FARM + RANCHER GLOSSARY
FARM AND RANCHER GLOSSARY
(BELOW MODERN)
CATTLE PRODUCERS TERMS
BELOW MODERN)
MODERN GLOSSARY
FOR TODAY'S TOP TERMS
MODERN GLOSSARY
Glossary
A
Animal Welfare Approved (AWA)
Animal Welfare Approved audits, certifies and supports farmers raising their animals with the highest animal welfare standards, outdoors on pasture or range. Called a "badge of honor for farmers" and the "gold standard," AWA has come to be the most highly regarded food label when it comes to animal welfare, pasture-based farming, and sustainability. All AWA standards, policies and procedures are available on the AWA website, making it one of the most transparent certifications available.
Antibiotic Resistance This refers to bacteria's ability to adapt, through the process of natural selection, and build up a tolerance to antibiotics. These adaptations resistance allow the organism to survive even in the presence of antibiotics. Resistance occurs as a result of overuse of antibiotics. Bacteria are especially likely to develop resistance when they are exposed to low doses over long periods of time, (which is common on factory farms where antibiotics are added to preemptively to feed to fight infections and promote animal growth).
Antibiotic-free No antibiotics were administered to the animal during its lifetime. If an animal becomes sick, it will be taken out of the herd and treated but it will not be sold with this label. The labels "no antibiotics administered", "raised without antibiotics", "Raised Without the Routine Use of Antibiotics" all mean the same thing.
Antibiotics Medicines derived by extracting a chemical substance produced by a mold or bacterium that inhibits the growth of, or kills, microorganisms and cures bacterial infections.
B
Biodiversity Refers to the variety within all forms of life (from genes to species) and within any area (from a gram of soil to a field to a country to the entire world). It is derived from the combination of two words: biological and diversity.
Biodynamic Agriculture This holistic method of agriculture is certified by a third-party agency and is based on the philosophy that all aspects of the farm should be treated as an interrelated whole. Having emerged as the first non-chemical agricultural movement approximately 20 years before the development of "organic" agriculture, biodynamic agriculture has now spread throughout the world. Biodynamic farmers work in harmony with nature and use a variety of techniques, such as crop rotation and on-farm composting, to foster a sustainable and productive environment.
C
Cage-Free Birds are raised without cages. What this doesn't explain is if the birds were raised outdoors on pasture, if they had access to outside, or if they were raised indoors in overcrowded conditions. If you are looking to buy eggs, poultry or meat that was raised outdoors, look for a label that says "Pastured" or "Pasture-raised".
Climate Change The understanding that "the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and deforestation have caused the concentrations of heat-trapping 'greenhouse gases' to increase significantly in our atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse, which are necessary to keep the planet warm. However, if greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2 to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the end of this century. Scientists are certain that human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate." Definition from the EPA website.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Also known as a CAFO, these are agricultural businesses where many thousands of food animals are raised in confinement, often indoors, and fed an unnatural diet, instead of being allowed to engage in natural behaviors like roaming and grazing. The animals produce much more waste than the surrounding land can handle. These operations are associated with various environmental hazards as well as cruelty to animals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a CAFO as "new and existing operations which stable or confine and feed or maintain for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period more than the number of animals specified" in categories that they list out. In addition, "there's no grass or other vegetation in the confinement area during the normal growing season." The EPA determines whether an agricultural business is a CAFO based on regulations created by the Clean Water Act, and special permits have to be given for the owners to operate a CAFO legally. Enforcement of these regulations has not been very strict, which has caused many environmental problems.
Conventional Conventional refers to standard agricultural practices that are widespread in the industry. It can (but does not necessarily) include the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, "mono-cropping," feedlot and confinement systems, antibiotics, hormones and other chemical approaches. Conventional farming in the U.S. may also include the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) A law that came into effect in March 2009, requiring muscle cuts and ground beef, lamb, chicken, goat and pork; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities (specifically fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables); macadamia nuts; pecans; ginseng and peanuts to carry a label at retail that indicates its country of origin. Processed products and food service establishments (such as restaurants) are exempt from this labeling. Country of Origin Labeling could help to promote locally-produced products and would enable foods to be more easily traced in the event of a recall or an outbreak of disease.
CSA Abbreviation for Community Supported Agriculture. A system in which consumers support a local farm by paying in advance for agricultural products through a membership program. This reduces the financial risks for the farmer because the costs of seeds and planting crops are covered in advance by consumers. Throughout the growing season, CSA members receive a portion of the farm's harvest each week. Members share the financial risks and the bounty of the harvest -- if it is a successful growing season, they receive a lot of food; if there are fewer crops, they receive less. Members are also encouraged to visit the farm, help recruit additional CSA members, and organize the distribution of the farm shares.
F
Fair Trade Certified Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers, and enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
Food Additives Substances added to food to preserve flavor or improve its taste and appearance and- in the case of preservatives- prevent spoilage. Additives can also enhance the nutritional value of certain foods and its taste, texture, consistency or color. Packaging that comes in contact with food is considered an indirect additive, preservatives, nutritional supplements, flavors and texturizers are added directly to the food are direct additives and a color additive is added to food to enhance or alter the color of a product.
Food Miles The distance food travels from where it is produced (the farm) to where it is consumed (the consumer's home).
Food Safety Food safety is a scientific discipline focused on preventing food borne illness through proper production, handling, packaging, distribution and storage practices. In the US, the prevention of food borne illnesses is orchestrated through the collaboration of three governmental departments: the Department of Health and Human Services (which includes FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Free Range The use of the term "free range" is only defined by the USDA for poultry production, and means that the bird has had some access to the outdoors each day, which could be a dirty or concrete feedlot. It does not necessarily mean that the products are cruelty-free or antibiotic-free, or that the animals spend the majority of their time outdoors. USDA considers five minutes of open-air access each day to be adequate. Claims are defined by USDA, but are not verified by third party inspectors.
G
GMO Genetically Modified Organism. This is a plant or animal that has been genetically engineered. Many chemical and agribusiness groups support the development and use of GMOs. Many consumers groups and environmental organizations question their safety and environmental impacts and have called for adequate and independent testing of GMO products. It is legal for farmers in the U.S. and some other countries like Argentina to produce and sell certain GMOs for human and animal consumption, but in other places like Europe and Japan, they are banned until further testing can be done to prove they are safe.
Grain Finished Cattle that are fed only grain before slaughter. Some producers raise their animals on pasture but then feed them grain for a certain amount of time before slaughter. Grain makes the meat fattier and creates the taste most people are currently accustomed to with more marbling occurring in the meat.
Grain-fed The animal was raised on a diet of grain.Grain could be supplemented with animal byproducts and other miscellaneous matter such as cement dust and/or euthanized cats and dogs. Since mad cow disease is thought to be transmitted through animal byproducts added to cattle feed, cows raised on a strictly vegetarian diet are preferred by many consumers. However, unless the label says "100 Percent Vegetarian Diet," there is no guarantee that the animal's feed was not supplemented with animal byproducts or is organic. In addition, cattle are ruminants and eat grass; they cannot digest grains properly and can become sick if fed a diet of only grain. Although large-scale, confined grain feedlots enable industrial meat producers to fatten their animals quickly, they also foster disease within the cattle population, creating the need for antibiotics and increasing the risk of E. coli contamination. Grain-fed animals tend to be raised on factory farms and should be avoided.
Grassfed Animals graze on pasture and eat grasses. They should not be supplemented with grain, animal by-products, synthetic hormones, or be given antibiotics to promote growth or prevent disease (though they might be given antibiotics to treat disease). This is the same as pastured or pasture raised.
H
Halal and Zabiah Halal Meat products prepared by federally inspected meat packing plants identified with labels bearing references to "Halal" or "Zabiah Halal" must be handled according to Islamic law and under Islamic authority.
For meat to bear the label "Halal" animals are often (but not always) slaughtered without being pre-stunned. There are organizations which audit and certify for halal practices but definitions and standards vary according to the certifying organization. USDA "halal" is not audited. Definition provided by AWA.
Heirloom Heirloom crop varieties, also called farmers' varieties or traditional varieties, is a term used for unique plant varieties which are genetically distinct from the commercial varieties popularized by industrial agriculture. Heirloom varieties have been developed by farmers through years of cultivation, selection and seed saving, and passed down through generations. Generally speaking, heirlooms are varieties that have been in existence for a minimum of 50 years. Note, however, that this term does not refer to any specific farming practices, such as pesticide or fertilizer use. No independent third party verification.
Heritage A term applied to breeds of livestock that were bred over time so that they are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, can withstand local diseases, or survive in harsh environmental conditions, for example. Heritage breeds generally have slow growth rates and long productive life spans outdoors, making them well-suited for grazing and pasturing. However, the term "heritage" does not guarantee animals were raised outdoors. No independent third party verification.
Hormone Free The USDA has prohibited use of the term "Hormone Free," but meats can be labeled "No Hormones Administered."
