_TERMINE_RELATIVO_INDUSTRIA_CASEARIA_(INGLESE)
_SPIEGAZIONE_DEL_TERMINE_(INGLESE)
ADF
SEE ACID DETERGENT FIBER.
ADG
SEE AVERAGE DAILY GAIN.
ADIN
ACID DETERGENT INSOLUBLE NITROGEN. UNDIGESTIBLE DIETARY PROTEIN OR NITROGEN.
AP AM/PM.
ABBREVIATIONS COMMONLY USED TO DESCRIBE ALTERNATE MORNING/EVENING MONTHLY TYPES OF TESTING PLANS. MILK WEIGHTS AND SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED AT THE MORNING MILKING FOR 1 MONTH AND AT THE EVENING MILKING THE FOLLOWING MONTH.
ABOMASUM
THE FOURTH STOMACH COMPARTMENT (TRUE STOMACH) OF A RUMINANT.
ABORTION
PREMATURE EXPULSION OF THE FETUS OR UNBORN ANIMAL.
ACETONEMIA
(KETOSIS) A CONDITION CHARACTERIZED BY AN ELEVATED CONCENTRATION OF KETONE BODIES IN BODY TISSUES AND FLUIDS. IT IS MORE COMMON AMONG HIGH-PRODUCING COWS IN A NEGATIVE ENERGY BALANCE.
ACID DETERGENT FIBER
FIBER MEASUREMENT EXTRACTED WITH ACIDIC DETERGENT IN A TECHNIQUE EMPLOYED TO HELP APPRAISE THE QUALITY OF FORAGES. INCLUDES CELLULOSE, LIGNIN, ADIN, AND ACID-INSOLUBLE ASH.
AD LIBITUM
(AD LIB.) AT PLEASURE. COMMONLY USED TO EXPRESS FEED AVAILABLE ON FREE-CHOICE BASIS.
AEROBIC
REQUIRING OXYGEN. FOR EXAMPLE, MANY MICROORGANISMS REQUIRE OXYGEN FOR THE OXIDATION OF FOOD MATERIALS.
AFTERBIRTH
THE PLACENTA AND ALLIED MEMBRANES WITH WHICH THE FETUS IS CONNECTED WITH THE MOTHER. IT IS EXPELLED FROM THE UTERUS FOLLOWING PARTURITION.
AGALACTIA
FAILURE TO SECRETE MILK FOLLOWING PARTURITION.
AGE AND MONTH-OF-CALVING FACTORS
FACTORS USED TO ELIMINATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AGES AND MONTHS OF THE YEAR AT CALVING.  THESE FACTORS STANDARDIZE LACTATION RECORDS FOR GENETIC EVALUATIONS.
AGE AT LAST CALVING
AGE DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING THE COW'S BIRTH DATE FROM HER MOST RECENT CALVING DATE.
AI DAUGHTER
FEMALE OFFSPRING OF AN ARTIFICIALLY INSEMINATED DAM.
ALLEY
A WALKING AREA FOR CATTLE WITHIN A BARN, AS A LOAFING ALLEY OR FEEDING ALLEY.
ALOPECIA
BALDNESS; LOSS OR DEFICIENCY OF HAIR, NATURAL OR ABNORMAL.
AMMONIA
A COLORLESS PUNGENT GAS, NH3, COMPOSED OF NITROGEN AND HYDROGEN; ITS COMPOUNDS ARE USED AS FERTILIZERS.
AMMONIUM
AN ION (NH4+) DERIVED FROM AMMONIA (NH3).
ANAEROBIC TREATMENT LAGOON
A STRUCTURE TO TREAT ANIMAL WASTE BY PREDOMINANTLY ANAEROBIC BIOLOGICAL ACTION USING ANAEROBIC OR FACULTATIVE ORGANISMS, IN THE ABSENCE OF AIR, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING ORGANIC MATTER IN WASTES.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
(ANAPHYLAXIS) A STATE OF IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY FOLLOWING SENSITIZATION TO A FOREIGN PROTEIN OR DRUG.
ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS LABORATORY (AIPL)
A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RESEARCH SERVICE COMPUTING LABORATORY THAT CALCULATES GENETIC EVALUATIONS OF COWS AND SIRES USING DATA COLLECTED THROUGH THE DHI SYSTEM.
ANIMAL UNIT
A UNIT OF MEASUREMENT OF LIVESTOCK, THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE MATURE COW WEIGHING 1,000 POUNDS.  THE MEASURE IS USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OF FEED CONSUMPTION AND GRAZING.
ANOREXIA
LACK OR LOSS OF APPETITE.
ANTHELMINTIC
A REMEDY FOR DESTRUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF PARASITIC WORMS.
ANTIBIOTIC
A METABOLIC PRODUCT OF ONE MICROORGANISM OR A CHEMICAL THAT IN LOW CONCENTRATIONS IS DETRIMENTAL TO ACTIVITIES OF OTHER MICROORGANISMS.  PENICILLIN, TETRACYCLINE, AND STREPTOMYCIN ARE ANTIBIOTICS. NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST VIRUSES.
ANTIBODY
A PROTEIN (MODIFIED TYPE OF BLOOD SERUM) DEVELOPED OR SYNTHESIZED BY LYMPHOID TISSUE OF THE BODY IN RESPONSE TO AN ANTIGEN.  EACH ANTIGEN ELICITS PRODUCTION OF A SPECIFIC ANTIBODY.
ANTIGEN
A HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT SUBSTANCE (USUALLY PROTEIN) WHICH, WHEN FOREIGN TO THE BLOODSTREAM OF AN ANIMAL, STIMULATES FORMATION OF A SPECIFIC ANTIBODY.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
PLACEMENT OF FRESH OR FROZEN MALE SEMEN INTO THE FEMALE MECHANICALLY WITHOUT NORMAL SEXUAL CONTACT.
ASEPTIC
PREVENTING OR FREE FROM CONTAMINATION BY MICROORGANISMS.
ASEPTIC PACKAGING
METHOD OF FILLING PACKAGES WITHOUT ALLOWING THE ENTRY OF MICROORGANISMS. COMMONLY USED FOR STERILE MILK PRODUCTS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED KEEPING QUALITY.
AS FED
REFERS TO FEED AS IT IS CONSUMED BY AN ANIMAL, INCLUDING MOISTURE.
ATROPHY
A DEFECT OR FAILURE OF NUTRITION OR PHYSIOLOGIC FUNCTION MANIFESTED AS A WASTING AWAY OR REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF CELL, TISSUE, ORGAN, OR BODY PART.
AUTOMATIC TAKE-OFF
A DEVICE FOR SENSING THE END OF MILK FLOW IN THE MILKING MACHINE, FOR SHUTTING OFF THE MILKING VACUUM, AND FOR RETRACTING THE MILKING UNIT FROM THE COW'S UDDER.
AVERAGE DAILY GAIN
THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF DAILY LIVEWEIGHT INCREASE AS APPLIED TO FARM ANIMALS.
BABCOCK TEST
TRADITIONAL METHOD OF MEASURING THE BUTTERFAT CONTENT OF MILK, WHICH MAY BE USED FOR CALIBRATING MODERN ELECTRONIC TESTING DEVICES.
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.
BAG
SEE UDDER.
BALANCED RATION
THE DAILY FOOD ALLOWANCE OF AN ANIMAL, MIXED TO INCLUDE SUITABLE PROPORTIONS OF NUTRIENTS REQUIRED FOR NORMAL HEALTH, GROWTH, PRODUCTION, AND WELL-BEING. A RATION CONTAINING ALL THE DIETARY REQUIREMENTS TO MEET THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT IS BEING FED.
BANG'S DISEASE
SEE BRUCELLOSIS.
BALED HAY
FORAGE THAT HAS BEEN COMPRESSED INTO A BALE (ROUND OR RECTANGULAR) TO SAVE SPACE IN STORAGE AND AID IN HANDLING.
BARNSHEET
THE PRELISTED SHEET USED IN THE DHI SYSTEM FOR COLLECTION AND INPUT OF DHI DATA AND INFORMATION AT THE FARM.
BARREN
STERILE, INFERTILE, NONBREEDER, INCAPABLE, OF PRODUCING OFFSPRING. ALSO, OPEN OR NOT PREGNANT.
BASAL METABOLISM (BM)
THE CHEMICAL CHANGES THAT OCCUR IN THE CELLS OF AN ANIMAL IN THE FASTING OR RESTING STATE WHEN IT USES JUST ENOUGH ENERGY TO MAINTAIN VITAL CELLULAR ACTIVITY, RESPIRATION, AND CIRCULATION AS MEASURED BY THE BASAL METABOLIC RATE (BMR).
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
A SIMPLIFIED, INEXPENSIVE TESTING PLAN TO PROVIDE BASIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION TO DAIRY FARMERS. SINCE BASIC PLANS INVOLVE OWNER SAMPLING AND RECORDING, OFFICIAL DHI RULES NEED NOT BE FOLLOWED.
BEEFY
(BEEFINESS) 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.
BLEAT
THE VOCAL SOUND MADE BY A GOAT.
BLEND PRICE
THE PRICE PAID PRODUCERS FOR MARKET MILK WHEN CLASSIFIED PRICING IS USED. THE BLEND PRICE IS AN AVERAGE OF CLASS PRICES WEIGHTED BY THE QUANTITY OF MILK USED IN EACH CLASS. SEE CLASSIFIED PRICING.
BLIND QUARTER
A QUARTER OF AN UDDER THAT DOES NOT SECRETE MILK OR ONE THAT HAS AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE TEAT WHICH PREVENTS THE REMOVAL OF MILK. A NONFUNCTIONAL MAMMARY GLAND.
BLOAT
A DISORDER OF RUMINANTS USUALLY CHARACTERIZED BY AN ACCUMULATION OF GAS IN THE RUMEN.
BLOOD PLASMA
THE LIQUID PORTION OF BLOOD IN WHICH THE CORPUSCLES OF BLOOD CELLS ARE SUSPENDED.
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).
BOD
(BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND) AN INDIRECT MEASURE OF THE CONCENTRATION OF BIODEGRADABLE SUBSTANCES IN AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION. THE DEGRADATION OF ORGANIC MATTER USES UP DISSOLVED OXYGEN.
BOLUS
REGURGITATED FOOD THAT HAS BEEN CHEWED AND IS READY TO BE SWALLOWED; A LARGE PILL FOR DOSING ANIMALS.
BONE MEAL
ANIMAL BONES THAT WERE STEAMED UNDER PRESSURE AND THEN GROUND. IT CONTAINS 1.5 TO 2.5 PERCENT NITROGEN, 12 TO 15 PERCENT PHOSPHORUS, AND 20 TO 34 PERCENT CALCIUM. IT IS USED AS A FERTILIZER AND AS A MINERAL SUPPLEMENT FOR FEEDING FARM ANIMALS.
BOVINE
PERTAINING TO THE OX OR COW.
BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE
SEE BST OR SOMATOTROPIN
BRAN
THE SEED COAT OF WHEAT AND OTHER CEREAL GRAINS WHICH IS SEPARATED FROM FLOUR AND USED AS ANIMAL FOOD.
BREED
ANIMALS HAVING A COMMON ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT DISTINGUISH THEM FROM OTHER GROUPS WITHIN THE SAME SPECIES.
BREED AVERAGE
THE AVERAGE MILK PRODUCTION OF COWS FOR A GIVEN DAIRY BREED.
BREEDING VALUE
(GENETIC VALUE) THE GENETIC ABILITY OR MERIT OF AN ANIMAL FOR A GIVEN TRAIT, FOR EXAMPLE, SECRETING MILK. ONE-HALF OF THIS GENETIC ABILITY IS TRANSMITTED TO OFFSPRING.
BRITISH BREEDS
THOSE NATIVE TO GREAT BRITAIN, SUCH AS HEREFORD, ANGUS, AND SHORTHORN.
BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTIC
AN ANTIBIOTIC THAT IS ACTIVE AGAINST A LARGE NUMBER OF MICROBIAL SPECIES.
BROKEN UDDER
A TERM SOMETIMES USED TO INDICATE AN UDDER THAT IS PENDULOUS AND LOOSELY ATTACHED.
BRONOPOL
A NONCORROSIVE MILK PRESERVATIVE.
BROWSE
SMALL, WOODY PLANTS WITH FEDDER SHOOTS USED AS FEED BY GOATS, SHEEP, AND CATTLE.
BRUCELLOSIS
CONTAGIOUS ABORTION IN BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE, CAUSED BY BRUCELLA ABORTUS.
BST
(BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN) A COMPLEX, BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PROTEIN SECRETED BY THE PITUITARY GLAND.  IT STIMULATES BODY CELL GROWTH AND MILK PRODUCTION AVAILABLE AS A SYNTHETICALLY PRODUCED PRODUCT FOR USE IN CATTLE. SOMETIMES CALLED "GROWTH HORMONE" OR BGH.
BUCK
A SEXUALLY MATURE MALE GOAT.
BULK MILK
MILK STORED ON THE FARM IN A TANK (OR TANKS), AS COMPARED WITH THAT STORED IN CANS.
BULK MILK TANK
A REFRIGERATED STAINLESS STEEL VESSEL IN WHICH MILK IS COOLED QUICKLY TO 2 TO 4C. (35 TO 39F.) AND STORED UNTIL PICKED UP IN A BULK TANK TRUCK.
BULL
A SEXUALLY MATURE UNCASTRATED BOVINE MALE.
BULLING
A COW IN HEAT (ESTRUS).
BUTTERFAT
SEE MILK FAT.
BUTTERMILKS
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF BUTTERMILK. NATURAL BUTTERMILK IS THE BY-PRODUCT OF CHURNING CREAM INTO BUTTER. CULTURED BUTTERMILK IS USUALLY MADE FROM SKIM MILK BY ADDING A STARTER CULTURE AND INCUBATING UNTIL LACTIC ACID DEVELOPS TO ABOUT 0.8 PERCENT. SALT IS USUALLY ADDED TO ACCENTUATE THE FLAVOR.
CF
SEE CRUDE FIBER.
CIP
(CLEANED-IN-PLACE) MOST MILK-HANDLING EQUIPMENT ARE CLEANED BY CIRCULATING WASHING SOLUTIONS THROUGH THEM WITHOUT DISASSEMBLY.
CP
SEE CRUDE PROTEIN AND INTAKE PROTEIN.
CALIFORNIA MASTITIS TEST (CMT)
A MASTITIS SCREENING TEST USEFUL FOR DETERMINING THE SOMATIC CELL CONTENT IN MILK. A REAGENT IS REQUIRED TO REACT WITH NUCLEAR MATERIAL OF CELLS PRESENT IN MILK TO FORM A GEL.
CALVING INTERVAL
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS BETWEEN THE LATEST TWO CALVING DATES FOR INDIVIDUAL COWS OR A HERD.
CAN MILK
THAT MILK PLACED IN 10-GALLON CANS ON THE FARM FOR COOLING AND TRANSPORTATION TO A DAIRY PRODUCT MANUFACTURING PLANT.
