U
Udder (Mammary System):
Encased group of mammary glands of the female. Should be above the hocks with ligaments that are strongly attached to the body. Strength of udder attachment means that the udder can remain free of harm and injury
Udder Caking:
A plaque of hard tissue in the floor of the udder in a cow just calved. Makes milking difficult but frequent hand-milking and hot water fomentation reduces the swelling
Udder Depth:
Scoring of udder depth is done in relation to the stature of the cow. The distance from the udder floor to the ground is used as a measure for udder depth. The hocks are taken as a reference point, which contributes positively to the accuracy and objectivity of scoring
Udder Fat:
The fat found in the udder region of a heifer. It is smooth in appearance which indicates the sex of the animal
Udder Suspensory Apparatus:
In the cow consists of two median sheets of yellow elastic tissue attached to the pelvic symphysis by its symphysial tendon and two less substantial lateral sheets of white fibrous tissue; all four sheets serve to suspend the udder from the pelvic skeleton
UHDG:
Ultra High-Density Grazing
UIP:
Undegraded intake protein. Protein that is not degraded in the rumen
Ulcer:
A defect of the skin, cornea or mucous membrane caused by the loss of damaged tissue
Ulna:
The longer, thinner posterior-lateral portion of the fused radius/ulna of the forelimb (shank)
Ultrasonic Measurements:
A non – invasive method used to estimate carcass characteristics and reproductive events. It operates on the principle that sound waves echo differently with different densities of tissue
Ultrasonics:
(Sonoscope, Sonoray, and Scanogram). Ultrasonic devices designed to measure the fat covering on the back of an animal and the size of the ribeye or loin eye by means of high-frequency sound waves
Ultrasound:
Using high-frequency sound waves to show visual outlines of internal body structures (e.g., fat thickness, rib-eye area, and pregnancy can be predicted). The machine sends sound waves into the animal and records these waves as they bounce off the tissues. Different wavelengths are recorded for fat and lean
Umbilical Cord:
A cord through which arteries and veins travel from the fetus to and from the placenta, respectively. This cord is broken when the young are born
Umbilicus:
Also, known as the belly button. The umbilicus is where the umbilical cord attaches to the foetus during pregnancy
UN/EDIFACT:
International EDI standard developed under the United Nations. The acronym stands for United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce, and Transport
Uncontrolled Hazard:
A hazard which has been identified in a hazard analysis and for which the operator has no control measures available and the operator is not required to control that hazard
Uncoupling:
Term used to consider separating quality grading and yield grading
Un-degradable Intake Protein (UIP):
Protein which is not degraded or fermented in the rumen but is digested in the small intestine. Also, known as escape or bypass protein
Underconditioned:
Thin
Unfinished Cattle:
Cattle still on feed and not ready for harvest
Ungulate:
A hoofed mammal
Ungulates:
The term applied to several groups of superficially similar hoofed animals which are not necessarily closely related taxonomically, e.g. cows, deer, tapir, pigs, sheep
Uniform:
Udders of more or less the same size and build and teats similarly
Unimproved Pasture:
A pasture made up of indigenous species of grasses and clovers, which have not been sown down to improved pasture species
United States Department of Agriculture:
Department of the Federal Government charged with supporting the American Agricultural Economy to strengthen rural communities; protecting and conserving natural resources; and providing a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply for the American people
Un-joined:
Heifers and cows that have not been exposed to a bull in the past nine months
Unmerchantable:
An animal with a physical condition(s) that significantly reduces its value or "merchantability". This includes but is not limited to cripples, bad eyes, lumps, chronics, quinines, locos, and sick livestock
Unsoundness:
Any defect or injury that interferes with the usefulness of an animal
Upright Silo:
Storage unit for high moisture feed, generally silage that is vertical
Urate:
Is a salt derived from uric acid. Urate can form stones in the urinary bladder
Urea:
Is a compound which is essentially the waste produced when the body metabolises protein
Urea Concentration:
Because of the high nitrogen concentration in urea, it is very important to achieve an even spread
Urinary Calculi:
