5 in 1:
Vaccine for the immunisation of cattle for the prevention of pulpy kidney disease, tetanus, black disease, malignant oedema and blackleg, collectively sometimes referred to as the Clostridial diseases
80 / 20 rule:
The basic rule of management. Too often managers expend 80% of their efforts on "the trivial many" problems that produce only 20% of the results. Effective managers recognise that spending time (20%) on problems or situations that count most, will produce 80% of the desired results
1st Service:
(see First Service)
3 in 1:
A dam (mother cow) with her calf, where the cow has been bred again and is pregnant. These three (cow, calf, unborn calf) are sometimes sold together in one “package”
305 – 2X – ME:
The lactation record for a cow with a minimum of 50 days in milk that is extended to 305 days in milk, adjusted for location, age and season of calving to a mature cow basis and adjusted to twice a day milking basis if milked more than twice a day
305 Day Actual:
The actual production in the first 305 days of a cow’s lactation
305 Projected Actual:
Estimate of what a cow with a minimum of 50 days in milk will produce in the current lactation in the first 305 days based upon current lactation to date and current test weights. Projected lactation records printed on the DHI-200, 210 or 220 monthly reports can be calculated as actual 305-day or as standardised, 2X, ME records
A
AABP:
American Association of Bovine Practitioners
AAHA:
American Animal Hospital Association
AASRP:
American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners
ABARES:
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science
Abattoir:
A slaughterhouse, a facility where animals are slaughtered for meat
Abdomen:
(1) The part of an animal's body between the thorax and the pelvis;
(2) Abdominal cavity;
(3) The belly
Abdominal Fat:
Body fat located in the abdominal region
Abdominal Tuck:
The appearance of an animal that is hunching its back and drawing up its abdomen in an attempt to expand its lungs
Abdominal Tunic:
The heavy sheet of connective tissue between the flank muscles
Abnormal:
Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic
Abnormal Calf:
A calf that has a phenotypical malfunction
Abnormal Development:
May be used for development in any organism, which is characterised by the change in the morphology of anatomical structures
Abomasal Fluid:
Present in the abomasum, the true digestive stomach of ruminants
Abomasum:
The fourth stomach compartment of ruminant animals that corresponds to the true stomach of monogastric animals
Abortifacients:
Chemical substances that interrupt pregnancy after implantation
Abortion:
Delivery of fetus between conception and several days before normal parturition
Abscess:
Localised collection of pus in a cavity formed by disintegration of tissues
Abscessation:
Formation of a focus of pus within a tissue
Absolute Intake:
The total intake of feed by an animal
Absorbance:
A measure of the amount of light absorbed by a solution. It is a colorimeter or spectrophotometer
Absorbed Dose:
The amount of a substance penetrating across an absorption barrier (the exchange boundaries) of an organism, via either physical or biological processes
Absorption:
The passage of liquid and digested (soluble) food across the gut wall
Academic Fertility:
Fertility that is determined by inherent hormonal balance and good body condition resulting from artificially improved (selective grazing; energy feed) nutrition
Acaricide:
A treatment achieves against ticks and mites
ACCB:
The Central African Association of Livestock Traders
Acceptable Risk:
The level of risk that will be tolerated, depending on a variety of social, economic, scientific and other factors as well as any perceived benefits
Accessory Organs:
The seminal vesicles, prostate, and Cowper’s glands in the male. These glands add their secretions to the sperm to form semen
Account payable:
An expense that has been incurred but not yet paid
Account receivable:
Income that has been earned but for which no cash payment has been received
Accounting:
A comprehensive system for recording and summarising business transactions
Accounting period:
The period over which accounting transactions are summarised
Accredited:
A high state of freedom from a particular disease regularly monitored by testing for that disease
Accredited Person:
Has the same meaning as ‘recognised person’
Accredited Risk Management Program Verifier:
Has the same meaning as ‘recognised risk management programme verifier’
Accrual Method of Accounting:
Accounting method whereby revenue and expenses are recorded when they are earned or incurred regardless of when the cash is received or paid
Accuracy (of selection):
Correlation between an animal’s unknown actual breeding value and a calculated estimated breeding value for a trait
Acetabulum:
(1) The hip joint socket;
(2) The cavity in the hip into which the distal end of the femur fits
Acetonemia:
(see Ketosis)
Acetylcholine:
A compound secreted by the neuron where it is attached to the muscle at the neuromuscular junction. Acetylcholine causes the transfer of the nerve impulse from the neuron to the muscle
Achilles Tendon:
Heavy connective tissue, which extends from the gastrocnemius, superficial digital flexor, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus muscles into the hock. It is commonly called the gambrel cord
Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF):
Fibre measurement extracted with acidic detergent in a technique employed to help appraise the quality of forages. Includes cellulose, lignin, ADIN, and acid-insoluble ash; the fraction of a feedstuff not soluble by acid detergent. Roughly comparable to a crude fibre plus lignin
Acid Rinse:
Part of the equipment cleaning process for stainless steel and rubber parts removes fat, protein and minerals and also reduces bacteria
Acid-base Balance:
The balance between acids and bases in the blood plasma. Normally it results in a slightly alkaline state with an excess of hydroxyl ions in comparison to hydrogen ions. The balance is achieved by the offset of the ingestion and production of acidic and basic material by the amount of acidic and basic material metabolised and excreted by the body
Acidophilus Milk:
Milk to which Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria have been added to aid in the digestion of lactose (milk sugar). Some humans have difficulty digesting lactose. When they drink regular milk they may suffer diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and discomfort
Acidosis:
An increased acidity (i.e. an increased hydrogen ion concentration). If not further qualified, it usually refers to acidity of the blood plasma
Acquired:
Not inherited, or present at birth (congenital), but developing after birth
Acre:
The unit of measure most typically used to describe a land area in the United States. An acre is equivalent to 43,560 square feet and is about 9/10 the size of a football field
Across – breed EPD’s:
Procedures and adjustment factors that allow direct comparison of EPD’s from animals of different breeds. They are based upon across – breed EPD adjustment factors which are added to EPDs provided by the separate genetic base for their evaluation
Act:
The Animal Products Act 1999
Actin:
A muscle protein
Actinobacillus Lignieresii:
A species of bacteria that infects cattle
Actinobacillus Pyogene:
A minor bacterial species in the BRD complex
Actinomycosis:
Bacterial disease usually found in the mouth
Action:
The manner in which an animal moves its legs
Action Code:
Codes that refer to a management decision to be made by the dairy farmer relating to each individual cow
Active Ingredient:
The specific drug component part of a chemical compound
Active Sire / Dam:
Animals that have at least one progeny with a weaning weight recorded in the past two years
Activity:
A particular method of producing a commodity, e.g. winter – fattened - steer
Activity Gross Income:
The total value of the output of a farm activity whether the output is sold or not
Activity Gross Margin:
Activity gross income minus the variable cost of that activity
Activity Gross Margin Planning:
A procedures whereby activities are scheduled sequentially on the basis of the highest gross margin from a unit of only one key constraint
Actomyosin:
The protein complex formed when actin and myosin interact at the cross-bridge. At rigor mortis this interaction is permanent
Actual Abortion:
An observed abortion that is properly coded
Acute:
A rapid and often severe onset. (e.g. acute infection)
Acute Course:
Short and relatively severe progression of disease
Acute Disease:
One which develops rapidly with definite signs. Usually serious and often lasts only a short period of time
Acute Exposure:
Contact made between a chemical, physical or biological agent and an organism for a short period of time (typically less than a day)
Acute Phase Protein:
Proteins that are secreted into the blood in increased or decreased quantities by hepatocytes in response to trauma, inflammation, or disease. These proteins can serve as inhibitors or mediators of the inflammatory processes. Certain acute-phase proteins have been used to diagnose and follow the course of diseases or as tumour markers
Acute Ruminal Acidosis:
An acute condition characterised by a ruminal pH < 5.0 for over 2 hours per day and associated with high levels of lactate acid in the rumen liquor
ACV:
(see Australia Cattle Veterinarians)
Acyclic Period:
Not cyclic; not occurring in periods or cycles; prolonged period
Ad Lib:
(see Ad Libitum)
Ad Libitum:
Free choice; allowing animals to eat all they want
Adaptability:
The ability of an animal to adapt to changes in the environment in which it lives
Adaptation:
Adaptation to a particular environment exists when an animal or breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce within that environment at an acceptable level to the cattle producer
Adaptive Cycle:
The cycle of Social – ecological system disruptions and renewals
Adaptive Radiation:
Rapid divergent evolution of a more generalised ancestral species into a variety of more specialised species or subspecies which fill unoccupied ecological niches
Adaptive Trait:
An adaptive trait is one that contributes to an animal or a breed's ability to survive and reproduce sustainably in a particular environment. Resistance to internal parasites and heat tolerance are important adaptive traits in some environments but not in others
Addictive:
The cow becomes dependent on the injection to secrete milk
Addisons Disease:
Is a rare, disorder in which the adrenal glands produce insufficient steroid hormones (corticosteroids). Lifelong treatment with steroid replacement therapy is required, with regular follow-up treatment and monitoring for other health problems
Additive Adjustment Factors:
A numerical quantity added to an animal’s record to reflect expected performance if the animals had belonged to some baseline group. For example, 60 pounds could be added to weaning weight records of steer calves out of two – year – old dams to represent expected weaning weight if their mother had been five to nine years of age. The use of additive adjustment factors does not affect variability in the trait after adjustment
Additive Genetic Correlation:
(rBV x BVy) - The measure of association between the breeding value for one trait (BVx) and the breeding value for another trait (BVy), ranging from -1 to +1. The genetic basis for an additive genetic correlation between birth weight and weaning weight of beef cattle is about +6
Additive Genetic Effects:
The effect of the allele on animal performance, independent of the effect of the other allele at a locus. The effects of the two alleles at a locus add up (thus "additive"). Alleles at a locus may have other effects (dominance, epistasis) so that there are not genes that have just "additive" effects and other genes with only "dominance" effects. Additive genetic effects can be inherited, other genetic effects such as dominance and epistasis are the result of allele combinations that are lost between generations. The additive genetic effect that an animal has for a trait is equal to its breeding value
