, and other
information pertaining to dairy cattle.
Pendulous udders Loosely attached mammary glands are
collectively referred to as pendulous udders.
Percentile (%ILE) For bulls, percentile (%ILE) is a ranking
based on the Active AI bull population; for cows, %ILE is a
ranking based on cows with recent lactations. With the
Animal Model, PTA$ Protein is used to determine percentiles.
Permanent identification Identification that stays with the
animal for its lifetime and cannot be lost. Examples are
tatoo, color markings (sketch or photo) and hot or freeze
brand. (Also see unique identification.)
Persistency The quality of being persistent, as in the ability
of lactating animals to maintain milk production over a
period of time.
pH A logarithmic measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a
solution using the hydrogen ion concentration. The pH scale
ranges from 0 to 14 with numbers above 7 being alkaline and
numbers below 7, acidic. A one number change means the
solution is ten times weaker or stronger than the previous
measure.
Phenotype The expression of genes that can be measured by our
senses--what we physically see of some trait in an animal.
Phosphate An ion of phosphorus and oxygen (H2PO4- or HPO4-2).
May exist as an ion in solution or as an ester or salt of
phosphoric acid.
Pica A craving for unnatural articles of food such as is
observed in phosphorus-deficient animals; a depraved
appetite.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) An inflammatory disease of the eye
of cattle of all ages. The eye may become pearl colored and
opaque leading to blindness.
Pipeline A stainless steel or glass pipe used for transporting
milk by gravity to storage. May be above the milking units
(high line) or below the level of the units (low line).
Placenta The tissue attachment between the fetus and the mother.
Plain A term suggesting general inferiority; coarse; lacking
the desired quality or breed character.
Plasma The liquid portion of blood or lymph in which corpuscles
or blood cells float.
PMO See Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.
Polled Describing a naturally hornless animal.
Polygastric Possessing more than one stomach compartment, as
does the cow and other ruminants.
Pool, cooperative Each producer who belongs to a cooperative
receives a common blend price calculated on the basis of use
of all milk sold through the cooperative.
Pool, individual handler A pool in which each producer selling
raw milk to a single handler (dealer) receives the same
blend price for milk regardless of the use made of any
individual producer's milk.
Pool, marketwide A pool in which each producer supplying a
market receives the same uniform price for milk calculated
on the basis of use of all milk received by handlers in the
market.
Post-legged A condition in which the hind legs are too
straight, so that the springy quality of the hock and
pastern is lost.
Postpartum Occurring after birth of the offspring.
Potash An oxide of potassium (K2O) used as a plant nutrient or fertilizer.
PPA See predicted producing ability.
Ppb Parts per billion. It equals micrograms per kilogram or
microliters per liter.
Ppm Parts per million. It equals milligrams per kilogram or
milliliters per liter.
Predicted Producing Ability (PPA) An estimation of the amount
of milk and/or components that a cow will yield above or
below herdmates based on the cow's pedigree information and
performance, if available.
Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) An estimation of an
animal's potential to transmit yield productivity to its
offspring based on pedigree information and the animal's
performance, if available.
Preliminary milking The first milking of a three-milking
verification test for herds milked twice daily.
Premature calving Termination of pregnancy during the last
trimester.
Prepartum Occurring before birth of the offspring.
Prepotent Designating an animal that transmits its own
character to its progeny to a marked or highly uniform
degree.
Primary waste treatment Usually, the initial treatment of waste
water to reduce pollution potential or health hazard. With
animal manure an example would be liquid-solid separation.
Produce A female's offspring. The produce of dam commonly
refers to two offspring of one dam.
Producer settlement fund (equalization fund) A fund maintained
by the market administrator into which some processors pay
money, because they use above average proportions of milk as
Class I, and from which other processors receive money,
because they use below average proportions of milk as Class
I. This fund is used in conjunction with a marketwide pool.
Production and type index (PTI) Combines genetic merit
measurements for production and type in a ratio thus ranking
sires on their ability to transmit a balance of these
traits.
Production report The computer report of production and
management data which is returned to the dairy producer 5 to
7 days following the test day and after component sampling
is completed at the laboratory. The records are processed
at one of the DRPC's.
Progeny testing Evaluating the genotype of an individual by a
study of its offspring. An evaluation of the transmitting
ability of an individual based on the performance of
offspring.
