B
B.S.T:
A synthetic hormone, which imitates a naturally occurring hormone in cattle. Given B.S.T, cows may maintain high levels of milk for a longer period of time
Babcock Test:
Traditional method of measuring the butterfat content of milk, which may be used for calibrating modern electronic testing devices
Baby Beef:
Slaughter cattle weighing 315 to 450kg at age 9 to 15 months of age grading good or better for quality
Back Fat (FAT):
Back fat thickness is a predictor of the difference in external fat thickness at the 12th – 13th ribs
Back, Loin and Rump:
Should be straight. This indicates her ability to stay healthy during and after giving birth
Backbone:
Consists primarily of cervical vertebrae (from the skull to the shoulders), thoracic vertebrae (from the shoulder to the caudal end of the rib cage), lumbar vertebrae (from the caudal end of the rib cage to the anterior end of the ischium bone), sacral vertebrae (from the caudal end of the ilium bone to just above the anterior end of the ischium bone) and finally, coccygeal vertebrae (which are collectively referred to as the tailbone). A backbone is commonly referred to as the spine, while a vertebra is commonly referred to as a spine
Backcross:
The mating of a two – breed crossbred individual back to one of its parental breeds. E.g. A Hereford – Angus crossbred cow bred back to an Angus bull
Backgrounder:
A cattle producer who produces young cattle ready for lot feeding
Backgrounding:
A management system for a weaned calf in which the animal is grown for a period of time (generally 2 to 6 months) prior to being finished. Diets and weight gains vary during this time period
Backline:
A veterinarian chemical applied along the backline of cattle
Backstrap:
Attaches the dorsal muscles to the spinous processes.
(see Ligamentum nuchae)
Bacteria:
Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent on another organism for life). The plural of bacterium
Bacterial:
Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection
Bacterial Infection:
The invasion of a host by bacteria
Bacterial Toxin:
The poisons produced by bacteria. There are two types: those secreted by the bacteria (exotoxins) and those contained within the bacteria (endotoxins)
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
Bacterium:
A bacterium is a unicellular microorganism which represents one of the most basic and primitive forms of life. Bacteria are everywhere. Some bacteria are capable of causing disease in animals
Bag:
(see Udder)
Bagging Up:
Enlargement of the udder prior to giving birth
Balance:
Comparison of intake and excretion of a specific nutrient; the balance may be negative (excess of excretion), or positive (retention in the body), or in equilibrium
Balance Point:
Balance point refers to a point, which when crossed during an in-line movement (i.e., reverse-parallel or forward-parallel), will generally cause the animal to move in the opposite direction. For instance, if a handler working a chute crosses the balance point of an animal (whether by moving from head to tail or tail to head) the animal will tend to move in the opposite direction
Balance Sheet:
Financial statement that summarises assets, liabilities, and net worth at a specific point in time. Also, called a net worth statement
Balanced Ration:
Daily feed offered to an animal is considered balanced when it contains the essential nutrients needed by the animal in the right amounts
Balanoposthitis:
An inflammation of the gland (head) penis and prepuce, commonly referred to as pizzle rot or sheath rot
Bale:
A pressed package of hay
Ball of Femur:
The round proximal end of the femur which fits into the hip socket
Balling Gun:
Instrument inserted into the animal's throat to discharge pills
Balm:
A soothing ointment
Banamine:
A non – steroidal, anti – inflammatory drug for cattle
Banding:
Castration by the process of applying a fat rubber ring to a male animal’s scrotum using a tool called an elastrator
Bang’s Disease:
(see Brucellosis)
Bantu Cattle:
A breed or selection of breeds combining Bos indicus and Bos Taurus, favoured by the indigenous Bantu people of Southern Africa
Barb Wire:
(see Barbed Wire)
Barbed:
Sharp, metal points, usually on a fence
Barbed Wire:
A wire used in fencing that has points at intervals to deter livestock from crossing the fence
Bark:
A common name for the fat covering a carcass or cut
Barn Cleaner:
Usually, a chain linked system of paddles that moved manure from gutters, up a chute, into a waiting manure spreader. Most often seen in tie-stall or stanchion barns
Barn Name:
Name given to a cow; limited to seven positions and can be alpha, numeric or any combination
Barnsheet:
The pre-listed sheet used in the DHI system for collection and input of DHI data and information at the farm
Barren:
Sterile female
Basal Metabolism:
The chemical changes that occur in an animal’s body when the animal is in a thermoneutral environment, resting, and in a post-absorptive state. It is usually determined by measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production
Base Pair:
The complementary bases found within a DNA molecule. There are four different bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). A always pairs with T, and C always pairs with G. The base sequence ultimately determines the effect of the gene
Base Population:
A group of animals with unknown parents in genetic evaluations, whose EBV's are set at zero, or other group of animals with EBV's set to zero
Base Relative Value (BRLV):
The current 305-2X-ME herd average. This is used as a comparison to calculate the % of Herd ME for a cow
Base Weight:
The actual net weight of the animal before any adjustment (shrink) or (slide) is made
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 Formula Price (BFP):
A basis for pricing milk in the United States. The BFP is calculated monthly based on previous BFP and the price of cheese