Hormones Chemicals found naturally in animals' bodies that control processes like growth and metabolism. Synthetic (man-made) hormones have been developed for a number of purposes, including treatment of hormonal disorders in people, and also for promotion of unnaturally fast growth in farm animals. One of the most well-known and controversial hormones used in farming is recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone or rBGH, which is genetically engineered and injected into dairy cattle. (See rBGH.) Scientists have linked excess hormones to cancer.
Humane Humanely Raised Independent Certifications from Several Groups Are Available. Farm inspection and Certifications Required. Will State Certified on Label Certifies Humanly raised and cared for. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices, improving the lives of farm animals in food production from birth through slaughter.
Industrial Agriculture In the case of crop production, industrial agriculture is a modern type of farming which requires high inputs land, chemical fertilizers and pesticides and often produces high volumes one or two crops.In animal production industrial agriculture is characterized by a dense population of animals raised on limited land and requiring large amounts of food, water and medical inputs. In crop farming, monocultures are a common feature of industrial farms and in animal factory farms, many animals (generally chickens, turkeys, cattle, or pigs) are confined and treated with hormones and antibiotics to maximize growth and prevent disease.
Kosher "Kosher" may be used only on the labels of meat and poultry products prepared under Rabbinical supervision. The word kosher, literally meaning “clean” or “pure,” refers to food that has been ritually prepared or blessed so it can be eaten by religious Jews.
For meat to bear the label "Kosher" animals must be slaughtered without being pre-stunned.
Local Food System Encompasses the whole range of food production and consumption, including the manufacture of agricultural inputs, farming, food processing, food distribution, food marketing, food retailing, and consumption (Iowa State University). Food systems vary in size from local to global. In a local food system, production, processing, and consumption may all take place within one village or even one farm. In a regional food system, production, processing, distribution, and consumption take place between multiple cities, states, or even countries. Increasingly, the agricultural systems of all countries and regions in the world are becoming integrated into one global food system.
Locavore A term used to describe an individual who makes a strong effort to eat only foods that are produced within a certain radius from where they are consumed.
M
Methane A gas given off by animal waste. It can be used as fuel, but the process to turn it into fuel is very expensive, so this is not done very often. Methane is a greenhouse gas, which means that it contributes to global warming.
Monoculture Monoculture is the destruction of a diverse ecosystem and replacement with a single species or crop. This is common practice in modern industrial agriculture. Monocultures deplete the soil and crops grown in this manner become more susceptible to pests and disease than those grown in a diverse crop environment, thus requiring larger amounts of chemical sprays (i.e. pesticides).
N
Natural Currently, no standards exist for this label except when used on meat and poultry products. USDA guidelines state that "Natural" meat and poultry products can only undergo minimal processing and cannot contain artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or other artificial ingredients. However, "natural" foods are not necessarily sustainable, organic, humanely raised, or free of hormones and antibiotics. The label "natural" is virtually meaningless.
Nontherapeutic Antibiotics Antibiotics administered to animals for purposes other than the treatment of existing illness. Factory farms routinely administer non-therapeutic antibiotics to their animals in order to boost growth rates and to prevent the outbreak of diseases which would otherwise run rampant within crowded, unsanitary factory farm facilities. The use of non-therapeutic antibiotics promotes the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, causing antibiotics used to treat humans to become less effective.
O
Organic, USDA Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. Definition from the USDA National Organic Program.
P
Pastured or Pasture-Raised Indicates the animal was raised on a pasture and that it ate grasses and food found in a pasture, rather than being fattened on grain in a feedlot or barn. Pasturing livestock and poultry is a traditional farming technique that allows animals to be raised in a humane, ecologically sustainable manner. This is basically the same as grass-fed, though the term pasture-raised indicates more clearly that the animal was raised outdoors on pasture. However, since the term is not regulated or certified, there is no way to ensure if any claim is accurate.
Pesticide-free Implies that no pesticide residue can be found on the crop. It does not address if pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides were applied at other points in production. No independent third party verification.
R
Raised Without Added Hormones Animals were raised without added growth hormones. By law, hogs and poultry cannot be given any hormones - so the use of the label on these meats is misleading! To ensure that other meats were raised without added hormones, ask your farmer or butcher.
rBGHRecombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, also called recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST). This is a genetically engineered hormone that is injected into dairy cows to increase their milk production. Cows injected with rBGH have shorter life spans and are much more likely to suffer from udder infections. rBGH is only legal in three countries: the United States, South Africa, and Mexico. RBGH has been banned in Canada, the European Union and elsewhere because of inadequate testing and some evidence that it leads to cancer.
rBGH-Free or rBST-FreerBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) is a genetically engineered growth hormone that is injected into dairy cows to artificially increase their milk production. The hormone has not been properly tested for safety. Milk labeled "rBGH-Free" is produced by dairy cows that never received injections of this hormone. Organic milk is rBGH free. (rBST stands for recombinant bovine somatotropin.)
S
Sustainable A product can be considered sustainable if its production enables the resources from which it was made to continue to be available for future generations. A sustainable product can thus be created repeatedly without generating negative environmental effects, without causing waste products to accumulate as pollution, and without compromising the wellbeing of workers or communities. Many different agricultural techniques can be utilized to help make food production more sustainable. The drawback of the term 'sustainable' is that the term lacks a clear-cut, universally-accepted, enforceable definition - thus it can be interpreted in different ways. It is more of a philosophy or way of life than a label.
Sustainable Agriculture Farming that provides a secure living for farm families; maintains the natural environment and resources; supports the rural community; and offers respect and fair treatment to all involved, from farm workers to consumers to the animals raised for food.
T
Third Party Certified (or Verified) Food inspected by a company operating independently of the producer or distributor. The third party certification company confirms the legitimacy of claims made by food producers and distributors, thus ensuring that the food labels are meaningful. Organic and Biodynamic Certified are examples of third-party certification. Next to knowing your farmer or butcher, this is the most reliable way to trust the meat you're eating. The problem is that there are only a few third-party certified labels – to find out what they are, visit the Consumers Union Eco-labels site.
Transitional A farm or grower who is converting to organic practices but has not yet completed the transition.
W
Whole Foods Unprocessed and unrefined items or items that have received the minimum amount of processing. Typically they do not contain ingredients or additives that are not present when harvested or butchered. Examples of whole foods are fresh fruits and vegetables and meats, and unpolished grains.
Workers' Rights or Labor RightsA generally accepted group of entitlements granted to everyone in the workforce. Worker's rights are of particular interest within the agricultural sector since many large agribusinesses depend on immigrant labor (often with illegal status in the country) to perform the basic tasks on the farm or factory. Due to language limitations and general unfamiliarity with these rights and the system, many immigrant workers face low pay and poor and dangerous working conditions.
FARM AND RANCH TERMS
CATTLE PRODUCERS TERMS
Accredited herd - A herd of dairy cattle certified by two successive tests to be free of tuberculosis. The tests are conducted by the USDA. Sometimes the term is mistakenly applied to a brucellosis-free herd.
Acidophilus milk - Milk to which Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria have been added to aid in the digestion of lactose (milk sugar). Some humans have difficulty digesting lactose. When they drink regular milk they may suffer diarrhea, abdominal bloating and discomfort.
acre - The unit most commonly used to measure farm and ranch land in the United States . An acre is 43,560 square feet, or 0.4048 hectares. To convert acres to hectares, multiply acres by .4048. (Example: 100 acres X .4048 = 40.48 hectares.)
aerobic - Requiring oxygen.
Agrarian - Relating to or involving farming or farmers
Agribusiness - The business of making and selling products that are used in farming, or a company that does this.
The business of operating a large farm to produce as much food and profit as possible, or one of the farms that operates in this way
Agricultural – Related To Farming or involved in farming or used for farming. The work, business, or study of farming
Agricultural Marketing Service, (AMS) - An agency of the USDA.
Agricultural Research Service, (ARS) - An agency of the USDA.
Agrochemical - a chemical used in farming, for example a fertilizer
Agroindustry – agribusiness. The operations and businesses that relate to producing, processing, and supplying farm products
Agronomics - The branch of economics that deals with the way land is used and the things that are produced by farming
Agronomy - Scientific discipline related to the production of agricultural crops. Universities aren't uniform in their organization of plant sciences into departments. For example, at some schools, scientists who work on corn would be found in the agronomy department. At other schools they would be found in the horticulture department.
agronomic - An adjective used to describe plants and plant products. Pertains to agronomy or agricultural plants and things affecting plants.
alongside - Goods deposited on the dock, or a barge, within reach of a ship's loading equipment.
AMS - Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency of the USDA.
American Brahman - The first beef breed developed in the United States . The American Brahman plays an important role in crossbreeding programs throughout much of the world. The breed was developed from Bos indicus (cattle of India ) types imported into the United States between 1854-1926. The breed is noted for its environmental adaptivity, longevity, mothering ability and efficient beef production. The American Brahman Breeders Association was organized in 1924. The breed has a hump on its shoulders and is commonly ridden in rodeo contests.