Additive Genetic Variance:
A measure of the variability among animals in their breeding values, e.g the additive genetic variance for weaning weight of beef cattle is 190kg
Adductor:
A muscle located in the hind limb, which makes up part of the top round
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP):
A chemical substance used like an energy storage battery. ATP traps energy given off by one metabolic reaction and holds it until it is needed by another metabolic reaction
Adequate Intakes:
When sufficient scientific evidence is not available to estimate an average requirement, Adequate Intakes are set
ADF:
(see Acid Detergent Fibre)
ADG:
(see Average Daily Gain)
Adipose Tissue:
Fat
Adjusted Backfat Thickness:
The measure of subcutaneous fat thickness adjusted by the grader to take into account the fat deposition on the rest of the carcass
Adjusted Weaning Weight (WW):
An un-shrunk, off – the – cow-calf weight adjusted to 205 days of age and to a mature dam age equivalence
Adjusted Yearling Weight (YW):
An un-shrunk weight adjusted to either 365, 452, or 550 days of age
Adjuvant:
A substance added to a drug product formulation which affects the action of the active ingredient in a predictable way
Ad-lib Feeding:
No limit placed on the amount of feed intake. Self – feeding or allowing cattle to consume feed on a free – choice basis
Adrenalin:
A hormone produced by the small adrenal glands (situated near the kidneys) and released in response to fright, excitement or anger. It can slow down or stop the normal contractions of the uterus after AI, lowering conception rate
ADSA:
American Dairy Science Association
Adult Equivalent:
An adult equivalent is a 440kg male or female beast. Carrying capacity is defined as a number of hectares required to support an adult equivalent
Adulteration:
Contamination or spoilage
Aerobic:
Microorganisms that require free oxygen to biodegrade organic matter
Aerobic Metabolism:
Metabolism in the presence of oxygen
Aerobic Requiring Oxygen:
For example, many microorganisms require oxygen for the oxidation of food materials
Aerophobic:
Fear of swallowing air
AFC:
Age of First Calving
Afterbirth:
The membranes attached to the fetuses that are expelled after parturition
Agalactia:
Failure to secrete milk following parturition
Agar Gel Diffusion:
A laboratory procedure which detects precipitins, a type of antibodies, when serum diffuses in agar and combines with a soluble antigen
Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) Test:
This blood test helps develop an association between active and recent BVDV infection and reproductive events. The results of this test are then used to decide whether to undertake further investigation
Age:
Age in months as of last calving date considering only month and year born and month and year calved sometimes expressed in years and months. For heifers, age in months = number days / 30.4 rounded. If a cow enters a herd with no birth date reported, it is estimated based on breed and lactation number
Age Group:
Categorising animals based on their current age for heifers and age at freshening for cows
Age Verification:
The recording of a date of birth to a tag number in a registration database / herdbook
Aged Cows:
Animal older than 10 years
Agency:
A division of the U.S. Department of Interior such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department of Agriculture such as the Forest Service, or sometimes a division of state government that makes administrative and management decisions on public lands
Agent:
Sells and buys cattle on behalf of clients. (See also 'livestock agent' and 'stock and station agent')
AGID:
(see Agar Gel Immunodiffusion Test)
Aging:
(1) Changing meat flavour and tenderness by holding it under controlled conditions - permitting enzymatic activity to degrade the complex proteins;
(2) ripening
Agistment:
The provision of grazing for another person's livestock for a payment
Agitator Shaft:
Apparatus used to stir the milk in the tank
Agouti:
A colour in which each hair has three or more bands of colour with a definite break between each colour
AGR-Environmental Scheme:
Schemes to encourage environmentally friendly farm practices
Agribusiness:
Producers and manufacturers of agricultural goods and services, such as fertiliser and farm equipment makers, food and fibre processors, wholesalers, transporters, and retail food and fibre outlets
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS):
A branch of the USDA which administers various marketing programs. The programs provide standardisation, grading and market news services. AMS is the agency which is responsible for administering the USDA Yield and Quality Grading Service for meat packing facilities
AHCS:
Animal Health Computer System
AHIR:
(see Angus Herd Improvement Records)
AHLU:
Accumulated Heat Load Unit
AHLU Risk Level Key:
Illustrates the relationship between the AHLU and the level of risk
AI:
(see Artificial Insemination)
AI Certificates:
Certificates issued by some breed associations that must be submitted before AI calves can be registered
AI Daughter:
Female offspring of an artificially inseminated dam
AI Equipment:
The equipment used to artificially place the bull's semen into the cow's uterus
AI Genomic Tested:
Bulls that have PTAs from USDA that are based solely upon genomic information. They have no daughter information available
AI Progeny Tested:
Bulls that have PTAs from USDA that are based upon information from their daughters. They may or may not have genomic information available
AIN:
Animal Identification Number
AIPL:
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory
Air Dry:
Refers to feeds in equilibrium with air; they would contain approximately 10% water or 90% dry matter
Aitch Bone:
The split portion of the pubis
ALBC:
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy - a group dedicated to preserving and promoting rare and endangered breeds of American livestock
Albino:
Animals or plants with an absence of pigmentation. In animals, lacking pigmentation in the hair, eyes, and skin. In plants, partial or total lacking of natural pigments or chlorophyll
Albumin:
A group of proteins that are found in milk
ALFA:
Australia Lot Feeders’ Association
Alfalfa:
Plant grown to feed cattle
Alimentary:
Pertaining to food or the digestive tract (alimentary canal)
Alkaloids:
One of a large group of organic basic substances found in plants. These substances often have toxic effect on animals
All Natural:
An animal that has been raised growth hormone free, antibiotic free and no steroids are given either by injection or digestion (in the feed) according to the USDA
All Other AI Bulls:
Bulls that do not have PTAs from USDA and they have no genomic information. These bulls will have Parent Averages (PA) which are averages of their parent’s PTAs
Allantochorion:
The fusion of the allantois and chorion in the uterus
Allel:
(see Alleles)
Alleles:
Alternate forms of genes. Because genes occur in pairs in body cells, one gene of a pair may have one effect and another gene of that same pair (allele) may have a different effect on the same trait
Allelic Frequencies:
The frequency with which a particular allele appears among the possible alleles in a population
Allelomimetic Behaviour:
Doing the same thing. Animals tend to follow the actions of other animals
Allergenic:
Capable of causing allergy (a sudden inflammatory response)
Allergens:
Antigen-type substances that produce immediate hypersensitivity
Alley:
A walking area for cattle within a barn such as a loafing alley, feeding alley or cross alley (walkway) from a barn to the milking parlour
Alley Scrapper:
A "V" shaped mechanical blade that is dragged over an alley by chain or cable to pull manure to collection channel at the end of the alley (or possibly the centre of the barn). The blade then collapses and is drawn back to the opposite end of the alley
Alliance:
A cooperative business arrangement in which cattle producer, sometimes in cooperation with other producers, arranges for the retained ownership and / or contract sale of his / her animals before they actually are produced. The agreement typically defines the breeding system, selection methods, management conditions, and product specification for the cattle
Allotment:
A grazing area on public lands, usually fenced along its borders, where from one to many ranchers are permitted to graze livestock exclusively
Allozymes:
Enzymes differing in electrophoretic mobility as a result of allelic differences in a single gene. As with other markers (e.g. microsatellites) allozyme variation in a population is an indication of genetic variation
Alopecia Baldness:
Loss or deficiency of hair, natural or abnormal
Alternate Stocking:
The repeated grazing and resting of forage using two paddocks in succession
Alternative Grazing:
The technique of periodically changing the livestock species that graze on a given pasture reduces parasite loads on pasture since different animals are affected by different parasites
Alternative Stable States:
Different ecosystems or social – ecological system configurations, each of which is plausible in a particular environment
Alveolus:
A hollow cluster of cells. In the mammary gland, these cells secrete the milk
AMC:
(see Arthrogryposis Multiplex Carrier / Free)
American Breeds:
Composite cattle breeds developed in the USA where Brahman influences exists, Beefmaster, Braford, Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Simbrah, etc
American ID:
This identity includes an animal number plus a 3- country code and can be either eight digits or nine digits (with check digit). 8-digit numbers are 50,000,000 to 59,999,999 and can be in sequence by the last digit. 9-digit numbers are 100,000,007 to 359,999,994 or 380,000,009 to 399,999,998 and can be in sequence by the next to last digit
American Meat Institute (AMI):
Association of meat-packing and processing companies
American National Cattlewomen (ANCW):
Organization of women involved in the promotion of beef through education and consumer relations programs
AMF:
(see Arthrogryposis Multiplex Carrier / Free)
AMI:
(see American Meat Institute)
Amino-acid:
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. The elements C, H, O, N and P are joined together to form amino acids which in turn are joined to form protein
Amino-acid (essential):
Amino acids which cannot be synthesised by the animal, out of materials that are ordinarily available, at a rate to meet the demands for normal growth. They must, therefore, be provided in the diet
Amino-acid (limited):
The essential amino acid of a protein that shows the greatest percentage deficit in comparison with the amino acids contained in the same quantity of another protein selected as a standard
Ammonia:
A colourless pungent gas, NH3, composed of nitrogen and hydrogen; its compounds are used as fertilisers
Ammonium:
An ion (NH4+) derived from ammonia (NH3)
Ammon’s Horn:
Semi-cylindrical glistening body bulging laterally from the brain ventricle floor
Amnion:
A fluid-filled membrane located next to the fetus
Amnion Sac:
Commonly known as a Waterbag, the sac in which the fetus develops
Amniotic Fluid:
The fluid surrounding a fetus within the amnion sac
Amortised Loan:
A loan that is repaid in equal instalments of principal and interest, with the interest and principal component of the repayment instalments vary as the loan reduces
Amplifying Feedback:
Feedback that augments changes in process rates and tends to destabilise a system. It is synonymous with positive feedback
Ampulla:
The dilated or enlarged upper portion of the vas deferens in bulls, where sperm are stored for sudden release at ejaculation
AMR:
Automated Milk Recording
AMS:
(see Agricultural Marketing Service)
Anabolism:
The synthesis of the small absorbed nutrients in the body cell into larger body complex molecules
Anaemia:
A serious condition in which the blood lacks red blood cells. Signs of anaemia include pale colour, rapid breathing and poor-doing (unthrifty, poor weight gains, etc.)