A disease where mineral deposits crystallise in the urinary tract. The deposits may block the tract, causing difficulty in urination
Urinary Incontinence:
Is the loss of voluntary control of urination
Urinary Obstruction:
A term to describe one of many different conditions that disrupt normal urine flow from the body
Urolithiasis:
A blockage of the urinary system (commonly the urethra of the male animal) by concretion of mineral salts, often calcium oxalate
Uroliths:
Abnormal concretion usually comprised of mineral salts in the urinary tract
Uticaria:
Also, known as hives. Raised, itchy areas of skin that are usually a sign of an allergic reaction
USAIN:
United States Animal Identification Number
USDA:
(see United States Department of Agriculture)
USDA Beef Carcass Evaluation Service:
Program whereby producers, for a fee, can obtain carcass data on their cattle
USDA Carcass Grade:
A USDA quality grade is obtained by a general grader and is a measure of overall carcass desirability. The components are:
(1) marbling score,
(2) texture of the lean,
(3) colour of the lean,
(4) firmness of the lean, and
(5) maturity
USDA Quality Grade:
A grade (e.g. Prime, Choice, Select, etc.) assigned by a Federal grader to predict the palatability or eating characteristics of the meat. The primary components are maturity and marbling score. Texture, firmness and colour of the lean are also considered
USDA Yield Grade:
Measurement of carcass cutability categorised into numerical categories with 1 being the leanest and 5 being the fattest. Yield grade and cutability are predicted from the same four carcass traits
Uterus:
The portion of the female reproductive tract where the young develop during pregnancy
Utilization:
The percentage of annual production of forage consumed (removed) by animals during a grazing season or sometimes during a grazing period. Utilisation is expressed as a percentage by weight of total annual forage production and should be measured at the end of a grazing season or grazing period
Uveitis:
Refers to inflammation of the middle layer of the eye
V
Vaccinated Premises:
Premises where emergency vaccination has been performed. This may be a secondary premises designation
Vaccination:
The act of administering a vaccine or antigens
Vaccine:
Substances which, when administered to an animal cause its immune system to respond by actively making antibodies to that disease. Some vaccines will also stimulate the cell-mediated aspect of the immune system as well
Vacuum Package:
Vacuum packaging refers to packaging in containers (rigid or flexible), from which substantially all air has been removed prior to final sealing of the container
Vagina:
The copulatory portion of the female’s reproductive tract. The vestibule portion of the vagina also serves for passage of urine during urination. The vagina also serves as a canal through which young pass when born
Value of Product:
The accumulated dollar value of each cow’s milk production for the current lactation. Milk price data reported each test day is used in the calculation including price/cwt and fat and protein differentials
Value-Based Marketing:
Marketing system based on paying for inspanidual animal differences rather than using average prices
Variable Costs:
Costs that change with the amount produced. If the manager decides to cease production, these costs are avoidable
Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR):
A type of minisatellite that is locus specific but cannot be generated by PCR
Variance:
Variance is a statistic that numerically describes the differences among individuals for a trait in a population. Without variation, no genetic progress would be possible, since genetically superior animals would not be distinguished from genetically inferior ones
Variety Meats:
Edible organ by-products (e.g., liver, heart, tongue, tripe)
Vas Deferens:
Ducts that carry sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
Vasectomised Bull:
An entire male that cannot ejaculate viable sperm
Vasectomy:
The removal of a portion of the vas deferens. As a result, sperm are prevented from travelling from the testicles to become part of the semen
Vasoconstriction:
Vasoconstriction is the narrowing (constriction) of blood vessels by muscles in their walls
Vasodilation:
Vasodilation is the widening (dilation) of blood vessels by the relaxation of the muscles in their walls
Vastus Lateralis:
One of the quadriceps muscles, which originates in the bottom sirloin butt and attaches posteriorly to the patella. It is lateral to the rectus femoris. The vastus lateralis helps extend the stifle
Vastus Medialis:
One of the quadriceps muscles, which originates in the bottom sirloin butt and attaches posteriorly to the patella. It is medial to the rectus femoris. The vastus medialis helps extend the stifle