American Landrace - A breed of white hogs developed in the United States from Denmark 's famous Danish Landrace breed. Development began when the U.S. Department of Agriculture imported Danish Landrace in 1934 and cross bred them with other purebred hogs.
American Quarter Horse - Adherents claim the American Quarter Horse was the first breed of horse native to the United States . It evolved by mixing bloodlines of horses brought to the New World . Its genetics include Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. Selected stallions and mares were crossed with horses brought to Colonial America from England and Ireland in the early 1600s. Colonists prized the breed for its short-distance racing abilities. It is the horse most associated with Western ranching and rodeo.
American Saddlebred - The American Saddle Horse was developed in Colonial America and gained fame as a breed during the Civil War, 1861-1865. General Lee's Traveller, Grant's Cincinnati , and Sherman 's Lexington were crosses between American Saddlebred and Thoroughbred. Stonewall Jackson's Little Sorrell was a cross between American Saddlebred and pacing stock. Most cavalrymen in the Confederate commands of Generals John Hunt Morgan and Nathan Bedford Forrest rode American Saddlebreds, which performed legendary feats of endurance.
amino acid - Building blocks of proteins. Plants have 22 types of amino acids.
anaerobic - Not requiring oxygen.
Angus - An English breed of beef cattle introduced to the United States from its native Scotland in 1873. Sometimes called Aberdeen Angus. In the United States breed registries are separate for red and black Angus through the Red Angus Association of America and the American Angus Association. The breed is prized for its ease of calving and mothering ability, and for its lean meat. The American Angus Association records more cattle each year than any other beef breed association, making it the largest beef breed registry association in the world.
anhydrous ammonia - A common form of nitrogen fertilizer used by wheat growers and other farmers.
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, (APHIS) - An agency of the USDA.
anther - Male reproductive structure that produces pollen in plants.
Appaloosa - The famous spotted horse of the Nez Perce Indians. It wasn't until 1938 that the Appaloosa was recognized with a breed registry.
APHIS - Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, an agency of the USDA.
apple knocker - Slang for farm laborers who pick apples.
Arabian - Horse of the Bedouin, developed anciently on the Arabian peninsula .
asexual reproduction - Reproduction or propagation that doesn't involve the union of gametes.
ass - Small, long-eared mammal and related to the horse; especially those of African origin that are ancestors of the donkey. Sometimes used as a synonym for donkey, but this is not technically accurate.
Ayrshire - A breed of dairy cattle that originated in the County of Ayr in Scotland , prior to 1800. They may be any shade of red or white. The first Ayrshires arrived in America about 1822.
barrow - A male hog castrated before sexual maturity.
Basque - Regarded as the sheep industry founders as their sheep herds ranged from the High Sierras to the Pacific. Very prominent in the western range. One experienced sheepherder could generally handle 1,000 to 1,200 sheep with one dog and horse. Immigrants from Spain and France around 1850 to California.
Battery Farm - Mainly british a farm on which chickens and sometimes calves are kept very close together in small boxes
beef cattle breeds commonly raised in the United States -
Angus, Beefmaster, Belted Galloway, Brahman, Brangus, Charolais, Chianina, Devon, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Lincoln Red, Maine Anjou, Murray Grey, Normande, Piedmontese, Hereford, Red Angus, Salers, Santa Gertrudis, Shorthorn, Simmental, Texas Longhorn, Wagyu
Beefmaster - A breed developed by systematic crossing of Hereford, Shorthorn and Brahman cattle with traits especially valuable in the harsh environment of South Texas. Genetically, Beefmasters are half English (25% each of Hereford and Shorthorn) and half Brahman. Beefmasters were recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a pure breed in 1954. The registry is maintained by Beefmaster Breeders United.
Belgian Draft Horse - By far the most common draft horse in America . There are more Belgians than all other draft breeds combined. They are the direct descendants of the "Great Horse" of medieval times, which carried armored knights into battle. They were known in Europe in the time of Caesar. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest horse in the world was a Belgian stallion. It stood 19.2 hands (6'6") at his withers and weighed over 3,200 pounds.
Belted Galloway - A beef breed notable for its unique appearance of a broad white belt, or sheet, around the middle. The rest of the animal may be black, red or dun color. Breeders often refer to the breed as "Belties." These polled (hornless) cattle developed during the 16th Century in the former Galloway district of Scotland. The breed is known for its exceptionally lean and flavorful meat and a double coat of hair that allows it to survive in very harsh climates.
Berkshire - A breed of hogs that originated in Berks, England . It was introduced to the United States in 1823. The American Berkshire Association registers the breed.
biennial - Plants that require two growing seasons to complete their life cycle.
biotechnology - Generally, the use of recombinant DNA to take genes from one organism and insert them into the DNA of another organism. Although the term, first coined in 1917, originally described large-scale production of pigs fed on sugar beets, the term has evolved to describe genetic engineering. Usage isn't uniform, but scientists commonly use the terms genetic engineering, bioengineering, genetic modification, genetic engineering and biotechnology interchangeably. The technology is used in plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria.
Black Angus - See Angus.
black white face - A crossbred beef animal that is mostly black, but has white on its face. It is most commonly obtained by breeding Black Angus and Hereford cattle.
boar - Mature male swine.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, (BSE) - mad-cow disease.
Brahman - See American Brahman.
Brangus - A distinct breed of beef cattle developed by crossing registered Brahman and Angus cattle. The earliest crosses were made in 1912. Breed development was assisted by the USDA Experiment Station at Jeanerette , Louisiana . Genetically Brangus are 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. The breed registry is maintained by the International Brangus Breeders Association, Inc.
breed - to produce new plants or animals from existing ones, especially in order to produce plants or animals with particular characteristics
Brown Swiss - Breed of dairy cattle that originated in Eastern Switzerland . Comes in various shades of brown.
BSE - Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, mad-cow disease.
bull - A male bovine. Bulls are breeding stock in beef and dairy operations.
bull calf - An male calf that hasn't been castrated.
burro - A small donkey.
bushel - A dry measure commonly used as a measure of crops. In the United States a bushel equals 4 pecks, or 2150.42 cubic inches. In the United States , the bushel is the common measure of wheat and some other crops. A bushel of apples is 42 pounds.
CA - Controlled atmosphere storage.
CAHE - College of Agriculture and Home Economics, at Washington State University . (College of Agriculture, 1917-1982; College of Agriculture and Home Economics, 1982-2003; College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, 2003-.)
CAHNRS - College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, at Washington State University, formerly College of Agriculture and Home Economics. (College of Agriculture, 1917-1982; College of Agriculture and Home Economics, 1982-2003.)
calvey heifer - A cow pregnant with its first calf.
the CAP - the Common Agricultural Policy: a set of laws about farming and food production made by the European Union
carbohydrate - Generic name for sugars; e.g., fructose, sucrose.
carlot - One carlot is one railcar, or its equivalent.
cartage firm - A company that delivers produce from a terminal market company to that firm's customers.
Cat - Abbreviation for Caterpillar tractor.
Cat skinner - A person who drives or operates a Caterpillar tractor.
CCC - Commodity Credit Corporation.
cellulose - A major component of the cell wall.
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, (CNPP) - A unit within the USDA.
center pivot - A type of sprinkler system commonly used on large-scale farms in arid areas. Water is delivered to the center of a field by a deeply buried pipe, which attaches to main pipe that is supported on wheeled towers and pivots up to 360 degrees to irrigate the field. Center pivots may irrigate up to 200 acres. They are popular because of their labor savings. One person can manage operations of several center pivots.
cereal grains - Plants of the grass family that produce grain (seeds) that provide human food. They include wheat, rice, barley, oats, corn (maize), rye and triticale.
Charolais - A beef breed that originated in France , perhaps as early as the 9th century A.D. It entered the United States from Mexico in 1836.
Charollais - A breed of sheep that originated in the same region of France as the Charolais cattle. Their development began in the early 1800's. The breed's primary use is as a sire to increase the muscling and growth rate of the lambs.
chemigation - Delivering chemicals to plants through irrigation water.
Cheviot - A breed of sheep that originated on the Cheviot Hills along the border of England and Scotland . Its history traces at least to 1372. It was introduced to the United States in 1838, from Scotland . Cheviot are distinctive white-faced sheep with wool-free face and legs. They have black muzzles and feet.
Chester White - A breed of hogs that originated in Chester County , Pennsylvania . It originally was called the Chester County White. The breed traces to importation of a white boar from England some time between 1815-1818. The boar was referred to as a Bedforshire. It was crossed with local breeds to produce the ancestors of today's Chester White, which is registered by the Chester White Swine Registry.