Anaerobic:
Microorganisms that biodegrade organic matter without free oxygen
Anaerobic Metabolism:
Metabolism in the absence of oxygen
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
Anaesthesia:
Anaesthesia is the total loss of feeling or sensation. It is induced by drugs to allow surgery or procedures to be performed without causing pain. Anaesthesia may be applied to the whole body, when it is known as general anaesthesia, or to part of the body when it is known as local anaesthesia
Anesthetic:
A medication administered to numb an area of the body
Analgesia:
The relief of pain. An analgesic is something designed to relieve pain
Anaphylactic Shock (Anaphylaxis):
A state of immediate hypersensitivity following sensitization to a foreign protein or drug
Anaphylaxis:
(see Anaphylactic Shock)
Anaplasmosis:
Anaplasmosis, formerly known as gall sickness, traditionally refers to a disease of ruminants caused by obligate intraerythrocytic bacteria of the order Rickettsiales, family Anaplasmataceae, genus Anaplasma. Cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, and some wild ruminants can be infected with the erythrocytic Anaplasma. Anaplasmosis occurs in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide (∼40°N to 32°S), including South and Central America, the USA, southern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The Anaplasma genus also includes Anaplasma phagocytophilum (compiled from species previously known as Ehrlichia phagocytophila, E equi, and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent. A bovis (previously E bovis), and A platys (previously E platys), all of which invade blood cells other than erythrocytes of their respective mammalian hosts. Bovine anaplasmosis is of economic significance in the cattle industry.
Etiology
Clinical bovine anaplasmosis is usually caused by A marginale. An A marginale with an appendage has been called A caudatum, but it is not considered to be a separate species. Cattle are also infected with A centrale, which generally results in mild disease. A ovis may cause mild to severe disease in sheep, deer, and goats. A phagocytophilum has recently been reported to infect cattle; however, natural infection is rare and it does not cause clinical disease.
Prevention
In South Africa, Australia, Israel, and South America, infection with live A centrale (originating from South Africa) is used as a vaccine to provide cattle with partial protection against the disease caused by A marginale. A centrale (single dose) vaccine produces severe reactions in a small proportion of cattle. In the USA, where live vaccines cannot be used, vaccines comprising nonliving A marginale purified from infected bovine erythrocytes and adjuvant have been used in the past but may not currently be available. Immunity generated by using multidose killed vaccine protects cattle from severe disease on subsequent infection, but cattle can still be susceptible to challenge with heterologous strains of A marginale. Instances of isoerythrolysis in suckling calves have occurred due to prior vaccination of dams with preparations that contained bovine erythrocytic material. Long-lasting immunity against A marginaleis conferred by pre-immunization with live rickettsia, combined with the use of chemotherapy to control severe reactions. The use of attenuated strains of A marginale as a live vaccine has been reported, with instances of severe reactions also occurring. A marginale grown in tick cell cultures are being investigated as an alternative live vaccine source. Subunit vaccines to control bovine anaplasmosis are also under investigation. In some areas, sustained stringent control or elimination of the arthropod vectors may be a viable control strategy; however, in other areas immunisation is recommended.