Basis:
The difference between the price on the physical market and the futures price
Basis risk:
The risk that basis moves in an unexpected manner
Batch:
A temporary grouping of cows representing location on test day
Bawling Calves:
These are calves that are taken directly off of the cow and weaned at the feedlot. This management requires additional labour and health management (and risk of high morbidity) by the feedlot
Bay:
Reddish brown colour
BCIA:
(see Beef Cattle Improvement Association)
BCS:
(see Body Condition Score)
BCTRC:
Boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from round, loin, rib, and chuck
BDL:
Bovine Disease Levies
Bear Market:
A market in which prices are in a declining trend
Beast:
General descriptive term for an adult bovine
Bedded Pack:
(see Bedding Pack)
Bedding:
Material used to absorb moisture and provide a cushion. It is easily cleaned to provide a clean, dry surface and reduce the incidence of mastitis. Possible bedding materials include: straw, sawdust, wood chips, sand, ground limestone, separated manure solids, shredded newspaper, corn stalks, bark, peanut hulls, sunflower hulls and rice hulls
Bedding Pack:
Open housing in a barn that is commonly used in conjunction with an outside feeding area
Beef :
(1) Bovine;
(2) the meat from bovine. The classes of beef are: Steer, Bullock, Bull, Heifer, and Cow
Beef Belt:
Area of the United States where commercial beef production, slaughtering, and processing are concentrated
Beef Breed:
Breed with the qualities for quality beef production
Beef Breed Council:
National organisation of beef breeds associations
Beef Carcass Data Service:
A program whereby producers, for a fee, can receive carcass evaluation data on their cattle by using a special carcass data ear tag for their slaughter animals
Beef Carcass Evaluation Service:
A USDA program whereby producers, for a fee, can receive carcass evaluation data on their cattle by using ear tags, ear tattoos, or backtags to identify slaughter animals
Beef Cattle:
Cattle kept for the production of beef. Usually slaughtered at 450-550 kg live weight at an age of 13-16 months for intensive in-house feeding (silage, concentrates) or 17-30 months for grazed animals
Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA):
An organisation, usually at the state level, that sponsors beef cattle improvement programs
Beef Cattle Scheme:
Headage payment made on beef calves in Scotland to support the supply and quality of Scotch beef and the environment
Beef Check off Program:
Beef Promotion and Research Act established in October 1986. Each time cattle are marketed, $1 per head is paid by the seller to the Beef Industry Council (BIC). Month is used in promotion, research, and education. Generates approximately $70 million per year
Beef Cow:
Cow kept for mainly for rearing calves for beef production
Beef Improvement Federation (BIF):
A federation of organisations, businesses, and individuals interested or involved in performance evaluation of beef cattle. It seeks to build confidence of the beef industry in the principles and potentials of performance testing. The purpose of BIF are to achieve utilization of the most efficient and effective performance evaluation methods, uniformity of procedures, development of programs, cooperation among interested entities, and education of its members
Beef Primal Cuts:
Square cut chuck, rib, short loin, sirloin, round, foreshank, brisket, plate, and flank
Beef Promotion and Research Program:
(see Beef Check off Program)
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA):
A proven system of science-based management practices that help improve the quality and safety of beef. The BQA program provides education programs for the beef producers
Beef Recording Scheme:
A system of recording data within a beef cattle population with regard to beef traits
Beefling:
A fat young beast weighing 500kg at one and a half or two years of age
Beefy:
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
Behavioural Traits:
Behavioural traits are traits, such as docility, which describes the way in which an animal behaves, with regard to humans, other animals and during specific activities such as calving or feeding
Behaviourally-correct:
Behaviourally-correct means based on established animal behaviour principles (to be enumerated and discussed in a future issue)
Behaviourally-incorrect:
Behaviourally-incorrect means not based on established animal behaviour principles
Belt:
A band of white around the barrel of an animal flanked on either side by a darker colour
Benchmarking:
(see Comparative Analysis)
Benign:
Harmless
Beri-Beri:
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1
Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP):
A genetic prediction methodology providing the most accurate and precise genetic evaluations possible, given the information and family structure that is available
Beta-agonist:
A bronchodilator medicine that opens the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways
BGT:
Black Globe Temperature
BHV – 1:
Bovine Herpes Virus-1, more commonly known as IBR, or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. It is one of the viruses that may infect the lungs and predispose them to bacterial infection. IBR is associated with other conditions, such as reproductive disease, as well
BIC:
Beef Improvement Council
Biceps Brachii:
A muscle located in the arm roast or chop. Approximately the same diameter as the humerous bone in which it is next to
Biceps Femoris:
A major muscle in beef bottom rounds and pork hams, this muscle begins in the hip region and terminates in the hind hock of pork and the hind shank of beef
Bid:
An indication to buy at a given price. A bid of the futures market is the price at which participants can sell futures contracts.