CAPRICULTURE
THE STUDY OF GOAT KEEPING.
CARRYING CAPACITY
THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT A PASTURE CAN PROPERLY CARRY WITH FEED FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME.
CASEIN
THE MAJOR PROTEIN OF MILK AND CHEESE.
CASTRATION
THE REMOVAL OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS (TESTICLES) TO REDUCE SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND INCREASE FATTENING OF MEAT ANIMALS.
CELLULOSE
THE PRINCIPAL CARBOHYDRATE CONSTITUENT OF PLANT CELL MEMBRANES. IT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO RUMINANTS THROUGH THE ACTION OF CELLULOLYTIC BACTERIA IN THE RUMEN.
CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION
REMOVAL OF ONE SUBSTANCE FROM ANOTHER MECHANICALLY BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE, AS WITH CREAM WHICH IS LESS DENSE THAN SKIM MILK.
CERTIFIED MILK
MILK PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED UNDER CONDITIONS WHICH CONFORM WITH HIGH STANDARDS FOR CLEANLINESS AND QUALITY SET FORTH BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MILK COMMISSIONS.
CHECK-OFFS
THE PRACTICE OF DEDUCTING A PORTION OF THE PAYMENT TO A FARMER FOR HIS OR HER PRODUCE.
CHOLESTEROL
A WHITE, FAT-SOLUBLE SUBSTANCE FOUND IN ANIMAL FATS AND OILS, IN BILE, BLOOD, BRAIN TISSUE,, NERVOUS TISSUE, THE LIVER, KIDNEYS, AND ADRENAL GLANDS. IT IS IMPORTANT IN METABOLISM AND IS A PRECURSOR OF CERTAIN HORMONES.
CLARIFICATION
THE PROCESS OF REMOVING SUSPENDED MATERIAL; IN MILK PROCESSING, CLARIFICATION IS ACHIEVED BY CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT WHICH REMOVES SEDIMENT (EXTRANEOUS MATTER) AND SOMATIC CELLS.
CLASS I BASE PLAN
THE SYSTEM USED IN SOME FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDERS WHEREBY A PRODUCER IS ALLOWED TO DELIVER A SPECIFIC QUANTITY OF MILK BASED ON PRODUCTION DURING THE LOWEST PRODUCTION PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AT ONE PRICE, BUT RECEIVES A LOWER PRICE FOR REMAINING DELIVERIES.
CLASSIFICATION
AN APPRAISAL PROGRAM OFFERED BY A BREED ASSOCIATION TO EVALUATE EACH ANIMAL'S RESEMBLANCE TO THE BREED'S IDEAL. A NUMERICAL SCORE IS ASSIGNED TO EACH ANIMAL.
CLASSIFIED PRICING
A PRICING PLAN BY WHICH HANDLERS ARE CHARGED FOR MARKET MILK ACCORDING TO THE PRODUCTS IN WHICH IT IS USED, HENCE THE TERM USE CLASSIFICATION. CLASS I MILK GOES INTO FLUID PRODUCTS AND DEMANDS THE HIGHEST PRICE. PRICES OF SURPLUS MILK, CLASS II OR III, DEPENDING ON THE FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDER, ARE ABOUT THE PRICE OF MANUFACTURING MILK.
CLEAN
A LAY TERM COMMONLY USED BY CATTLE BREEDERS TO MEAN THAT A COW HAS SHED HER AFTERBIRTH. ALSO REFERS TO THE NATURAL, WHOLESOME FLAVOR OF DAIRY PRODUCTS.
CLOSE BREEDING
A FORM OF INBREEDING, SUCH AS MATING BROTHERS TO SISTERS, SIRE TO DAUGHTER, AND SON TO DAM.
COD
(CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND) AN INDIRECT MEASURE OF THE BIOCHEMICAL LOAD EXERTED ON THE OXYGEN OF A BODY OF WATER WHEN ORGANIC WASTES ARE INTRODUCED INTO THE WATER. IF WASTES ARE READILY BIODEGRADABLE, COD AND BOD ARE NEARLY THE SAME.
COLIFORM BACTERIA
BACTERIA FROM THE INTESTINAL TRACT OF WARMBLOODED ANIMALS. PRESENCE IS CONSIDERED INDICATIVE OF FECAL CONTAMINATION.
COLOSTRUM
THE FIRST MILK SECRETED AFTER CALVING. HIGHER IN TOTAL SOLIDS THAN NORMAL MILK.
COMPACTION
CLOSELY PACKED FEED IN THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES OF AN ANIMAL CAUSING CONSTIPATION AND/OR DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES.
COMPLETE RATION
A BLEND OF ALL FEEDSTUFFS (FORAGES AND GRAINS) IN ONE FEED. A COMPLETE RATION FITS WELL INTO MECHANIZED FEEDING AND THE USE OF COMPUTERS TO FORMULATE LEAST-COST RATIONS. SOMETIMES CALLED TOTAL MIXED RATION OR TMR.
COMPONENTS
THE NUTRITIONAL SOLIDS IN MILK OTHER THAN WATER, LIKE FAT, PROTEIN, LACTOSE, AND MINERALS.
CONCENTRATE
A FEED HIGH IN NITROGEN-FREE-EXTRACT (NFE) AND TOTAL DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS (TDN) AND LOW IN CRUDE FIBER (LESS THAN 18 PERCENT). INCLUDED ARE CEREAL GRAINS, SOYBEAN OIL MEAL, COTTONSEED MEAL, AND BY-PRODUCTS OF THE MILLING INDUSTRY SUCH AS CORN GLUTEN AND WHEAT BRAN. A CONCENTRATE MAY BE LOW OR RICH IN PROTEIN.
CONCENTRATED MILKS
MILK, SKIM MILK, AND COMPONENTS OF THESE THAT HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATED BY REMOVING VARYING AMOUNTS OF WATER UNDER CAREFULLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS OF HEAT AND/OR VACUUM. CONCENTRATED MILKS MAY BE RECONSTITUTED BY ADDING APPROPRIATE QUANTITIES OF WATER.
CONCEPTION
FERTILIZATION OR PENETRATION OF THE OVUM BY A SPERM CELL.
CONCEPTION RATE
TOTAL NUMBER OF CONCEPTIONS OBTAINED DIVIDED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF SERVICES.
CONDITION
REFERS TO THE AMOUNT OF FLESH (BODY WEIGHT), QUALITY OF HAIR COAT, AND GENERAL HEALTH OF ANIMALS. ALSO CALLED BODY CONDITION.
CONFIDENCE RANGE (CR)
INDICATES THE ACCURACY IN THE ESTIMATION OF A SIRE'S GENETIC MERIT IN A SIRE PROOF BY GIVING A PROBABLE RANGE FOR FUTURE SUMMARIES.
CONFINEMENT
LIVESTOCK KEPT IN CORRALS OR HOUSING FOR MAXIMUM YEAR-ROUND PRODUCTION. FACILITIES MAY BE PARTIAL OR COMPLETE, USUALLY WITH A SOLID FLOOR AND ENCLOSED, OR COVERED.
CONFORMATION
THE BODY FORM OR PHYSICAL TRAITS OF AN ANIMAL; ITS SHAPE AND ARRANGEMENT OF PARTS.
CONJUNCTIVA
THE TISSUE COVERING THE ANTERIOR PORTION OF AN EYEBALL.
CONTEMPORARIES
COWS OF THE SAME BREED THAT WERE BORN AND RAISED, AND INITIATED THEIR LACTATIONS DURING SIMILAR PERIODS. USUALLY SEPARATED INTO TWO LACTATION GROUPS FOR COMPARISON--FIRST LACTATION AND ALL OTHER LACTATIONS.
CONTEMPORARY COMPARISON
METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE TRANSMITTING ABILITY OF BULLS AND COWS USING INFORMATION ON CONTEMPORARIES.
COOPERATIVE
A FORM OF BUSINESS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY THE PEOPLE WHO USE ITS SERVICES, SUCH AS A MILK MARKETING OR PROCESSING COOPERATIVE.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE (CES)
THE STATE, UNIVERSITY AND COUNTY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SERVICE OF EACH STATE LAND-GRANT INSTITUTION. THIS SERVICE EXTENDS THE RESEARCH RESULTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
COW
A MATURE FEMALE BOVINE.
COW-HOCKED
A CONDITION OF A COW IN WHICH THE HOCKS ARE CLOSE TOGETHER AND THE FETLOCKS (LOCATED JUST ABOVE THE HOOF) WIDE APART.
CRAMPINESS
A CONDITION AMONG CATTLE, ESPECIALLY BULLS IN CONFINEMENT, IN WHICH INVOLUNTARY CONTRACTIONS OF MUSCLES OF THE HIND LEGS RESULT IN PAIN AND DISCOMFORT. AFFECTED ANIMALS SHIFT FROM FOOT TO FOOT.
CREAMERY
A BUTTER FACTORY OR, MORE COMMONLY, A MILK PROCESSING PLANT.
CRIMPED
ROLLED WITH CORRUGATED ROLLERS. THE GRAIN TO WHICH THIS TERM REFERS MAY BE TEMPERED OR CONDITIONED BEFORE CRIMPING, AND MAY BE COOLED AFTERWARD.
CROSSBRED
OFFSPRING OF PARENTS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS.
CROSSBREEDING
MATING ANIMALS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS.
CRUDE FIBER (CF)
THAT PORTION OF FEEDSTUFFS COMPOSED OF CELLULOSE, HEMICELLULOSE, LIGNIN AND OTHER POLYSACCHARIDES WHICH SERVE AS STRUCTURAL AND PROTECTIVE PARTS OF PLANTS (HIGH IN FORAGES AND LOW IN GRAINS). NOT SOLUBLE IN ACID OR ALKALI DETERGENTS.
CRUDE PROTEIN (CP)
TOTAL PROTEIN IN A FEED. TO CALCULATE THE PROTEIN PERCENTAGE, A FEED IS FIRST CHEMICALLY ANALYZED FOR NITROGEN CONTENT. SINCE PROTEINS AVERAGE ABOUT 16 PERCENT (100  6.25) NITROGEN, THE PERCENTAGE OF NITROGEN IN THE ANALYSIS IS MULTIPLIED BY 6.25 TO GIVE THE CP PERCENTAGE.
CUD
A BOLUS OF REGURGITATED FOOD (COMMON TO RUMINANTS). SEE RUMINATION.
CULLING
THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATING NONPRODUCTIVE OR UNDESIRABLE ANIMALS. THE REMOVAL OF COWS FROM A HERD AS A RESULT OF LOW PRODUCTION OR OTHER FACTORS THAT REDUCE THE PROFITABILITY OF THE COW.
CULTURE
IN MICROBIOLOGY, A POPULATION OF MICROORGANISMS IN A GROWTH MEDIUM OR THE ACT OF GROWING BACTERIA IN MEDIA FOR IDENTIFICATION. A PURE CULTURE CONTAINS ONLY ORGANISMS THAT INITIALLY AROSE FROM A SINGLE CELL. CULTURES ARE USED IN MANUFACTURING CULTURED DAIRY PRODUCTS AND MOST CHEESES.
CURD
THE COAGULATED OR THICKENED PART OF MILK. CURD FROM WHOLE MILK CONSISTS OF CASEIN, FAT, AND WHEY, WHEREAS CURD FROM SKIM MILK CONTAINS CASEIN AND WHEY BUT ONLY TRACES OF FAT.
CWT
HUNDREDWEIGHT OR 100 POUNDS OF MILK
DIM
SEE DAYS IN MILK.
DIP
DEGRADABLE INTAKE PROTEIN. THAT PROTEIN OR NITROGEN DEGRADED IN THE RUMEN BY MICOORGANISMS INTO MICROBIAL PROTEIN OR FREED AS AMMONIA.
DM
SEE DRY MATTER.
DMI
DRY MATTER INTAKE.
DNA
SEE DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID.
DAIRY CATTLE BREED
GROUP OF DAIRY CATTLE HAVING A COMMON ORIGIN AND IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS (FREQUENTLY COLOR). THE MAJOR U.S. BREEDS ARE AYRSHIRE, BROWN SWISS, GUERNSEY, HOLSTEIN, JERSEY AND MILKING SHORTHORN.
DAIRY CHARACTER
PHYSICAL TRAITS THAT SUGGEST HIGH MILKING ABILITY. IMPORTANT INDICATIONS OF THIS INCLUDE AN ALERT, FEMININE HEAD; LONG THIN NECK; OPENNESS AND SHARPNESS THROUGHOUT; PROMINENT HIPS AND PINS; SHARP WITHERS; THIN THIGHS; FLAT FLINTY BONE; AND THIN, PLIABLE HIDE WITH A SOFT SILKY HAIR COAT. SEE BLOOM.
DAIRY COW
A BOVINE FROM WHICH MILK PRODUCTION IS INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, OR IS KEPT FOR RAISING REPLACEMENT DAIRY HEIFERS.
DAIRY GOAT
ANY GOAT FROM WHICH MILK PRODUCTION IS INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, OR IS KEPT FOR RAISING REPLACEMENT DAIRY KIDS.
DAIRY GOAT BREED
GROUP OF DAIRY GOATS HAVING A COMMON ORIGIN AND IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS (FREQUENTLY COLOR). THE MAJOR U.S. BREEDS ARE ALPINE, LAMANCHA, NUBIAN, OBERHASLI, SAANEN AND TOGGENBERG.
DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT (DHI)
OFFICIAL DHI TYPE OF TESTING PLAN THAT REQUIRES SUPERVISION AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OFFICIAL DHI RULES (DHI ABBREVIATION IS USED COMMONLY TO DESIGNATE THE TESTING PLANS).
DHI RECORDS
GENERIC TERM USED TO CLASSIFY ANY RECORDS COMPUTED BY THE DAIRY RECORD PROCESSING CENTERS.
DHI SUPERVISOR
AN OFFICIALLY TRAINED AND DHIA-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE QUALIFIED TO COLLECT MILK SAMPLES AND RECORD MILK HEIGHTS FOR ALL OFFICIAL TYPES OF TESTING PLANS.
DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (DHIA)
AN ORGANIZATION WITH PROGRAMS AND OBJECTIVES INTENDED TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION OF DAIRY CATTLE AND PROFITABILITY OF DAIRY FARMING AND ESPECIALLY TO AID DAIRY FARMERS IN KEEPING MILK PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT RECORDS.
DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT REGISTRY (DHIR)
A MODIFICATION OF THE DHIA PROGRAM TO MAKE MILK PRODUCTION RECORDS ACCEPTABLE BY DAIRY BREED ASSOCIATIONS. AN OFFICIAL PRODUCTION RECORD PROGRAM. ABBREVIATION USED TO DESIGNATE OFFICIAL DHIR TYPE OF TESTING PLAN FOR REGISTERED COWS. RECORD SUPERVISION AND VERIFICATION ARE REQUIRED IN COMPLIANCE WITH OFFICIAL DHI AND DHIR RULES.