Chianina - The Chianina (pronounced kee-a-nee-na) is one of the oldest breeds of cattle. It provided models for Roman sculptures. Chianina originated in Italy where it was used primarily as draft animals until the advent of modern mechanized farming. These large, gentle animals then became important for their meat-producing qualities. The breed was first introduced into the United States via semen imports in 1971. Its main use in the U.S. cattle industry is for crossing with beef breeds. It is registered by the American Chianina Association.
chromosome - The structure in plants and animals that carries genes.
Clydesdale - A breed of heavy draft horse developed in Scotland by the farmers of Lanarkshire, through which the River Clyde flows. It was bred to meet the needs of agriculture, commerce for the Lanarkshire coalfields of Lanarkshire and for all types of heavy freight on the streets of Glasgow . The Clydesdale Breeders of the United States was formed in 1879. Although not the most popular work horse in America , the Clydesdale is the best known. It is the breed that pulls the famous Budweiser beer wagon.
CNPP - Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, a unit within the USDA.
Collective - a farm or business owned by the government and run by a group of workers or a farm that is run by the people who work there but is owned by the government
Columbia - A breed of sheep developed by the United States Department of Agriculture to replace cross breeding on the range. In 1912, long wool breed rams were crossed with Rambouillet ewes to produce large ewes that yielded more pounds of wool and more pounds of lamb.
combine - Harvester and threshing equipment combined into one machine. A primitive horse-drawn combine was introduced in Michigan in 1836. Use grew slowly until the 1930s when tractor-drawn models became available.
Commodity Credit Corporation - A federally owned and operated corporation within USDA. It was created to stabilize, support, and protect agricultural prices and farm income through loans, purchases, payments, and other operations.
common carrier - Truck or trucking company licensed and regulated by the Surface Transportation Board. (They are different from exempt haulers who are truckers not regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission.)
Conservation Reserve Program - A federal program under which producers voluntarily retire environmentally sensitive crop land for 10 to 15 years in return for annual rental payments through which the government shares the cost of establishing approved conservation practices. Payments are through the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation.
containerization - Shipping method in which standardized containers are packed in the field, sealed and transported by truck and/or train to ships. They aren't opened until they reach their receiver.
controlled atmosphere, (CA) - Controlled atmosphere storage. This technology controls gases in the atmosphere of cold storage facilities in a way that greatly prolongs the life of fruit, such as apples.
Cooperative State Research Education & Extension Service, (CSREES) - An agency of the USDA.
cotyledon - An embryo or seed leaf that usually serves as a food reserve.
county agent - A government specialist in agriculture or home economics. County agents work in the Cooperative Extension Service of USDA, with additional funding from states and counties. In recent years some states have adopted other nomenclature, such as county faculty.
cover crop - A crop grown to protect soil from erosion or nutrient leaching, rather than for production of food or fiber.
Cowboy - a person whom tends cattle and performs many of their duties on horseback, generally in the Western United States. A Way of Life.
Cowgirl - A female cowboy. A cowgirl is also called a cowboy as she does the same duties on horseback.
Cow Boss - The head of the cattle operation on a ranch and is in charge of hiring and firing cowboys and where they ride. May answer to a General manager or Owner, or may be one in the same.
CowMan - A Ranch owner which make a living raising cattle.
Cow Puncher - a Cowboy or Vaquero (Spanish )
Also a way of life.
CRP - Conservation Reserve Program.
CSREES - Cooperative State Research Education & Extension Service, an agency of the USDA.
Culture - in agriculture, the process of growing crops or raising animals
Cwt. - Abbreviation for hundredweight. A Cwt weighs 100 pounds in the United States and 112 pounds in Great Britain .
dairy cattle breeds commonly raised in the United States -
Ayshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey , Holstein-Friesian, Jersey
dairy farming - the business of keeping cows and selling their milk
DDT - dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, a chlorinated hydrocarbon used as an insecticide.
deciduous - A plant that sheds all its leaves, usually in the fall.
defoliant - A chemical that causes leaves to wither and die on plants.
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) - Carrier of genetic information.
Devon - The Devon is one of the oldest beef breeds in existence. Some authorities believe the origin of the breed to be prehistoric. These red cattle may have contributed to the Hereford and other British breeds. Originally a dual-purpose (milk and meat) breed, the Devon has evolved over the last half century as a beef-type breed. However, the American Milking Devon Cattle Association maintains the Milking Devon strain, which is unique to America . Devons originated in southwestern England where Romans noted them in 55 B.C. Devons made their way to the United States in 1623, only 131 years after Columbus . Devons are red, varying in shade from a rich deep red to a light red or chestnut.
DHIA - Dairy Herd Improvement Association.
diapause - Suspended development or hibernation in insects.
diazinon - An organophosphate insecticide.
dicot - Seeds that have two cotyledons.
dieldrin - A chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide.
disaster payments - Financial aid paid to farmers and livestock producers who suffer heavy economic losses from natural disasters such as floods, wind and drought. Usually refers to federal funds administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
dormant - Seeds that fail to germinate even though environmental conditions for germination are adequate.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid.
drag rider - a cowboy following the herd, pushing the stragglers.
drip irrigation - A system for irrigating crops by delivering water to the root zone through small, plastic pipes equipped with emitters. This technology conserves water and eliminates soil erosion from irrigation water runoff. Also called trickle irrigation.
donkey - A small domestic mammal classified with the asses.
Dorset - A breed of sheep that originated in Southwest England when Spanish Merino sheep crossed with the Horned Sheep of Wales. Apparently first came to the United States in 1860. There are both horned and polled Dorsets .
Economic Research Service, (ERS) - An agency of the USDA.
egg - Female gamete.
endosperm - Tripliod tissue of seeds composed mostly of starch-containing cells, that arises from the fusion of a sperm nucleus with two polar nuclei of the embryo sac. In some seeds, the endosperm persists as a storage tissue and is used to nourish the germinating seedling.
enzyme - A protien or combination of individual proteins that catalyzes a biochemical reaction.
estate - a large area of land where a particular crop is grown
exempt haulers - Truckers who aren't regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
extension agent - An employee of the Cooperative Extension Service. They go by various names in different states. In Washington they are formally called county faculty because they hold faculty appointments at Washington State University .
fallow - Idle crop land. The most common reasons in modern agriculture are to conserve moisture for future use and for weed control. In extremely dry areas, for instance, wheat is grown every other year. Fields lie fallow.
farm agent - Term used in some states for county agent, extension agent, or county faculty.
farmer - A noun that seems to be losing popularity to such nouns as grower and producer, especially in academic circles. These terms also avoid the need to distinguish between farmers and ranchers, which terms aren't interchangeable.
farmers' market - A market at which farmers sell their produce directly to consumers. Punctuation is a frequently debated issue among writers. There is a great deal of inconsistency. On Web pages one often finds farmers both with and without the apostrophe on the same page. The Associated Press Stylebook 2003 doesn't directly answer the question; but a reading of the "possessives" entry (p201) suggests the proper news style would be to place an apostrophe after the s in farmers. Farmers' market.
farmstead - Farm land with its buildings.
Farrier - a Shoer of horses whom attaches iron shoes onto the horses' hooves for protection in rocky areas, preventing lameness.
FAS - Foreign Agricultural Service, an agency of the USDA.
fatty acid - A chain of 8 to 30 linked carbons that terminate with a carboxylic acid.
feed grains - Grain grown to be fed to animals. Examples include corn, and sorghum. Most barley is grown for this purpose. But barley also is grown to make malt or beer, in which case it is classified as a small grain.
field crops - Originally defined as any crop grown on a larger scale than in gardens. Modern usage may vary, but generally refers to small grains, hay and cotton.
fish farming - the practice of breeding fish
FGIS - Federal Grain Inspection Service.
flat - A rectangular container that holds several units of product; e.g., a flat of strawberries holds 12 pints of strawberries in pint-size containers. Flats may have single or multiple layers.
flood irrigation - A type of irrigation in which fields are flooded with water.
FNS - Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the USDA.
Food and Nutrition Service, (FNS) - An agency of the USDA.
Food Safety and Inspection Service, (FSIS) - A consumer protection agency within the USDA. It's mission is to protect consumers by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.
forage - Plants, other than grain, grown for animal feed.
Foreign Agricultural Service, (FAS) - A USDA agency that represents interests of U.S. farmers and the food and agricultural sector abroad.
Forest Service, (FS) - An agency of the USDA.
forked - a term used in when a cowboy is good at riding broncs.
free on board - Goods delivered without delivery charge and placed on board a carrier at a specific point. Carrier may be a truck, barge, ship or airplane.
free-range - free-range chickens, pigs, and other farm animals are allowed to move around and feed naturally. This is considered to be a kinder method of farming than intensive methods.
free-range eggs come from free-range chickens
fructose - A 6-carbon sugar.
FS - Forest Service, an agency of the USDA.
