APSC Beef & Beef Market Prices Quiz

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus

A contagious viral disease in pigs causing severe diarrhea, dehydration, and high mortality in piglets.

Heifer

Female cow that hasn’t given birth.

1st Time Heifer

Female cow that is pregnant with or has just given birth to her first calf.

Cow

Female cow that has given birth at least once.

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association

Organization of over 10,000 members supporting Alabama’s beef industry.

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Website

bamabeef.org

Flight Zone

The animal’s personal space used to move or handle livestock safely.

What is Alabama ranked in beef cattle numbers?

17 in the U.S.; 17,900 beef farms averaging 87.2 head per farm.

Top 5 Beef Counties in Alabama

DeKalb, Cullman, Lowndes, Blount, and Montgomery; total beef value around $2.5 billion.

When is Alabama Beef Cattle Month?

October, celebrated since 1964 (61 years).

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Supports disease surveillance and manages human health aspects of animal disease outbreaks.

APHIS

(Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - USDA branch managing animal health, disease monitoring, and eradication programs.

SIT

Sterile Insect Technique - Technique of sterilizing male insects, releasing them to mate with females so they lay inviable eggs, reducing pest populations.

Parity

The number of times a female has given birth.

High Beef Prices

Current market condition impacting producers and consumers, often influenced by feed costs, drought, or trade.

NWS

New World Screwworm - A parasitic fly whose larvae infest warm-blooded animals, causing severe tissue damage and sometimes death.

Biosecurity

Practices to prevent introduction or spread of diseases or pests like screwworm.

Surveillance

Monitoring animals for signs of screwworm infestation to detect outbreaks early.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration - Regulates animal drugs and treatments used during outbreaks.

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture - Leads eradication and prevention programs for screwworm in the U.S.

APHIS

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Manages animal health, monitors outbreaks, and oversees eradication programs under USDA.

Foreign Animal Disease

Animal disease not normally found in the U.S., like screwworm, that can threaten livestock.

Accredited Veterinarian

Licensed vet trained by USDA-APHIS to detect and report foreign animal diseases.

Emerging Disease

A new or reappearing disease that may threaten animal or human health.

Zoonotic Disease

Disease that can spread between animals and humans; screwworm can affect both.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Supports disease surveillance and human health aspects of outbreaks.

Pupate

Development stage when fly larvae form a pupa before emerging as adults.

Rancher/Farmer

Monitors livestock for screwworm symptoms and reports suspected cases.

Biological Barrier

Use of sterile fly zones or controlled animal movement to prevent disease spread.

AVIC

Area Veterinarian in Charge - Oversees local outbreak control and coordinates the federal response.

NWS Life Cycle

Screwworm develops from egg → larva → pupa → adult; understanding it helps guide control efforts.

Quarantine

Restricting movement of animals to contain the outbreak and stop spread.

Dectomax

Medication used to treat and prevent parasitic infestations such as screwworm.

Myiasis

Infestation of living tissue by fly larvae, caused by screwworms.

Zoetis

Animal health company that produces veterinary medicines and vaccines used during outbreaks.

Mad Cow Disease

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Honored CAENS Alumni

Dr. Curtis M. Jolly, Dr. Lauren Rowe, Judy F. Wilson, and Rebecca Gyawu