BIF:
(see Beef Improvement Federation)
Bilateral:
Meaning two sides
Bile:
A green/yellow liquid formed in the liver. Bile plays a vital role in the digestion of fats
Bioassay Measurements:
Measurements of some specific physiological activity or change within a test organism as a means of determining the amount of a nutrient present in some food or test substance
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
An indirect measure of the concentration of biodegradable substances in an aqueous solution. The degradation of organic matter uses up dissolved oxygen
Biodiversity:
The number and variety of genes, species and ecosystems in an area
Biodiversity Conservation:
Management to maintain or enhance the variety of naturally occurring genes, species and ecosystems in an area
Bioeconomical Trait:
Any biological trait of economic importance
Bioethics:
The study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethics is concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, laws and philosophy
Biological Efficiency:
Ratio of physical input to physical output (e.g., pounds of feed per 100 lb of gain)
Biological Type:
A group of cattle breeds having a similar geographical origin and past selection history and with similar genetic potential for traits of economic importance. British general purpose beef cattle breeds, for example, have genetic potential for moderate growth, muscling, and milk yield; whereas continental European dual – purpose breeds have a genetic potential for high milk yield and rapid growth
Biological Value:
Measurements of some specific physiological activity or change within a test organism as a means of determining the amount of a nutrient present in some food or test substance
Biologicals:
Any substance that is used as a vaccine or serum that is derived from animal products or biological sources and is used in the treatment or prevention of disease. These are typically regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Centre for Veterinary Biologics
Biopsy:
The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for cancer cells or other abnormalities
Biosecurity:
A series of management practices designed to prevent the introduction of disease or reduce the risk of spreading disease by reducing movement of biologic organisms and their vectors (e.g. viruses, bacteria, rodents, flies) on or within operations such as a beef cattle operation
Biosecurity Zone:
An area where biosecurity procedures are practised and monitored to reduce the transmission of disease (e.g. controlled access zone and/or restricted access zone)
Biotechnology:
A technology based on biology that is used for agricultural, food science or medicinal purposes. In agriculture, the process involves creating or modifying DNA to impart beneficial genetic traits
Biotinylation:
Labelling a probe with conjugated biotin, whose high affinity for avidin or anti-biotin antibody is exploited in immunoassays
Biotype:
Organisms sharing a specified genotype
Biovar:
A bacterial subspecies which has one or more unique characteristics
Birth Canal:
Where the calf comes out from the uterus
Birth Difficulty:
Score recorded based upon the ease of calving, also referred to as calving difficulty score.
