G
Gad Fly:
(see Bomb Fly)
Gadding:
Frenzied activity in animal when trying to evade heel flies
Gait:
A manner of walking. Observation of gait can provide early diagnostic clues for a number of disorders
Galactopoietic:
Stimulating or increasing secretion of milk
Gamete:
A reproductive cell of either sex, a sperm or an egg
Ganglion(a):
Structure containing a number of cell bodies, typically linked by synapses
Gangrene:
Death or decomposition of tissue due to lack of circulation
Garget:
(see Mastitis)
Gastric:
Relating to or involving the stomach
Gastric Juices:
Juices found in the stomach
Gastritis:
Inflammation of the stomach
Gastrocnemius:
A muscle found in the hindshank. It begins at the distal end of the femur and ends at the hock joint where it attaches to a tendon
Gastroenteritis:
Chemical, bacterial, or viral inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach and intestines
Gastrointestinal:
Relating to the stomach and intestines
Gate Cut:
A method of impartially dividing a group of cattle by driving them through a gate
GATT:
(see General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)
Gel (gel matrix):
A porous substance that allows DNA fragments to migrate through it at a rate inversely proportional to fragment size, this allowing separation of DNA fragments
Gelatin:
A tasteless, odourless protein obtained by the partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from the skin, white connective tissue and bones of animals
Gelatinous:
Refers to a substance that is the consistency of gelatin – neither liquid nor solid
Gene:
A gene is a discrete segment of the DNA molecule, located at a specific site (its locus) on a specific chromosome pair. Two copies of each gene exist in each nucleated diploid cell in an animal. Only one gene of each pair is randomly transmitted to the offspring through the gamete. The unique nucleotide sequence of each gene determines its specific biological role
Gene Frequency:
The relative frequency of a particular allele in a population
Gene Interactions:
The collaboration of several different genes in the production of one phenotypic character
Gene Introgression:
Introduction of a single gene to an existing breed by crossing to a new breed, and then backcrossing to the original breed for several generations
Gene Map:
A diagram showing the chromosomal location of specific genetic markers and genes of interest
Gene Marker:
A specific sequence of nucleotides that is easily detectable and can be used to differentiate among alleles at a locus
Gene Pool:
A population’s gene pool is composed of all alleles at all gene loci on all chromosomes of individuals within that population. Its content is dependent upon the population’s ancestry, historical isolation, history of natural and artificial selection and cumulative mutation
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade:
An agreement originally negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland in 1947 among 23 countries, including the U.S., to increase international trade by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. The agreement provides a code of conduct for international commerce and a framework for periodic multilateral negotiations on trade liberalisation and expansion
General Purpose Breed:
A breed with acceptable genetic merit in reproductive, maternal, growth, and carcass traits, but not specialised in either terminal or maternal characteristics. Such breeds frequently are used in rotational crossbreeding programs
Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS):
In relation to feeds or feed ingredients. A substance that is generally recognised as safe by experts qualified to evaluate the safety of the substance for its intended use
Generation Interval:
The average age of parents when the offspring destined to replace them are born. It should be computed separately for male and female parents and then represent the average turnover rate of bulls and cows in the herd. Hen other factors are held constant; generation interval is inversely related to the rate of response to selection. This is, rapid generation turnover enhances rate of selection response
Generation Turnover:
Length of time from one generation of animals to the next generation
Genetic Antagonism:
A genetic correlation in which desirable genetic change in one of the traits is accompanied by an undesirable change in the other. E.g. because of the positive genetic correlation between milk yield potential and cow maintenance requirement, selection for increased milk would lead also to increased feed cost for maintenance
Genetic Appraisal:
Cows and sires are evaluated by researchers at the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory, ARS-USDA, to determine their genetic values
Genetic Code:
The way in which DNA determines the arrangement of amino acids in the production of proteins
Genetic Correlations:
Correlations between breeding values for two traits that arise because some of the same genes affect both of them. When two traits (weaning and yearling weight for example) are positively genetically correlated, successful selection for one trait will result in an increase in the other trait as well. When two traits are negatively genetically correlated (birth weight and calving ease, for example), successful selection for one trait will result in a decrease in the other
Genetic Defects:
A genetic defect is a disease or disorder that is inherited genetically
Genetic Engineering:
Human directed alteration of genetic code through any of a variety of bio-technical means
Genetic Evaluation:
The prediction of breeding values
Genetic Groups:
Groups of animals with unknown parents. Groups are formed according to age (year born), country of origin and/or breed composition (if more than one breed is included)
Genetic Linkage Map:
A diagram showing where genes and markers are located on a chromosome and their relationship to one another
Genetic Markers:
A genetic marker is an allele, DNA marker or cytogenetic marker used as a probe to keep track of an individual, a tissue, a cell, a nucleus, a chromosome, or a gene
Genetic Merit:
The genetic worth of an animal for a given trait
Genetic Potential:
Production based on that of the dam and breeding attributes of the sire
Genetic Proofs:
The breeding value of an animal as determined by a recognised genetic evaluation procedure
Genetic Quality:
Heifers that are better bred
Genetic Trend:
An estimate of the annual change in genetic merit of individuals within
Genetic Variance:
The portion of phenotypic variance resulting from the presence of different genotypes in the population
Genetics:
The study of heredity
Genome:
The entire complement of DNA characteristic to individuals of a species
Genomics:
Genomics is a recent scientific discipline that strives to define and characterise the complete genetic markup of an organism. Its primary approaches are to determine the entire sequence and structure of an organism's DNA (its genome) and then to determine how that DNA is arranged into genes. This second goal is accomplished by determining the structure and relative abundance of all messenger RNAs (mRNAs), the middlemen in genetics that encode individual proteins
Genotype:
The two alleles present at a locus in an individual. For a locus with only two alleles, three genotypes are possible. For example, at the polled / horned locus in cattle, two common alleles are P (the dominant allele preventing the growth of horns) and p (the recessive allele allowing horn growth). The three possible genotype are PP (homozygous dominant), Pp (heterozygous or carrier), and pp (homozygous recessive)
Genotype X Environment Interaction:
Variation in the relative performance of different genotypes from one environment to another. For example, the “best” cattle (genotypes) for one environment may not be the “best” for another environment
Genotypic Value:
The total effect of an animal's genes (additive, dominance and epistasis) on its performance for a trait
Gentian Violet:
An antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections of the skin
Genus:
A scientific level of clustering organisms so that they are close to other organisms they share common traits with. Being of some genus denotes many shared characteristics and is the grouping level above species
GEP:
Genetic Evaluation Program
Germ Cell:
The cells from which life starts. Female germ cells are ova (eggs) and male germ cells are spermatozoa (sperm). In cattle, these cells have 30 chromosomes (haploid) while all the other cells have 60 chromosomes (30 pairs of chromosomes; diploid)
Germicidal:
A substance that has the ability to kill germs
Germplasm:
The genetic material that carries the inherited characteristics of an organism
Gestation:
The period of pregnancy or the period of time from conception until young are born, averaging about 285 days in cattle
Gestation Interval:
The average age of the parents when the offspring destined to replace them are born. A generation represents the average time interval for turnover of a herd
Gestation Length:
The number of days between known conception date and
subsequent calving date
Gestation Period:
Time from conception (animal becomes pregnant) until young is born. Average is 280 days with a range of 258 to 306 days in dairy cows. For milk goats, the average is 150 days with a range of 145 to 157 days. The gestation for various breeds are as follows: Ayrshire 282 days, Brown Swiss 290 days, Guernsey 286, Holstein 280 days, Jersey 279 days and other 282 days
Get:
Calves sired by the same bull
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
Gingival:
Pertaining to the gums
Gingivitis:
Inflammation of the gums
Girth:
The measurement of the middle of a structure or body
GL:
Gestation Length
Gland:
Cell or organ which secretes chemicals such as hormones
Glaucoma:
A disease of the eye caused by increased pressure within the eyeball. Glaucoma can lead to damage of the optic disk and gradual loss of vision
Gluteus Medius:
(1) Commonly called the "jump muscle" in live bovine. It extends from the hip to the femur;
(2) a major muscle in the anterior end of the ham and the posterior end of the pork loin;
(3) where humans get injections in the hip;
(4) a major muscle in the beef sirloin butt
Global Mean and Standard Deviation:
A calculation of the overall mean and standard deviation of weight or fat of the IMA lot
Glucocorticoids:
Hormones released in response to inflammation. They can suppress the immune system, which compromises an animal’s ability to resist or fight infection
Glucose – Tolerance Test:
Blood test done to evaluate the body's response to sugar
Glycerol:
A molecule to which 1,2 or 3 fatty acids or phosphate may attach
Glycoprotein:
A protein with covalently linked sugar residues. The sugars may be bound to OH side chains of the polypeptide (O-linked) or to the amide nitrogen of asparagine side chains (N-linked)
GM:
Grid Merit
Gnat:
Small two – winged biting fly
GnRH:
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Goal:
Target or desired condition that motivates the decision maker
Goiter:
Enlargement of the thyroid gland, usually caused by iodine-deficient diets
Goitrogenic:
Producing or tending to produce goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
Gonad:
The organ that produces the reproductive cells, the testicle in the male or the ovaries in the female
Gonadotrophin:
Hormone produced in the brain (anterior pituitary) which acts on the gonads and is important for reproduction, e.g. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH) are the two most important gonadotrophins
Good Handling:
(see Stockmanship)
Good Movement:
Cattle that are moving at a comfortable pace (walk) for whatever class of animal is involved. Stock moving with good movement are inclined to follow the movement of others and are going at a pace that will encourage the movement of others. A herd going with good movement will keep itself going without requiring excessive pressure from the riders. The stock are moving straight and cows are mothered with calves. There is no bumping, curving or crowding within the herd
Good till Cancelled Order (GTC):
An order that is held by the broker on behalf of the client until it is filled or cancelled
Gossypol:
The yellowish pigment which is found in cottonseed which may join with certain amino acids and prevent those amino acids from being absorbed. It is destroyed by heating
Governance:
Concerning power, relationships and accountability: who has influence, whose voice is heard, how decisions are made and resources allocated, and how decision – makers are held to account
Graafian Follicle:
One of the follicles within the ovary which grows larger than all the other follicles and releases the egg at ovulation
Gracilis:
A muscle in the top round, which is posterior to the aitch bone. It extends from the pelvis to the tibia
Gracilis Membrane:
The white fibrous tissue that covers the semimembranosus muscle - it is posterior to the aitch bone. The gracilis membrane is commonly referred to as the "cap"
Grade:
(1) A designation of live or carcass merit- e.g. choice grade.