Projected 305-day lactation A calculation for predicting a
cow's total yield in 305 days based on the information from
a lactation in progress.
Prolapsed uterus A condition in which the uterus is partially
or completely turned inside out, outside the animal's body,
usually following parturition.
Proprietary handler A milk processing company owned privately or publically by investors other than milk producers. The business differs from a cooperative.
Protein See milk protein.
Protein equivalent A term indicating the total nitrogen content
of a substance in comparison with the nitrogen content of
protein (usually plant). For example, the nonprotein
nitrogen (NPN) compound, urea, contains approximately 45
percent nitrogen and has a protein equivalent of 281 percent
(6.25 x 45 percent).
Protein supplements Feed products that contain 20 percent or
more of protein.
Proven sire A bull whose genetic transmitting ability has been
measured by comparing the milk production performance of his
daughters with that of the daughter's dam and/or herdmates
under similar conditions. Plus-proven sires are those whose
daughters exceeded their dams and/or herdmates in milk
production.
Proximate analysis Tests for nitrogen (crude protein), crude
fiber, ether extract (lipids), and ash which, with nitrogen-
free extract, represent the gross composition of feed.
Psychrophilic Cold-loving. It refers to microorganisms that
grow best at refrigerated temperatures, that is, 4 to 15øC.
Psychrotrophic Cold-tolerant. It refers to microorganisms that
grow at low temperatures, 4 to 15øC., but may have an
optimum temperature above this range. These organisms
especially affect the shelf life of refrigerated dairy
products such as cottage cheese.
PTA See predicted transmitting ability.
PTI See production and type index.
Purebred The offspring of purebred parents of the same breed.
Ancestors of purebreds can be traced to foundation stock in
the original herdbook. An animal with two registered
parents of the same breed. Purebreds are not all
registered.
Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA) An organization made
up of members of the six purebred dairy cattle registry
associations: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein,
Jersey and Milking Shorthorn.
Pus A liquid product of inflammation consisting of leukocytes,
lymph, bacteria, deadtissue cells, and fluid derived from
their decomposition.
Pyometra An accumulation of pus in the uterus.
Quality certification standards (QCS) A set of national
standards that must be met and maintained by state DHI
organizations to assure the accuracy, uniformity and
integrity of NCDHIP.
Rate of passage The time taken by undigested residues from a
given meal to reach the feces.
Ration The food allowed an animal for 24 hours. See balanced
ration.
Raw milk Fresh, unprocessed milk as it comes from a cow, goat, or other mammal.
Recalcitrant In plant nutrition, refers to that portion of a
nutrient in the soil that is unavailable for biochemical
activity or plant uptake.
Recessive See dominant.
Reconstituted milks The product resulting from the mixing
together and rehydration of a dried product of milk with
water. For example, NDM and water yield reconstituted skim
milk.
Record (2x, 305-day, ME) Estimates how much the cow would have
produced during the present lactation when milked twice
daily in the first 305 days of her lactation if she had been
a mature cow calving in an average month.
Record in progress (RIP) A cow's production from her calving
date until the most recent test day.
Record plan Specific DHI program that provides a particular
service to dairy farmers. The plans are either official or
unofficial according to rules of the program.
Registered Purebred animal registered in the herdbook of the
proper breed association. Certain associations (for
example, the Red and White association) will register non-
purebred cattle providing they satisfy certain other
criteria.
Registration certificate Proof that the parentage of an animal
is known and is recorded in the Breed Registry Herdbook.
Regurgitate To cast up undigested food from the stomach to the
mouth, as done by ruminants.
Rennet An extract of the stomach of certain mammals containing
rennin. It is used in the coagulation of milk proteins in
the manufacture of most cheeses.
Reliability (REL) The term used in dairy cattle breeding to
indicate the precision with which genetic merit is
estimated. Reliability, then, is a confidence factor which
increases with the (1) number of daughters, (2) number of
herds in which daughters are located, (3) number of
lactations per daughter, and (4) information of relatives
used.
Retained placenta Placental membranes not expelled normally at
parturition.
Reticulum The second division or stomach compartment of a
ruminant. Also called a honeycomb.
Ride To be transported in a mounted position, as one cow
mounted on another during estrus.