Ancillary Service:
Services other than room, board and medical, such as laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and therapy services provided during care
ANCW:
(see American National Cattlewomen)
Androgen:
A male sex hormone, such as testosterone
Anesthesia:
Loss of sensation or consciousness may be local, regional or general
Anestrous:
Period of time when female is not in estrus; the non-breeding season
Angular:
The wedge shape as seen in the body conformation of some dairy cows
Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR):
A comprehensive program that provides breeders, who enrol and submit performances measures, with decision-support tools from which to make better, more informed breeding decisions
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):
USDA agency providing leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. APHIS is responsible for port inspection and the detection and eradication of unwanted organisms
Animal Breeding:
The practical application of genetic analysis for development of lines of domestic animals suited to human purposes
Animal Husbandry:
Basic animal care that is needed to produce a healthy animal
Animal ID:
The unique identification of an animal
Animal Impact:
The physical impact on soil and plants created by a dense herd
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL):
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 Law:
Laws and legislation that govern the treatment, confinement, or production of animals and livestock
Animal Model:
A genetic prediction procedure in which EPDs are directly computed for all animals in the population
Animal Rights:
According to the Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, is the belief "that animals have rights in much the same way as people do." Advocates of animal rights argue that ethical consideration should be expanded from a preoccupation with humans to include at least some animals and that animals have intrinsic worth and possess inherent or natural rights that humans ought to respect. Specifically, animals should not be viewed as property nor used as food, clothing, research subjects, or entertainment. Animal rights advocates are divided into two camps: One camp argues that the perception of better animal welfare facilitates continued and increased exploitation of animals, whereas the other camp believes that the increasing concern for animal welfare is an incremental step towards eventual animal rights. The second camp would be reluctantly sympathetic to stockmanship; the first camp would not
Animal Technicians:
Individuals who are trained in animal care procedures and assist in the care and management of animals in a laboratory, research or veterinary setting
Animal Unit (AU):
A term used to establish an equivalent density for various species of livestock. 1 animal unit is equivalent to an "average" live body weight of 1000 lbs, or one mature cow
Animal Unit Month (AUM):
The amount of forage required by a mature cow (or other grazing animal) and her calf for one month
Animal Welfare:
According to the Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, is "the avoidance of abuse and exploitation of animals by humans by maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the prevention and treatment of disease, and the assurance of freedom from harassment and unnecessary discomfort and pain." Concern for animal welfare is based on the awareness that nonhuman animals are sentient (i.e., capable of experiencing pain and suffering), and therefore should not be subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering. Stockmanship is congruent with the concerns of animal welfare. Animal welfare is often contrasted with animal rights, which holds that animals should not be used by humans at all and should not be regarded as their property
Ankylosis:
Fixation and immobility of a joint
Annual Cow Cost:
Cost to keep a cow for a year
Annual Grasses:
Grasses that complete their growth and production within one year
Annuity:
A sum of money received or used every year that is equivalent to a larger sum at the present time or at a future time. E.g. the equal annual sum that repays the interest and principal on an amortised loan. An annual sum over a number of years that is equivalent to the net value of an investment project that runs over the same number of years
Anoestrus:
When the animal is not cycling
Anorexia Nervosa:
Condition of loss of appetite and therefore loss of weight
Anorexigenic:
Causing suppression of appetite
Antagonist:
Compound which interferes with or blocks the utilisation or normal action of a nutrient
Ante-mortem:
Before death
Ante-mortem Inspection:
Inspection of the animal before death to determine healthiness
Anterior:
(see Cranial)
Anterior Pituitary (AP):
The part of the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain that produces several hormones
Anthelmintic:
A drug or chemical agent used to kill or remove internal parasites
Anthrax:
A disease of mammals and humans caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax has an almost worldwide distribution and is a zoonotic disease, meaning it may spread from animals to humans. All mammals appear to be susceptible to anthrax to some degree, but ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats are the most susceptible and commonly affected
Antibiotic:
Product produced by living organisms such as yeast that destroys or inhibits the growth of other organisms, especially bacteria
Antibiotic Residues:
The presence of traces of antibiotics or their derivatives in milk or meat
Antibiotic Resistance:
The ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to resist or to become tolerant to chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial agents, or antibiotics
Antibiotic Test Kit:
Test kit for use on the farm to detect residues of antibiotics in milk before the milk is picked up for delivery to the plant
Antibiotics:
Substances such as penicillin that have the ability to kill or weaken bacteria
Antibodies:
Immune substances produced in response to an infection or vaccination or acquired as in colostrums or antisera
Antiemetic:
A medication used to treat vomiting and nausea
Antifungal:
A medication used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm
Antigen:
Any substance put into the animal’s body that produces an immunity to disease
Antigen-capture Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA):
A biochemical technique used in the immunology laboratory to detect the presence of an antigen in a sample (e.g. blood sample)
Antimicrobial:
A chemical substance produced by a microorganism which has the capacity, in dilute solutions, to inhibit the growth of or to kill other microorganisms
Antioxidants:
(1) Compounds which prevent or retard oxidative changes.