FSIS - Food Safety and Inspection Service, a consumer protection agency within the USDA. It's mission is to protect consumers by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.
furrow - A narrow grove made in the ground by a plow. Furrows serve different purposes, one of which is to contain a rill of water for surface irrigation.
gamete - One of two sex cells that unite at fertilization to form a zygote.
Gelbvieh - A breed of beef cattle that originated in Baveria , Germany . It is red. Registration is with the American Gelbvieh Association
gelding - A castrated male horse.
gene - A sequence of DNA that is related to a particular trait.
genetic engineering - Human-directed alteration of genetic code through any of a variety of biotechnical means.
germination - The process within a seed that leads to visible penetration of the seed coat by the radicle. It begins with water uptake and involves formation and activation of enzymes that convert starch, fats and protein in the endosperm and/or cotyledons into smaller chemical components that are transported to sites of embryo growth.
GIPSA - Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, a unit within the USDA.
glycerol - A molecule to which 1, 2 or 3 fatty acids or phosphate may attach.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, (GIPSA) - A unit within the USDA.
gross profit - The difference between the warehouse cost and retail price, expressed as a percentage of the retail price.
gross weight - Full weight of a shipment, including both goods and packaging.
Guernsey - A breed of dairy cattle that originated on the Isle of Guernsey, in the British Isles .
Hackney - There are two hackney breeds, one a horse, the other a pony. Both are bred for their brilliant, high-stepping performance in harness. The Hackney horse developed in Great Britain in the early 18th Century as a stylish, spirited light horse favored by English sportsmen and aristocrats as a carriage horse. The Hackney pony was developed by crossing the Hackney horse
with small, spirited Welsh Ponies. Ninety-five percent of all Hackneys in the United States are ponies.
Hampshire - A black hog with a white belt over the shoulders. It is one of the oldest breeds in the United States . Although its origins are unknown, it is believed to have derived from old British breeds common in Scotland and bordering English counties. It is thought to have come to America between 1825-1835. Once locally known by many names, in 1904 the name Hampshire was adopted by its breed association, the Hampshire Swine Registry. The breed has been highly popular in the United States since 1910.
Hampshire - A breed of sheep developed in Hampshire, in Southern England . The American Hampshire Down Sheep Association, now known as The American Hampshire Sheep Association was organized in 1889. Although Hampshire sheep were reported in the United States around 1840 they apparently didn't survive the Civil War. The breed was re-imported around 1865 to 1870.
hand move - An irrigation system in which sections of sprinkler pipe are moved by hand, one by one, from one setting to another.
haylage - Livestock feed produced by acid-producing fermentation of grass or alfalfa.
heifer - A young cow that has not yet given birth to a calf.
hectare - The most commonly used measure of agricultural lands in the metric system. A hectare equals 10,000 square meters (or 2.471 acres). Hectare is the measure used in most of the world outside the United States . To convert hectares to acres, multiply times 2.471. (Example: 100 hectares X 2.471 = 247.10 acres.)
Hereford - A breed of beef cattle bred near Hereford , England , nearly 300 years ago to efficiently convert native grass into beef needed for the expanding food market created by Britain 's industrial revolution. The breed is "trade-marked" with white faces and distinctive red bodies. Hereford breeding came to the U.S. in 1840, although statesman Henry Clay of Kentucky made the first importation (a bull and two females) in 1817. (Clay's imports were absorbed by the local cattle population and disappeared from permanent identity.) The registry is maintained by the American Hereford Association.
Hereford - A breed of hogs first developed by R. U. Webber, LaPlata, Missouri, who made his first crosses in about 1902. He used Duroc, Chesters and Ohio Improved Chester breeds. The modern breed also includes Poland China genetics. To qualify for registration, Herefords must conform to a color pattern that includes a white face, at least two white feet and a red body.
Highland - A Scottish breed of beef cattle. Prized for its ability to survive rugged climate and poor grazing conditions. It has long hair, and long horns that curl upward. Registered by the American Highland Cattle Association.
hillside combine - A combine with a self-leveling mechanism that keeps the body of the vehicle level so internal parts can efficiently separate grain and chaff when operating on steep slopes.
hinny - The offspring of a stallion (male horse) and a jenny (female ass).
hog - Domesticated or wild swine. In domestic swine, the term usually applies to those weighing more than 120 pounds.
Holstein-Friesian - A large, usually black and white breed of dairy cattle that accounts for 90 percent of all U.S. milk production. In common usage, the name usually is abbreviated to " Holstein ." Holsteins may be a reddish color and white. The breed is prized for heavy production of low-fat milk. This Dutch breed was first imported to the United States in 1852.
hop or hops - There is much confusion over whether to use the singular hop or the plural hops when referring to this twining vine of the hemp family. Use the singular when referring to the vine or to varieties of hop. Use the plural when referring to the ripened and dried cones. Hops are grown primarily for use in the brewing industry to impart a mellow bitterness and delicate aroma to brewed beverages and to aid in their preservation. Its cone shaped pistillate catkins is used primarily to impart a bitter flavor to beer. Hops were first introduced to the United States from Europe , by the Massachusetts Company in 1629. Today the bulk of hops production is the dry valleys of the Pacific Northwest where Washington State produces 77 percent of the nation's hops.
hybrid - Offspring produced by combining genetically different parents. Hybrid corn is the classic example, in which two varieties are cross pollinated to produce a third, which has more favored qualities. Don't confuse hybridization with biotechnology, genetic engineering, etc. Hybridization has created plants that are higher yielding, more resistant to disease and that produce more desirable food or fiber.
horse breeds that American journalists may encounter :
American Quarter Horse, American Saddlebred, Appaloosa, Arabian, Belgian Draft Horse, Clydesdale, Hackney, Lipizzan, Morgan, Pony of the Americas, Shetland Pony, Standardbred, Tennessee Walking Horse, Welsh Pony
horticulturist - One who practices the science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables or ornamental plants. Farmers and orchardists sometimes are called horticulturists, as are home gardeners. In agriculture the term usually is reserved for scientists.
hundredweight - Abbreviated as cwt. A weight equal to 100 pounds in the United States and 112 pounds in Great Britain . Many crops are reported in hundredweight, including beans, potatoes and most vegetables.
Integrated Pest Management, (IPM) - The USDA defines IPM as socially acceptable, environmentally responsible and economically practical crop protection from pests. Emphasis is on substituting biological controls such as natural predators for chemical controls of pests and diseases that attack plants grown for food or fiber. IPM doesn't necessarily eliminate the need for chemicals, but where it cannot eliminate them, it functions to reduce the amount of chemical required to control pests and diseases.
intermodal - Use of more than one mode of transportation to move product from shipper to receiver; e.g., placing truck trailers loaded with commodities on rail flatcars for cross country movement.
internode - A section of stem between nodes.
IPM - Integrated Pest Management.
jack - A male donkey.
jenny - Female donkey.
Jersey - A breed of cattle that originated on the Isle of Jersey, in the British Isles . It is light brown with a pronounced bone structure. The Jersey is noted for production of milk with a rich butter fat content. Their popularity in the United States has fallen.
lead riders - 2 cowboys that take the lead in a trail ride on each side of the lead steers, or pairs. They 'push' the cattle in the direction to go.
legume - A member of the Fabaceae family (pea family). Also the fruit or pod of this family of plants. This family includes many plants grown for food or livestock forage. Leguminous plants commonly grown by U.S. farmers include forage crops such as alfalfa and clover, and food crops such as beans and peas.
Limousin - A French breed of beef cattle. In the United States they are used to produce beef.
Lincoln - A breed of sheep believed to be the result of crossing the Leicester and the coarse native sheep of Lincolnshire . First imported into the United States at the close of the eighteenth century, the Lincoln has been more popular in Canada . In the United States , it has been most important in the centralized states and in Idaho and Oregon .
Lincoln Red - A breed of beef cattle developed in Lincolnshire , England .
lipid - Generic term for a large class of organic molecules. Fats and oils are commonly known lipids.
Lipizzan - A breed of horse that represents more than 400 years of select breeding, dating to 1580 when Archduke Charles II established the stud farm in Lipizza (Lipica). The breed is rare, with fewer than 3,000 purebred Lipizzans in the world today. The breed is used in dressage and driving, as well as continuing to be the ultimate mount for classical horsemanship. The first privately owned Lipizzans in the United States were imported in 1937. Today there are an estimated 600 in the United States . Disneyland owns a number of Lipizzan mares and the Marine Corps uses them in their Color Guard.
lodge, lodged, lodging - Permanent bending over of a stem. Often, but not always, associated with root diseases.
long ton - 2,240 pounds. For many commodities this is the standard measure for international trade. However, domestic shipments usually are reported in short tons (2000 pounds).
