Animal Science General Terms and Livestock Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering general animal science terms, feed and nutrition, carcass merit, identification systems, and reproduction records.

Ad Libitum

Allowing animals to eat all they want at all times.

Compensatory Growth

Increased growth rate in response to previous undernourishment.

Calorie

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water from $14.5^\text{o}\text{C}$ to $15.5^\text{o}\text{C}$.

Kilocalorie

Equivalent to $1,000$ calories.

Concentrate

A feed that is high in energy, low in fiber content, and highly digestible.

T.D.N. (Total Digestible Nutrients)

Includes the total amounts of digestible protein, nitrogen-free extract, fiber, and fat ($\times 2.25$) all added together; approximates energy content.

Roughage

Feed that is high in fiber, low in digestible nutrients, and low in energy. Examples include hay, straw, silage, and pasture.

Feeder

Animals which need further feeding prior to slaughter.

Fill

The contents of the digestive tract.

Carcass Merit

The value of a carcass for consumption.

Dark Cutter

Color of the lean in the carcass with a dark appearance, usually caused by stress to the animal prior to slaughter.

Contemporary Group

Set of animals of same age, sex, and breed that have been raised under similar environmental and management conditions.

Breed

Animals having a common origin and characteristics that distinguish them from other groups within the same species.

Scurs

Small horn-like tissue attached to the skin of polled or de-horned animals.

Identification Systems

Methods used to identify livestock, including branding (hot or freeze), ear tagging, ear notching, tattoo, microchip, and retinal scanning.

Cull

To eliminate from the breeding population.

Beef Records

Records that should be kept for beef, including Birth Date, Sire, Dam, Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Gain Test Weight, Yearling Weight, and Yearling Scrotal Measurement.

Fertility

The capacity to initiate, sustain, and support reproduction.