(2) Compounds used in food processing to inhibit oxidative changes affecting flavour or causing discoloration
Antipruritic:
A medication to relieve itching
Antipyretic:
A medication to reduce a fever or high temperature
Antiseptic:
A chemical agent used on living tissue to control the growth and development of microorganisms
Antisera:
Serum containing antibodies to a particular disease or diseases which when administered to an animal provides it with temporary immunity
Antitoxin:
An antibody capable of neutralising a specific disease organism
Antitussive:
A medication to relieve coughing. Veterinarians often prescribe antitussive medications to pets that suffer from conditions that cause severe or intense coughing
Antrum:
Fluid filled cavity in the follicle which develops in the ovary as the follicle grows from a small primordial follicle to an antral follicle
Anus:
Opening at the end of an animal’s digestive tract where faeces are expelled
Anus Area:
The surface area of an animal observed from the rear of an animal, the area under the tail, around the anus
Anxiety:
A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterised by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and feelings of stress
APHIS:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Aphthovirus:
A genus of the family Picornaviridae causing foot-and-mouth disease in cloven-hoofed animals
Apigmeted:
Free from pigment
Aponerurosis:
A fibrous sheet or expanded tendon, giving attachment to muscular fibres and serving as the means of origin or insertion of a flat muscle; it sometimes also performs the office of a fascia for other muscles
Apparent Abortion:
Result of a cow rebred or diagnosed open following a diagnosed pregnancy
Appendicular Skeleton:
The bones associated with the limbs of an animal
Appreciation:
Increase in the value of a capital asset (e.g., land) due to external influences such as inflation
APT:
Number of reactor animals per 1 000 animals tested
Arbitrage:
Simultaneous purchase and sale of two different contracts (or a combination of cash and futures) to take advantage of perceived mispricing. In a pure arbitrage, mispricing is locked in and a risk-free point made through trades
Arbovirus:
An acronym of Arthropod – borne viruses, which are transmitted by biting insects e.g. Akabane Disease
Arm Bone:
A common name for the humerous bone which is a long bone that extends from a blade to the foreshank. Another common name for this bone is clod bone. We may think of a cow having four legs. In beef terminology, however, the front / anterior 'legs' are referred to as arms where the rear / caudal legs are referred to as legs
Arrhythmia:
Any variation from the normal rhythm or rate of the heartbeat
ARS:
Agricultural Research Service
Arteriosclerosis:
A disease resulting in the thickening and hardening of the artery walls
Artery:
Vessel through which blood passes from the heart to all parts of the body
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Carrier / Free:
Arthrogryposis Multiplex (Curly Calf Syndrome) carriers have one copy of this genetic mutation and can pass the defect on to offspring; Arthrogryposis Multiplex Free individuals have no copies of this mutation
Articular:
Pertaining to a joint
Artificial Insemination (AI):
The technique of placing semen from the male into the reproductive tract of the female by means other than natural service
Artificial Rearing:
Rearing occurring in a non-natural environment
Artificial Selection:
Selection of breeding stock with the purpose of improving economically important traits
Artificial Vagina:
A device used to collect semen from a male when he mounts in a normal manner to copulate. The male ejaculates into this device, which simulates the vagina of the female in pressure, temperature, and sensation to the penis
As Fed:
Refers to feeding feeds that contain their normal amount of moisture
ASCII:
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASCII File:
American Standard Code for Information Interchange, is a character set (256 characters) and a character encoding based on the Roman alphabet as used in modern English. ASCII codes represent text in computers, in other communications equipment, and in control devices that work with text
Ascites:
The build-up of additional fluid in the abdomen otherwise called the peritoneal cavity
Aseptic:
Preventing or free from contamination by micro-organisms
Aseptic Packaging:
Method of filling packages without allowing the entry of micro-organisms
Asexual:
Not sexual
As – is Basis:
(see Dry Matter Basis)
ASPCA:
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Aspergillus:
Type of mould on feed, that could be pathogenic, causing abortion
Aspermia:
Defective secretion of sperm or lack of formation of spermatozoa
Asphyxia:
A pathological condition caused by lack of oxygen manifested in impending or actual cessation of life
Aspirate:
To draw in or out using a sucking motion. Aspiration can also mean breathing in a foreign object (such as inhaling food into the airway)
Assay:
An assay is a procedure where a property of a system or object is measured
Assessment:
Systematic examination of an individual, organisation, plan, programme, or system against regulatory requirements
Assets:
Items of value owned by a beef business or producer
Assimilation:
The process of transforming food into living tissue
Asymptomatic:
If a patient is a carrier for a disease or infection but is not experiencing clinical signs
Atavism:
The reappearance of a character after it has not appeared for one or more generation
Ataxia:
An inability to co-ordinate voluntary muscle movements
Atherogenesis:
The formation of lipid deposits and thickening of the intimal cell layers within arteries, producing a yellow swelling on the endothelial surface (atheroma), leading to atherosclerosis, the most common form of arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis:
A form of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits in the inner walls of the arteries
Atlantal:
Pertaining to the atlas bone
Atlas Joint:
The joint between the head and the first cervical vertebrae, which is severed to remove the head
Atopy:
Is a predisposition toward developing certain allergic reactions. Commonly used to describe atopic dermatitis, which results in skin irritation and inflammation
ATP:
(see Adenosine Triphosphate)
Atrial Fibrillation:
An irregular heart rhythm associated with disorganised electrical activity in the upper two chambers of the heart (atria). Its name comes from the fibrillating (i.e. quivering) of the heart muscles of the atria, instead of a coordinated contraction. The result of the rapid, irregular beats is ineffective filling of the ventricles, the bottom two chambers of the heart that pump blood out to the body
At-risk Premises:
Premises with susceptible animals, but none have clinical signs compatible with the FAD. Premises objectively demonstrates that it is not an Infected Premises, Contact Premises, or Suspect Premises. At-Risk Premises seek to move susceptible animals or products within the Control Area by permit. Only At-Risk Premises are eligible to become Monitored Premises
Atrium:
Most commonly refers to a chamber in which blood enters the heart, as opposed to the ventricle, where it is pushed out
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
Attenuated:
Weakened. Normally refers to an attenuated vaccine whereby the disease-causing abilities of the vaccine components are weakened or attenuated during the manufacturing process to make them safe upon administration
Attenuated Strains:
Isolates of pathogenic agents in which the virulence has been reduced
Atypical:
Unusual, or not fitting a single diagnostic category
AU:
(see Animal Unit)
Auction:
Market for cattle through which an auctioneer sells cattle to the highest bidder
Auction Barn:
(see Auction Market)
Auction Market:
The most common option for selling cattle is the Livestock Auction Market. This is a centrally located facility where beef producers take their cattle to be sold. The cattle are sold by auction to the highest bidder
Auction Plus:
An internet based livestock auction system
Aujeszky Disease:
A highly contagious herpes virus infection affecting the central nervous system of swine, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, and other animals
AUM:
(see Animal Unit Month)
Auscultate:
Auscultation is a method used to listen to the sounds of the body during a physical examination, usually with a stethoscope
AUS-MEAT:
An Australian company that incorporates AUS-MEAT Standards and AUS-MEAT Commercial Services. AUS-MEAT is responsible for establishing and maintaining national industry standards for meat production and processing. The AUS-MEAT language, which forms part of the AUS-MEAT Standards, provides a common language of objective descriptors to help the supply chain achieve a consistent, quality product
Australia Cattle Veterinarians:
A special interest group which belongs to the Australian Veterinary Association
Authorised Person:
A person designated by the Director-General under section 65 of the Act as an authorised person for the purpose of issuing official assurances for dairy product
Autoagglutination:
Agglutinantion or clumping of particles which occurs without addition of a specific antiserum
Autogenous Vaccines
Vaccines made from organisms collected from a specific disease outbreak
Autoimmune:
A medical condition characterised by an overactive immune system which attacks the body, mistaking normal tissues in the body for harmful substances
Automatic Detacher:
A device for sensing the end of milk flow in the milking machine which shuts of the milking vacuum and releases the milking machine from the cow's udder
Automatic Milking Installations:
Machines that undertake all tasks to milk a cow, including teat preparation, cluster attachment and teat disinfection. Sometimes called Robotic Milking
Automatic Take Off:
(see Automatic Detacher)
Autopsy:
A post-mortem examination in which the body is dissected to determine the cause of death
Autosomes:
Chromosome pairs which are alike in both sexes
Average:
It is the sum of production divided by No. of animals
Average Age:
The current average age in months of a group of heifers or the average age at freshening for a group of milking animals
Average Age at First Breeding:
The average age in months of the heifers when they are first serviced
Average Daily Bulk Tank Weights (LBS):
The calculated daily production for the herd based on the most recent three milk shipments reported
Average Daily Gain (ADG):
Measurement of the average daily body weight change over a specified period of time of an animal on a feed test
Average Days to 1st Service:
This is calculated by summing the days to first service for all cows which have been bred at least once. The sum is divided by the number of those cows
Average Days to Calving:
The number of days from when the bull has access to breeding females to calving when natural mating exposure is practised during a breeding season
Average Lifetime Calving Interval:
The number of days between first and last calving divided by the number of lifetime calvings (days)
Average Linear SCC Scores:
This is a mathematical average of a group of cow’s somatic cell scores. It is not weighted based upon individual milk weights
Average Milk / Day:
The average amount of milk that a cow has produced in her lifetime divided by the total number of days since she was 24 months of age
Average Number of Breedings:
The average number of times a group of animals have been serviced during a certain period of time
Average Percentile Rank (Net Merit):
The average percentile rank of the animals based upon net merit
Average SCC Actual:
A weighted average of the actual somatic cell counts for a group of animals based upon the individual cow’s milk weight and actual somatic cell count
Average SCC’s for Lactation:
The average linear score for each test day during a cow’s lactation
AVMA:
American Veterinary Medical Association
AWS:
Automatic Weather Station
Axis Joint:
The joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae
Axoplasm:
The cytoplasm of a nerve axon
Azotaemia:
A medical condition characterised by abnormally high levels of nitrogen-containing compounds, such as urea and creatinine, commonly as a result of kidney malfunction or dehydration