Scores are:
1 = no problems;
2 = slight problem;
3 = needed assistance;
4 = considerable force used and
5 = extreme difficulty
Birth Weight (BW):
The weight of a calf taken within 24 hours after birth. Heavy birth weights tend to be correlated with calving problems, along with other factors
Birth Weight EPD:
The expected average increase or decrease in the birth weight of a beef bull’s calves when compared to the other bulls in the sire summary
Birth Weight Ratio:
Compares the individual birth weight of a calf to the herd average. Usually calculated within sex
Bite:
The manner in which the upper and lower teeth match up
Black / Red Carrier:
An animal whose coat is black, but carries the recessive gene for red coat colour
Black Disease:
Highly fatal disease in cattle, usually associated with liver flukes
Black Fly:
(see Simuliidae)
Black Globe Temperature:
Used to measure radiant heat. It consists of a thermometer with its bulb or sensor located at the centre of a matt black copper bulb
Black White Face:
A crossbred beef animal that is mostly black, but has white on its face. It is most commonly obtained by breeding Black Angus with Hereford Cattle
Blackleg:
An acute, infectious disease of cattle, which is characterised by swelling beneath the skin, due to gas formation in the tissues. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium chauvei. The infection spreads through food, water and wounds. Penicillin can be used to treat the disease. Vaccination is the most practicable and effective means of protecting individual animal
BLAD:
(see Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency)
Bladder:
A sac that receives and holds a liquid until it is excreted. Often refers to the urinary bladder
Blade:
A common name for the shoulder blade, the scapula bone
Bladebone:
(see Scapula)
Blastocoele:
A fluid-filled cavity in an embryo that defines its development into a blastocyst
Blastocyst:
An embryo that has reached a particular stage of development. This stage is usually reached 6–7 days after fertilisation (7–8 days after heat in cows). At this stage, the embryo usually contains over 100 cells. It is defined by the development of a fluid filled cavity called a blastocoele. The blastocyst stage follows the morula stage in embryo development
Blastomeres:
Individual cells that make up the embryo
Blemish:
Any defect or injury that mars the appearance of, but does not impair the usefulness of, an animal
Blend Price:
Total dollars received for milk minus total lbs. of milk sold multiplied by 100. Hauling is usually subtracted before reporting price
Blend Price of Milk:
Average price per hundred pounds for all milk sold
Blended Rations:
Combining a variety of feeds to develop a total mixed ration
Blepharospasm:
Spasm of the eyelid
BLG:
Beta Lactoglobulin
Blind Quarter:
A quarter of an udder that does not secrete milk or one that has an obstruction in the teat that prevents the removal of milk. A non-functional mammary gland
Bloat:
An abnormal condition in ruminants characterised by a distension of the rumen, usually seen on an animal’s upper left side, owing to an accumulation of gases
Bloat – Guard:
Oral remedy for treating frothy bloat in cattle
Blocking Buffer:
A buffer used in ELISA for "blocking" non-specific binding of reagents. Usually a protein such as BSA, gelatin, milk powder which is immunologically non-reactive in the test
Blocking Chute:
A metal or aluminium structure with a head gate used to restrain animal when fitting or clipping
Blood Count:
The calculated number of white or red blood cells (WBCs or RBCs) in a cubic millimetre of blood
Blood Glucose:
The amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood
Blood Meal:
Dried blood from the slaughtering process that can be used as a protein supplement (80 percent protein) in animal feed
Blood Plasma:
The liquid portion of blood in which the corpuscles of blood cells are suspended
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN):
Measures the amount of urea nitrogen, a waste product of protein metabolism, in the blood. It can be used as an aid to measure kidney function
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)
Blower:
An electric unit used to dry an animal or to blow out dirt before fitting
Blowing Coat:
When a coated animal sheds its hair, usually in the spring or summer months
Blue tag:
A tail tag on a cow at a physical market (store or prime) that is in calf less than four months
Bluetongue:
Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia (CBPP) is a contagious disease affecting the lungs and pleura of cattle and other closely related ruminants and is caused by an infective organism
Bovine pleuro-pneumonia was a major disease of livestock through the nineteenth century. Attempts made in this country to legislate for its prevention failed until 1869 when the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act was passed, and pleuro-pneumonia was included in the list of contagious diseases. Further provisions were made in the Animals Order 1875,
requiring the restriction of affected animals, compulsory slaughter of diseased animals for which the owner was compensated, and disinfection of infected premises
BLUP:
(see Best Linear Unbiased Prediction)
BLV:
(see Bovine Leukosis Virus)
Bo-Se:
An injectable prescription selenium supplement
Bob:
Method of marking cattle, by trimming their tail hair. The cowman might "bob" the tails of the cattle he intends to keep while he is working them. This mark is made by cutting straight across the end tassel of tail hair. The mark is very distinctive and able to be seen from a long distance
Bob – tail Disease:
Selenium toxicity, resulting in loss of tail or hoof
Bob Calf:
(see Bobby Calf)
Bob Veal Calf:
One to three week old calf, sold for baby veal, often the male calves from dairy farms, average weight 150lbs (68kgs)
Bobbed Wire:
(see Barbed Wire)
Bobby Calf:
A calf used for meat (veal) with these specifications
Body Capacity:
A subjective assessment of the feed intake capacity of an individual or breed, typically assessed by visually evaluating body length, body depth, and spring of ribs
Body Condition:
Visual differences of both fat and muscle
Body Condition Score:
A score on a scale of 1 to 9, reflecting the amount of fat reserves in a cow’s body, where 1 = very thin and 9 = extremely fat
Body Weight:
The body weight of a cow expressed in 100 pounds, usually recorded at time of calving. If no body weight is recorded when a cow enters a herd, it is estimated based on lactation number
Bog Spavin:
A soft enlargement of the anterior, inner aspect of the hock
Boiling Point Elevation:
One of the colligative properties. The boiling point of a solution is increased over that of water by the presence of solutes, and the extent of the increase is a function of both concentration and molecular weight
Bolus:
(1) Regurgitated food.
