M
M.haemolyticatype 1A:
A serotype of Mannheimia haemolytica
M.haemolyticatype 2A:
A serotype of Mannheimia haemolytica
M/B or M:B Ratio:
(see Muscle to Bone Ratio)
Machinery Replacement Allowance:
A sum deducted from net cash flow each year so that funds are available to replace capital items when they are worn out
Macroclimate:
The large, general climate in which an animal exists
Macromineral:
A mineral that is needed in the diet in relatively large amounts
Mad Cow Disease:
(see Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)
Maiden Heifer:
Heifer that has not been mated or had a calf
Maintenance:
A condition in which the body is maintained without an increase or decrease in body weight and with no production or work being done
Maintenance Energy Requirement:
The amount of feed energy required per day by an animal to maintain its body weight and support necessary metabolic functions
Maintenance Host:
A member of a population of susceptible individuals that can replicate, shed and transmit pathogens efficiently to other individuals of the same species
Major Gene:
A gene that has a major influence upon a trait. There are several instances of this discovered so far for economically important traits in farm animals
Malabsorption Syndrome:
Defined as an animal’s inability to absorb the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs from food
Malignant:
Refers to becoming worse and even resulting in death. Malignant tumours are cancerous growths which expand quickly and can metastasize, or spread to other areas of the body
Malignant Edema:
A fatal infection of cattle caused by clostridial bacteria
Malnutrition:
State of poor health with symptoms that can be identified clinically as due to inadequate intake of one or more essential nutrients over a sustained period
Malocclusion:
An inherited defect whereby the upper and the lower jaws do not allow the upper teeth or dental pad to meet correctly with the lower teeth
Maltlage:
A mixture of spent brewers grains cracked corn and minerals. (Approximately 8% Crude Protein and 36 TDN as fed; approximately 50% Dry Matter)
Mammary:
Pertaining to the mammary gland or breast tissue
Mammary Gland:
Gland that secretes milk
Mammary Tissue:
A gland that secretes milk
Management:
Selection, feeding, and care of animals
Management Group:
Group of animals managed together
Management Level Milk:
The estimated average milk production on test day if all cows in the herd were 150 days in milk, in their 2nd lactation, and producing milk that contains 4.0% fat and 3.3% protein. MLM is only calculated on cows with less than 306 days in milk. MLM is a better indicator of the effect of management changes on production than Rolling Herd Average because MLM changes more quickly
Management System:
Methods of systematically organising information from several resources to make effective management decisions. See also integrated resource management (IRM)
Mandible:
The lower jaw
Mange:
Skin disease caused by mites often produces an expanding area of scabby skin which has lost its hair
Mannheimia Haemolytica:
A bacteria known to induce pneumonia
Manure:
The fecal and urinary excretions of livestock
Manure Management:
The collection, storage, transport and application of manures to land. May also include treatment
MAP:
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis - the scientific name for the Johne's Disease causative organ
Marasmus:
Condition occurring as a result of gross deficiency of calories over a period of time
Marbling:
The specks of fat (intramuscular fat) distributed in muscular tissue. Marbling is usually evaluated in the rib eye between the 12th and 13th rib. It is a major factor in assigning USDA quality grade of a beef carcass
MARC:
(see Meat Animal Research Centre)
Margin:
(1) "Earnest money" that serves as default protection in a futures transaction.
(2) The difference between prices at different levels of the marketing system.
