Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Mob feeding:
Groups of young calves are kept in their own paddock separate from
their mothers. Instead of nursing, they are fed from a mob feeder or large barrel
with nipples that contains milk from the herd.
Nurse cows:
Cows that nurse their own calf and the calves of other cows
On the hoof:
Selling your animal, or shares of your animal, while it is still alive
Open cows:
Non-pregnant cows
Open heifer:
A heifer that failed to conceive when bred
Organic plan:
A plan for an organic farm that lays out how the farm will be run,
what types of feed and fertilizers will be used, and where those substances will
come from. The plan must include details on recordkeeping. An organic plan is ne-
cessary if you wish to become certified organic.
Pasteurization:
Heating milk to kill bacteria
Plate cooler:
On large dairy farms, a plate cooler is a common type of cooling
equipment. It precools the milk before it goes to the storage tank.
Polled:
Typically meaning when cattle are born without horns (a genetic trait) but
can be used as a general term for hornless
Progeny:
Offspring
Riding:
A female cow mounts other female cows, usually because she is in heat.
Salvage value:
The price you receive for selling an older or unproductive animal
Silage:
Silage is fermented, moist forage made from almost any green, growing
plant. It is stored in either silos or concrete bunkers with airtight tarps. If not stored
properly, dangerous bacteria can grow which can sicken or kill your animals.
Standing heat:
A reliable sign that a cow is in heat, when she allows other cows to
mount her.
Steer:
Castrated male
Stocking rates:
The number of animal unit equivalents you can keep on your pas-
ture. This number will relate to your maximum herd size. Stocking rate is the
pounds of dry matter in your field each year divided by the pounds of dry matter per
year eaten by each cow.
The History of Cattle and People