(2) A large pill for dosing animals
Bomb Fly:
A type of fly that lays eggs on the hair of cattle
Bone Marrow:
The soft blood-forming tissue that fills the cavities of bones and contains fat and immature and mature blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Diseases or drugs that affect the bone marrow can affect the total counts of these cells
Bone Spavin:
A bony (hard) enlargement of the inner aspect of the hock
Boner Cow:
A cull cow mainly from a dairy herd that is in low condition
Boning Room:
Area of an abattoir where the carcase is cut into smaller portions
Bony Lump Jaw:
Jaw bone infection
Booster Vaccine:
The same vaccine that was used in the initial course may need to be repeated at recommended intervals. Exposure to the disease concerned may naturally boost the animal's immunity if previously vaccinated, although this is less reliable than use of a vaccine
Borborygmus:
The rumbling noise caused by the movement of gas through the stomach and/or intestines
Born Dead:
An animal dead at birth
Bos indicus:
A subspecies of cattle of south Asian origin. Often known as Zebu, they have prominent humps forward of the shoulder. The Brahman is a good example
Bos primigenius:
Large recently extinct long-horned European wild ox; considered one of the ancestors of domestic cattle
Bos taurus:
A subspecies of cattle of western Asian origin but often referred to as “European”. Most breeds commonly found in the United States and Canada, and their European ancestors, belongs to this group. Bos indicus x Bos Taurus crosses are viable and fully fertile and exhibit large amounts of heterosis
Bosbul:
Roughly translated means mongrel or village bull
Bottle Jaw:
Hardened swelling below the jaw
Bottom Round:
A common name for the biceps fermoris muscle located near a hip. Other common names for the muscle include gooseneck round and top sirloin cap
Bottom Side:
The dam's side of the pedigree
Botulism:
A paralysis leading to starvation and death caused by ingestion of decaying plant or animal tissues containing the botulinum toxin produced by the bacteria growing in such material. Cattle eat bones and rotting carcasses if suffering a phosphorous deficiency. Supplementing with phosphorous and vaccination against botulism in phosphorous deficient areas should be done. Care must also be taken in feed lots feeding meal to cattle
Bovine:
Refers to a general family grouping of cattle
Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD):
A condition of severe leukocytsis and recurrent infections in which leukocytes show defective migration and phagocytosis
Bovine Leukosis Virus:
Blood-borne viral infection of cattle that may result in malignant tumours
Bovine Papular Stomatitis:
Viral illness in cows, which result in single or multiple skin lesions that heal relatively slowly
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Complex:
The BRD complex consists of a group of viruses and bacteria which can cause complicated pneumonia or shipping fever. This infection is particularly serious in the feedlot situation
Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV):
This virus can invade the lungs and upper respiratory tract
Bovine Rhinotracheitis:
(see IBR)
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE):
One of a group of diseases that cause dementia in many animals
Bovine Tuberculosis:
An infectious disease of cattle caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis. It can also infect and cause TB in many other mammal species
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD):
A disease caused by a virus, resulting in numerous problems, such as damage to the digestive and immune systems, pneumonia, abortions, calf deformities, and others. Incomplete vaccination programs, such as those omitting a needed booster vaccination, have led to BVD outbreaks in some herds
Box Stall:
A roomy, four - sided stall to house livestock
Boxed Beef:
Cuts of beef put in boxes for shipping from packing plant to retailers. These primal and sub primal cuts are intermediate cuts between the carcass and retail cuts
BQA:
(see Beef Quality Assurance)
Brachiaria sp:
Species of tropical forage that were imported from Africa and introduced into Brazil in the late 1960s. It now represents the most important forage source used by grazing cattle in Brazil
Brachiocephalicus:
A muscle which extends the shoulder and flexes the neck, it originates at the head and ends at the humerus
Brackenfern:
A type of fern that causes poisoning when eaten
Bradycardia:
(pronounced: bray - dee - car - dee - uh) - means the heart beats very slowly
Brahman:
A breed developed in the USA mainly from importation of Zebu cattle from Brazil, with two distinct types emerging. The Red Brahman was primarily a mixture of Gir and Indo – Brazilian and the Grey a mixture of Guzerat an Nellore
Brain:
The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It functions as a primary receiver, organiser, and distributor of information for the body. It has a right half and a left half, each of which is called a hemisphere
Brain Biopsy:
Biopsy of the brain. Removal of a small piece of tissue from the brain for diagnostic purposes
Brain Stem:
Central trunk of the brain that continues to form the spine
Brainer:
Any animal demonstrating central nervous signs. This category includes listeriosis, thromboembolic meningoencephalitis (TEME)(THROMBO), and polioencephalomalacia
Bran:
The seed coat of wheat and other cereal grains which are separated from flour and used as animal food
Brand:
A permanent mark applied to an animal
Branded Beef Products:
A specifically labelled product that is differentiated from commodity items by its brand name. Certified Angus beef is an example
Branding Iron:
A tool used to apply a brand
BRD:
(see Bovine Respiratory Disease)
Break:
Reduce a carcass to primal cuts
Break-even Analysis:
Testing key elements of a budget of a proposed change to a system to determine the level at which key elements of the proposal make the overall result just equal to the result from an alternative action
Break-even Price:
Volume of output required for revenue to equal the total of fixed and variable expenses
Breaker:
Bovine carcasses (usually cow) which possess enough quality and muscling to be fabricated
Breaking:
Cutting carcasses into primal and sub primal cuts
Bred:
Female has been mated to the male. Usually implies the female is pregnant
Bred Date:
The date the animal is mated with a bull either by natural service or artificial insemination
Bred Heifer:
A young female dairy animal which has been bred to increase its resale value and not used as part of a farmer’s dairy herd
Breech:
The buttocks. A breech presentation at birth is where the rear portion of the fetus is presented first
Breed:
Animals with a common origin and selection history. Animals within a breed have physical characteristics that distinguish them from other breeds or groups of animals within that same species
Breed Association:
An organisation that maintains pedigree and performance
Breed Average:
A herd-mate (offspring of another sire in the same herd at the same time) producing at the current average production for that particular breed
Breed Character:
Features or characteristics, such as colour and type, similar to those of parents and past generations
Breed Code:
A two-character alphabetic code used to identify each animal’s breed
Breed Complementarity:
Breeds complement one another when they excel in different traits, and their cross results in desired performance in a variety of traits sometimes expressed in different generations. In livestock used for meat production, for example, breeds that excel in growth and carcass traits are often used as the male parent breed in a crossbreeding program with a female parent breed that excels in maternal traits and reproduction
Breed of Herd:
The breed code that represents the breed of 75% or more of the cows in the herd. Herds less than 75% of any one breed will be designated breed X (crossbred or other)
Breeder:
Signifies the person who owned the calf’s dam at the time she conceived to produce the animal
Breeding:
The act of mating a heifer or cow with a bull; or, artificial insemination
Breeding Class:
A livestock show class based on judging an animal’s conformation and type
Breeding Farms:
Farms which specialise in the production of animals to be used as sires and dams on other farms which rear animals for animal producing animal products
Breeding Herd:
Cows in the herd that have passed the voluntary waiting period, have been bred but currently are diagnosed open, or have a breeding date that is too recent to assume or confirmed pregnant
Breeding Objective:
The goal of a breeder’s selection program, for example, to produce high quality, lean meat at lowest cost. It may also include a listing of the traits to be used as selection criteria to achieve the overall goal. Objectives may vary among breeders due to their genetic and physical resources and their markets
Breeding Plan Goals:
The objective or “direction” of breeders’ selection programs. Goals are basic decisions breeders must make to give “direction” to their breeding programs. Goals should vary among breeders due to relative genetic merit of their cattle, their resources and their markets
Breeding Population:
A group of organisms of the same species relatively isolated from other groups of the same species
Breeding Program Goals:
The objective or “direction” of breeders’ selection programs. Goals are basic decisions breeders must make to give “direction” to their breeding program. Goals should vary among breeders due to relative genetic merit of their cattle, their resources, and their markets
Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE):
Inspection of a bull, including evaluation of physical conformation and soundness through genital palpation, scrotal circumference assessment, and testing of semen for motility and morphological abnormalities