(3) The difference between cost and sale price
Marginal:
Economists’ word for extra or added. The principle of marginality is the profit – maximising level of operation where the marginal revenue from production equals the marginal cost of production
Marginal Cost:
The extra cost added to total cost from using an extra unit of a variable input, or the extra cost incurred in growing or selling an additional unit of product
Marker Assisted Selection (MAS):
Selection for particular traits using laboratory techniques that could reveal whether the individual was likely to carry a good (or bad) gene
Marker Bull:
Vasectomised bull fitted with a marking harness to identify cows on heat
Marker Vaccine:
The vaccine is labelled in such a way that the vaccine can be differentiated from antibodies that it may have made from having an infection from that disease
Market Beef:
A steer or heifer fed for producing meat
Market Class:
Animals grouped according to the use to which they will be put, such as slaughter, feeder, or stocker
Market Grade:
Animals grouped within a market class according to their value
Market Niche:
A segment of consumer demands targeted by a specialised production and marketing plant. Examples include the "white tablecloth" restaurant trade, health foods, and convenience foods
Market Order:
An order to buy or sell futures to be executed immediately at the current market price
Market Targeting:
The selection of customers on whom to focus output. This requires an understanding of business capabilities and customer segment preferences at the various feasible market levels within the value chain, which may profitably be targeted. The selection of target markets is intrinsically strategic. Failure to consider what customers seek in output will lead to lower sales revenue for output
Market Value:
The price received for live animals
Marking-to-Market:
The practice of crediting or debiting a trading account based on the daily closing prices of the futures contracts that the account is long or short
Marrow:
The bone marrow
Masculinity:
Well-developed secondary sex characteristics in the neck, chest, and shoulders of the bull
Masking:
Hiding, concealing or covering up
Mast Cell Tumour:
Mast cell tumours are cancerous proliferations of mast cells that can spread throughout the body. These tumours are the most frequently recognised malignant or potentially malignant tumours of dogs. They may develop anywhere on the body surface as well as in internal organs. Mast cell tumours have varying appearances ranging from a wart-like nodule to an ulcerated mass to a small lump
Mastectomy:
Removal of the mammary glands
Masticate:
To chew food
Mastitis:
An inflammation of a dairy cow’s milk ducts while she is lactating. Mastitis is usually caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics
Mastitis Infection:
An inflammation of the udder. During inflammation, leukocytes or somatic cells are shed into the udder in large numbers to neutralise toxins and kill bacteria. Depending on how rapidly a cow mobilises somatic cells to the site of the infection there may be three stages, New, Chronic, and Previous
Maternal:
Pertaining to the female (cow or heifer)
Maternal Antibody:
Antibodies acquired by a newborn animal via the placenta or colostrum (antibody-rich milk) of the mother
Maternal Calving Ease (MCE):
Maternal calving ease refers to the mother’s ability to deliver a calf unassisted. When using this EPD, think about using sires that you intend to keep daughters from, for it is in these daughters where the maternal calving ease EPD is expressed
Maternal Effect:
For weaning weight, the dam’s maternal ability which influences pre-weaning growth. For weaning weight, the dam’s maternal ability which influences pre-weaning growth
Maternal EPD:
An EPD representing the effect of the genes of an individual’s daughters on the trait of interest. A calving ease maternal EPD, for example, represents the ease with which an individual’s daughter’s calves are born
Maternal First-calf Calving Ease:
Ease with which a sire's daughters calve as first-calf heifers (under 33 months of age). Reported as a ratio or an EPD
Maternal Grandsire:
The sire of the dam of the animal
Maternal Heterosis:
Amount by which the average performance for a trait in the progeny of crossbred cows exceeds the average performance of progeny of purebred cows of the two or more breed ancestors of the crossbred cows
Maternal Sires:
Sires whose major function is to sire daughters (often crossbreds) with outstanding genetic merit for reproductive and maternal traits, adaptability to prevailing environmental conditions, and longevity. Such females would ideally be crossed to sires of a terminal breed with all offspring marketed
Maternal Traits:
All the traits expressed by the cow. A limited definition implies milk and weaning weight production of the cow
Maternal Transmission:
This occurs when the virus (infection) passes from mother to foetus across the placenta
Maternal Weaning Weight:
Weaning weight of a bull's daughter's calves. The EPD value predicts the difference in average 205-day weight of a bull's daughter's calves compared to daughters of all other bulls evaluated. It can be calculated by adding one-half of the bull's EPD for weaning weight to his milk EPD