VCPR:
Valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship, generally meaning that the veterinarian knows and regularly sees the animals and the individual responsible for authorizing medical treatment for those animals agrees to follow the veterinarian’s instructions
Veal:
Meat from very young cattle (under 3 months of age). Veal typically comes from dairy bull calves
Veal Calf:
Calf raised for veal production
Vealer:
A maiden heifer, steer or bull up to 14 months old, slaughtered for beef
Vector:
A carrier of disease
Vein:
A vessel through which blood passes from various organs or parts back to the heart
Vel:
Stomach of bobby calf used for rennet in cheese making
Veld:
Range in the narrow sense and countryside in the broad sense
Vena Cava:
The cranial vena cava is the large vein which returns blood to the heart from the head, neck and both upper limbs. The caudal vena cava returns blood to the heart from the lower part of the body
Venereal Disease:
A disease mainly transmitted through mating
Ventricle:
The large, muscular chambers of the heart that pump blood to the body or lungs
Verification Test:
A special test conducted on Official DHI/DHIR herds to verify production records of cows and herds or for investigation of rule violations. A supervised preliminary milking prior to the verification test is required to determine a 24-hour milking interval. (Tests may be ordered by breed organizations, state DHI boards of directors, state DHI managers and/or the Extension dairy specialist for NCDHIP.)
Vermifuge:
A chemical substance administered to the animals to kill internal parasitic worms
Vertebrae:
The bones that make up the spinal column (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae), extending from the head to the tail. The split surfaces of the vertebrae that appear when a carcass is split are commonly called "chine bones"
Vestibular System:
Is the system comprised of the inner ear, nerves and brain, that provides a sense of balance
Veterinarian:
Animal doctors who have earned a degree in veterinary medicine. Sometimes called “large animal veterinarians” or “livestock veterinarians,” many specialise in the treatment of dairy cows and work directly with dairy farmers at their farms to ensure healthy herds
Veterinary:
Pertaining to medical care of animals
Veterinary Care:
Deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries in nonhuman animals. Veterinary care can be supportive or non-supportive, non-invasive or invasive, preventive or interventional. Stockmanship-oriented veterinary care tends toward the former, not the latter
Veterinary Medicine:
The medical science concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases in animals. Aside from diagnosing and treating sick and injured animals, veterinarians prevent the transmission of animal diseases to people and advise owners on the proper care of animals. Veterinarians work to ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the health of agricultural animals and by inspecting food processing industries. Veterinarians are also involved in the preservation of wildlife. Veterinary school is usually 4 years and requires a prior college degree
Veterinary Technician:
One who is trained to assist veterinarians in most aspects of clinical veterinary work
Vetted in Calf (VIC):
Cows diagnosed pregnant by a veterinarian
VFM:
Value for Money
Vibriosis:
A venereal infection in cattle and sheep caused by the bacterium Vibrio fetus, often producing infertility or spontaneous abortion
Video Image Analysis (VIA):
A video image is analyzed via sophisticated computer techniques to estimate factors associated with carcass value
Video Sales:
Cattle are sold by public auction via satellite television that broadcasts videotaped images of the animals on the producers' farms. Producers pay an up-front fee for videotaping and the rest of the commission if the cattle are sold. Buyers participate in the sale by telephone or computer
Vigour:
Increased productivity of an animal as part of healthy growth
VIP:
Verified Identification Program
Viraemia:
The presence of viruses in the blood, either free or cell-associated
Viraemic:
(see Viraemia)
Viral Infection:
Infections specifically caused by a virus
Virion:
(a) Whole virus particle
(b) Complete infective form of a virus outside a host cell, with RNA core and a capsid
Virology:
The study of viruses
Virulence:
The degree of pathogenicity (ability of produce disease) of a microorganism as indicated by case fatality rates and/or its ability to invade the tissues of a host
Virus Neutralisation Test:
A quantitative assay for the determination of antibody titre in, for example, serum, based on the ability of the serum to neutralise a known amount of a standard virus antigen