DAIRY RECORDS PROCESSING CENTER (DRPC)
A COMPUTING FACILITY WHERE INFORMATION FROM THE PERIODIC TESTS IN NCDHIP HERDS IS SUMMARIZED AND ANALYZED AND WHERE INFORMATION TO BE USED IN FUTURE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS IS PREPARED FOR THE DAIRY PRODUCER.
DAM
THE FEMALE PARENT OF ANY DAIRY ANIMAL.
DAUGHTER-HERDMATE COMPARISON
AMOUNT BY WHICH A DAUGHTER OF A BULL DIFFERS IN YIELD OR OTHER TRAITS FROM THE AVERAGE OF COWS OF OTHER BULLS' DAUGHTERS OF THE SAME BREED IN THE SAME HERD DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
DAYS DRY
AS USED IN DHIA RECORDS, THIS IS THE NUMBER OF DAYS DRY PRIOR TO CALVING AT THE START OF THE PRODUCTION RECORD LISTED.
DAYS IN MILK (DIM)
THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PRESENT LACTATION THAT THE COW HAS BEEN MILKING, BEGINNING WITH THE LAST DATE OF CALVING TO THE CURRENT TEST DATE.
DEGRADED INTAKE PROTEIN
SEE DIP.
DEHORN
TO REMOVE HORNS FROM ANIMALS OR TO TREAT YOUNG ANIMALS SO HORNS WILL NOT DEVELOP.
DENITRIFICATION
THE CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL REDUCTION OF NITRATE OR NITRITE TO GASEOUS NITROGEN, EITHER AS MOLECULAR NITROGEN (N2) OR AS AN OXIDE OF NITROGEN (N2O).
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA)
THE CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE THAT IS THE PRINCIPAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL OF CELLS. THE STRUCTURE OF DNA DETERMINES THE STRUCTURE OF RIBONUCLEIC ACID WHICH, IN TURN, DETERMINES THE STRUCTURE OF PROTEINS OF THE CELL.
DICOUMAROL
A CHEMICAL COMPOUND FOUND IN SPOILED SWEET CLOVER AND LESPEDEZA HAYS. IT IS AN ANTICOAGULANT AND CAN CAUSE INTERNAL HEMORRHAGES WHEN INGESTED BY CATTLE.
DIGESTIBLE ENERGY (DE)
THAT PORTION OF ENERGY OF A FEED THAT CAN BE DIGESTED OR ABSORBED INTO THE BODY BY AN ANIMAL.
DIGESTIBLE PROTEIN (DP)
THE AMOUNT OF PROTEIN OF FEED THAT IS ABSORBED BY THE DIGESTIVE TRACT; IT MAY BE COMPUTED USING THE FORMULA:  PERCENT DP = PERCENT CRUDE PROTEIN OF FEED X DIGESTION COEFFICIENT FOR PROTEIN IN THE FEED.
DIGESTIBILITY
THAT PERCENTAGE OF FOOD INGESTED WHICH IS ABSORBED INTO THE BODY AS OPPOSED TO THAT WHICH IS EXCRETED AS FECES.
DIGESTION COEFFICIENT
THE DIGESTION COEFFICIENT OF FEED INGREDIENTS (DCFI) MAY BE CALCULATED USING THE FORMULA: WT. OF INGREDIENT CONSUMED -- WT. OF UNDIGESTED INGREDIENT IN FECES DCFI = WT. OF INGREDIENT CONSUMED X 100
DIRECT MICROSCOPIC SOMATIC CELL COUNT (DMSCC)
MICROSCOPIC COUNT OF THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF SOMATIC CELLS IN MILK. (THIS SYSTEM IS USED TO CHECK AND VERIFY ELECTRONIC CELL COUNT MACHINES USED IN DHI LABORATORIES.)
DISALLOWED PRACTICES
CERTAIN PROCEDURES OR PRACTICES THAT MAY IMPAIR OR ATTEMPT TO IMPAIR THE RELIABILITY OF ANY OFFICIAL DHI RECORD.
DIURETIC
A DRUG OR AGENT USED TO INCREASE FLOW OF URINE.
DOCKING
REMOVING THE TAIL FOR SANITATION PURPOSES.
DOE
A SEXUALLY MATURE FEMALE GOAT.
DOELING
A FEMALE GOAT FROM ONE TO TWO YEARS OLD, OR FROM ONE YEAR OLD UNTIL FIRST PARTURITION.
DOMINANT
DESCRIBES A GENE THAT COVERS UP THE PHYSICAL EXPRESSION OF ITS PAIRED ALLELE OR RECESSIVE GENE. FOR EXAMPLE, BLACK-AND-WHITE, HOLSTEINS (B) IS DOMINANT OVER RED-AND-WHITE (B). THUS, BB AND BB HOLSTEINS ARE BLACK-AND-WHITE, WHEREAS BB INDIVIDUALS ARE RED-AND-WHITE.
DONOR DAMS
GENETICALLY SUPERIOR COWS FROM WHICH EMBRYOS ARE COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED TO RECIPIENTS TO ALLOW THESE COWS TO PRODUCE A GREATER NUMBER OF OFFSPRING THAN POSSIBLE IN A NORMAL REPRODUCTION SCHEME.
DOUBLE STANDARDIZATION
THIS REFERS TO STANDARDIZATION OF MILK FOR BOTH FAT AND NONFAT SOLIDS (OR PROTEIN).
DRIED MILKS
DRIED MILK IS MADE FROM WHOLE MILK; NONFAT DRY MILK IS MANUFACTURED FROM SKIM MILK. IN DRYING MILKS, ABOUT 95 TO 98 PERCENT OF THE WATER IS REMOVED BY CONCENTRATING THE SOLIDS IN VACUUM PANS AND THEN DRYING BY SPRAYING MILK INTO A CHAMBER OF HOT AIR OR ONTO A SLOWLY REVOLVING HEATED DRUM UNDER VACUUM.
DRPC
SEE DAIRY RECORDS PROCESSING CENTER.
DRY
DESCRIBES A NONLACTATING FEMALE. THE DRY PERIOD OF COWS IS THE TIME BETWEEN LACTATIONS (WHEN A FEMALE IS NOT SECRETING MILK).
DRY COW
ANY COW THAT HAS CALVED ONCE AND IS NOT PRODUCING MILK.
DRY DATE
FIRST CALENDAR DAY THE COW IS NOT MILKED (SEE DRY PERIOD).
DRYLOT
A RELATIVELY SMALL AREA IN WHICH CATTLE ARE CONFINED INDEFINITELY AS OPPOSED TO BEING ALLOWED TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO PASTURE.
DRY MATTER (DM)
THE MOISTURE-FREE CONTENT OF FEEDS.
DRY OFF
TO CHANGE A LACTATING ANIMAL TO A NONLACTATING ONE. USUALLY DONE 6 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR TO FRESHENING. SEE INVOLUTION.
DRY PERIOD
NONLACTATING DAYS BETWEEN LACTATIONS. THIS NONLACTATING TIME IS GENERALLY A 5- TO 6-WEEK REST PERIOD BEFORE FRESHENING.
DYSPNEA
DIFFICULT OR LABORED RESPIRATION.
DYSTOCIA
ABNORMAL OR DIFFICULT LABOR (PARTURITION), CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN DELIVERING THE FETUS AND PLACENTA.
EARTAG
A TAG THAT GENERALLY IS ATTACHED TO THE EAR OF A DAIRY COW FOR EASY AND ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION.
EARTHEN STORAGE BASIN
AN EARTHEN POND OR BASIN FOR STORING ANIMAL WASTE. DIFERS FROM AN ANAEROBIC TREATMENT LAGOON IN THAT WASTES ARE NOT STORED FOR AND EXTENDED PERIOD AND MICROBIAL BREAKDOWN OR TREATMENT DOES NOT OCCUR.
ECONOMIC INDEXES
PTA DOLLARS (PTA$), PTA$ PROTEIN AND PTA$ CHEESE (CHEESE YIELD$) ARE ECONOMIC INDEXES USED IN SELECTING CATTLE THAT COMBINE RELATIVE VALUES OF MILK AND COMPONENTS.
EDEMA
THE PRESENCE OF ABNORMALLY LARGE AMOUNTS OF FLUID IN THE INTERCELLULAR TISSUE SPACES OF THE BODY, AS IN SWELLING OF MAMMARY GLANDS COMMONLY ACCOMPANYING PARTURITION IN MANY FARM ANIMALS.
EFFICACY
EFFECTIVENESS.
EFFLUENT
THE LIQUID OUTFLOW OR DISCHARGE OF A WASTE TREATMENT PROCESS.
ELUD
SEE EXTRA LABEL USE DRUG.
EMACIATION
A WASTED CONDITION OF THE BODY; GREAT LOSSES OF BODY WEIGHT OR CONDITION.
EMBRYO RECIPIENT
ANY COW OR HEIFER THAT SERVES AS A SURROGATE MOTHER AND CARRIES THE EMBRYO OF ANOTHER COW THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMBRYO AND BIRTH OF THE CALF.
EMBRYO TRANSFER
MODERN TECHNOLOGY WHEREBY MULTIPLE FERTILIZED EGGS (OVA) ARE FLUSHED FROM THE DONOR'S UTERUS, AND ARE TRANSFERRED TO A RECIPIENT ANIMAL THAT SERVES AS A SURROGATE MOTHER. THE FERTILIZED OVA MAY BE FROZEN AND STORED INDEFINITELY BEFORE THEY ARE THAWED AND TRANSFERRED TO RECIPIENTS.
ENSILAGE
A GREEN CHOP (FORAGE) PRESERVED BY FERMENTATION IN A SILO, PIT, OR STACK, USUALLY IN CHOPPED FORM. ALSO CALLED SILAGE.
EPIDEMIC
THE RAPID SPREADING OF A DISEASE SO THAT MANY ANIMALS OR PEOPLE HAVE IT CONCURRENTLY. SEE EPIZOOTIC.
EPIZOOTIC
DESIGNATING A WIDELY DIFFUSED DISEASE OF ANIMALS SPREADING RAPIDLY AND AFFECTING MANY INDIVIDUALS OF A KIND CONCURRENTLY IN ANY REGION, THUS CORRESPONDING TO AN EPIDEMIC IN MAN.
EQUALIZATION FUND
SEE PRODUCER SETTLEMENT FUND.
ERGOSTEROL
A PLANT STEROL WHICH, WHEN ACTIVATED BY ULTRAVIOLET RAYS, BECOMES VITAMIN D2 , ALSO CALLED PROVITAMIN D2 AND ERGOSTERIN.
ERUCTATION
THE ACT OF BELCHING OR CASTING UP GAS FROM THE STOMACH.
ESCUTCHEON
THE PART OF A COW THAT EXTENDS UPWARD JUST ABOVE AND BACK OF THE UDDER WHERE THE HAIR TURNS UPWARD IN CONTRAST TO THE NORMAL DOWNWARD DIRECTION OF HAIR. ALSO CALLED MILK MIRROR.
ESTRUS
(OESTRUS, ESTROUS) THE RECURRENT, RESTRICTED SEXUAL RECEPTIVITY (HEAT) IN FEMALE MAMMALS, COMMONLY MARKED BY INTENSE SEXUAL URGE. ESTROUS PERTAINS TO THE ENTIRE CYCLE OF REPRODUCTIVE CHANGES IN THE NONPREGNANT FEMALE ANIMAL.
ETHER EXTRACT (EE)
FATTY SUBSTANCES OR LIPIDS OF FOODS AND FEEDS THAT ARE SOLUBLE IN ETHER.
EUROPEAN BREEDS
THOSE NATIVE TO GREAT BRITAIN OR CONTINENTAL EUROPE SUCH AS CHAROLAIS, SIMMENTAL, LIMOUSIN, JERSEY, HOLSTEIN, AND GUERNSEY.
EVAPORATED MILK
THE LIQUID FOOD OBTAINED BY PARTIAL REMOVAL OF WATER FROM MILK. THE MF AND TMS CONTENTS ARE NOT LESS THAN 7.5 AND 25.5 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY. IT CONTAINS 25 IU VITAMIN D PER OUNCE AND IS HOMOGENIZED. THE FOOD IS SEALED IN A CONTAINER AND IS SO PROCESSED BY HEAT, EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER SEALING, AS TO PREVENT SPOILAGE.
EXOCRINE
(ECCRINE) SECRETING OUTWARDLY, INTO, OR THROUGH A DUCT.
EXTRA LABEL USE DRUG
AN ANTIBIOTIC OR OTHER CHEMICAL USED ON THE ADVICE OF A VETERINARIAN IN A DOSAGE, ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION, FOR A DISEASE, OR IN SOME OTHER MANNER NOT INCLUDED ON THE APPROVED PRINTED PACKAGE LABEL.
EXTROVERSION
THE PROCESS OF EXPOSURE OF TISSUES INSIDE THE STREAK CANAL OF COWS' TEATS. IT IS USUALLY CAUSED BY PROLONGED MILKING AND EXCESSIVE MILKING VACUUM OR INADEQUATE PULSATION.
FCM
SEE FAT-CORRECTED MILK.
FDA
(FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION) AN AGENCY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF HUMAN FOOD SUPPLIES. THEY EVALUATE THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF FOOD ADDITIVES AND CHEMICALS USED WITH DOMESTIC ANIMALS PROVIDING APPROVAL FOR USE IN A PRESCRIBED MANNER.
FALSE HEAT
THE DISPLAY OF ESTRUS BY A FEMALE ANIMAL WHEN SHE IS PREGNANT.
FAT
SEE MILK FAT.
FAT-CORRECTED MILK
THE ESTIMATED QUANTITY OF MILK CALCULATED ON AN EQUIVALENT ENERGY BASIS. IT IS A MEANS OF EVALUATING MILK PRODUCTION RECORDS OF DIFFERENT DAIRY ANIMALS AND BREEDS ON A COMMON ENERGY BASIS.
FAT DIFFERENTIAL
THE AMOUNT ADDED TO OR SUBTRACTED FROM THE BLEND PRICE FOR EACH 0.1 PERCENT THAT THE MILK FAT IS ABOVE OR BELOW 3.5 PERCENT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE BLEND PRICE IS $9.00/CWT AND THE FAT DIFFERENTIAL IS 10, A DAIRYMAN WITH MILK OF 4.0 PERCENT MILK FAT WOULD RECEIVE $9.50/CWT.
FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA
SEE COLIFORM BACTERIA.
FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDER
A MILK MARKETING REGULATION ISSUED BY THE U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. IT ESTABLISHES MINIMUM PRICES PAID BY PROCESSORS TO PRODUCERS IN A REGION FOR MILK.
FEDERAL ORDER ADMINISTRATOR
AN APPOINTEE OF THE U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE WHO SUPERVISES A FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDER.
FEDERATION OF COOPERATIVES
AN ORGANIZATION OF COOPERATIVES THAT PROVIDES FOR JOINT ACTIVITIES BUT ALLOWS EACH COOPERATIVE TO MANAGE ITS OWN AFFAIRS.
FEED EFFICIENCY
(FEED CONVERSION) THE UNITS OF FEED CONSUMED PER UNIT OF WEIGHT INCREASE OR UNIT OF PRODUCTION (MILK, MEAT, EGGS).