Maternity Barn:
A special needs facility where cows can be closely monitored during the period immediately before and after they give birth
Mating:
(see Service)
Mating Ability:
Physical ability of a bull to complete a service
Mattress:
Bedding material compacted to 3 to 4 inches and sandwiched in a heavyweight polypropolene or other fabric. Possible fillers include: long or chopped straw, poor quality hay, sawdust, shavings, rice hulls and, most commonly, shredded rubber
Mature Cows:
Cows from the weaning of their first calf until leaving the herd
Mature Equivalency (ME):
Age-conversion formulas (provided by the USDA and dairy breed associations) applied to milk production records of young cows to predict their expected milk production potential as mature cows
Mature Mass:
The mass of the animal when fully grown
Mature Weight:
The weight of a five – year – old cow in average condition
Maturity:
An estimation of the physiological age of the animal or carcass. It is assigned by assessing muscle characteristics and the stage of bone maturity
Maverick:
Wild cattle that haven't been branded and never been gathered. Sometimes in remote, rough country the animal has been untouched by the cowboys for quite a while and the older the animal becomes, the more unmanageable it gets
Maximum Incubation Period:
The longest period which elapses between the introduction of the pathogen into a susceptible animal and the occurrence of the first clinical signs (or other epidemiological evidence) compatible with the FAD agent
MB:
(see Marbling)
ME:
Mature Equivalent
ME Lactation:
Mature equivalent lactation. By the use of special factors, the lactation is adjusted for days in milk, milking frequency, season of calving, location and age to that of a mature cow. Unless the cow is mature or milked 3X, the M.E. Lactation will be larger than the actual 305-day lactation record
Mean:
The average value of a set of numbers
Measle Beef:
(see Measle Meat)
Measle Meat:
A condition caused by tissue encystment by the intermediate (cysticercosis) stage of tapeworms. Affected carcasses have red spots on their external surface. "Beef Measles" are caused by the tapeworm Taenia saginata, "pork measles" by Taenia solium, and "sheep measles" by Taenia ovis
Measured Traits:
The trait recorded on the animal
Meat:
The tissues of the animal body that are used for food
Meat and Bone Meal
An ingredient in animal feed and fertiliser. It is produced largely from the bits humans don't want to or can't eat. Typically guts and bones, but also carcasses unfit for human consumption. The meat is ground and heat treated (i.e. cooked) and then dried to a meal. The product is high in fat, protein and essential minerals (like phosphorus)
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA):
A company owned by Australian livestock producers with responsibility for red meat industry R and D as well as the promotion and marketing of red meat within Australia and Internationally
Meat Animal Research Centre (MARC):
Large U.S. government research centre located in Clay Centre, NE, that conducts numerous beef cattle research projects
Meat Export Federation MEF):
Organization that works to increase consumer demand for red meats and by-products in overseas markets. Members include NCA, state cattle associations, beef councils, farm and commodity groups, packers, agribusiness companies. Funds come from its members and the USDA
Meat Packer / Processor:
One who slaughters live animals and sells the meat to retailers, restaurants, and purchasers
Meat Quality:
Refers to palatability, appearance, nutritional value and food safety
Meat Standards Australia (MSA):
A carcass grading system designed to guarantee eating quality of specific cuts of meat and specific cooling methods. It is managed by Meat and Livestock Australia
Meat Yield:
The percentage of lean meat in the beef carcass as obtained by dissection
Meatworks:
(see Abattoir)
Mechanoreceptors:
Specialised nerve cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, which respond to distention of the gut due to the presence of ingesta
Meconium:
The sticky, usually blackish fecal matter that a baby passes within a few hours after birth
Medial:
(1) Near the median plane or body part;
(2) located along or toward the middle
Medial Plane:
(1) Divides the carcass into equal right and left halves;
(2) passes through the vertebral column dividing the body into two equal halves (e.g., sides of a beef carcass)
Median Suspensory Ligament:
It is composed of two adjacent heavy yellow elastic sheets of tissue that arise from the abdominal wall and that attach to the medial flat surfaces of the two udder halves. The median suspensory ligament has great tensile strength. It is able to stretch somewhat as the gland fills with milk to allow for the increased weight of the gland. It is located at the centre of gravity of the udder to give balanced suspension, so that even if rest of the layers are cut away except for the median suspensory ligament, the gland stays balanced under the animal
Medicated Feed:
Any feed which contains drug ingredients intended or represented for the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of diseases of animals