Ring test A test for brucellosis performed by mixing stained
Brucella bacteria with raw milk. If antibody to Brucella is
present, the stained cells agglutinate (clump) and rise to
the surface with the cream to form a blue ring.
Roan A close mixture of red and white colors such as is often
found in Milking Shorthorn cattle.
Rolling herd average (RHA) The average milk production per herd
per year based on the 12 months just past. Upon completion
of a new test record, the record for the same period of the
previous year is deducted and the new record is added, then
a new rolling 365-day average is calculated. RHA's are
updated with each new test.
Rotary milking parlor A raised, round rotating platform or
carousel on which cows ride while being milked.
Roughage Consists of pasture, silage, hay, or other dry fodder.
It may be of high or low quality. Roughages are usually
high in crude fiber (more than 18 percent) and relatively
low in NFE (approximately 40 percent). Also see forage.
Rugged When referring to an animal, it means large and strong.
Rumen The first and largest stomach compartment of a ruminant;
also calledpaunch.
Ruminant One of the order of animals having a stomach with four
complete cavities--rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum--
through which food passes in digestion. These animals chew
their cud. They include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and
camels.
Rumination The casting up or regurgitation of food (cud) to be
chewed a second time, as cattle do; a chewing of the cud by
ruminants.
Runoff The portion of rainfall or irrigation water draining
from fields into surface streams or bodies of water. May
carry pollutants from field surfaces.
Run on To graze or pasture on, as for cattle to run on the
range.
SNF Solids-not-fat of milk; proteins, lactose, minerals, and
other water-soluble constituents. This is the same as NFS
and NMS.
Sanitize To kill or remove injurious, microorganisms but not
necessarily to sterilize. Dairy equipment is commonly
sanitized with heat or chemicals.
Scale The overall size of an animal.
Scours A persistent diarrhea in animals.
Scrub An animal from nonpurebred parents not showing the
predominant characteristics of any breed.
Scurs Regrowth of horn tissue after dehorning.
Secondary waste treatment Usually, a second treatment of waste
water to reduce pollution potential or health hazard. With
animal manure an example would be storage in an anaerobic
treatment lagoon and sprinkler field application.
Selection The causing or allowing of certain individuals in a
population to produce the next generation. Artificial
selection is that practiced by man; natural selection is
that practiced by nature.
Selection intensity The margin of true genetic superiority of
those animals selected in comparison to all those from which
the choices were made.
Self-feeder A feeding system that allows animals to eat at
will. See ad libitum.
Septicemia The presence of microorganisms and their associated
poisons in blood (commonly called blood poisoning). If the
microorganisms are bacteria, the condition is bacteremia.
Serotype The type of microorganism as determined by the kind
and combination of constituent antigens associated with the
cell.
Service A term commonly used in animal breeding, denoting the
mating of male to female. Also called serving or covering.
Service sire The sire to which a female currently is bred.
Service sire information should be reported on DHI
barnsheets.
Settled A term commonly used to indicate that an animal has
become pregnant.
Settling basin Any area that reduces flow velocity and allows
particulates to settle from a liquid suspension. With
manure suspensions, usually built to allow solids removal on
a regular basis.
Shelf life The time after processing during which a product
remains suitable for human consumption, especially the time
a food remains palatable.
Shrinkage A term used to indicate the amount of loss in body
weight, as in dairy steers, when exposed to various
conditions and/or slaughter. Also, the decrease in volume
of dairy products during storage, and the loss of milk or
milk solids in processing.
Shy breeder A male or female of any domesticated livestock that
has a low reproductive efficiency.
Sib (sibling) In genetics, a brother or sister.
Sickle-hocked Describes an animal having a crooked hock, which
causes the lower part of the leg to be bent forward out of a
normal perpendicular straight line.
Silage (ensilage) Green forage, such as grass or clover, or
fodder, such as field corn or sorghum, that is chopped into
a silo, where it is packed or compressed to exclude air and
undergoes an acid fermentation (lactic and acetic acids)
that retards spoilage.
Silo A vertical cylindrical structure, pit, trench, or other
relatively airtight chamber in which chopped green crops,
such as corn, grass, legumes, or small grain and other
livestock feeds are fermented and stored. See silage.
Sire The male parent. The verb means to father or beget.
Sire selection Process of identifying bulls to be used as
service sires with the goal of increasing the genetic
potential of the herd.