FIBER
THE CELLULOSE PORTION OF ROUGHAGES (FORAGES) THAT IS LOW IN TDN AND HARD TO DIGEST BY MONOGASTRIC ANIMALS.
FIBROTIC
(FIBROSIS) OF A CONDITION MARKED BY THE PRESENCE OF INTERSTITIAL FIBROUS TISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE MAMMARY GLAND RESULTING FROM MASTITIS.
FILL
A TERM DESIGNATING THE FULLNESS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF AN ANIMAL. ALSO USED TO IDENTIFY A PHASE OF PACKAGING MILK AND/OR MILK PRODUCTS IN WHICH CONTAINERS ARE FILLED WITH PRODUCT.
FILLED MILK
MILK FROM WHICH MILK FAT HAS BEEN REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH OTHER FATS OR OILS.
FILTER DNA
A MASTITIS SCREENING TEST USEFUL IN DETERMINING SOMATIC CELLS PRESENT IN MILK BY FILTERING AND MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) PRODUCED.
FIRST-CALF
A TERM COMMONLY USED TO INDICATE THE FIRST CALF BORN TO BOVINE FEMALES.
FISTULA
AN ARTIFICIAL OPENING INTO AN ANIMAL, E.G. THE RUMEN.
FLAT BARN MILKING AREA
AN AREA FOR MILKING CATTLE WHERE THE PERSON MILKING CATTLE IS ON THE SAME LEVEL OR FLOOR AS THE CATTLE. MAY BE USED WITH PIPELINE OR BUCKET MILKING SYSTEMS.
FLUID MILK
MILK COMMONLY MARKETED AS FRESH LIQUID MILKS AND CREAMS. IT IS THE MOST PERISHABLE FORM OF MILK AND COMMANDS THE HIGHEST PRICE PER UNIT VOLUME. ALSO CALLED MARKET MILK.
FLUID MILK PRODUCTS
MILK, FLAVORED MILK, CONCENTRATED MILK, FILLED MILK, SKIM MILK, FORTIFIED SKIM MILK, LOWFAT MILK, BUTTERMILK, MILK DRINKS, AND CREAM PRODUCTS.
FLUSH SEASON
TIME DURING THE YEAR, USUALLY SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER, OF MAXIMUM MILK PRODUCTION.
FODDER
COARSE FOOD FOR CATTLE OR HORSES, SUCH AS CORN STALKS OR STRAW.
FOOT ROT
AN INFLAMMATION OCCURRING BETWEEN THE TOES AND IN THE HOOVES OF SHEEP AND CATTLE. IT IS CAUSED BY A COMBINATION OF FUNGUS AND BACTERIA.
FORAGE
ROUGHAGE OF HIGH FEEDING VALUE. GRASSES AND LEGUMES CUT AT THE PROPER STAGE OF MATURITY AND STORED TO PRESERVE QUALITY ARE FORAGE. A CROP THAT IS HIGH IN FIBER AND GROWN ESPECIALLY TO FEED RUMINANT ANIMALS.
FORESTRIPPING
EXPRESSING STREAMS OF MILK FROM THE TEAT PRIOR TO MACHINE MILKING TO DETERMINE VISUAL QUALITY AND TO STIMULATE "LETDOWN."
FOREQUARTERS
THE TWO FRONT QUARTERS OF A COW. ALSO CALLED FORE UDDER.
FOUNDER
(LAMINITIS) INFLAMMATION OF FOOT AND LOWER LEG OF RUMINANT ANIMALS CAUSED BY OVEREATING GRAIN OR GREEN GRASS.
FREE-CHOICE
A FEEDING SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS ANIMALS TO EAT AT WILL. SEE SELF-FEEDER.
FREEMARTIN
FEMALE BORN TWIN TO A BULL CALF (ABOUT 9 OUT OF 10 OF THESE WILL NOT CONCEIVE). A STERILE HEIFER BORN TWIN WITH A BULL.
FREE STALLS
RESTING CUBICLES OR "BEDS" IN WHICH DAIRY ANIMALS ARE FREE TO ENTER AND LEAVE, AS OPPOSED TO BEING CONFINED IN STANCHIONS.
FREEZE BRANDING
A METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION WITH A COLD IRON TO AID IN EASILY IDENTIFYING DAIRY CATTLE.
FREEZE DRYING
THE EVAPORATION OF WATER FROM A FROZEN PRODUCT WITH THE AID OF HIGH VACUUM. ALSO CALLED LYOPHILIZATION.
FRESH
A COW THAT HAS RECENTLY GIVEN BIRTH TO A CALF. ALSO REFERS TO DAIRY PRODUCTS HAVING ORIGINAL QUALITIES UNIMPAIRED AND THOSE RECENTLY PRODUCED OR PROCESSED.
FRESHEN
COMMONLY USED TO DESIGNATE THE ACT OF CALVING (PARTURITION); TO GIVE BIRTH TO A CALF AND CONCURRENTLY INITIATE LACTATION.
FULL-SIBS
ANIMALS HAVING THE SAME SIRE AND DAM, SUCH AS FULL BROTHERS, FULL SISTERS, AND/OR A FULL BROTHER-SISTER PAIR.
GPD
(GASEOUS PRODUCTS OF DIGESTION) THESE INCLUDE THE COMBUSTIBLE GASES PRODUCED IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT DURING FERMENTATION OF THE RATION. METHANE CONSTITUTES THE MAJOR PROPORTION OF THE COMBUSTIBLE GASES PRODUCED BY RUMINANTS; HOWEVER, NONRUMINANTS ALSO PRODUCE METHANE. TRACE AMOUNTS OF HYDROGEN, CARBON MONOXIDE, ACETONE, ETHANE, AND HYDROGEN SULFIDE ARE ALSO PRODUCED.
GALACTOPOIETIC
STIMULATING OR INCREASING SECRETION OF MILK.
GARGET
A COMMON TERM FOR AN INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER OF COWS OR THE RESULTING ABNORMAL MILK. MORE ACCURATELY REFERRED TO AS MASTITIS.
GASTROENTERITIS
CHEMICAL, BACTERIAL, OR VIRAL INFLAMMATION OF THE MUCOSA OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES.
GENETIC APPRAISAL
COWS AND SIRES ARE EVALUATED BY RESEARCHERS AT THE ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS LABORATORY, ARS-USDA, TO DETERMINE THEIR GENETIC VALUES. (SEE PTA AND PPA).
GENETIC BASE
THE AVERAGE GENETIC MERIT OF A POPULATION (USUALLY A BREED) AT A SPECIFIC PERIOD, WHICH IS USED AS A REFERENCE POINT TO EXPRESS A GENETIC DIFFERENCE FROM A BASE POPULATION (GENETIC MERIT OF COWS AND BULLS).
GENETIC MERIT
THE GENETIC VALUE OF THE ANIMAL USED IN A BREEDING PROGRAM. (ALSO SEE BREEDING VALUE).
GENETIC TREND
GENETIC CHANGE PER YEAR FOR A TRAIT IN THE POPULATION.
GENOTYPE
THE ACTUAL GENETIC CONSTITUTION (MAKEUP) OF AN INDIVIDUAL AS DETERMINED BY ITS GERM PLASM. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE TWO GENOTYPES FOR BLACK-AND-WHITE HOLSTEINS--BB AND BB. SEE DOMINANT.
GESTATION PREGNANCY
(GRAVIDITY). THE PERIOD FROM CONCEPTION TO BIRTH. THE PERIOD OF FETAL DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN FERTILIZATION OF THE OVUM AND BIRTH OF THE OFFSPRING.
GET
THE OFFSPRING OF A MALE. A GET-OF-SIRE REFERS TO GIVEN NUMBER (COMMONLY FOUR) OF PROGENY FROM A SIRE.
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.
GIVING MILK
LACTATING, OR THE ACT OF YIELDING MILK BY A MAMMAL.
GOITROGENIC
PRODUCING OR TENDING TO PRODUCE GOITER (ENLARGEMENT OF THE THYROID GLAND).
GOSSYPOL
A TOXIC YELLOW PIGMENT FOUND IN COTTONSEED. HEAT AND PRESSURE TEND TO BIND IT WITH PROTEIN AND THEREBY RENDER IT SAFE FOR ANIMAL CONSUMPTION.
GRADE
ANIMALS SHOWING THE PREDOMINANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A GIVEN BREED. THEY USUALLY HAVE AT LEAST ONE PUREBRED PARENT, ORDINARILY THE BULL.
GRADE
A MILK MILK PRODUCED AND PROCESSED UNDER RIGID SANITARY REGULATIONS. MILKING AND PROCESSING FACILITIES ARE APPROVED AND INSPECTED BY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS. FLUID MILK PRODUCTS MUST MEET THIS INSPECTION STANDARD.
GRADE CATTLE
AN ANIMAL POSSESSING THE DISTINCT CHARACTERISTIC OF A PARTICULAR BREED BUT NOT REGISTERED WITH A BREED ASSOCIATION. SOMETIMES CALLED COMMERCIAL CATTLE.
GRADING UP
THE CONTINUED USE OF PUREBRED SIRES ON GRADE DAMS.
GRASS TETANY
A MAGNESIUM-DEFICIENCY DISEASE OF CATTLE CHARACTERIZED BY HYPERIRRITABILITY, MUSCULAR SPASMS OF LEGS, AND CONVULSIONS.
GRAZE
TO CONSUME STANDING VEGETATION, AS BY LIVESTOCK OR WILD ANIMALS.
GREEN CHEESE
A TERM APPLIED TO THE FRESH UNCURED PRODUCT. IT REFERS TO FLAVOR, ODOR, BODY, AND TEXTURE, NOT COLOR.
GREEN CHOP
(FRESH FORAGE) FORAGES HARVESTED (CUT AND CHOPPED) IN THE FIELD AND HAULED TO LIVESTOCK. THIS MINIMIZES THE LOSS OF MOISTURE, COLOR, NUTRIENTS, AND WASTAGE. ALSO CALLED ZERO GRAZING OR SOILAGE.
GROSS ENERGY (GE)
THE AMOUNT OF HEAT, MEASURED IN CALORIES, RELEASED WHEN A SUBSTANCE IS COMPLETELY OXIDIZED IN A BOMB CALORIMETER.
GROWTHY
DESCRIBES AN ANIMAL THAT IS LARGE AND WELL-DEVELOPED FOR ITS AGE.
HTST
(HIGH-TEMPERATURE SHORT-TIME) THE TEMPERATURE AND TIME COMBINATION FOR PASTEURIZATION OF MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS. THE MINIMUM FOR MILK IS 71.7C (161F) FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS. HIGHER TEMPERATURES ARE USED IN PASTEURIZING PRODUCTS OF HIGH SOLIDS BECAUSE OF THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BACTERIA BY SOLIDS.
HALF-SIB
IN GENETICS, A HALF BROTHER OR HALF SISTER.
HANDLERS
PROCESSORS OR DEALERS OF MILK WHO COMMONLY PURCHASE RAW MILK AND SELL PASTEURIZED MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS.
HAND MILKING
THE MANUAL MILKING OF AN ANIMAL AS OPPOSED TO MECHANICAL MILKING.
HARDWARE DISEASE
COMMONLY, AN INFLAMMATION OF THE BODY CAVITY BY AN ANIMAL EATING METAL OBJECTS AND PERFORATION OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT.
HAY
DRIED FORAGE (E.G., GRASSES, ALFALFA, CLOVERS) USED FOR FEEDING FARM ANIMALS.
HAYLAGE
LOW-MOISTURE SILAGE (35 TO 55 PERCENT MOISTURE). GRASS AND LEGUME CROPS ARE CUT AND WILTED IN THE FIELD TO A LOWER MOISTURE LEVEL THAN NORMAL FOR GRASS SILAGE, BUT THE CROP IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DRY FOR BALING. IT IS COMMONLY STORED IN A SEALED, OR AIRTIGHT, STORAGE SYSTEM.
HEART GIRTH
THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BODY JUST BACK OF THE SHOULDERS OF AN ANIMAL. IT IS USED TO ESTIMATE BODY WEIGHT.
HEAT
SEE ESTRUS.
HEAT INCREMENT
(HI) THE INCREASE IN HEAT PRODUCED FOLLOWING CONSUMPTION OF FOOD. IT CONSISTS OF CALORIES RELEASED IN FERMENTATION AND NUTRIENT METABOLISM. WHEN ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE IS BELOW CRITICAL TEMPERATURE, THIS HEAT MAY BE USED TO KEEP THE BODY WARM; THEREFORE, IT IS NOT WASTED. ALSO CALLED WORK OF DIGESTION.
HEAT PERIOD
THAT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN A FEMALE WILL ACCEPT A MALE IN THE ACT OF MATING. ALSO CALLED IN HEAT OR ESTRUS.
HECTARE
A METRIC UNIT OF LAND MEASUREMENT (2.47 ACRES).
HEIFER
A BOVINE FEMALE LESS THAN THREE YEARS OF AGE WHO HAS NOT BORNE A CALF. YOUNG COWS WITH THEIR FIRST CALVES ARE SOMETIMES CALLED FIRST-CALF HEIFERS.
HERD
A GROUP OF ANIMALS (ESPECIALLY CATTLE), COLLECTIVELY CONSIDERED AS A UNIT.
HERD AVERAGE
AVERAGE MILK AND COMPONENT PRODUCTION PER COW FOR ALL COWS IN THE HERD UNIT FOR 12 MONTHS.
HERD CODE
AN EXCLUSIVE REFERENCE NUMBER THAT IDENTIFIES EVERY DHI HERD. THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS IDENTIFY THE STATE, THE NEXT TWO, THE ASSOCIATION, AND THE FINAL NUMERICAL SERIES IDENTIFIES THE HERD WITHIN AN ASSOCIATION.
HERD OWNER
THE DECLARED OWNER OF A HERD OF DAIRY CATTLE AS RECORDED ON A LEGAL DOCUMENT, REGISTRATION PAPERS OR OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
HERDMATE COMPARISON
METHOD OF ESTIMATING THE GENETIC TRANSMITTING ABILITY IN WHICH A COW'S YIELD IS COMPARED TO THAT OF OTHER COWS IN THE SAME BREED FROM DIFFERENT SIRES THAT CALVED IN THE SAME HERD DURING THE SAME SEASON.
HERITABILITY
THE PROPORTION (FRACTION) OF DIFFERENCE AMONG ANIMALS FOR A TRAIT, SUCH AS MILK PRODUCTION, DUE TO GENETIC DIFFERENCE RATHER THAN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. THE FRACTION OF VARIATION IN A TRAIT THAT IS GENETICALLY TRANSMISSIBLE FROM PARENT TO OFFSPRING.
HERRINGBONE MILKING PARLOR
A RAISED, ZIGZAG-DESIGNED MILKING STALL WHICH ALLOWS THE GROUP MILKING OF SEVERAL COWS AT ONE TIME IN A PIPELINE MILKING SYSTEM.
HIGH-MOISTURE SILAGE
SILAGE USUALLY CONTAINING 70 PERCENT OR MORE MOISTURE.
