This list will help any city dude that thinks all cows are cows quickly become
a seasoned cattle jock. Each term is defined and used in sentence for further understanding.
Artificial Insemination (A.I.)
Essentially sticking your arm up a cow's butt to get it pregnant. Officially
it is impregnating cows by manually placing semen in reproductive tract. Whew!
Don't do it unless you know what you're doing. An A.I.ed calf is most often better than one that is not because the sire is often better.
Average Daily Gain (AGD)
Calculation of total gain. Final weight minus beginning weight = pounds gained : ADG = pounds gained divided by number of days on feed. So if you have a steer whose final weight is 1300, beginning weight 600 and was fed 225 days, then his ADG is 3.11. An ADG over 3 is very respectable for a market steer.
Birth Weight
The weight of a calf at birth. 80 lbs. is an average birth weight.
Bovine
Another name for cattle. This is the best darn bovine site on the web.
Bred
When a cow is pregnant. Always make sure your cows are bred by having a vet check them.
Breed
A group of animals with similar characteristics. Maine Anjou is a good breed.
Bull
A male that can get a cow pregnant. An uncastrated male. Gets to have all the fun in other words. Cattle are cool and that's no bull.
Calves
Young cattle less than one year old. It is a proven fact that calves are cute.
Calving
Giving birth to a calf. Humans should not be calving.
Castrate
Removing the testes of a male. No doubt castration hurts.
Cow
A female that has had more than one calf. Holy Cow!
Crossbred
When parents are of different breeds. If your mother is Angus and your father is Simmental, then you are a crossbred.
Dam
Name given to the mother cow. What is your dam's name?
Finish
The amount of fatness on a market animal. Don't sell your steer until he's finished.
Fitted
What you call a show animal that is properly fed, trained, and groomed. That steer is fitted well.
Heat
When a cow will stand for a bull to breed her. Heat is a good movie starring Robert DeNiro.
Heifer
A female which has not yet had a calf. If someone calls you a big fat heifer, take it as a compliment.
Open
A non-pregnant female. It is best to sell an open cow or heifer.
Polled
Born without horns. I wonder if Satan is polled?
Purebred
Parents are both of the same breed. If your parents are both Angus then you are a purebred Angus.
Registered
Name, parents, etc. recorded with the breed association. My steer is a registered Maine Anjou.
Sire
Name given to the father. Who is the sire of that great steer?
Steer
A castrated male. Steer this thing in the right direction.
Tatoo
A number tatooed inside cattle's ear for identification. No, you can't have a tatoo until you are 18.