Breeding Value:
The transmissible genetic merit of an individual, or the value of that individual as a parent. In the United States and Canada, genetic predictions are expressed as progeny differences rather than as breeding values. Because any parent contributes only half the genes in any one offspring, the progeny difference of an individual is half its breeding value
BreedObject:
A computer software package used to derive beef breeding objectives by weighing traits in the selection progress for their relative economic value
BreedPlan:
A modern genetic evaluation system for beef cattle. Using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) technology, BREEDPLAN produces Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for cattle for a range of important production traits
Bridging:
A method of measuring fat, in a natural depression of a muscle. Only the fat above the portions of the depression which is more than 3/4 inch (19 mm) in width is considered
Brindle:
Streaks or spots on a grey or brownish background
Brisket:
The breast or lower chest
Brisket Board:
A raised part of the freestall platform about 6.5 feet in front or rear of the stall to keep cows positioned properly while lying. Usually made of wood or plastic, but occasionally concrete
Brisket Disease:
A non-infectious disease of cattle characterized by congestive right heart failure. It affects animals residing at high altitudes
British Breeds:
Breeds of cattle such as Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn
BRLV:
(see Base Relative Value)
Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial:
An antimicrobial effective against a large number of bacterial general; generally describes antibiotics effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
Broadacre Farms:
Land suitable for farms practicing large scale crop and / or grazing operations
Brockle-faced:
White-faced with other colours splotched on the face and head
Broken:
A colour term denoting white and any other colour
Broken Udder:
Term used to describe an udder that is loosely attached or pendulous
Broken-mouth:
Some teeth are missing or broken
Broker:
Individual or firm that buys and sells options, futures contracts, and stocks and bonds for a commission fee
Bronchi:
Larger sized airways to the lungs, which connect the trachea with the smaller airways
Bronchial Tubes:
The two main branches of the trachea (windpipe)
Bronchitis:
Inflammation of the inner lining of the bronchi
Bronchodilator:
A substance that dilates the airways in the lungs
Bronopol:
A non-corrosive milk preservative
Brood Cow:
A female animal which is part of the breeding herd for raising beef calves
Brought on:
This refers to cattle that are on your property but were not born there. Brought on cattle are sometimes referred to as ‘introduced’ cattle
Brown Stomach Worm:
In cattle, brown stomach worm (Ostertagia ostertagi) is by far the most important worm. The disease only occurs in first and sometimes second season grazing stock as immunity is developed over this period. Two types of disease occur; Type I during the summer, as larvae are picked up from the pasture and Type II in early spring when arrested larvae re-emerge from their dormant state in the abomasal wall. Symptoms of the two types of disease are very similar
Browse:
Woody or brushy plants (e.g., sagebrush, shadscale, and other shrubs and bushes). Cattle feed on the tender shoots or twigs
BRSV:
(see Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
Brucellosis:
Contagious bacterial disease that results in abortion; also called Bang’s disease
Bruising:
Caused by live animal handling issues and negatively impacts on the value of the carcass
BSA:
Bovine Serum Albumin
BSE:
(see Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)
BST:
Bovine Somatotropin
BTEP:
Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program
Buccal Mucosa:
The mucosal lining of the mouth
Bucket Calf:
Calf fed milk from a bucket
Bucket Milking System:
A system in which the milk coming from the cow is drawn into a bucket or pail and manually transferred to a collection area or the milk house
Budget:
Financial form used to examine alternative plans for a beef operation and to estimate the profitability of each alternative
Budget Control:
The process of comparing the actual performance of an aspect of farm production against the performance that was expected when the budget was drawn up
Buff:
Yellow-reddish colour or a light skin colour
Buffalo Fly:
Haematobia irritans exigua is a nuisance fly in northern Australian beef production enterprises which can affect productivity
Buffalo Gnat:
(see Simuliidae)
Buffer Zone:
Zone that immediately surrounds an Infected Zone or a Contact Premises
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) Gland:
An accessory gland of the male that secretes a fluid which constitutes a portion of the semen