HOLDING AREA
AN AREA TO HOLD COWS PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO THE MILKING PARLOR. SOMETIMES CALLED A HOLDING PEN. MAY ALSO INCLUDE A WASH PEN.
HOMOGENIZED MILK
MILK THAT HAS BEEN TREATED TO ENSURE BREAKUP OF FAT GLOBULES TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT, AFTER 48 HOURS OF QUIESCENT STORAGE AT 7C, NO VISIBLE CREAM SEPARATION OCCURS ON THE MILK. THE REDUCED SIZE OF FAT PARTICLES RESULTS IN FORMATION OF A SOFTER CURD IN THE STOMACH.
HUNDREDWEIGHT (CWT.)
GENERALLY REFERS TO MILK SOLD OFF THE FARM IN 100 POUND UNITS.
HYBRID VIGOR
(HETEROSIS) THE INCREASED GROWTH OR PRODUCTION EXHIBITED BY THE FIRST GENERATION OVER THE AVERAGE OF ITS TWO PARENT BREEDS. IT IS USUALLY EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE.
HYPOCALCEMIA
SEE PARTURIENT PARESIS.
HYPOGLYCEMIA
BELOW NORMAL BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL.
IP
SEE INTAKE PROTEIN.
IU
(INTERNATIONAL UNIT) A UNIT OF MEASUREMENT OF A BIOLOGIC (E.G., A VITAMIN, HORMONE, ANTIBIOTIC, ANTITOXIN) AS DEFINED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR UNIFICATION OF FORMULAE. POTENCY IS BASED ON BIOASSAY THAT PRODUCES A PARTICULAR EFFECT AGREED ON INTERNATIONALLY. ALSO CALLED USP UNIT.
ICE MILK
A FROZEN PRODUCT RESEMBLING ICE CREAM, EXCEPT THAT IT CONTAINS LESS FAT (2 TO 5 PERCENT VERSUS 10 PERCENT) AND MORE SNF (12 PERCENT VERSUS 10 PERCENT) THAN ICE CREAM. BOTH ICE MILK AND ICE CREAM CONTAIN STABILIZERS AND EMULSIFIERS AND ABOUT 15 PERCENT SUGAR.
IMITATION MILKS
MIXTURES OF NONDAIRY INGREDIENTS (OTHER THAN MILK, MILK FAT, AND NONFAT MILK SOLIDS) WHICH ARE COMBINED FORMING A PRODUCT SIMILAR TO MILK, LOWFAT MILK, OR SKIM MILK. SODIUM CASEINATE, THOUGH DERIVED FROM MILK, IS COMMONLY TERMED A NONDAIRY INGREDIENT AND IS OFTEN USED AS A SOURCE OF PROTEIN IN IMITATION MILKS. VEGETABLE OILS ARE COMMONLY USED AS THE SOURCE OF FAT.
IMMUNITY
THE POWER AN ANIMAL HAS TO RESIST AND/OR OVERCOME AN INFECTION TO WHICH MOST OF ITS SPECIES IS SUSCEPTIBLE. ACTIVE IMMUNITY IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PRESENCE OF ANTIBODIES FORMED BY AN ANIMAL IN RESPONSE TO ANTIGENETIC STIMULUS. PASSIVE IMMUNITY IS PRODUCED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF PREFORMED ANTIBODIES.
IMPACTION CONSTIPATION
SEE COMPACTION.
INCOMPLETE RECORD
A COW'S PRODUCTION IN A LACTATION THAT IS TERMINATED EARLY FOR SOME REASON. (LACTATIONS NOT YET COMPLETED MAY BE REFERRED TO AS A "RECORD IN PROGRESS.")
INDIVIDUAL HANDLER POOL
SEE POOL, INDIVIDUAL HANDLER.
INDUCED LACTATION
A LACTATION THAT IS ARTIFICIALLY INITIATED BY THE USE OF HORMONES, NOT BY BIRTH.
IN MILK
DESIGNATING A LACTATING FEMALE.
INTAKE PROTEIN (IP)
TOTAL PROTEIN OR NITROGEN CONSUMED WITHOUT REGARD TO QUALITY.
IN VITRO
WITHIN AN ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENT, AS WITHIN A TEST TUBE.
IN VIVO
WITHIN THE LIVING BODY.
INVOLUTION
A DECLINE IN SIZE OR ACTIVITY OF TISSUES AND/OR ORGANS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MAMMARY GLAND TISSUES NORMALLY INVOLUTE WITH ADVANCING LACTATION. IT IS PART OF THE PROCESS OF LACTATING COWS WHEREIN THEY DRY OFF.
IODINATED CASEIN
MILK PROTEIN (CASEIN) TO WHICH IODINE IS BOUND. IT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO A THYROPROTEIN AND CAN BE USED TO STIMULATE DAIRY COWS TO SECRETE MORE MILK.
KETONURIA
THE PRESENCE OF KETONE BODIES IN THE URINE, AS WITH KETOSIS IN HIGH-PRODUCING COWS.
KETOSIS
SEE ACETONEMIA.
KID
A GOAT UP TO ONE YEAR OLD.
KIDDING
PARTURITION IN THE GOAT; THE ACT OF GIVING BIRTH TO YOUNG.
KILOCALORIE (KCAL)
EQUIVALENT TO 1000 CALORIES.
LACHRYMATION
THE ACT OF TEARING; SECRETING AND CONVEYING TEARS.
LACTATE
TO SECRETE OR PRODUCE MILK; ALSO, SALT OF BETA-HYDROXY PROPIONIC ACID.
LACTATION AVERAGE
ACTUAL 305-DAY AVERAGE MILK AND COMPONENT PRODUCTION FOR ALL COWS IN THE HERD THAT WAS COMPLETED DURING A 12-MONTH PERIOD. (SINCE DRY DAYS ARE NOT INCLUDED, LACTATION AVERAGES USUALLY ARE 8 TO 15 PERCENT HIGHER THAN ROLLING HERD AVERAGES.)
LACTATION PERIOD
THE NUMBER OF DAYS AN ANIMAL SECRETES MILK FOLLOWING EACH PARTURITION. USUALLY 11 TO 12 MONTHS.
LACTATION RECORD
THE TOTAL MILK AND COMPONENTS PRODUCED BY A COW BEGINNING ON THE DAY OF CALVING AND ENDING ON THE DAY THE COW GOES DRY. FOR PURPOSES OF GENETIC COMPARISON, 10-MONTH (305-DAY) LACTATION RECORDS ARE THE STANDARD OF THE INDUSTRY. A 306 TO 365-DAY LACTATION RECORD MAY BE USED FOR PROMOTION. LACTATION RECORDS GREATER THAN 365 DAYS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.
LACTATION TOTALS TO DATE
THE PRODUCTION TOTALS FOR MILK AND COMPONENTS THROUGH THE CURRENT TEST DATE.
LACTOGENIC
STIMULATING THE SECRETION OF MILK.
LACTOSE
THE 12-CARBON SUGAR UNIQUE TO MILK; A DISACCHARIDE COMPOSED OF GLUCOSE AND GALACTOSE. AVERAGE MILK CONTAINS ABOUT 5 PERCENT LACTOSE WHICH VARIES LITTLE BY BREED.
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
A CONDITION IN WHICH LACTOSE IS NOT ADEQUATELY HYDROLYZED IN THE INTESTINE BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT LACTASE ENZYME.
LAGOON
SEE ANAEROBIC TREATMENT LAGOON.
LEACHING
THE PROCESS OF REMOVAL OF SOLUBLE MATERIALS BY THE PASSAGE OF WATER THROUGH SOIL.
LEAD FEEDING
GRADUALLY INCREASING GRAIN FED COWS TO A LEVEL EQUAL 1.0 TO 1.5 PERCENT OF BODY WEIGHT BEGINNING ABOUT THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE PREDICTED CALVING DATE. FOLLOWING PARTURITION, GRAIN IS INCREASED UNTIL A COW REACHES MAXIMUM FEED INTAKE. ALSO CALLED CHALLENGE FEEDING.
LEGUME
CLOVERS, ALFALFA, AND SIMILAR CROPS THAT CAN ABSORB NITROGEN DIRECTLY FROM THE ATMOSPHERE THROUGH ACTION OF BACTERIA THAT LIVE IN THEIR ROOTS AND USE IT AS A NUTRIENT FOR GROWTH.
LETDOWN
THE PROCESS IN A COW WHERE PHYSICAL STIMULATION CAUSES A RELEASE OF OXYTOCIN AND THE CONTRACTION OF SMOOTH MUSCLES SURROUNDING MILK ALVEOLI RESULTING IN FLUID PRESSURE WITHIN THE UDDER AND MILK FLOW.
LIBIDO
SEXUAL DESIRE OR INSTINCT.
LIFETIME PRODUCTION TOTALS
THE PRODUCTION TOTALS FOR MILK AND COMPONENTS FOR A COW SINCE HER FIRST CALVING (OR FIRST TIME ON DHI TEST). TOTALS WILL INCLUDE PRODUCTION BEYOND 365 DAYS IN A LACTATION, PRODUCTION CREDITS FOR AN ABNORMALLY INITIATED RECORD AND ANY PRODUCTION FROM PREPARTUM MILKING.
LIGNIN
A COMPOUND WHICH, WITH CELLULOSE, FORMS THE CELL WALLS OF PLANTS. IT IS PRACTICALLY INDIGESTIBLE.
LINEAR SCORE (SCC)
LINEAR SCORES FOR SOMATIC CELL COUNTS (SCC'S) CONVERT SCC LOGARITHMICALLY FROM CELLS PER MILLILITER TO A LINEAR SCORE FROM 0 TO 9. THE LINEAR SCORE HAS A STRAIGHT LINE, INVERSE RELATIONSHIP WITH MILK YIELD. AN INCREASE OF ONE IN THE LINEAR SCORE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A 400-POUND DECREASE IN LACTATION MILK YIELD OR A 1.5 POUND DROP IN DAILY YIELD.
LINER
A FLEXIBLE SLEEVE IN THE MILKING TEAT CUP OR RIGID-WALLED LINER HOLDER. RESPONSIBLE FOR MASSAGING THE TEAT END AND INTERMITTANTLY CUTTING VACUUM AT THE TEAT END DURING MILKING. ALSO CALLED INFLATION.
LINER SLIP
SLIPPAGE OF THE LINER AND TEAT CUP DURING MILKING. CAUSED A SHARP CHANGE OF MILKING VACUUM WITHIN THE UNIT OR CLUSTER.
LIPID
ANY ONE OF A GROUP OF ORGANIC SUBSTANCES THAT ARE INSOLUBLE IN WATER THOUGH SOLUBLE IN ALCOHOL, ETHER, CHLOROFORM, AND OTHER FAT SOLVENTS, AND HAVE A GREASY FEEL. THEY ARE RICH SOURCES OF DIETARY ENERGY.
LIQUID-SOLID SEPARATION
THE PROCESS OF PASSING A LIQUID-SOLID SUSPENSION, SUCH AS ANIMAL MANURE, OVER A SCREEN OR SIMILAR DEVICE TO PARTIALLY REMOVE SOLIDS PRIOR TO STORAGE OR APPLICATION.
LOAFING
(AREA) (ALLEY) (BARN) (SHED) A RESTING AREA FOR CATTLE.
LONG FEED
COARSE OR UNCHOPPED FEED SUCH AS HAY, AS CONTRASTED WITH SHORT, OR CHOPPED, FEED.
LONG TEST INTERVAL
ROUTINELY, TESTS ARE CONDUCTED EACH 15 TO 45 DAYS, OR APPROXIMATELY ONE EACH MONTH. AN EMERGENCY OR SUPERVISOR VACATION SCHEDULES MAY EXTEND THE INTERVAL BEYOND 45 DAYS. FOR HERDS ON OFFICIAL PLANS, REASONS FOR A LONG TEST INTERVAL (46 TO 75 DAYS) MUST BE REPORTED ON THE BARNSHEET BY THE SUPERVISOR. OFFICIAL STATUS OF THE RECORD IS LOST IF THE INTERVAL EXCEEDS 75 DAYS.
LOOSE HOUSING
FACILITIES WHICH ALLOW CATTLE ACCESS TO A LARGE, OPEN BEDDED AREA FOR RESTING. ALSO KNOWN AS FREE HOUSING. LOOSE HOUSING PROVIDES AT LEAST 200 SQUARE FEET PER ANIMAL FOR FEEDING AND RESTING WHILE FREESTALL HOUSING USES ONLY 90 SQUARE FEET PER ANIMAL.
LOWFAT MILK
MILK CONTAINING AT LEAST 8.25 PERCENT SOLIDS AND FROM WHICH SUFFICIENT MILK FAT HAS BEEN REMOVED TO PRODUCE, WITHIN LIMITS OF GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE, A MILK FAT CONTENT OF 0.5, 1.0, OR 2.0 PERCENT.
LOW-MOISTURE SILAGE
SILAGE THAT CONTAINS 35 TO 55 PERCENT MOISTURE. SEE HAYLAGE.
LUCERNE ALFALFA
(MEDICAGO SATIVA); A LEGUME OF HIGH FEEDING VALUE FOR RUMINANTS.
ME
SEE MATURE EQUIVALENT OR METABOLIZABLE ENERGY.
MF
(MILK FAT) THE LIPID OR FATTY ACID COMPONENTS OF MILK.
MANUFACTURED MILK PRODUCTS
THESE INCLUDE CHEESES, BUTTER, EVAPORATED WHOLE MILK, CONDENSED WHOLE AND SKIM MILKS, WHOLE MILK POWDER, NONFAT DRY MILK, ICE CREAM, FROZEN DESSERTS, AERATED CREAM, FROZEN AND PLASTIC CREAMS, AND MILK USED IN CANDY, SOUP, BAKERY PRODUCTS, AND ANIMAL FEEDS.
MANUFACTURING GRADE MILK
MILK PRODUCED UNDER REGULATIONS LESS STRICT THAN THOSE FOR GRADE A MILK PRODUCTION.
MANUFACTURING MILK
MILK FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS.
MANURE
THE FECAL AND URINARY EXCRETIONS OF LIVESTOCK.
MARKET MILK
MILK PRODUCED AND HANDLED UNDER CONDITIONS THAT QUALIFY IT FOR USE AS FLUID MILK IN AN ORGANIZED MARKETING AREA. GRADE A MILK MEETS THIS REQUIREMENT. SEE FLUID MILK.
MARKETING ORDER
SEE FEDERAL MILK MARKET ORDER.
MASTECTOMY
REMOVAL OF THE MAMMARY GLANDS.
MASTITIS
AN INFLAMMATION OF THE MAMMARY GLAND (OR GLANDS), USUALLY CAUSED BY BACTERIA.
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 EQUIVALENT (ME)
LACTATION AVERAGE ME AVERAGE MILK AND COMPONENT PRODUCTION PER COW FOR ALL COWS IN THE HERD FOR THE PREVIOUS 365 DAYS. ME LACTATION AVERAGES ARE UPDATED WITH EACH NEW TEST. SINCE ME REPRESENTS AN ESTIMATE OF MATURE PRODUCTION, AN ME LACTATION AVERAGE USUALLY IS 5 TO 10 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE ROLLING HERD AVERAGE.