Sire summary See USDA sire summary.
Sketch (photo) A method of permanent identification to be
cross-referenced with visible identification. Accurate
sketches or photographs of Holsteins, Ayrshires and
Guernseys provide unique identification.
Skim milk Milk from which sufficient cream has been removed to
reduce its milk fat content to less than 0.5 percent
(usually less than 0.1 percent). Skim milk contains as much
protein, lactose, minerals, and water-soluble vitamins and
only half as many calories as whole milk. Skim milk is
practically cholesterol-free.
Slip To abort.
Soilage Freshly cut green forage often fed to animals in
drylot. Also called green chop.
Solids-not-fat (SNF) See milk solids-not-fat.
Solvent-extracted Fat or oil removed from materials (such as
soybean seeds) by organic solvents.
Somatic cell count A measurement of the number of somatic cells
present in a sample of milk. A high concentration of more
than 500,000 somatic cells per milliliter of milk indicates
an abnormal condition in the udder.
Somatic cells The cell content of milk is composed of
approximately 95 percent leukocytes (white blood cells) from
the blood and 5 percent epithelial cells from the secretory
tissue of the udder. Leukocytes are present in response to
infection or injury, and epithelial cells are present as a
result of infection or injury. Collectively, these cells
are called somatic cells.
Somatotropin A protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland,
which stimulates growth of muscle, bone and mammary
development in young animals and increases milk production
in lactating animals by making available nutrients for milk
synthesis and secretion.
Spayed To have surgically removed the ovaries of a female.
Sphincter A ring-shaped muscle that closes an opening, such as
the sphincter muscles in the lower end of a cow's teat.
Springer A term commonly associated with female cattle showing
signs of advanced pregnancy. Often used to refer to heifers
close to term with their first calf.
Stablemate See herdmate.
Stage of lactation Period of milk production during a lactation
determined by the length of time since parturition.
Stale A period when an animal does not work or lactate at the
normal standards, as opposed to bloom. Also refers to milk
products that have deteriorated in storage.
Stanchion A specially designed headgate to hold an animal in
place while allowing feeding and resting.
Standardization The process of adjusting the milkfat and
solids-non-fat content of milk to meet a required standard.
Standby pool An arrangement between cooperatives in markets
that have periods of milk shortages and cooperatives in
areas of surplus milk production. Cooperatives in the
deficit market make monthly payments to certain cooperatives
in the surplus regions to assure that they have sources of
milk available at reasonable prices when local milk does not
supply their Class I needs.
Statistically significant It usually refers in research to
tests for differences resulting from treatments. The
reliability of such differences is expressed as degree of
probability or the percentage of time an observation would
be expected to fall outside a certain range of variation
from normal observation.
Steer A male bovine castrated before development of secondary
sex characteristics.
Sterilize To remove or kill all living organisms. Also, to
make barren or unproductive, as a vasectomy in bulls.
Stillborn Born lifeless; dead at birth.
Stover Fodder; mature cured stalks of grain from which seeds
have been removed, such as stalks of corn without ears.
Streak canal See teat meatus.
String A group of animals within a larger group, or herd.
Strip cup A small cup or device to collect forestrippings which
makes abnormal milk easier to observe.
Stud A unit of selected animals kept for breeding purposes
(e.g., bulls).
Subclinical A disease condition without clinical
manifestations.
Subcutaneous Situated or occurring beneath the skin.
Succulence A condition of plants characterized by juiciness,
freshness, and tenderness, making them appetizing to
animals.
Supplement To add minerals, vitamins, or other minor
ingredients (volumewise) to a ration.
Support Price The equivalent price of milk as set by prices of
NDM, cheese, and butter offered by the Commodity Credit
Corporation of USDA. These prices effectively set a minimum
price for milk and intermitantly provide milk producers an
indirect government subsidy.
Surplus milk The quantity of grade A fluid milk in excess of
that needed for Class I purposes.
Surprise tests These are tests for verification performed on
cows whose projected 2X (twice daily milking), 305D (305-day
lactation), ME (mature equivalency) records exceed certain
levels of milk and/or fat as established by breed
associations.
Sweet butter Unsalted butter.
Sweetened condensed milk The food obtained by partially
removing water from a mixture of milk and a safe and
suitable nutritive sweetener.