Medium Fed:
An animal that has been fed, in a feedlot, on grain for a period of time. Usually, refers to cattle that are fed for 150 to 200 days
MEF:
(see Meat Export Federation)
Megacolon:
A functional disorder that is defined as dilation of the colon or large intestine. This leads to infrequent and difficult passage of faeces and constipation
Melaena:
Darkening of the faeces by digested blood pigments. Typically the faeces look black in colour
Meiosis:
The process of cell division in the ovary and testis which produces gametes (ova and sperm). During this process cells split to contain only one of each pair of chromosomes, and all the germ cells are then haploid
Melanoma:
Pigmented mole or tumor. It may or may not be cancerous
Melengestrol Acetate (MGA):
A feed additive that suppresses estrus in the heifer and is widely used in the feedlot industry
Melt:
A common term for the spleen
Membrane:
Thin sheet of tissue covering organs, connecting parts, etc
Mendelian Sampling:
The random sampling of parental genes caused by segregation and independent assortment of alleles during germ cell formation
Meningoencephalitis:
A medical condition that simultaneously resembles both meningitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the meninges, and encephalitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the brain
MERCOSUR:
(Common Market of the South) - A customs union implemented in January 1995 and including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. MERCOSUR represents the culmination of bilateral negotiations started by Argentina and Brazil in 1986
Mesentery:
A folding of the peritoneum that suspends the intestine
Mesophile:
Microorganisms whose optimum growth temperature is between 35 - 37 °C (body temperature)
Metabolic Body Size:
The weight of the animal raised to the ¾ power, a value indicative of the feed required to meet metabolic needs and maintain current body weight
Metabolic Heat:
Heat generated through biological processes occurring in the body. The major source of metabolic heat in cattle is the conversion of food into energy
Metabolic Water:
Water produced within the organism by the metabolism of food
Metabolisable Energy:
Energy of food minus that of feces and urine; it represents the food energy available to the organism
Metabolism:
The transformation by which energy is made available for body uses
Metabolites:
Intermediate or end compounds formed inside the cells reactions
Metacarpus:
Bones of the lower knee. In the sheep industry, these bones are commonly known as the "cannon bones"
Metastasis:
The spread of disease from one area of the body to another. Normally used in the context of a cancerous tumour spreading via the bloodstream or lymphatic system
Metatarsus:
The long bones in the back foot connecting the toes to the bones of the ankle (tarsus)
Metestrus:
The phase of the estrous cycle beginning immediately after estrus. Ovulation and early development of the CL occur during this period
Methane Digester:
Technology that converts cow manure into methane gas that is burned as fuel to generate electricity
Methanogenic Microbes:
Rumen microorganisms that produce methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas
Metritis:
Inflammation (infection) of the uterus
MGA:
(see Melangestrol Acetate)
Micro Machine:
Machine that adds micro ingredients such as ionophores, antibiotics, and other ingredients to the diet in a water-based slurry
Micro Satellite:
A type of genetic marker. It is composed of repeating nucleotide sequences within DNA that are locus specific and variable in the number of times the sequence is repeated
Microbes:
Organisms in the cow's rumen which assist in digesting food
Microclimate:
A small, special climate within a macroclimate created by the use of such devices as shelters, heat lamps, and bedding
Microfilaria:
The larval form of some parasitic worms. For example heartworm microfilariae
Microflora:
Microbial life characteristic of a region, such as the bacteria and protozoa populating the rumen
Micrometre:
(see Micron)
Micromineral:
A mineral that is needed in the diet in relatively small amounts. The quantity needed is so small that such a mineral is often called a trace mineral
Micron:
A unit of distance equals to one millionth of a metre
Micronutrient:
A very minor nutrient, such as selenium (unlike protein, a major nutrient), that can nonetheless be important in the overall health of an animal and its disease resistance
Microorganism:
A living creature, such as a virus or bacterium, capable of being seen only under a microscope
Microscope:
An optical instrument that augments the power of the eye to see small objects. The name microscope was coined by Johannes Faber (1574-1629) who in 1628 borrowed from the Greek to combined micro-, small with skopein, to view. Although the first microscopes were simple microscopes, most (if not all) optical microscopes today are compound microscopes
Microscopic:
An object so small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope (for example, bacteria and viruses)
Middle Meat:
Rib and loin of a beef carcass. These primals generally yield the highest-priced beef cuts