MEGACALORIE (MCAL)
EQUIVALENT TO 1000 KCAL OR 1,000,000 CAL. A MEGACALORIE IS EQUIVALENT TO A THERM.
METABOLIC WEIGHT
THE WEIGHT OF AN ANIMAL RAISED TO THREEQUARTER POWER (W0.75).
METABOLIZABLE ENERGY (ME)
FOOD-INTAKE GROSS ENERGY MINUS FECAL ENERGY, ENERGY IN THE GASEOUS PRODUCTS OF DIGESTION (MOSTLY METHANE), AND URINARY ENERGY.
METRITIS
AN INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS.
MILK COMPOSITION
AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF DAIRY COW MILK INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING CONSTITUENTS: 87% WATER, 3.25% PROTEIN, 2.5% CASEIN, 5% SUGAR (LACTOSE), 3.7% FAT AND 0.8% MINERALS AND VITAMINS.
MILK EQUIVALENT
THE QUANTITY OF MILK, AS PRODUCED, REQUIRED TO FURNISH THE MILK SOLIDS IN MANUFACTURED DAIRY PRODUCTS. FOR EXAMPLE, APPROXIMATELY 10 AND 20 POUNDS OF MILK ARE REQUIRED TO MANUFACTURE 1 POUND OF CHEDDAR CHEESE AND BUTTER, RESPECTIVELY.
MILK FAT
A COMPLEX MIXTURE OF TRIGLYCERIDES CONTAINING NUMEROUS FATTY ACIDS. DHI LABORATORIES USE ELECTRONIC PHOTOMETRY AND INFRARED ABSORPTION FOR RAPID MILKFAT TESTS. MILK FAT ALSO IS REFERRED TO AS BUTTERFAT OR FAT.
MILK FEVER
SEE PARTURIENT PARESIS.
MILK METER
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 PRESERVATIVE
A COMPOUND USED TO STABILIZE AND TO PREVENT DECOMPOSITION OF MILK SAMPLES SENT TO DHI LABORATORIES FOR COMPONENT ANALYSIS. SEE BRONOPOL.
MILK SERUM
THE NONFAT 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 SOLIDS-NOT-FAT (SNF)
THE SOLIDS PORTION OF THE MILK MINUS THE FAT COMPONENT REPRESENTS ABOUT 8.5 TO 9.2 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MILK SOLIDS.
MILKSTONE
RESIDUE ON EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, OR CONTAINERS USED FOR HANDLING MILK. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY A HIGH MINERAL CONTENT, ESPECIALLY CALCIUM. IT IS NORMALLY SOLUBLE IN ACID.
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.
MINNESOTA-WISCONSIN PRICE
THE AVERAGE PRICE PAID FOR MANUFACTURING GRADE MILK IN ABOUT 400 PLANTS IN MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN, AN AREA IN WHICH ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF THE U.S. MANUFACTURING GRADE MILK IS PRODUCED. THE PRICE OFTEN USED AS THE BASIS FOR CLASSIFIED PRICING IN FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDERS.
MONOGASTRIC
HAVING ONLY ONE STOMACH OR STOMACH COMPARTMENT, AS DOES MAN, DOGS, AND SWINE.
MOUNT
TO CLIMB ONTO, AS DEMONSTRATED BY FEMALES IN HEAT AND BY MALES IN NATURAL SERVICE.
MULEY
A POLLED COW.
MUMMIFIED FETUS
A SHRIVELED FETUS THAT HAS REMAINED IN THE UTERUS INSTEAD OF BEING ABORTED OR EXPELLED. FLUIDS FROM THE FETUS HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY REABSORBED BY THE MOTHER.
NAAB STUD CODE
AN IDENTIFICATION NUMBER COMPOSED OF A ONE-OR TWO-DIGIT PREFIX INDICATING THE AI STUD AND A LETTER INDICATING THE BREED OF BULL. THE REMAINING NUMBERS IDENTIFY THE BULL WITHIN A STUD.
NDF
SEE NEUTRAL DETERGENT FIBER.
NDHIA, INC
THE NATIONAL DHI ORGANIZATION, MADE UP OF MEMBER STATE DHI ORGANIZATIONS AND ADMINISTERED BY AN EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND AN ELECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
NFE
SEE NITROGEN-FREE EXTRACT.
NPN
NONPROTEIN NITROGEN (E.G., UREA). USED BY RUMEN MICROORGANISMS TO SYNTHESIZE PROTEIN.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANIMAL BREEDERS (NAAB)
THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION (AI) INDUSTRY.
NATIONAL COOPERATIVE DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (NCDHIP) 
THE NATIONAL, INDUSTRY-WIDE COOPERATIVE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH ALL DHI-RELATED ACTIVITIES FUNCTION.
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (NRC)
A DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ESTABLISHED IN 1916 TO PROMOTE THE EFFECTIVE USE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES. THIS PRIVATE, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OF SCIENTISTS PUBLISHES BULLETINS PERIODICALLY GIVING NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
NATURAL SERVICE
IN FARM ANIMALS, IT MEANS TO ALLOW NATURAL MATING, AS OPPOSED TO ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION.
NONFAT DRY MILK (NDM)
THE PRODUCT OBTAINED BY REMOVING WATER FROM PASTEURIZED SKIM MILK. IT CONTAINS NOT MORE THAN 5 PERCENT MOISTURE AND NOT MORE THAN 1.5 PERCENT MF UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. SEE DRIED MILKS.
NEONATAL
PERTAINING TO A NEWBORN ANIMAL.
NET ENERGY (NE)
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN METABOLIZABLE ENERGY AND HEAT INCREMENT. IT INCLUDES THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY USED EITHER FOR MAINTENANCE ONLY OR FOR MAINTENANCE PLUS PRODUCTION.
NEUTRAL DETERGENT FIBER (NDF)
A MEASUREMENT OF FIBER AFTER DIGESTING IN A NON-ACIDIC, NON-ALKALINE DETERGENT AS AN AID IN DETERMINING QUALITY OF FORAGES. CONTAINS THE FIBERS IN ADF, PLUS HEMICELLULOSE.
NICKING
SEE HYBRID VIGOR.
NITRATE
A FINAL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCT OF ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS. A NITROGEN-OXYGEN ION (NO3-) AVAILABLE AS A PLANT NUTRIENT AND SOLUBLE IN WATER.
NITRIFICATION
THE BIOCHEMICAL TRANSFORMATION BY OXIDATION OF AMMONIUM (NH4) TO NITRITE (NO2) OR TO NITRATE (NO3).
NITROGEN BALANCE
NITROGEN IN THE FOOD CONSUMED MINUS NITROGEN IN FECES AND NITROGEN IN URINE (NITROGEN RETENTION).
NITROGEN-FREE EXTRACT (NFE)
CONSISTING OF CARBOHYDRATES, SUGARS, STARCHES, AND A MAJOR PORTION OF MATERIALS CLASSED AS HEMICELLULOSE IN FEEDS. WHEN CRUDE PROTEIN, FAT, WATER, ASH, AND FIBER ARE ADDED AND THE SUM IS SUBTRACTED FROM 100, THE DIFFERENCE IS NFE.
NON-POINT SOURCE
ENTRY OF EFFLUENT INTO A WATER BODY IN A DIFFUSE MANNER SO THERE IS NO DEFINITE POINT OF ENTRY.
NONRETURN
THE BREEDING EFFICIENCY OF BULLS EXPRESSED AS THE PERCENTAGE OF COWS THAT CONCEIVE ON FIRST SERVICE. ALSO CALLED NONRETURN RATE.
NURSE COW
A DAIRY COW USED TO SUPPLY MILK FOR NURSING CALVES, COMMONLY OTHER THAN HER OWN.
OESTRUS
SEE ESTRUS.
OFF FEED
HAVING CEASED EATING; WITHOUT A HEALTHY AND NORMAL APPETITE.
OFFICIAL PRODUCTION RECORD
STANDARD DHIA AND DHIR RECORDS PERTAINING TO MILK PRODUCTION MADE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN UNBIASED INDIVIDUAL. SUCH RECORDS ARE USED FOR MANAGEMENT PURPOSES (E.G., FEEDING, BREEDING, AND CULLING), GENETIC EVALUATION (SIRE SUMMARIES), PUBLICITY, AND SALES. SEE DHIR.
OMASUM
THE THIRD DIVISION OF THE STOMACH OF RUMINANTS. ALSO CALLED MANIFOLD, MANYPLIES, AND PSALTERIUM.
ON THE HOOF
DESIGNATING A LIVING MEAT ANIMAL.
OPEN
A TERM COMMONLY USED FOR NONPREGNANT FARM MAMMALS.
OPENNESS
A QUALITY IN DAIRY CATTLE ASSOCIATED WITH LENGTH OF BODY AND WIDTH AND LENGTH OF RIB.
ORGANIC NITROGEN
NITROGEN BOUND IN ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, SUCH AS PROTEIN OR AMINO ACIDS. REQUIRES MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION PRIOR TO NITIFICATION AS A PLANT NUTRIENT.
OUTCROSS
MATING AN INDIVIDUAL TO ANOTHER IN THE SAME BREED WHO IS NOT CLOSELY RELATED TO IT.
OUT OF
TERMINOLOGY FOR MOTHERED BY IN ANIMAL BREEDING.
OVARIECTOMY
THE SURGICAL REMOVAL OF AN OVARY.
OVERCONDITIONED
AN ANIMAL WITH EXCESS FLESH AND PATCHY FAT DEPOSITS, ESPECIALLY OVER THE SHOULDERS, BACK, HIPS, AND THIGHS.
OWNER-SAMPLER (OS)
AN UNOFFICIAL MILK PRODUCTION RECORD SYSTEM, THE RECORDS OF WHICH ORIGINATE WITH THE BREEDER (OWNER) THROUGH A LOCAL DHIA. THIS TYPE OF TESTING PLAN ALLOWS DAIRY FARMERS TO WEIGH AND SAMPLE MILK FROM THEIR COWS. RECORDS ARE INTENDED FOR MANAGEMENT USE ONLY AND ARE NOT OFFICIAL.
OFFICIAL
THE STATUS GIVEN TO DHI RECORDS THAT FOLLOW THE OFFICIAL DHI RULES. DATA COLLECTION IS SUPERVISED AND THE DAIRY HERD IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION TESTS. OFFICIAL RECORDS MAY BE PUBLISHED FOR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES.
OFFICIAL DHI
USED SYNONYMOUSLY WITH DHI (SEE DHI).
OFFICIAL DHI RULES
BASIC AND MINIMUM STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED UNIFORMLY AND ENFORCED IN OFFICIAL DHI AND OFFICIAL DHIR HERDS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, ENSURING ACCURACY, UNIFORMITY AND INTEGRITY.
OXYTOCIN
A NATURALLY SECRETED HORMONE THAT IS IMPORTANT IN MILK LETDOWN AND THE CONTRACTION OF SMOOTH UTERINE MUSCLES DURING PARTURITION.
PARAKERATOSIS
ANY ABNORMALITY OF THE STRATUM CORNEUM (HORNY LAYER OF EPIDERMIS) OF SKIN, ESPECIALLY A CONDITION CAUSED BY EDEMA BETWEEN THE CELLS, WHICH PREVENTS THE FORMATION OF KERATIN.
PARALLEL MILKING PARLOR
A RAISED MILKING AREA OR PLATFORM WHERE THE COW STANDS PERPENDICULAR TO THE OPERATOR AND MILKING UNITS ARE ATTACHED BETWEEN THE REAR LEGS. ALSO CALLED SIDE-BY-SIDE.
PARENTERAL
ADMINISTRATION BY INJECTION, NOT THROUGH THE DIGESTIVE TRACT (E.G., SUBCUTANEOUS, INTRAMUSCULAR, INTRASTERNAL, INTRAVENOUS).
PARITY PRICE
A LEVEL OF FARM PRICES INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE SAME APPROXIMATE PURCHASING POWER FOR FARMERS AS ENJOYED DURING A PRECEDING BASE PERIOD.
PARROT MOUTH
A MALFORMED MOUTH OF AN ANIMAL IN WHICH THE UPPER JAW ABNORMALLY PROTRUDES BEYOND THE LOWER.
PARTURIENT PARESIS.
A CONDITION (OBSERVED ESPECIALLY IN HIGHPRODUCING DAIRY COWS) CHARACTERIZED BY A LOW BLOOD CALCIUM CONCENTRATION WHICH RESULTS IN PARTIAL TO COMPLETE PARALYSIS SOON AFTER PARTURITION CALLED MILK FEVER.
PARTURITION
THE ACT OR PROCESS OF GIVING BIRTH TO YOUNG.
PASTEURIZATION
THE PROCESS OF HEATING MILK TO AT LEAST 62.8C. (145F.) AND HOLDING IT AT THAT TEMPERATURE FOR NOT LESS THAN 30 MINUTES (HOLDING METHOD); TO 71.7C. (161F.) FOR 15 SECONDS (HTST); TO 88.3C. (191F.) FOR 1 SECOND, TO 95.5C. (203.9F.) FOR 0.05 SECOND, OR TO 100C. (212F.) FOR 0.01 SECOND (ULTRAPASTEURIZATION).
PASTEURIZED
MILK ORDINANCE (PMO) REGULATIONS APPROVED BY FDA GOVERNING THE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF DAIRY FARMS AND PROCESSING PLANTS TO MAKE SANITATION AND MILK QUALITY UNIFORM ACROSS STATE LINES.
PASTURE
PLANTS, AS GRASS, GROWN FOR FEEDING OR GRAZING ANIMALS. ALSO TO FEED CATTLE AND OTHER LIVESTOCK ON PASTURE.
PATHOGEN
ANY MICROORGANISM THAT PRODUCES DISEASE (BACTERIA, VIRUSES, YEASTS, MOLDS, AND PARASITES).
PAUNCH
(RUMEN) THE LARGE, FIRST STOMACH COMPARTMENT OF A RUMINANT.
PEDICULICIDE
AN AGENT THAT DESTROYS LICE.
PEDIGREE
A RECORD OF AN ANIMAL'S ANCESTORS, USUALLY ONLY THOSE OF THE FIVE CLOSEST GENERATIONS. A COMPLETE PEDIGREE MAY INCLUDE MILK PRODUCTION, TYPE CLASSIFICATION, AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DAIRY CATTLE.
PENDULOUS UDDERS
LOOSELY ATTACHED MAMMARY GLANDS ARE COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS PENDULOUS UDDERS.
PERCENTILE (%ILE)
FOR BULLS, PERCENTILE (%ILE) IS A RANKING BASED ON THE ACTIVE AI BULL POPULATION; FOR COWS, %ILE IS A RANKING BASED ON COWS WITH RECENT LACTATIONS. WITH THE ANIMAL MODEL, PTA$ PROTEIN IS USED TO DETERMINE PERCENTILES.