Switch The brush of hair on the end of a bovine's tail.
TDN See total digestible nutrients.
TMR Total mixed ration. See complete ration.
TMS See total milk solids.
Take To accept a male in coitus. Also a lay term meaning to become pregnant.
Take-off See Automatic take-off.
Tanbark trail A term often associated with those who exhibit
animals in competition at fairs and livestock shows.
Tankerload In milk collection and distribution, large
quantities of milk in a large stainless steel tank borne on
a transport truck--the method of transporting milk.
Tattoo A method of permanent identification to be crossreferenced
with visible identification. Permanent ink used
with tattoo numbers creates a lifetime record of
identification in the ears of dairy cattle.
Teat A small protuberance or appendage on the udder, through which milk from the udder flows.
Teat meatus Small canal located in the end of each teat; also
called a streak canal.
Term The gestation period.
Tertiary waste treatment Usually, the final treatment of waste
water to reduce pollution potential or health hazard
allowing discharge into bodies of water. Not economically
practical with animal manure waste waters.
Test To evaluate the producing ability of a lactating animal;
to determine the percentages of various components of milk,
such as milk fat; to examine the blood of an animal for
specific pathogens.
Test interval The interval, in days, between successive DHI
tests. As a routine procedure, a test interval shall not
consist of less than 15, or more than 45 days. For Official
DHI/DHIR records, the test interval shall not exceed 75
days.
Tester One who weighs, samples, and tests milk. Also called a
test supervisor.
Tetany A condition in an animal in which there are localized,
spasmodic muscular contractions.
Tether To tie an animal with a rope or chain to allow grazing
but prevent straying.
Thyroprotein See Iodinated casein
Time recording device/monitor A mechanical/electronic device
that automatically monitors the interval between milkings.
The time is expressed in hours plus minutes, and the device
must display the starting and ending time of the previous
milking.
Times milked Cows are normally milked twice per day with
records being labeled 2x; however, cows may be milked more
frequently (3x, 4x, etc.).
Titer The quantity of a substance required to produce a
reaction with a given volume of another substance, or the
amount of one substance required to correspond with a given
amount of another substance. Agglutination titer is the
highest dilution of a serum that causes clumping of
bacteria.
Toe out To walk with the feet pointed outward. Also called splay-footed.
Total digestible nutrients (TDN) A standard evaluation of the
nutritional merit of a particular feed for farm animals
which includes all the digestible organic nutrients--
protein, fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and lipids.
Total milk solids (TMS) Primarily milk fat, proteins, lactose, and minerals.
Toxins The poisons produced by certain microorganisms. They
are products of cell metabolism. The symptoms of bacterial
diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, botulism, and
staphylococcal food poisoning, are caused by toxins.
Toxoid A denatured toxin. It retains the ability to stimulate
the formation of antitoxin in an animal's body.
Trade barriers Rules and regulations that hamper the trade of
commodities. Tariffs, fees for imported goods and import
limits or quotas are barriers to trade.
Type The physical conformation of an animal.
Type classification A program sponsored by breed associations
whereby a registered animal's conformation may be compared
with the "ideal" or "true" type animal of that breed by an
official inspector (classifier).
UHT (ultrahigh temperature) Temperatures of 85øC (185øF) and
higher as applied to pasteurization or sterilization of milk
in a relatively short time.
UIP Undegraded intake protein. The portion of intake protein
escaping breakdown by rumen microorganisms.
USDA United States Department of Agriculture. The branch of
the Federal government that is administered by the Secretary
of Agriculture appointed by the President of the United
States.
USDA sire summary A summary of milk production records of
daughters of sires to aid in the selection of the best
genetic material available for breeding dairy cattle.
USP United States Pharmacopeia. A unit of measurement or
potency of biologicals that usually coincides with an
international unit. See IU.
Udder The encased group of mammary glands provided with teats
or nipples, as in a cow, ewe, mare, or sow. Also called
bag.
Ultrapasteurization The process of heating milk at ultrahigh
temperatures for a sufficient time to kill all pathogenic
microorganisms, a temperature such as 88.3øC. for 1 second.
Ungulate Referring to a hoofed four-legged animal, as a cow.
Unified series eartag A form of unique identification engraved
in a metal tag and fixed to the ear of a dairy cow. Each
number is unique with the first two numbers representing the
state code, followed by three letters and four numbers.