Migration:
The movement of individuals into or out of a population. One of the forces responsible for change in gene frequency
Milk:
The mammary secretion of milking animals
Milk Blend Price:
The reported milk price and fat and protein tests. The different adjustment for fat or protein (if applicable) is included in the blend price
Milk EPD:
A genetic estimate of the milking ability of a beef bull’s daughters when compared to the daughters of other bulls
Milk Fever:
(see Parturition Paresis)
Milk Handlers:
Processors or dealers of milk who commonly purchase raw milk and sell pasteurised milk and milk products
Milk House:
The area near a milking parlour where the bulk milk tank, cleaning units and equipment are located
Milk House Waste:
Water having been used in cleaning the milking equipment and washing the parlour
Milk Letdown:
Release of milk by the mammary glands
Milk Loss per Day Dollar:
The dollar loss is based upon the milk price entered on test day and the pounds of milk loss according to the description under somatic cell count score
Milk Loss per Day LBS:
The amount of milk loss due to high somatic cell counts according to the description under somatic cell count score
Milk Metre:
A device between the cluster or milking unit and the milkline for measuring a cow's milk yield in either mass or volume
Milk Only (MO):
Record Type of testing plan where only milk weights are recorded and no milk samples are collected for component sampling. This plan is intended for management use only. The records made are not official and DHI rules need not be followed
Milk Preserve:
A compound used to stabilise and to prevent decomposition of milk samples sent to DHI laboratories for component analysis
Milk Serum:
The non-fat components of milk
Milk Shed:
A geographical area in which milk is produced for a given milk-marketing area
Milk Soil:
Residue on equipment, utensils, or containers after emptying
Milk Well:
The opening in the abdominal wall through which milk veins (subcutaneous abdominal veins) enter to join the vena cava and return blood from udder to heart
Milk-fed Calf:
Dairy calf fed mainly with milk (milk replacer) for the purpose of veal production
Milking Ability:
The ability of a female to produce milk. Typically, larger quantities of milk result in heavier offspring at weaning
Milking Animals:
Animals from which milk is intended to be harvested for the purposes of sale, trade or export, with or without further processing, during their milking-life from commencement of the first lactation, until they are withdrawn from the milking herd, including the non-lactating periods
Milking Machines:
Machinery used by dairy farmers to extract milk from cows. Electronic milking machines use a pulsating vacuum that simulates the effect of a suckling calf. The machines do not cause any harm or discomfort to the cows and they keep the milk safe from external contamination
Milking Parlour:
A specialised area on the dairy farm where the milking process is performed. Cows are brought into the parlour two or three times a day. Parlours come in many types and names, including flat barn, herringbone, parallel, swing, walk-through and rotary
Milking Pit:
A sunken area that houses both the milker and some milking equipment during milking. This places the milker at shoulder level with udders and reduces physical demands
Milking Plant:
Includes any milking machine, milk pumping equipment, milk cooling equipment, milk storage equipment, or separator, and any other plant and equipment with which milk comes into contact with a farm dairy
Milkstone:
Residue on equipment, utensils, or containers used for handling milk. It is characterised by a high mineral content, especially calcium. It is normally soluble in acid
Mill Feed:
Any feed that is subjected to the milling process
Mill Man:
Employee in charge of the feed mill
Mini Satellite:
A type of genetic marker widely used in DNA fingerprinting that consist of repeating subsets of nucleotides that are highly polymorphic and widely distributed throughout a genome
Minimum Culling Level:
A selection method in which an animal must meet minimum standards for each trait desired in order to qualify for being retained for breeding purposes
Mishima Island Cattle:
Native cattle, not strictly Wagyu. Similar characteristics to the Japanese Black Cattle. Mishima cattle have never been influenced by foreign breeds
Missing the Call:
Making a mistake in reading the bunk
Mites:
Very small arachnids that can be parasites of cattle
Mitochondrial DNA:
Genetic material inherited from one's mother contained within the mitochondria of each cell
Mitrosis:
The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides, typically in four stages (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) resulting in two new nuclei, each of which has exactly the same chromosome and DNA content as the original cell
Mixed Farming System:
Farming operations with poly – focal production focuses
MLA:
(see Meat and Livestock Association)
MLV:
(see Modified Live Vaccine)
Mock Tender:
A common name for the supraspinatus. It's also called chuck tender, scotch tender, catfish, etc
Moderate – Flesh:
The ribs are slightly visible on the animal and some thickness is apparent along its topline