(2) Livestock not registered with registry association
Grade and Yield:
Marketing transaction whereby payment is made on the basis of carcass weight and quality grade
Grade Animal:
An animal that is not a registered animal
Grade Augmentation:
Supplementation of traditional USDA visual carcass grading using objective instrumentation
Grade Bull:
A non-registered bull
Grade Score:
The combination of fat and muscle scores used in assessing the quality of an animal. Gives an indication of the quality of the carcass
Grading Up:
The continued use of purebred sires on grade dams
Graft:
A procedure in which a newborn animal is transferred to and raised by a dam that is not its own
Grain:
Grain-based animal feed
Grain Fed:
An animal which has been fed on grain in a feedlot. Also used to describe the carcase when it is being sold. Cattle sold under this description in NLRS market reports must be tendered with a statutory declaration confirming that they are from a registered feedlot
Granuloma:
A mass of granulation tissue, typically produced in response to infection, inflammation or presence of foreign substance
Granulosa Cells:
Cells surrounding the growing egg which help to control development of the follicle up to ovulation
Grass Cattle:
(see Grass Fed)
Grass Fed:
An animal which has been fed on pasture (grass). Also, used to describe the carcase when it is being sold
Grass Reactivity:
Reactions due either to close relationships i.e. shared epitopes or non-specific binding
Grass Staggers:
(see Grass Tetany)
Grass Tetany:
Condition of cattle and sheep marked by tetanic staggers, convulsions, coma, and frequently death; characterised by a low level of blood magnesium
Gray Water:
Water that is considered waste and not to be used for cleaning milking systems. Usually including recycled water from a lagoon or milk house waste. Even water only used to cool milk in a plate cooler is considered grey water, though it is often fed to cows to reduce total usage
Graze:
To eat what grows on the ground in a pasture or field
Grazier:
A farmer which raises livestock such as sheep or cattle. Also known as a producer or pastoralist
Grazing Association:
A recognised entity of cattle owners who graze livestock in common on public lands. Grazing associations usually have an organised structure and members with specific duties and responsibilities as well as written rules and bylaws for the way they operate
Grazing Cell:
A parcel of land subdivided into paddocks and grazed rotationally
Grazing Cycle:
The length or passage of time between 2 grazing periods in a particular paddock of a grazing unit. One grazing cycle includes 1 grazing period and 1 rest period
Green:
The ribs are visible on the animal and the flank area seems drawn up or empty, there is no “roundness to the stomach-flat” and the rib/loin areas of the topline look underdeveloped
Green Cattle:
Cattle that are relatively thin (little body condition)
Green Cheese:
A term applied to the fresh uncured product. It refers to flavour, odour, body, and texture, not colour
Green Chop:
Forages cut at younger stage of maturity and fed wet directly to livestock
Greenhouse Barn:
Commonly referring to any of a group of hoop type barns with translucent or plastic covers over a tubular steel frame
Grid:
A method of pricing slaughter cattle which offers premiums and discounts for cattle. Cattle which are leaner and have a higher quality grade receive the premiums. Grids generally have other specifications for carcass weight and dark cutters as well
Gristle:
Cartilage or tough fibrous connective tissue
Grooming:
Care of an animal's coat, e.g. washing, clipping, brushing, etc
Grooved Concrete:
Floor surfaces with grooved patterns cut or depressed into concrete to provide better traction for cattle
Gross Energy (GE):
The amount of heat, measured in calories, released when a substance is completely oxidised in a bomb calorimeter
Gross Margin:
Difference between the revenue and variable production cost for one unit (one acre or one animal) of an enterprise
Group:
A temporary grouping of cows representing location on test day (i.e. pen or milking group)
Group Fed Concentrate:
An average amount of grain that is fed to a group of cows usually in a bunk situation
Grow Yard:
An operation that grows or backgrounds cattle for a period of time before entering the feedlot for finishing. May be used to wean calves since the operations generally have a higher ratio of employees to cattle and can give sick calves extra attention
Growing Ration:
Usually, a high-roughage ration whereby gains of 0.25 - 2 lb per day are anticipated
Grown Heifer:
A female showing no more than seven permanent incisor teeth. Can be up to 42 months. Usually having not produced a calf
Growth:
The increase in protein over its loss in the animal body. Growth occurs by increases in cell numbers, cell size, or both
Growth Promotants:
Substances which improve growth rate or feed efficiency by affecting such things as hormones
Growth Promoting Implants:
Chemicals that lead to increased muscle accretion in ruminants
Growthy:
Describes an animal that is large and well-developed for its age
Grubs:
Larvae of the heel fly found on the backs of cattle under the hide
Guillain – Barre Syndrome:
Acute inflammation with destruction of myelin around nervous fibres in peripheral nerves. The mechanism is auto-immune triggered by myelin present in rabies vaccines prepared with infected brains
Gummer:
An old animal that has lost most or all of its teeth
Gut:
Digestive tract
Gutter:
A shallow to deep channel located behind cows in tie - stall barns capture manure and urine