Viruses:
Intracellular parasites that are reproduced by the host cell. They do not spoil foods, but they are important in transmitting foodborne diseases
Viscera:
(see Visera)
Visera:
The internal organs of the body
Visitors:
All people entering the farmyard (home quarter or headquarters) or production area with permission (e.g. service providers and professionals, school tours, international visitors), excluding personnel
Vitamin:
An organic catalyst, or component thereof, that facilitates specific metabolic functions
Vitamin Precursors:
Compounds which can be converted within the organism, into the active form of the vitamin
VLS:
Veterinary Laboratory Services
Volatilisation:
The loss of gaseous materials, such as ammonia nitrogen, from animal manures to the atmosphere
Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA):
A group of fatty acids produced from microbial action in the rumen; examples are acetic, propionic, and butyric acids
Voluntary Resting Period (VRP):
The recommended period that is set aside during the cycling of dairy herds
Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP):
(see Voluntary Resting Period)
Volvulus:
Abnormal twisting of the intestines or stomach. This can be a life-threatening condition due to the loss of blood supply and accumulation of toxic gases and fluids in the portion of the obstructed bowel segment
VPHIS:
Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service
Vulva:
The external genitalia of a female mammal
W
Waddle:
Another method of marking cattle. A waddle is formed by cutting a piece of skin so that it will grow into a distinctive hanging mark in a certain location. Used in conjunction with brands and earmarks. The example shows a neck waddle. Waddles and dewlaps often are more visible than brands in cold weather country where the winter hair obscures the brand, and are useful for quick recognition and sorting
Walk – Through Parlour:
Upon completion of milking, cows walk through the front of the stall to exit
Warble:
The larval stage of the heel fly that burrows out through the hide of cattle in the spring
Warmed-up Cattle:
Cattle that have been grown in a backgrounding yard before being placed on feed
Warner-Bratzler Shear Force:
A measure of meat tenderness
Warts:
These are caused by a viral infection and appear mainly on the skin of the head and neck of young animals. It is largely a self-curing disease and most warts fall off about four months after they appear. They can be removed surgically, with ointment or injection. This may be important if showing animals
Wash Pen:
A corral or pen with a solid floor and permanent sprinklers or other washing devices for cleaning cows collectively prior to milking. Usually associated with a holding area
Wasting:
Gradual loss (for example, of weight), deterioration, emaciation. As in a wasting disease
Wasty:
Excessive accumulation of fat
Water Sac:
(see Waterbag)
Waterbag:
Fetal membranes that enter the vagina, pass on to the vulva and then rupture before the calf is born
Waterbelly:
(see Waterbag)
Wattle:
Method of identification in cattle where strips of skin (3-6 inches long) are usually cut on the nose, jaw, throat, or brisket
Wave of Follicle Growth:
A group of developing follicles. Cattle may have two, three, or four waves of follicles that develop during the estrous cycle
Wayleave:
The fee paid to landowners to allow equipment such as electricity pylons and telegraph poles to be erected on their land
WD:
Wind Direction
WDA:
(see Weight Per Day of Age)
Weaned:
No longer nursing the dam. Weaning is the act of separating a calf from its mother
Weaner:
Calf that has been weaned or is near weaning age
Weaner Heifer:
Female animals from weaning until about 12 months of age
Weaning:
Separating young animals from their dams so that the offspring can no longer suckle
Weaning Rate:
The number of calves weaned divided by number of cows exposed to a bull
Weaning Weight:
Weight of calf at weaning (time at which a calf is no longer allowed to nurse); typically measured within a certain age window around 205 days of age and then adjusted back to 205 days of age
Weaning Weight EPD:
A genetic estimate of the weaning weight of a beef bull’s calves when compared to other bulls in the sire summary
Weaning Weight Ratio:
The weaning weight of a calf divided by the herd average. Usually done within sex
Weanling:
An animal of weaning age
Weedy:
Similar to "locoed", but caused by eating too much black sage or another plant instead of a normal diet and causing malnutrition, often affecting an animal's mind and thinking
Weight Loss:
Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (diet, exercise) or involuntary (illness) circumstances. Most instances of weight loss arise due to the loss of body fat, but in cases of extreme or severe weight loss, protein and other substances in the body can also be depleted
Weight per Day of Age (WDA):
Weight of an individual divided by its age in days
Weight Ratio:
In beef cattle evaluations, weight ratios refer to the weight of an individual animal relative to the average of all animals in the same group
Wet Corn:
(see High Moisture Corn)
Wet Distillers Grain:
A byproduct of the dry milling (ethanol) industry. Commonly used as an ingredient in feedlots near dry milling plants. Can be produced from a variety of grains (corn, milo, barley, and wheat)
Whey:
The watery part of milk that separates from the curds during the cheese-making process. The composition of whey varies considerably, depending on the milk source and the manufacturing process involved. Typically it is rich in lactose, minerals, vitamins and protein
White Blood Cell:
Are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) and foreign materials
White Line:
This is where the hoof wall and sole comes together
White Muscle Disease:
A muscular disease caused by a deficiency of selenium or vitamin E
Whole – Farm Approach:
A farm management economic method. Understanding and analysing the farm system: the human, technical, economic, financial, risk, institutional elements, as a whole system
Whole Herd Reporting (WHR):
An inventory based performance recording system in which the production of all animals in a breeding herd and the performance of all progeny are accounted for annually. In calf – based systems, by contrast, progeny performance data may be recorded selectively and production information is not gathered on females who do not produce live calves. An inventory based Whole Herd Reporting system is necessary to acquire the data for genetic evaluation of some reproductive traits
Wholesalers:
Beef operations that buy and sell beef to other firms; considered the middlemen between the packer and consumer segments
WHR:
(see Whole Herd Reporting)
Wicked Problem:
A challenge that is so complex that each attempted solution creates new conundrums for other segments of society or other times and places
Window of Acceptability:
Identifies the acceptable minimum and maximum amounts of fat in meat on the basis of meat palatability and human health
Window of Susceptibility:
A time period in the life of a young animal in which the maternal antibodies are too low to provide protection against a certain disease, but too high to allow a vaccine to work and produce immunity
Wing Shoulder:
A condition in which the shoulder joint is away from the rib structure and skeleton (much of the skin is tucked in behind it)
With Calf:
Terminology designating a cow that is pregnant
Withdrawl Period:
(see Withdrawl Time)
Withdrawl Time:
The time before slaughter that a drug should not be given to the animal
Withers:
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species, it is the tallest point of the body
Withholding Period:
(see Withholding Times)
Withholding Times:
The amount of time, usually expressed in hours, days or number of milkings that must occur, before the milk or meat from an animal treated with a drug may be sold
Womb:
Female internal reproductive organ
Wooden Tongue:
A well-defined disease of the soft tissues of the mouth region in adult cattle. It is caused by A. lignieresii coccobacillus, part of the normal bacterial flora of the upper digestive tract. The bacteria usually invade the skin through a wound or minor trauma caused by sticks or straw or barley awns
Woody:
Opposite of "bloom"--that is, the animal's hair coat appears dull, not shiny. Associated with unthrifty calves
Workability:
Proven bulls obtain ABVs for the inherited workability traits of milking speed, temperament and likeability. These traits are averaged over a number of effective daughters over a number of herds and expressed as percentages
Working Chute:
Single – file runway that holds several cattle at once and leads to a squeeze chute or headcatcher
Works:
Another term for roundup and working cattle used mainly in the south-west. (for example: spring works, fall works)
World Trade Organisation (WTO):
Established on January 1, 1995, as a result of the Uruguay Round, the WTO replaces GATT as the legal and institutional foundation of the multilateral trading system of member countries
Worm Fence:
Fence made out of logs laid on top of each other
Wreck:
A high incidence of morbidity and/or mortality in a pen or group of cattle
Wry Tail:
Tailhead set either to the right or left of centre
WS:
Wind Speed
WTO:
(see World Trade Organisation)
WW:
(see Weaning Weight)