PERMANENT IDENTIFICATION
IDENTIFICATION THAT STAYS WITH THE ANIMAL FOR ITS LIFETIME AND CANNOT BE LOST. EXAMPLES ARE TATOO, COLOR MARKINGS (SKETCH OR PHOTO) AND HOT OR FREEZE BRAND. (ALSO SEE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION.)
PERSISTENCY
THE QUALITY OF BEING PERSISTENT, AS IN THE ABILITY OF LACTATING ANIMALS TO MAINTAIN MILK PRODUCTION OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
PH
A LOGARITHMIC MEASURE OF THE ACIDITY OR ALKALINITY OF A SOLUTION USING THE HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION. THE PH SCALE RANGES FROM 0 TO 14 WITH NUMBERS ABOVE 7 BEING ALKALINE AND NUMBERS BELOW 7, ACIDIC. A ONE NUMBER CHANGE MEANS THE SOLUTION IS TEN TIMES WEAKER OR STRONGER THAN THE PREVIOUS MEASURE.
PHENOTYPE
THE EXPRESSION OF GENES THAT CAN BE MEASURED BY OUR SENSES--WHAT WE PHYSICALLY SEE OF SOME TRAIT IN AN ANIMAL.
PHOSPHATE
AN ION OF PHOSPHORUS AND OXYGEN (H2PO4- OR HPO4-2). MAY EXIST AS AN ION IN SOLUTION OR AS AN ESTER OR SALT OF PHOSPHORIC ACID.
PICA
A CRAVING FOR UNNATURAL ARTICLES OF FOOD SUCH AS IS OBSERVED IN PHOSPHORUS-DEFICIENT ANIMALS; A DEPRAVED APPETITE.
PINK EYE
(CONJUNCTIVITIS) AN INFLAMMATORY DISEASE OF THE EYE OF CATTLE OF ALL AGES. THE EYE MAY BECOME PEARL COLORED AND OPAQUE LEADING TO BLINDNESS.
PIPELINE
A STAINLESS STEEL OR GLASS PIPE USED FOR TRANSPORTING MILK BY GRAVITY TO STORAGE. MAY BE ABOVE THE MILKING UNITS (HIGH LINE) OR BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE UNITS (LOW LINE).
PLACENTA
THE TISSUE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE FETUS AND THE MOTHER.
PLAIN
A TERM SUGGESTING GENERAL INFERIORITY; COARSE; LACKING THE DESIRED QUALITY OR BREED CHARACTER.
PLASMA
THE LIQUID PORTION OF BLOOD OR LYMPH IN WHICH CORPUSCLES OR BLOOD CELLS FLOAT.
PMO
SEE PASTEURIZED MILK ORDINANCE.
POLLED
DESCRIBING A NATURALLY HORNLESS ANIMAL.
POLYGASTRIC
POSSESSING MORE THAN ONE STOMACH COMPARTMENT, AS DOES THE COW AND OTHER RUMINANTS.
POOL, COOPERATIVE
EACH PRODUCER WHO BELONGS TO A COOPERATIVE RECEIVES A COMMON BLEND PRICE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF USE OF ALL MILK SOLD THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE.
POOL, INDIVIDUAL HANDLER
A POOL IN WHICH EACH PRODUCER SELLING RAW MILK TO  A SINGLE HANDLER (DEALER) RECEIVES THE SAME BLEND PRICE FOR MILK REGARDLESS OF THE USE MADE OF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODUCER'S MILK.
POOL, MARKETWIDE
A POOL IN WHICH EACH PRODUCER SUPPLYING A MARKET RECEIVES THE SAME UNIFORM PRICE FOR MILK CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF USE OF ALL MILK RECEIVED BY HANDLERS IN THE MARKET.
POST-LEGGED
A CONDITION IN WHICH THE HIND LEGS ARE TOO STRAIGHT, SO THAT THE SPRINGY QUALITY OF THE HOCK AND PASTERN IS LOST.
POSTPARTUM
OCCURRING AFTER BIRTH OF THE OFFSPRING.
POTASH
AN OXIDE OF POTASSIUM (K2O) USED AS A PLANT NUTRIENT OR FERTILIZER.
PPA
SEE PREDICTED PRODUCING ABILITY.
PPB
PARTS PER BILLION. IT EQUALS MICROGRAMS PER KILOGRAM OR MICROLITERS PER LITER.
PPM
PARTS PER MILLION. IT EQUALS MILLIGRAMS PER KILOGRAM OR MILLILITERS PER LITER.
PREDICTED
PRODUCING ABILITY (PPA) AN ESTIMATION OF THE AMOUNT OF MILK AND/OR COMPONENTS THAT A COW WILL YIELD ABOVE OR BELOW HERDMATES BASED ON THE COW'S PEDIGREE INFORMATION AND PERFORMANCE, IF AVAILABLE.
PREDICTED
TRANSMITTING ABILITY (PTA) AN ESTIMATION OF AN ANIMAL'S POTENTIAL TO TRANSMIT YIELD PRODUCTIVITY TO ITS OFFSPRING BASED ON PEDIGREE INFORMATION AND THE ANIMAL'S PERFORMANCE, IF AVAILABLE.
PRELIMINARY MILKING
THE FIRST MILKING OF A THREE-MILKING VERIFICATION TEST FOR HERDS MILKED TWICE DAILY.
PREMATURE CALVING
TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY DURING THE LAST TRIMESTER.
PREPARTUM
OCCURRING BEFORE BIRTH OF THE OFFSPRING.
PREPOTENT
DESIGNATING AN ANIMAL THAT TRANSMITS ITS OWN CHARACTER TO ITS PROGENY TO A MARKED OR HIGHLY UNIFORM DEGREE.
PRIMARY WASTE TREATMENT
USUALLY, THE INITIAL TREATMENT OF WASTE WATER TO REDUCE POLLUTION POTENTIAL OR HEALTH HAZARD. WITH ANIMAL MANURE AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE LIQUID-SOLID SEPARATION.
PRODUCE
A FEMALE'S OFFSPRING. THE PRODUCE OF DAM COMMONLY REFERS TO TWO OFFSPRING OF ONE DAM.
PRODUCER SETTLEMENT FUND
(EQUALIZATION FUND) A FUND MAINTAINED BY THE MARKET ADMINISTRATOR INTO WHICH SOME PROCESSORS PAY MONEY, BECAUSE THEY USE ABOVE AVERAGE PROPORTIONS OF MILK AS CLASS I, AND FROM WHICH OTHER PROCESSORS RECEIVE MONEY, BECAUSE THEY USE BELOW AVERAGE PROPORTIONS OF MILK AS CLASS I. THIS FUND IS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A MARKETWIDE POOL.
PRODUCTION AND TYPE INDEX (PTI)
COMBINES GENETIC MERIT MEASUREMENTS FOR PRODUCTION AND TYPE IN A RATIO THUS RANKING SIRES ON THEIR ABILITY TO TRANSMIT A BALANCE OF THESE TRAITS.
PRODUCTION REPORT
THE COMPUTER REPORT OF PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT DATA WHICH IS RETURNED TO THE DAIRY PRODUCER 5 TO 7 DAYS FOLLOWING THE TEST DAY AND AFTER COMPONENT SAMPLING IS COMPLETED AT THE LABORATORY. THE RECORDS ARE PROCESSED AT ONE OF THE DRPC'S.
PROGENY TESTING
EVALUATING THE GENOTYPE OF AN INDIVIDUAL BY A STUDY OF ITS OFFSPRING. AN EVALUATION OF THE TRANSMITTING ABILITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFSPRING.
PROJECTED 305-DAY LACTATION
A CALCULATION FOR PREDICTING A COW'S TOTAL YIELD IN 305 DAYS BASED ON THE INFORMATION FROM A LACTATION IN PROGRESS.
PROLAPSED UTERUS
A CONDITION IN WHICH THE UTERUS IS PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY TURNED INSIDE OUT, OUTSIDE THE ANIMAL'S BODY, USUALLY FOLLOWING PARTURITION.
PROPRIETARY HANDLER
A MILK PROCESSING COMPANY OWNED PRIVATELY OR PUBLICALLY BY INVESTORS OTHER THAN MILK PRODUCERS. THE BUSINESS DIFFERS FROM A COOPERATIVE.
PROTEIN
SEE MILK PROTEIN.
PROTEIN EQUIVALENT
A TERM INDICATING THE TOTAL NITROGEN CONTENT OF A SUBSTANCE IN COMPARISON WITH THE NITROGEN CONTENT OF PROTEIN (USUALLY PLANT). FOR EXAMPLE, THE NONPROTEIN NITROGEN (NPN) COMPOUND, UREA, CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 45 PERCENT NITROGEN AND HAS A PROTEIN EQUIVALENT OF 281 PERCENT (6.25 X 45 PERCENT).
PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS
FEED PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN 20 PERCENT OR MORE OF PROTEIN.
PROVEN SIRE
A BULL WHOSE GENETIC TRANSMITTING ABILITY HAS BEEN MEASURED BY COMPARING THE MILK PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF HIS DAUGHTERS WITH THAT OF THE DAUGHTER'S DAM AND/OR HERDMATES UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. PLUS-PROVEN SIRES ARE THOSE WHOSE DAUGHTERS EXCEEDED THEIR DAMS AND/OR HERDMATES IN MILK PRODUCTION.
PROXIMATE ANALYSIS
TESTS FOR NITROGEN (CRUDE PROTEIN), CRUDE FIBER, ETHER EXTRACT (LIPIDS), AND ASH WHICH, WITH NITROGEN-FREE EXTRACT, REPRESENT THE GROSS COMPOSITION OF FEED.
PSYCHROPHILIC
COLD-LOVING. IT REFERS TO MICROORGANISMS THAT GROW BEST AT REFRIGERATED TEMPERATURES, THAT IS, 4 TO 15C.
PSYCHROTROPHIC
COLD-TOLERANT. IT REFERS TO MICROORGANISMS THAT GROW AT LOW TEMPERATURES, 4 TO 15C., BUT MAY HAVE AN OPTIMUM TEMPERATURE ABOVE THIS RANGE. THESE ORGANISMS ESPECIALLY AFFECT THE SHELF LIFE OF REFRIGERATED DAIRY PRODUCTS SUCH AS COTTAGE CHEESE.
PTA
SEE PREDICTED TRANSMITTING ABILITY.
PTI
SEE PRODUCTION AND TYPE INDEX.
PUREBRED
THE OFFSPRING OF PUREBRED PARENTS OF THE SAME BREED. ANCESTORS OF PUREBREDS CAN BE TRACED TO FOUNDATION STOCK IN THE ORIGINAL HERDBOOK. AN ANIMAL WITH TWO REGISTERED PARENTS OF THE SAME BREED. PUREBREDS ARE NOT ALL REGISTERED.
PUREBRED DAIRY CATTLE ASSOCIATION (PDCA)
AN ORGANIZATION MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF THE SIX PUREBRED DAIRY CATTLE REGISTRY ASSOCIATIONS:  AYRSHIRE, BROWN SWISS, GUERNSEY, HOLSTEIN, JERSEY AND MILKING SHORTHORN.
PUS
A LIQUID PRODUCT OF INFLAMMATION CONSISTING OF LEUKOCYTES, LYMPH, BACTERIA, DEADTISSUE CELLS, AND FLUID DERIVED FROM THEIR DECOMPOSITION.
PYOMETRA
AN ACCUMULATION OF PUS IN THE UTERUS.
QUALITY CERTIFICATION STANDARDS (QCS)
A SET OF NATIONAL STANDARDS THAT MUST BE MET AND MAINTAINED BY STATE DHI ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSURE THE ACCURACY, UNIFORMITY AND INTEGRITY OF NCDHIP.
RATE OF PASSAGE
THE TIME TAKEN BY UNDIGESTED RESIDUES FROM A GIVEN MEAL TO REACH THE FECES.
RATION
THE FOOD ALLOWED AN ANIMAL FOR 24 HOURS. SEE BALANCED RATION.
RAW MILK
FRESH, UNPROCESSED MILK AS IT COMES FROM A COW, GOAT, OR OTHER MAMMAL.
RECALCITRANT
IN PLANT NUTRITION, REFERS TO THAT PORTION OF A NUTRIENT IN THE SOIL THAT IS UNAVAILABLE FOR BIOCHEMICAL ACTIVITY OR PLANT UPTAKE.
RECESSIVE
SEE DOMINANT.
RECONSTITUTED MILKS
THE PRODUCT RESULTING FROM THE MIXING TOGETHER AND REHYDRATION OF A DRIED PRODUCT OF MILK WITH WATER. FOR EXAMPLE, NDM AND WATER YIELD RECONSTITUTED SKIM MILK.
RECORD (2X, 305-DAY, ME)
ESTIMATES HOW MUCH THE COW WOULD HAVE PRODUCED DURING THE PRESENT LACTATION WHEN MILKED TWICE DAILY IN THE FIRST 305 DAYS OF HER LACTATION IF SHE HAD BEEN A MATURE COW CALVING IN AN AVERAGE MONTH.
RECORD IN PROGRESS (RIP)
A COW'S PRODUCTION FROM HER CALVING DATE UNTIL THE MOST RECENT TEST DAY.
RECORD PLAN SPECIFIC DHI
PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A PARTICULAR SERVICE TO DAIRY FARMERS. THE PLANS ARE EITHER OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL ACCORDING TO RULES OF THE PROGRAM.
REGISTERED
PUREBRED ANIMAL REGISTERED IN THE HERDBOOK OF THE PROPER BREED ASSOCIATION. CERTAIN ASSOCIATIONS (FOR EXAMPLE, THE RED AND WHITE ASSOCIATION) WILL REGISTER NON-PUREBRED CATTLE PROVIDING THEY SATISFY CERTAIN OTHER CRITERIA.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
PROOF THAT THE PARENTAGE OF AN ANIMAL IS KNOWN AND IS RECORDED IN THE BREED REGISTRY HERDBOOK.
REGURGITATE
TO CAST UP UNDIGESTED FOOD FROM THE STOMACH TO THE MOUTH, AS DONE BY RUMINANTS.
RENNET
AN EXTRACT OF THE STOMACH OF CERTAIN MAMMALS CONTAINING RENNIN. IT IS USED IN THE COAGULATION OF MILK PROTEINS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MOST CHEESES.
RELIABILITY (REL)
THE TERM USED IN DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING TO INDICATE THE PRECISION WITH WHICH GENETIC MERIT IS ESTIMATED. RELIABILITY, THEN, IS A CONFIDENCE FACTOR WHICH INCREASES WITH THE (1) NUMBER OF DAUGHTERS, (2) NUMBER OF HERDS IN WHICH DAUGHTERS ARE LOCATED, (3) NUMBER OF LACTATIONS PER DAUGHTER, AND (4) INFORMATION OF RELATIVES USED.
RETAINED PLACENTA
PLACENTAL MEMBRANES NOT EXPELLED NORMALLY AT PARTURITION.
RETICULUM
THE SECOND DIVISION OR STOMACH COMPARTMENT OF A RUMINANT. ALSO CALLED A HONEYCOMB.
