Beef Cattle Terms

Introduction

• This guide helps beginners in the 4-H beef project understand terminology used by beef cattle producers.

Digestive System

• Abomasum: Fourth compartment of a ruminant's stomach.
• Omasum: Third compartment; grinds feed and absorbs water.
• Reticulum (honeycomb): Retains foreign materials; similar to the rumen.
• Rumen: Fermentation vat; bacteria and protozoa break down food.

Breeding and Reproduction

• Artificial Insemination: Introducing semen into the female's reproductive tract to induce pregnancy.
• Estrus (Heat): Time when female cattle are receptive to breeding.
• Semen: Fluid containing male reproductive cells.
• Sire: Father of a calf.
• Dam: Mother of a calf.
• EPD (Expected Progeny Difference): Predicts future progeny's performance relative to others.

Cattle Types and Breeds

• Bovine: Species to which cattle belong.
• Bull: Male bovine with intact testicles.
• Calves: Young cattle under a year old.
• Cow: Female that has calved.
• Heifers: Female under 2 years, has not calved.
• Steers: Castrated male cattle.
• British Breeds: Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn.
• Exotic Breeds: Introduced in mid-1900s; e.g., Charolais, Simmental.
• Crossbred: Offspring of two different breeds.
• Purebred: Parents of the same breed, recorded with registry.

Disease and Health

• Brucellosis: Infectious disease causing reproductive failure, aka Bang's disease.
• Clostridial Diseases: Acute infections like blackleg.
• Vaccination: Prevents diseases like Blackleg, BVD.
• Deworm: Using products to remove worms.
• Probiotic: Cultures to stimulate livestock production.

Feeding and Nutrition

• Average Daily Gain (ADG): Weight gain per day over feeding period.
• Concentrates: High energy, low fiber feeds.
• Creep-fed: Feeding calves before weaning.
• Feed Efficiency: Pounds gained per pound of feed.
• Fiber: Indigestible part of feed.
• Forage: High fiber, low nutrient feed.
• Marbling: Fat within muscle influencing meat quality.
• Minerals and Vitamins: Necessary for growth, bone structure, metabolic processes.

Grazing and Management

• Backgrounding: Growing calves post-weaning before feedlot.
• Controlled Grazing: Managing grazing patterns.
• Rotational Grazing: Dividing pastures into units.
• Intensive Grazing: Highly managed system.
• Preconditioning: Health program before backgrounding or finishing.

Identification and Equipment

• Branding: Permanent identification using hot/cold brands.
• Ear Tag: Tags clipped into cattle ears for ID or insecticide.
• Fly Tag: Ear tag with insecticide.
• Tattoo: Permanent ID inside the ear.

Miscellaneous Terms

• Bloom: Appearance of a healthy hair coat.
• Carcass: Remains after removing head, hide, organs.
• Disposition: Animal's temperament.
• Frame: Cattle's skeletal size.
• Pedigree: Genealogical record of an animal.
• Phenotype: Physical appearance of an animal.
• Reproductive Efficiency: Herd's ability to produce calves.

Terms Related to Market and Economics

• Choice Grade: Desired beef slaughter grade for tenderness and flavor.
• Demand and Supply: Buyer behavior and market availability.
• Price: Monetary value for a grade and weight.

This glossary of terms serves as a comprehensive reference for those involved or interested in beef cattle and helps in understanding the specific language used in the context of cattle farming.