Mad Cow Disease - Bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Maine-Anjou - A breed of beef cattle that originated in southern France . It is red with white spots. Registry is by the American Maine-Anjou Association.
manifest - List of passengers or invoice of cargo.
metric ton - 2,204.6 pounds. For many commodities this is the standard measure for international trade. It is commonly used in FAS reports. However, domestic shipments usually are reported in short tons.
milk - Consumers buy milk by the pint, quart or gallon, but farmers sell it by the pound, usually expressed in hundredweight. A gallon of milk weighs approximately 8.6 pounds.
minor crops - The most frequent use of this term is in the context of registration of pesticides that may be used on them. Most crops grown in America are classified as minor crops for this purpose. Combined, minor crops account for more than $31 billion in annual sales. But individually, they don't generate enough sales of pesticides to make it profitable for chemical companies to do the research necessary to obtain Environmental Protection Agency registration for the application of chemicals to them. Wheat, corn, cotton, rice, soybeans and oats are the only crops classified as major.
mitochondria - The location in cells where respiration occurs. Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes.
mixed load - Shipping two or more commodities, or two or more types of packages, in one truck or railcar. In some shipping districts, a premium is charged for mixed loads.
modified-atmosphere packaging - A sealed package injected with an atmospheric mix of gases that provides optimal storage for the packaged commodity. Technique is used to slow ripening.
monocot - Seeds that have one cotyledon.
Morgan - A breed of horse that originated in West Springfield , Massachusetts , in 1789. The Morgan was popular with pioneers as a multi-purpose saddle, driving and light work horse. Morgans were used to pull stages and city freight wagons, once were popular harness racing horses and were prized during the Civil War as dependable calvary mounts and artillery horses. U. S. General Philip Sheridan's famous charger, Winchester , was a Morgan.
mule - A hybrid animal resulting from crossing a mare (female horse) and a jack (male donkey). All male mules and most female mules are sterile. Although mules aren't a breed, the American Donkey and Mule Society registers mules through one of its three books, the American Mule Registry, The American Racing Mule Registry or the Zebra/Exotic Bloodstock & Hybrid Registry. Registry helps keep track of progeny for breeding stock. Mules must be registered to compete in sanctioned mule races.
Murray Grey - A breed of beef cattle that originated in Australia from the cross of a Shorthorn cow and a Black Angus bull, which produced a silver-grey animal.
mustang - A word derived from the Spanish word 'mesteno,' which means stray or wild. Not a distinct breed of horse.
NASS - National Agricultural Statistics Service, an agency of the USDA.
National Agricultural Statistics Service, (NASS) - An agency of the USDA. In addition to the national office, NASS maintains state agricultural statistics services in cooperation with state departments of agriculture.
National Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS) - An agency of the USDA.
nitrogen - A gaseous chemical element, which makes up 78 percent of the earth's atmosphere, by volume. In agricultural reporting it usually refers to fertilizer. There are many various formulations and names. Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used by wheat growers and other farmers.
nitrogen fixation - The biological conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to a form that can be used by plants for their growth.
node - A portion of a stem at which leaf sheaths, petioles, or flowers are attached. They usually are slightly enlarged.
nodule - Swelling of the root cortex of legumes, containing nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Normande - A breed of beef cattle. Registry is by the North American Normande Association.
NRCS - An agency of the USDA
OCD - Office of Community Development, a unit within the USDA.
Office of Community Development, (OCD) - A unit within the USDA.
orchardist - A person who grows fruit trees.
organic - used for describing methods of farming and food production that use no or only a small number of artificial chemicals and methods
ox - A male bovine. In some usages, the term implies a castrated male; but this isn't always the case.
pH - potential Hydrogen ions. Acidity or alkalinity of the soil is measured by pH. Basically it measures the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil. Acid soils are most common in moist climates, alkaline soils are most common in dry climates. A soil with a pH of 7 is considered neutral. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is considered acidic, a pH rating above 7 indicates alkalinity.
packout - Total amoant of commodity that is packed.
palletization - Shipping goods on wooden or plastic pallets for greater handling efficiency.
peeler - a horse breaker or 'twister'.
peptide -A short chain of amino acids.
phloem - Vascular plant tissue through which is transported dissolved food and other materials in plants.
photosynthesis - The process by which plants use light energy to make sugars from carbon dioxide and water.
Piedmontese - A breed of beef cattle that originated in Italy. Registry is by the Piedmontese Association of North America.
piggyback - Moving a truck loaded with freight on a rail flatcar.
pipeline - A figurative, rather than literal, description of stock necessary in all inventory locations throughout a shipping channel to keep one product on the shelf available for consumer purchase. This includes surplus stock at the store, distributor's warehouse and at shipping point, including all goods in transit between any of these points. Envision this as all the cherries existing at one time from the packing shed to the produce department of a supermarket.
pith - The central tissue in stems and roots.
plant pathology - The scientific discipline dealing with diseases of plants. Plant pathologists may be associated with departments of plant pathology, agronomy, crop sciences or botany.
point rider - a cowboy that rides in front of the herd and gives the cattle something to follow.
Poland China - A breed of hogs. Registry is with the Poland China Record Association.
polled - The term simply means to cut off or shorten a growth. As applied to cattle in contemporary use, the term usually means naturally hornless cattle. Some breeds, such as Hereford, may be either horned, or polled. Polled Herefords are considered, however, a separate breed.
pony - A small horse; i.e., one that remains small as an adult. There is no precise size. Each breed association has its own size standard.
Pony of the Americas - A recent breed that traces to birth of a foal in 1954. It was from an Arab/Appaloosa mare accidentally bred to a Shetland stallion. The colt had unique color markings (white with black paint smears all over his body) and other striking features. The characteristics proved to be heritable and a breed association was formed. To be registered as a Pony of the Americas, the pony has to be between 46 and 56 inches tall. The head was to be small and dished as the Arab. Body has to be muscled as a Quarter Horse; and the coloring has to be that of an Appaloosa, visible at 40 feet. The breed is prized as a first horse on which children can gain experience and confidence.
producer - A farmer, rancher or orchardist. The term usually is preceded by an adjective that describes the nature of the operation, such as potato producer.
protein - A long chain or chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
pulse - A food legume; also the seed of a food legume.
quarter horse - See American Quarter Horse.
Rambouillet - A breed of sheep that resulted from crossing Spanish Merino sheep with native French sheep, beginning about 1800. Blood lines also trace to German Merino sheep.
ranch - Narrowly defined as an establishment for raising livestock on range. However, common usage in the American West also applies the term to a large farm devoted mainly to raising a single crop or kind of animal.
rancher - A person who owns or operates a ranch.
range boss - the manager of a cow outfit while on the range.
RBC - Rural Business-Cooperative, an organization within the USDA.
REA - Rural Electrification Administration, a former USDA agency that administered loan programs for electrification and telephone service in rural areas. It was created in 1935 by executive order as an independent federal bureau and incorporated in USDA in 1939. The administration was abolished in 1994. It's functions are now performed by the Rural Utilities Service in USDA.
Red Angus - See Angus.
regional processor - A company that processes and packages fresh produce at a regional location, usually for markets beyond the local area.
REP - a representative.
rhizome - Horizontal, underground stem.
RHS - Rural Housing Service, an agency of the USDA.
Ribonucleic acid - Is involved in transfer of a growing protein chain in or on the ribosome.
rill - An irrigation term for a small stream of water turned onto the surface of a field. (The term also has a non-agricultural use.)
RNA - Ribonucleic acid.
roan - A dark-colored horse with white sprinkles.
roller - A shipment (usually a truckload or carload) that has been shipped, but not yet sold; e.g., a carlot of California peaches may be loaded and set off for New York without having been sold to anyone there. Shippers may be motivated by hopes that the price of peaches will increase by the time the roller arrives and it will be sold for a higher profit.
row crops - Crops planted in rows far enough apart to be mechanically cultivated during their early growing period. Common examples are carrots, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and commercially grown flowers.
Rural Business-Cooperative, (RBS) - An organization within the USDA.
Rural Electrification Administration - REA, a former USDA agency that administered loan programs for electricication and telephone service in rural areas. It was created in 1935 by executive order as an independent federal bureau and incorporated in USDA in 1939. The administration was abolished in 1994. It's functions are now performed by the Rural Utilities Service in USDA.
Rural Housing Service, (RHS) - An agency of the USDA.
RUS - Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the USDA. Helps rural utilities expand and keep their technology up to date, and to establish such new services as distance learning and telemedicine.
Rural Utilities Service, (RUS) - An agency of the USDA. Helps rural utilities expand and keep their technology up to date, and to establish such new services as distance learning and tele medicine.
Rustler - a horse or cattle thief.
Salers - A French breed of beef cattle.
Santa Gertrudis - A beef breed developed on the King Ranch in Texas. Genetically, it is 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Shorthorn. Registry is maintained by Santa Gertrudis Breeders International.
shaded up - generally applied to cowboys, cattle, livestock resting in the shade.