Bulk Tank:
A refrigerated tank where the dairy producer stores the milk until it is taken to the processing plant
Bulk Tank Weights:
The amount of milk that was shipped in each pick up is recorded along with the number of milkings in that pick up
Bull:
A male (un-castrated) bovine animal
Bull Beef:
From entire animals, instead of the fatter steer or bullock
Bull Calf:
A male calf that has not been castrated
Bull Market:
A market in which prices are in an upward trend
Bulldog:
Instrument for cattle restraint that fits across the skin between the nostrils. The animal keeps still so the bulldog will not pinch the nose
Buller:
A cow in continuous heat due to cystic ovaries or other physical defects
Buller Pen:
Pen in which bullers are kept
Buller-Steer Syndrome:
A behaviour problem where a steer has a sexual attraction to other steers in the pen. The steer is ridden by the other steers, resulting in poor performance and injury
Bulling:
A cow in heat; apparent when a cow tries to ride other cows or stand while others try to ride her
Bulling Heifer:
(see Maiden Heifer)
Bullock:
Young bull, typically less than 20 months of age
BUN:
(see Blood urea nitrogen)
Bunk:
(see Bunker Silo)
Bunk Breaking:
The process of acclimating calves to consume feed from a bunk or other feeder
Bunk Call:
(see Bunk Reading)
Bunk Management:
The philosophy of the feedlot manager uses to determine the amount of feed to offer
Bunk Reader:
The person at the feedlot who is responsible for deciding the daily amount of feed the cattle are fed. This person is critical to the successful feeding of high concentrate diets
Bunk Reading:
Deciding how much feed should be fed and when it should be fed for each pen of cattle. This job is one of the highest-skill jobs in the feedlot and is done by an experienced and capable employee
Bunker:
(see Bunker Silo)
Bunker Silo:
Pit or bunker for storage of corn or grain silage or alfalfa or grass haylage in which it is reserved by fermenting after packing
Bunt:
The act of a young animal poking its mother’s udder with its head to facilitate milk letdown
Burdock:
Invasive plant; when ripe, the burs stick to anything, including cattle
Bureau of Land Management (BLM):
A bureau within the Department of the Interior that has a exclusive jurisdiction over about 268 million acres of federally owned lands most of which is in Alaska and other western states
Bursa:
A pouch-like cavity or sack usually found in the joints
Bush Encroachment:
The change in vegetation from grassland, grassy woodland and grassy forest to shrubland or scrubland, shrub woodland and shrub forest, respectively, due to overgrazing, altered fire regimens or climate change
Bushel:
A dry volume measure of varying weight for grain, fruit, etc., equal to four pecks or eight gallons (2150.42 cubic inches). A bushel of wheat or soybeans each weighs 60 pounds. A bushel of corn, rye, grain sorghum, a flaxseed each weighs 56 pounds. A bushel of barley weighs 48 pounds
Business Health:
The state of and prospects for profit, financial viability and growth of a business
Busk Calf:
A calf sold at weaning: 6-10 months old
Butt Branded:
Hides from cattle that are hot-iron branded on the hip
Butter:
Butter is produced by churning the fat from milk or cream until it solidifies. The butter mass is washed and sometimes salted to improve keeping qualities
Butterfat:
Also known as milkfat, this is the fatty portion of milk. Milk and cream are often sold according to the amount of butterfat they contain. In the United States, there are federal standards for butterfat content of dairy products
Buttons:
May refer to cartilage or dorsal processes of the thoracic vertebrae
Buyer:
Purchases stock at physical markets (prime & store). Buyers fall into two groups: commission (works for many different clients) or salary (works for one company only) e.g. feedlots, processor, re-stocker and backgrounder
BVD:
Bovine Virus Diarrhoea
BVDV:
BVDV is a viral disease that can affect cattle. It can impact on conception, neonatal calf survival, weaning weights and rates causing productivity losses
BVDV Technical Advisory Group (TAG):
A group of veterinary researchers and practising veterinarians who provide services to dairy and beef herds, as well as feedlots. Their primary objective it to establish scientifically valid, practical and cost effective guidelines for the diagnosis and control of BVDV infection in cattle herds
BW:
(see Birth Weight)
By:
Designates the sire of the animal
Bypass Protein:
Feed protein that escapes microbial degradation in the rumen and is digested in the small intestine
By Index Order:
In numerical order from the lowest cow index number to the highest cow index number
By-products:
A product of considerably less value than the major product. For example in U.S. meat animals, the hide, pelt, and offal are by-products, whereas meat is the major product
Byre:
(see Cowshed)