Uniform price The price paid producers for market milk when
classified pricing is used in a marketwide pool. The
uniform price is an average of class prices weighted by the
quantity of milk in each class. See blend price.
Unique identification A series of nonduplicating numbers such
as registration, uniform series eartag or VIP number. These
numbers are cross-referenced with permanent identification
for registered, VIP and other recorded nonregistered
animals. (Also see visible identification.)
Unsaturated fat A fat having one or more double bonds, not
completely hydrogenated.
Unthriftiness Lack of vigor, poor growth or development; the
quality or state of being unthrifty in animals.
Urea A nonprotein organic nitrogenous compound (NH2CONH2). It
is made synthetically by combining ammonia and carbon
dioxide.
VIP See verified identification program.
VFA (volatile fatty acids) Commonly used in reference to
acetic, propionic, and butyric acids produced in the rumen
of cattle, goats, and sheep, in the cecum of sheep, the
cecum and colon of swine, the colon of the horse, and the
cecum of the rabbit.
Vaccination The process of artificially stimulating the immune
response in an animal to a an altered biological material
resulting in resistance to an infectious disease.
Vat pasteurization The heating of milk, while stirring in a
vessel, to a temperature of at least 62.8øC (145øF) for 30
minutes.
Veal A calf fed for early slaughter (usually at less than 3
months of age in the United States).
Verification test A special test conducted on Official DHI/DHIR
herds to verify production records of cows and herds or for
investigation of rule violations. A supervised preliminary
milking prior to the verification test is required to
determine a 24-hour milking interval. (Tests may be ordered
by breed organizations, state DHI boards of directors, state
DHI managers and/or the Extension dairy specialist for
NCDHIP.)
Verified identification program (VIP) A program sponsored by
the National DHIA, Inc., in which a DHIA supervisor verifies
the required identification information for an animal.
NDHIA issues an identification certificate, permanently
identifying the animal and its parentage.
Virulence The degree of pathogenicity (ability of produce
disease) of a microorganism as indicated by case fatality
rates and/or its ability to invade the tissues of a host.
Visera The internal organs of the body.
Visible identification A readily visible, numbering system
attached to the animal that is used to identify the animal
easily on test day.
Volatilization The loss of gaseous materials, such as ammonia
nitrogen, from animal manures to the atmosphere.
Wash pen A corral or pen with a solid floor and permenent
sprinklers or other washing devices for cleaning cows
collectively prior to milking. Usually associated with a
holding area.
Weighing Procedure used by supervisors and dairy producers to
determine the amount of milk given by a cow on test day.
Whey The water and solids of milk that remain after the curd is
removed. It contains about 93.5 percent water and 6.5
percent lactose, protein, minerals, enzymes, water-soluble
vitamins and traces of fat.
Wing shoulder A condition in which the shoulder joint is away
from the rib structure and skeleton (much of the skin is
tucked in behind it).
With calf Terminology designating a cow that is pregnant.
Work of digestion See heat increment.
Wry tail Tailhead set either to the right or left of center.
Yearling A male or female farm animal (especially cattle and horses) during the first year of life.
Yogurt Fermented milk, lowfat milk, or skim milk, sometimes
protein-fortified. Lactobacillus bulgaricus and
Streptococcus thermophilous are the fermenting bacteria.
Fruit, flavors, and sugar may be added.
Zero grazing See green chop.
Sources:
________ 1988. A Glossary of Farm Terms. United States Department
of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
________ 1989. Understanding the Animal Model. National
Association of Animal Breeders, Columbia, MO.
Campbell, J.R. and R.T. Marshall. 1975. The Science of Providing
Milk for Man. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY. pp. 739-
769
Krider, J.N. (editor) 1992. The Animal Waste Management Handbook.
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service, Washington, D.C.
Stiles, K.A. and D.P. Dickson. 1985. Terminology - Fact Sheet A-
6. National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement Program
Handbook, National DHIA, Columbus, OH.
%f TITLE;GLOSSARY OF DAIRY TERMS
%f COLLECTION;GENERAL PUBLICATIONS AND
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS %f ORIGIN;OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
%f
DATE_INCLUDED;OCTOBER, 1993
%t GLOSSARY OF DAIRY TERMS