Shadow riding - a cowboy whom admires him/herself and their gear in their own shadow.
sheath - Lower part of a monocot leaf. Usually it wraps around the stem.
sheath - The sheath is a double fold of skin that covers the drawn-up penis of a Stallion or Gelding Horse.
sheep breeds:
Charollais, Cheviot, Columbia, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Lincoln, Merino (There are 10 distinct breeds of Merino type sheep.), Rambouillet, Southdown, Shropshire
Suffolk
Sheep Camp - the 'mobile' home of a sheep herder. A sheepherders wagon.
Shetland Pony - An ancient breed of small horse. A pony that looks very much like the modern Shetland existed at least 2,000 years ago on the Shetland islands. Hair from Shetland ponies provided the raw materials for fishing nets and lines. Fishing was the basis of the main diet for most islanders. The breed has been used as pack and saddle animals for most of their history. About the middle of the 19h century, the Shetland was introduced as a draft animal in England's mines.
Shorthorn - A breed of cattle, raised in the United States primarily for beef. However, there are milking shorthorns. Shorthorns originated in England about 1600 and spread to Scotland and then to America in 1783. When first brought to Virginia, it was called the Durham. Shorthorns were popular with America's early settlers who valued its meat and milk. In addition, Shorthorns provided willing power for the wagon and plow. Many pioneer wagons were pulled by teams of Shorthorns. The breed's use for meat production was stimulated when Midwestern farmers began importing them directly from Scotland in 1854. Polled Shorthorns were developed from mutations, beginning around 1881 in Minnesota. Both horned and polled Shorthorns are known for adaptability, mothering ability, reproductive performance, good disposition, feed conversion and longevity. At least 45 different breeds of cattle include Shorthorn genetics. Both horned and polled Shorthorns are registered in the same breed book, maintained by the American Shorthorn Association.
short ton - 2000 pounds. For many agricultural commodities, this is the standard measure for domestic trade. However, international trade usually is reported in long tons (2240 pounds).
shrinkage - The loss of product as it moves through the market system. Losses may be due to damage during shipment, product trimming, theft or moisture loss.
Shropshire - A breed of sheep that originated in the counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire in central western England. The breed became known by its present name beginning in 1848. First imported into the United States in about 1855.
side roll - A type of sprinkler system in which long sections of pipe are supported on wheels, which allow it to be rolled sideways from setting to setting. They usually are powered by a gasoline engine in the center, which can roll the entire unit at one time.
silage - Livestock feed produced by acid-producing fermentation of feed stuffs. Corn silage is a common feed for dairy cattle in the United States. When made from grass or alfalafa, it often is called haylage.
Simmental - The Simmental is among the oldest and most widely distributed of all breeds in the world, but a relative newcomer to the United States. This red and white breed originated in Switzerland's Simme Valley. Apparently the first Simmental arrived in the United States before 1900, perhaps as early as 1887. The breed died out, however, and was re-introduced with semen imported from France in 1967. The breed also is known as "Fleckvieh" in Germany, "PieRouge", "Montbeliard", and "Abondance" in France; and "Peseta Rosa" in Italy. Registry is with the American Simmental Association.
shoat - a young hog, usually less than a year old.
- slash-and-burn farming involves cutting down and burning trees in order to plant crops
small grain - barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat.
spores - Reproductive cell.
spring wheat - Wheat that is planted in the spring and harvested the following summer.
South Devon - A distinct breed of beef cattle in England dating to the 16th century. The first
South Devon were brought to the United States in 1969. South Devons are available both horned and polled.
Southdown - A breed of sheep developed in Sussex, England during the late 1700 and early 1800s'. First imported to the United States (Pennsylvania) in 1824.
sow - Adult female swine.
spring wheat - Wheat that is planted in the spring and harvested in late summer. (In some areas with mild winters, spring wheat may be planted in the fall, but it differs from winter wheat in not having a requirement for cold temperatures to produce seed.)
stallion - An intact male horse; i.e., one that hasn't been castrated.
stamen - Male reproductive structure of a flower. It is composed of a filament and an anther.
Standardbred - The world's top harness race horse. Ninety-nine percent of Standardbreds are said to trace back to Hambletonian, who sired more than 1330 offspring between 1851 and 1875. The breed's name derives from the fact that while it was still young, horses were only allowed to enter the registry if they could run the mile under a certain time.
steer - A castrated male bovine. Bull calves not kept for breeding are castrated while still young and raised for beef. Castration makes them easier to handle and produces better-flavored meat.
stolon - Horizontal, above ground stem.
straight load - A shipment consisting of a single product; i.e., only potatoes, or only apples.
stud - A male horse kept for breeding.
subsistence farming - the activity of growing just enough food
sucrose - Glucose linked to fructose. It is the sugar that is translocated in the phloem of most plants.
Suffolk -- A breed of sheep developed by crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes.
The English Suffolk Society was formed in 1886 to provide a registry service and to promote the breed. First imported to the United States (New York) in 1888. The breed didn't make its way to the western states until 1919.
sustainable agriculture - There is no commonly agreed upon definition of sustainable agriculture. The concept has been, and continues to be, surrounded by controversy. At Washington State University the term is used to describe agricultural management practices that are profitable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable. Broadly speaking, the movement to promote this type of agriculture arose from the negative effects of changes in agriculture that were brought about by vast and rapid technological changes introduced with the application of mechanization and chemicals to farming and ranching.
swine - A domesticated member of the species Sus scrofa.
swine breeds:
American Landrace , American Yorkshire, Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Hereford, Poland China
Swing Rider - cowboys that ride on the sides of the herd to keep the herd together.
Tail Rider - or Drag Rider is the cowboys that follow the herd and keep the cow.calf pairs moving.
tally man - keeps track of the number of cattle branded, vaccinated and ear marked.
Tennessee Walking Horse - AKA, Tennessee Walker. The breed evolved from the Narragansett Pacer, Canadian, Morgan, Standardbred, Thoroughbred and American Saddlebred. It takes its name from the place most associated with its development, the middle Tennessee bluegrass region. Prized for it's smooth-riding gait. But a hundred years ago the breed was a utility animal used for all type of farm work. Recognized as a breed only since formation of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' Association of America in 1935.
Texas Longhorn - A breed of beef cattle. They are registered by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.
tie-man - the cowboy that ties off his rope to the saddle horn while roping livestock.
timothy hay - A grass hay popular as horse feed. Timothy hay typically is a very clean hay, free of dust and mold, which is important because of potential respiratory problems in horses. Japan is a primary market for timothy hay grown in Washington.
ton - Tons come in both weight and volume. In weight, a short ton, the common measure in the Uniteds States, is 2,000 pounds. A long ton, the common measure in Great Britain, is 2,240 pounds. U.S. journalists would encounter this measure only rarely. A metric ton, the standard used for maritime shipments of agriucltural products, is 2,204.6 pounds.
trickle irrigation - A system for irrigating crops by delivering water to the root zone through small, plastic pipes equipped with emitters. This technology conserves water and eliminates soil erosion from irrigation water runoff. Also called drip irrigation.
truck lot - A truckoad of product.
tube tomatoes - A container holding three or four tomatoes, to be sold to consumers as a single unit.
USDA - United States Department of Agriculture. Acronym may be used in first reference if readers are familiar with agriculture. It includes the following agencies and units: Foreign Agricultural Service; Food Safety and Inspection Service; Forest Service; National Resources Conservation Service; Rural Business-Cooperative; Food and Nutrition Service; Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; Agricultural Marketing Service; Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service; Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; Agricultural Research Service; Office of Community Development; Rural Housing Service; Rural Utilities Service; Cooperative State Research Education & Extension Service; Economic Research Service; and National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Wagyu - The word Wagyu refers to all Japanese beef cattle. Wa means Japanese or japanese-style and gyu means cattle. The Wagyu breed was developed from Brown Swiss, Shorthorn, Devon, Simmental, Ayrshire, Holstein and Angus breeds and some Korean cattle that were imported by Japan by 1887. Black Wagyu strains predominate, but red Wagyus with strong Korean breed influence are part of the breed. Wagyu first came to the United States in 1976. Both black and red lines exist in U.S.-bred Wagyus. Wagyu cattle are known for their even development of intramuscular fat marbling, which results in uncommonly tender and flavorful meat. It is in special demand for high-temperature Japanese cooking. Purebred animals are registered by the American Wagyu Association. Wagyu generally take nearly 36 months before the animal is ready.
Welsh Pony - The Welsh Pony roamed the hills and valleys of Wales before the Roman invasion. It pulled chariots in the sport arena, worked in coal mines, on ranches, and on postmen's routes. It has worked on the farms of the poor and been pampered by royalty. The Welsh Pony was imported to the United States as early as the 1880s.
winter wheat - Wheat that is planted in the fall and harvested the following summer. In areas where this practice may be followed, winter wheat normally is preferred because yields are higher than for spring wheat. In some areas with mild winters, spring wheat may be planted in the fall. Although produced during the winter, it differs from winter wheat in not having a requirement for cold temperatures to produce seed.