Modified Live Vaccine (MLV):
A vaccine that utilises an attenuated (weakened) bacteria or virus to elicit an immune response
Modified Wet Distillers Grain Plus Solubles:
A byproduct of the dry milling (ethanol) industry. Commonly used as an ingredient in feedlots in proximity to dry milling plants. Can be produced from a variety of grains (corn, milo, barley, wheat). Contains approximately 50 percent moisture
MOET:
Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer. Sometimes referred to as simply Embryo Transfer
Mold:
Multi-celled microorganisms which produce toxins. They usually reproduce by sporing. Even though individuals are not evident without a microscope, large numbers may appear as a woolly growth on meat and other food products
Molecular (DNA) Markers:
Areas of the genome at which differences in the DNA sequence can be visually detected. A marker locus by itself may not have a direct effect on a phenotypic trait, but it may be located close to a gene that does directly affect a trait (ETL). Markers can serve as location reference points for gene mapping and marker-assisted selection
Molecular (DNA) Probe:
A method to determine an animal's genotype for a particular gene or marker
Monensin:
The generic name for a type of veterinary antibiotic administered to cattle at low levels to protect them from certain diseases and to keep them from bloating
Monitored Free:
A herd is said to be monitored free of a disease when regular tests come back negative but there is still an element of doubt. This may be because the disease in question has a long incubation period or there are limitations in the ability of current test procedures to detect these animals
Monitored Premises:
Premises objectively demonstrates that it is not an Infected Premises, Contact Premises, or Suspect Premises. Only At-Risk Premises are eligible to become Monitored Premises. Monitored Premises meet a set of defined criteria in seeking to move susceptible animals or products out of the Control Area by permit
Monitoring:
Monitoring includes periodic health surveillance of the population or individual animal examination
Monoclonal Antibody (Mab):
An immunoglobulin secreted by a single clone of antibody-producing cells, and therefore monospecific
Monogastric:
Having only one stomach or stomach compartment, as does man, dogs, and swine
Mononegavirales:
Viruses possessing an unsegmented negative-strand ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome
Monoparous:
A term designating animals that usually produce only one offspring at each pregnancy. Horses and cattle are monoparous
Monospecific Antibody:
A single species of antibody able to react with only a single specified antigen or antigenic determinant
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids:
A fatty acid with only one double bond in the carbon chain
Monthly Cull Rate Percentage:
The percent of cows leaving the herd on a monthly basis. This can be established by the producer or is estimated by dividing the annual % cows left herd by 12
Morbidity:
Measurement of illness; morbidity rate is the number of individuals in a group that become ill during a specified time
Moribund Grass:
Old and grey (oxidising) grass
Morphology:
A parameter recorded during microscopic examination of semen in the standardised breeding soundness evaluation quantifying spermatozoa expressed as the percentage that appears normally
Mortality Rate:
Number of individuals that die from a disease during a specified time, usually 1 year
Morula:
Stage of an embryo where it contains between 16 and 100 cells
Most Probable Producing Ability (MPPA):
An estimate of a cow’s future superiority or inferiority for a repeatable trait (such as progeny weaning weight) based upon the cow’s past production in comparison to her contemporaries, her number of past records, and the repeatability of the trait in question
Mothered-up:
When mother cows are travelling with their calves by their sides. Pairs can also be considered satisfactorily mothered-up when they can allow their calves to be at a distance from them when travelling and aren’t concerned, anxious or stressed about it. This usually only happens when they have a high degree of comfort with handling. Cows not moving with their calves can become very anxious and stressed and will often attempt to leave the herd and return to the last place the calf suckled to look for it. Calves being driven with a herd that are suddenly turned away from the herd may bolt to where they last suckled or otherwise experienced being with their mothers. Heifers are sometimes worse about keeping track of calves than older cows
Motility:
A parameter recorded during microscopic examination of semen in the standardised breeding soundness evaluation quantifying spermatozoa movement expressed as the percentage demonstrating forward progressive motility
Mount:
To climb onto, as demonstrated by females in heat and by males in natural service
Mountain Oysters:
(1) A common term for edible testicles;
(2) calf fries;
(3) rocky mountain oysters
(4)prairie oysters
Mouthed:
The examination of an animal’s teeth
MPPA:
(see Most Probable Producing Ability)
MRI:
Magnetic resonance imaging