RIDE
TO BE TRANSPORTED IN A MOUNTED POSITION, AS ONE COW MOUNTED ON ANOTHER DURING ESTRUS.
Ring test
A test for brucellosis performed by mixing stained Brucella bacteria with raw milk. If antibody to Brucella is present, the stained cells agglutinate (clump) and rise to the surface with the cream to form a blue ring.
Roan
A close mixture of red and white colors such as is often found in Milking Shorthorn cattle.
Rolling herd average (RHA)
The average milk production per herd per year based on the 12 months just past. Upon completion of a new test record, the record for the same period of the previous year is deducted and the new record is added, then a new rolling 365-day average is calculated. RHA's are updated with each new test.
Rotary milking parlor
A raised, round rotating platform or carousel on which cows ride while being milked.
Roughage
Consists of pasture, silage, hay, or other dry fodder. It may be of high or low quality. Roughages are usually high in crude fiber (more than 18 percent) and relatively low in NFE (approximately 40 percent). Also see forage.
Rugged
When referring to an animal, it means large and strong.
Rumen
The first and largest stomach compartment of a ruminant; also calledpaunch.
Ruminant
One of the order of animals having a stomach with four complete cavities--rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum--through which food passes in digestion. These animals chew their cud. They include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and camels.
Rumination
The casting up or regurgitation of food (cud) to be chewed a second time, as cattle do; a chewing of the cud by ruminants.
Runoff
The portion of rainfall or irrigation water draining from fields into surface streams or bodies of water. May carry pollutants from field surfaces.
Run on
To graze or pasture on, as for cattle to run on the range.
SNF
Solids-not-fat of milk; proteins, lactose, minerals, and other water-soluble constituents. This is the same as NFS and NMS.
Sanitize
To kill or remove injurious, microorganisms but not necessarily to sterilize. Dairy equipment is commonly sanitized with heat or chemicals.
Scale
The overall size of an animal.
Scours
A persistent diarrhea in animals.
Scrub
An animal from nonpurebred parents not showing the predominant characteristics of any breed.
Scurs
Regrowth of horn tissue after dehorning.
Secondary waste treatment
Usually, a second treatment of waste water to reduce pollution potential or health hazard. With animal manure an example would be storage in an anaerobic treatment lagoon and sprinkler field application.
Selection
The causing or allowing of certain individuals in a population to produce the next generation. Artificial selection is that practiced by man; natural selection is that practiced by nature.
Selection intensity
The margin of true genetic superiority of those animals selected in comparison to all those from which the choices were made.
Self-feeder
A feeding system that allows animals to eat at will. See ad libitum.
Septicemia
The presence of microorganisms and their associated poisons in blood (commonly called blood poisoning). If the microorganisms are bacteria, the condition is bacteremia.
Serotype
The type of microorganism as determined by the kind and combination of constituent antigens associated with the cell.
Service
A term commonly used in animal breeding, denoting the mating of male to female. Also called serving or covering.
Service sire
The sire to which a female currently is bred. Service sire information should be reported on DHI barnsheets.
Settled
A term commonly used to indicate that an animal has become pregnant.
Settling basin
Any area that reduces flow velocity and allows particulates to settle from a liquid suspension. With manure suspensions, usually built to allow solids removal on a regular basis.
Shelf life
The time after processing during which a product remains suitable for human consumption, especially the time a food remains palatable.
Shrinkage
A term used to indicate the amount of loss in body weight, as in dairy steers, when exposed to various conditions and/or slaughter. Also, the decrease in volume of dairy products during storage, and the loss of milk or milk solids in processing.
Shy breeder
A male or female of any domesticated livestock that has a low reproductive efficiency.
Sib
(sibling) In genetics, a brother or sister.
Sickle-hocked
Describes an animal having a crooked hock, which causes the lower part of the leg to be bent forward out of a normal perpendicular straight line.
Silage
(ensilage) Green forage, such as grass or clover, or fodder, such as field corn or sorghum, that is chopped into a silo, where it is packed or compressed to exclude air and undergoes an acid fermentation (lactic and acetic acids) that retards spoilage.
Silo
A vertical cylindrical structure, pit, trench, or other relatively airtight chamber in which chopped green crops, such as corn, grass, legumes, or small grain and other livestock feeds are fermented and stored. See silage.
Sire
The male parent. The verb means to father or beget.
Sire selection
Process of identifying bulls to be used as service sires with the goal of increasing the genetic potential of the herd.
Sire summary
See USDA sire summary.
Sketch
(photo) A method of permanent identification to be cross-referenced with visible identification. Accurate sketches or photographs of Holsteins, Ayrshires and Guernseys provide unique identification.
Skim milk
Milk from which sufficient cream has been removed to reduce its milk fat content to less than 0.5 percent (usually less than 0.1 percent). Skim milk contains as much protein, lactose, minerals, and water-soluble vitamins and only half as many calories as whole milk. Skim milk is practically cholesterol-free.
Slip
To abort.
Soilage
Freshly cut green forage often fed to animals in drylot. Also called green chop.
Solids-not-fat (SNF)
See milk solids-not-fat.
Solvent-extracted
Fat or oil removed from materials (such as soybean seeds) by organic solvents.
Somatic cell count
A measurement of the number of somatic cells present in a sample of milk. A high concentration of more than 500,000 somatic cells per milliliter of milk indicates an abnormal condition in the udder.
Somatic cells
The cell content of milk is composed of approximately 95 percent leukocytes (white blood cells) from the blood and 5 percent epithelial cells from the secretory tissue of the udder. Leukocytes are present in response to infection or injury, and epithelial cells are present as a result of infection or injury. Collectively, these cells are called somatic cells.
Somatotropin
A protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which stimulates growth of muscle, bone and mammary development in young animals and increases milk production in lactating animals by making available nutrients for milk synthesis and secretion.
Spayed
To have surgically removed the ovaries of a female.
Sphincter
A ring-shaped muscle that closes an opening, such as the sphincter muscles in the lower end of a cow's teat.
Springer
A term commonly associated with female cattle showing signs of advanced pregnancy. Often used to refer to heifers close to term with their first calf.
Stablemate
See herdmate.
Stage of lactation
Period of milk production during a lactation determined by the length of time since parturition.
Stale
A period when an animal does not work or lactate at the normal standards, as opposed to bloom. Also refers to milk products that have deteriorated in storage.
Stanchion
A specially designed headgate to hold an animal in place while allowing feeding and resting.
Standardization
The process of adjusting the milkfat and solids-non-fat content of milk to meet a required standard.
Standby pool
An arrangement between cooperatives in markets that have periods of milk shortages and cooperatives in areas of surplus milk production. Cooperatives in the deficit market make monthly payments to certain cooperatives in the surplus regions to assure that they have sources of milk available at reasonable prices when local milk does not supply their Class I needs.
Statistically significant
It usually refers in research to tests for differences resulting from treatments. The reliability of such differences is expressed as degree of probability or the percentage of time an observation would be expected to fall outside a certain range of variation from normal observation.
Steer
A male bovine castrated before development of secondary sex characteristics.
Sterilize
To remove or kill all living organisms. Also, to make barren or unproductive, as a vasectomy in bulls.
Stillborn
Born lifeless; dead at birth.
Stover
Fodder; mature cured stalks of grain from which seeds have been removed, such as stalks of corn without ears.
Streak canal
See teat meatus.
String
A group of animals within a larger group, or herd.
Strip cup
A small cup or device to collect forestrippings which makes abnormal milk easier to observe.
Stud
A unit of selected animals kept for breeding purposes (e.g., bulls).
Subclinical
A disease condition without clinical manifestations.
Subcutaneous
Situated or occurring beneath the skin.
Succulence
A condition of plants characterized by juiciness, freshness, and tenderness, making them appetizing to animals.
Supplement
To add minerals, vitamins, or other minor ingredients (volumewise) to a ration.
Support Price
The equivalent price of milk as set by prices of NDM, cheese, and butter offered by the Commodity Credit Corporation of USDA. These prices effectively set a minimum price for milk and intermitantly provide milk producers an indirect government subsidy.
Surplus milk
The quantity of grade A fluid milk in excess of that needed for Class I purposes.
Surprise tests
These are tests for verification performed on cows whose projected 2X (twice daily milking), 305D (305-day lactation), ME (mature equivalency) records exceed certain levels of milk and/or fat as established by breed associations.
Sweet butter
Unsalted butter.
Sweetened condensed milk
The food obtained by partially removing water from a mixture of milk and a safe and suitable nutritive sweetener.
Switch
The brush of hair on the end of a bovine's tail.
TDN
See total digestible nutrients.
TMR
Total mixed ration. See complete ration.
TMS
See total milk solids.
Take
To accept a male in coitus. Also a lay term meaning to become pregnant.
Take-off
See Automatic take-off.
Tanbark trail
A term often associated with those who exhibit animals in competition at fairs and livestock shows.
Tankerload
In milk collection and distribution, large quantities of milk in a large stainless steel tank borne on a transport truck--the method of transporting milk.
Tattoo
A method of permanent identification to be crossreferenced with visible identification. Permanent ink used with tattoo numbers creates a lifetime record of identification in the ears of dairy cattle.
Teat
A small protuberance or appendage on the udder, through which milk from the udder flows.
Teat meatus
Small canal located in the end of each teat; also called a streak canal.
Term
The gestation period.
Tertiary waste treatment
Usually, the final treatment of waste water to reduce pollution potential or health hazard allowing discharge into bodies of water. Not economically practical with animal manure waste waters.
Test
To evaluate the producing ability of a lactating animal; to determine the percentages of various components of milk, such as milk fat; to examine the blood of an animal for specific pathogens.
Test interval
The interval, in days, between successive DHI tests. As a routine procedure, a test interval shall not consist of less than 15, or more than 45 days. For Official DHI/DHIR records, the test interval shall not exceed 75 days.
Tester
One who weighs, samples, and tests milk. Also called a test supervisor.
Tetany
A condition in an animal in which there are localized, spasmodic muscular contractions.
Tether
To tie an animal with a rope or chain to allow grazing but prevent straying.
Thyroprotein
See Iodinated casein 
Time recording device/monitor
A mechanical/electronic device that automatically monitors the interval between milkings. The time is expressed in hours plus minutes, and the device must display the starting and ending time of the previous milking.
Times milked
Cows are normally milked twice per day with records being labeled 2x; however, cows may be milked more frequently (3x, 4x, etc.).
Titer
The quantity of a substance required to produce a reaction with a given volume of another substance, or the amount of one substance required to correspond with a given amount of another substance. Agglutination titer is the highest dilution of a serum that causes clumping of bacteria.
Toe out
To walk with the feet pointed outward. Also called splay-footed.
Total digestible nutrients (TDN)
A standard evaluation of the nutritional merit of a particular feed for farm animals which includes all the digestible organic nutrients--protein, fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and lipids.
Total milk solids (TMS)
Primarily milk fat, proteins, lactose, and minerals.
Toxins
The poisons produced by certain microorganisms. They are products of cell metabolism. The symptoms of bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, botulism, and staphylococcal food poisoning, are caused by toxins.
Toxoid
A denatured toxin. It retains the ability to stimulate the formation of antitoxin in an animal's body.
Trade barriers
Rules and regulations that hamper the trade of commodities. Tariffs, fees for imported goods and import limits or quotas are barriers to trade.
Type
The physical conformation of an animal.
Type classification
A program sponsored by breed associations whereby a registered animal's conformation may be compared with the "ideal" or "true" type animal of that breed by an official inspector (classifier).
UHT
(ultrahigh temperature) Temperatures of 85C (185F) and higher as applied to pasteurization or sterilization of milk in a relatively short time.
UIP
Undegraded intake protein. The portion of intake protein escaping breakdown by rumen microorganisms.
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture. The branch of the Federal government that is administered by the Secretary of Agriculture appointed by the President of the United States.
USDA sire summary
A summary of milk production records of daughters of sires to aid in the selection of the best genetic material available for breeding dairy cattle.
USP
United States Pharmacopeia. A unit of measurement or potency of biologicals that usually coincides with an international unit. See IU.
Udder
The encased group of mammary glands provided with teats or nipples, as in a cow, ewe, mare, or sow. Also called bag.
Ultrapasteurization
The process of heating milk at ultrahigh temperatures for a sufficient time to kill all pathogenic microorganisms, a temperature such as 88.3C. for 1 second.
Ungulate
Referring to a hoofed four-legged animal, as a cow.
Unified series eartag
A form of unique identification engraved in a metal tag and fixed to the ear of a dairy cow. Each number is unique with the first two numbers representing the state code, followed by three letters and four numbers.
Uniform price
The price paid producers for market milk when classified pricing is used in a marketwide pool. The uniform price is an average of class prices weighted by the quantity of milk in each class. See blend price.
Unique identification
A series of nonduplicating numbers such as registration, uniform series eartag or VIP number. These numbers are cross-referenced with permanent identification for registered, VIP and other recorded nonregistered animals. (Also see visible identification.)
Unsaturated fat
A fat having one or more double bonds, not completely hydrogenated.
Unthriftiness
Lack of vigor, poor growth or development; the quality or state of being unthrifty in animals.
Urea
A nonprotein organic nitrogenous compound (NH2CONH2). It is made synthetically by combining ammonia and carbon dioxide.
VIP
See verified identification program.
VFA
(volatile fatty acids) Commonly used in reference to acetic, propionic, and butyric acids produced in the rumen of cattle, goats, and sheep, in the cecum of sheep, the cecum and colon of swine, the colon of the horse, and the cecum of the rabbit.
Vaccination
The process of artificially stimulating the immune response in an animal to a an altered biological material resulting in resistance to an infectious disease.
Vat pasteurization
The heating of milk, while stirring in a vessel, to a temperature of at least 62.8C (145F) for 30 minutes.
Veal
A calf fed for early slaughter (usually at less than 3 months of age in the United States).
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.)
Verified identification program (VIP)
A program sponsored by the National DHIA, Inc., in which a DHIA supervisor verifies the required identification information for an animal. NDHIA issues an identification certificate, permanently identifying the animal and its parentage.
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.
Visera
The internal organs of the body.
Visible identification
A readily visible, numbering system attached to the animal that is used to identify the animal easily on test day.
Volatilization
The loss of gaseous materials, such as ammonia nitrogen, from animal manures to the atmosphere.
Wash pen
A corral or pen with a solid floor and permenent sprinklers or other washing devices for cleaning cows collectively prior to milking. Usually associated with a holding area.
Weighing
Procedure used by supervisors and dairy producers to determine the amount of milk given by a cow on test day.
Whey
The water and solids of milk that remain after the curd is removed. It contains about 93.5 percent water and 6.5 percent lactose, protein, minerals, enzymes, water-soluble vitamins and traces of fat.
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.
Work of digestion
See heat increment.
Wry tail
Tailhead set either to the right or left of center.
Yearling
A male or female farm animal (especially cattle and horses) during the first year of life.
Yogurt
Fermented milk, lowfat milk, or skim milk, sometimes protein-fortified. Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilous are the fermenting bacteria. Fruit, flavors, and sugar may be added.
Zero grazing
See green chop.