Wrangler - a cowboy or cowgirl whom is a livestock herder, cow puncher, generally on horse back and knowledgeable in the cowboy way.
Zebra mule - Archaic term for offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Zebrass - Offspring of a zebra and a donkey (ass).
Zebroid - Offspring of a zebra stallion and a horse mare.
Ze-donk - Offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Zeony - Offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Zorse - A term sometimes applied to the offspring of a zebra stallion and a horse mare.
Acidosis: Below normal pH in the rumen caused by rapid fermentation of grain and other concentrate feeds. Usually caused when animals are not adapted to high concentrate feeds in the diet.
Afterbirth: Tissues that surround a calf during a pregnancy and which are expelled after the calf is born.
Anaplasmosis: Tick borne disease that destroys an animal’s red blood cells.
Animal Unit (AU): Unit used to describe 1,000 lbs. of animal weight. Typically used in assessing the number of animals to place on an acre of pasture.
Anthelmintics: Products that are used to prevent and control internal parasites.
Artificial Insemination (AI): Technique whereby semen is mechanically deposited into a cow in order for her to become pregnant.
Backfat: Fat measurement taken under the skin and between the 12th and 13th rib.
Backgrounding: A phase of feeder cattle production after weaning and prior to entering a feedlot.
Bang’s Disease: Another name for brucellosis.
BCS (Body Condition Score): System used to classify the amount (or lack) of fat on an animal.
Blackleg: Fatal disease of young cattle caused by a Clostridial bacteria.
Bluetongue: Viral disease that is spread by a specific type of gnat.
Bloat: Condition where the stomach becomes overly full of gas which is produced during the fermentation process.
Bovine: Refers to cattle.
Boxed beef: Consistently sized retail cuts of beef that are packaged and sold by the “box.”
BRD (Bovine Respiratory Disease): Several respiratory diseases in cattle that decrease performance and increase death losses.
Break-even Price: Minimum sale price that will cover all expenses.
Broken mouth: Typically refers to older cows who are missing teeth.
Brucellosis: Highly contagious disease that causes profuse sweating and join and muscle pain.
BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea): Viral disease that decreases performance and increases death losses.
Cancer Eye: Cancerous cell growth on eyeball, eyelid or eye membranes.
Calving Interval: Period of time between when a cow gives birth to one calf and when she gives birth to her next calf.
Carcass grade: There are two grading systems used for carcasses that relate to consumer acceptability (quality grade) and expected amount of meat that a carcass will produce (yield grade).
Checkoff: Program that collects $1 per head each time a beef animal is sold. Used to promote the marketing of beef.
Choice: Quality grade that identifies a particular amount of fat flecks in the ribeye of a carcass between the 12th and 13th rib.
Clostridial: Class of bacteria that cause diseases in livestock.
Coccidiosis: Disease caused by a single-celled parasite.
Colostrum: The first milk produced by a cow that contains high levels of antibodies to protect a calf against disease.
Compensatory Gain: Faster than normal weight gain following a period of feed restriction.
Concentrate: Type of feed that is high in energy.
Corn Silage: The entire corn plant is chopped when it is still green, and then stored in an airtight manner in order for the forage to preserve itself through fermentation.
Corpus Luteum: A structure that forms on the ovary following ovulation that secretes the hormone progesterone.
Creep feeder: Area that allows calves access supplemental grain and/or hay, but excludes cows.
Crop Residue: Plant parts remaining in a field after a crop has been harvested that can be grazed or harvested for a different use.
Crossbreeding: Combining multiple breeds of cattle in a planned mating system.
Cryptorchid: Male animal with only one testicle or no testicles descended into the scrotum. Testicles are retained in body cavity of animal.
Disposition: Refers temperament and attitude of an animal when handled.
Double Muscling: Inherited condition of extreme muscling.
Dressing Percent: Carcass weight divided by live weight of an animal.
Dry Matter: Percent of a feed in weight that remains after all moisture has been removed.
Dry Lot: Refers to feeding cattle in an open lot rather than on pasture.
Dystocia: Abnormal or difficult calf delivery during the calving process.
EPD: Expected Progeny Difference is an estimate of how future offspring are expected to perform as compared to their parents relative to a specific trait.
Estrus Cycle: Approximately 21 days for beef cattle.
Feed Bunk: Long trough for feeding livestock
Feed Efficiency: Comparison of the amount of feed that must be eaten in order to achieve a pound of gain in weight.
Feeder Calf: Weaned calf
Feeder calf grade: Scoring system that accounts for frame size of calf and amount of muscling.
Feedlot: Type of farm operation that finishes livestock to harvest for meat.
Forage: Type of feed that is high in fiber.
Frame Size: Method of describing skeletal size (height) in livestock.
Gestation period: Length of time that a cow is pregnant.
Grafting: Process of getting a cow to accept a calf that she did not give birth to.
Haylage: Forage that is harvested when green, allowed to wilt, and then stored in an airtight manner in order for the forage to preserve itself through fermentation.
Head Gate: Equipment that restrains an animal by holding them just behind the head.
Heifer: Young female
IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis): Acute, contagious viral disease that is often known as red nose.
Implant: Medication that is inserted in the ear to improve feed efficiency.
Legume: Type of plant that produces pods. Generally higher in protein than grasses. Common legumes fed to livestock include alfalfa, clovers and birdsfoot trefoil.
Libido: Sexual drive of a male animal.
Linebreeding: Form of inbreeding to emphasize desirable traits.
Maintenance: Feeding to maintain a constant weight.
Marbling: Fat flecks within the lean portion of meat. Higher amounts of marbling results in a higher quality grade.
Mastitis: Inflammation/infection in the udder.
Mortality: Death
Mothering Ability: Ability and willingness of a cow to take care of her calf.
Navel Ill: Infection in the navel in young calves soon after birth.
Palatability: Refers to how acceptable a feed is for taste. May also refer to how acceptable beef as a meat is to the consumer.
Parturition: Birth of a calf.
Pedigree: A record of the ancestors of an animal.
Performance: Measure of various economic parameters such as growth, feed efficiency, and milk production.
Phenotype: Visual characteristics of an animal.
Pheromones: Chemical secreted by an animal that affects social or sexual behavior of others.
PI3: (Parainfluenza –3): Respiratory disease caused by a virus
Placenta: The organ that connects the calf to the uterus during pregnancy.
Polled: Having no horns
Post-Partum Interval: The time between calving and the next pregnancy.
Preconditioning: Management, health and nutritional program to prepare young cattle to better handle the stress of a different environment.
Prime: Quality grade that identifies a particular amount of fat flecks in the ribeye of a carcass between the 12th and 13th rib.
Quality Grade: Meat evaluation score that estimates tenderness, juiciness and flavor of meat.
Rate of Gain: Weight that is gained over a period of time, and typically reported on a per day basis.
Ration: The amount and composition of feed provided to the animal daily.
Replacement Heifer: Young female that is raised with the intention of entering the cow herd.
Roughage: Type of feed that is high in fiber.
Rumination: Act of regurgitating food to be chewed thoroughly.
Scours: Infectious disease that causes diarrhea in young calves.
Scrotal Circumference: Measurement of size of testicles.
Scur: Small horny growth on the head that is often loose.
Select: Quality grade that identifies a particular amount of fat flecks in the ribeye of a carcass between the 12th and 13th rib.
Self-feeder: Feeder that holds large amount of feed to provide for cattle to eat as much as they want.
Shrink: Weight that is lost during periods when feed and/or water are not available, or periods of stress, including during transportation. Often expressed as a percentage calculated from the amount of weight lost compared to the original weight prior to deprivation of feed and/or water.
Squeeze Chute: Equipment that restrains animal for treatment purposes. Sides can move to “squeeze” animal to better keep them restrained.
Stag: Male with only one testicle removed.
Stocker Cattle: Weaned calves that are grown on high forage rations, typically on pasture, until the animals are ready to place in a feedlot.
Stocking Rate: Number of animals relative to the size of area where the animals are contained. Often refers to the number of animals on an acre of pasture.
Synchronization: Process of manipulating the estrus cycle so that females in the herd are exhibiting estrous at a specified period time.
TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients): Method of expressing the energy level in a ration.
Terminal Cross: Breeding a female with a bull whose major characteristics focus on weight production. All offspring are sold.
Trace Mineral: Mineral that is required by an animal in small amounts.
Urea: Inorganic (non-plant) material fed to cattle that allows rumen bacteria to produce protein.
Urinary Calculi: Mineral deposits in the urinary tract.
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
Weaning: Process of separating a calf from its mother.
Weaning Weight: The amount that a calf weighs when it is separated from its mother. Usually standardized to 205 days of age.
Yield grade: Scoring system that estimates amount of closely trimmed retail cuts that will be produced by a carcass. Takes into account carcass weight, ribeye size and fat thickness.