MSA:
(see Meat Standards Australia)
MSLP:
Mean Sea Level Pressure
Mucolytic:
Medications capable of breaking down or reducing the viscosity of mucus
Mucopurulent Exudate:
The fluid which has formed in the tissues of the cavities of the body as a result of inflammation consisting of mucus and pus
Mucosa:
A thin layer of tissue lining cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal environment (such as the mouth, urinary bladder, eyelids). Also known as mucous membranes
Mucosal Disease:
A fatal enteritis of young stock due to BVD complex
Mucosal Lining:
The membrane that lines the intestinal tract and body cavities which are exposed to the air
Mucous Discharge:
Clear thick slime
Mucous Membrane:
A moist layer of semi-permeable tissue lining the gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary tracts
Muley:
Hornless cattle
multifidus dorsi:
A muscle which is adjacent to the spinal vertebrae and which extends from the shoulder to the hip region
Multiparous:
Female animal that has had two or more pregnancies resulting in viable offspring
Multiple Breed Evaluation:
A genetic prediction similarity utilising data from more than one breed or crossbred group. It accounts not only for differences among animals in transmissible genetic value (EPDs) but also in breed differences and heterosis effects
Multiple Ovulation and Egg Transfer (MOET):
A series of reproductive techniques including super ovulation of a donor female, mating, recovery of the resulting embryos, and transfer of fresh or frozen embryos to recipient females
Multiple Trait Evaluation:
A genetic prediction in which phenotypic merit for two or more genetically correlated traits (birth weight, weaning weight, and post-weaning gain, for example) is used simultaneously to estimate breeding values for each of the traits. Compared to single trait evaluations, multiple trait evaluations produce EPDs with higher accuracy and less bias from selection
Multiple Trait Selection:
The simultaneous selection for more than one trait. An example would be the consideration of both birth weight and average daily gain when selecting a herd sire
Multiplicative Adjustment Factors:
A numerical quantity by which an animal’s record is multiplied to reflect expected performance if the animal had belonged to some baseline group. For example, if calves from mature dams weighed, on average, 8% more than calves from two – year – old dams, the multiplicative factor to adjust calves from two – years – old dams to a mature age – of – dam equivalent would be 1.08
Multiplier:
Seedstock or stud herd that rarely sells bulls, but buys bulls from others
Mummified Fetus:
A shrivelled fetus that has remained in the uterus instead of being aborted or expelled. Fluids from the fetus have been partially reabsorbed by the mother
MUN:
Milk Urea Nitrogen
Muscle:
Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." Heart muscle is called "cardiac muscle." The muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called "smooth muscle."
Muscle Depth:
The ultrasonic measurement of eye muscle depth
Muscle Score:
Used to describe the muscularity of cattle. Measured in a 15 point scale
Muscle to Bone Ratio:
Pounds of muscle divided by pounds of bone. For example, 4:1 ratio means that there is 4 lb of muscle to 1 lb of bone (usually on a carcass basis)
Muscling:
The amount of lean meat in a slaughter animal or carcass. Estimated on the live animal by thickness of forearm muscle or stifle thickness. Ultimately it is the ratio of muscle to bone or lean yield of the carcass after fat and bone are removed
Musculoskeletal:
Pertaining to the muscles and skeleton (bones)
Mutation:
A random change in a gene which can be good or bad. Important mutations are those that affect the individual’s ability to cope in a particular environment, for better or worse
Muzzle:
The nose of horse, cattle, or sheep
Myasthenia Gravis:
Is a neuromuscular disease in which severe muscle weakness is the primary sign. It is caused by an inability of certain nerve receptors to function properly
Mycoplasma:
An organism capable of causing mastitis
Mycoplasma bovis:
Which refers to all species of Mycoplasma): A major bacterial species in the BRD complex and other conditions. M. bovis is often isolated in association with other respiratory bacterial pathogens, and its role in BRD apparently involves its interaction with these other pathogens
Mycoplasma spp:
(See Mycoplasma bovis)
Mycotoxins:
Mold metabolites produced in foodstuffs of feeds and cause illness or death when ingested by man or animals
Mydriasis:
Large or dilated pupil size
Myelogram:
Radiograph (x-ray) of the spinal cord taken after a radio-opaque dye has been injected into the space around the spinal cord
Myocarditis:
Inflammation of the muscle of the heart
Myocardium:
Muscle of the heart
Myoclonus:
A condition of abnormal contraction of muscles or portions of muscles
Myofibrils:
Primary component part of muscle fibres
Myoglobin:
A red iron-containing protein found in muscle that is similar to hemoglobin in the blood, but only one-fourth as large. Its function is to receive oxygen from hemoglobin and delivers it to the electron transport system
Myonecrosis:
Death of muscle tissue