ANSC 111 Terminology
Bull
a sexually mature male. Bull calf used to denote males under 1 year of age
Cow
a female that has produced a calf
Heifer
a female that has not produced a calf. Note: some cattlemen will refer to a heifer that has just
calved as a first calf heifer
Heiferette
a heifer that has calved once, dried up and is then fed for slaughter
Steer
a castrated male
Calf
a young cattle (less than 1 year) of either sex
Calve
the act of giving birth. Some dairymen will refer to "freshen" as a term denoting calving
Stocker
,weaned cattle that are run on grass or fed high roughage diets. Generally weigh 350 to 550
pounds when started. Expected to gain 250 to 300 pounds during growing phase
Cow-Calf Operation
a management unit that maintains a breeding herd of cows and produces weaned calves for sale
Yearling
a cattle of either sex that is 1 to 2 years of age. Some cattlemen will refer to short or long
yearlings
Crossbred
an animal that is a product of the crossing of two or more breeds
Feeder Cattle
those requiring more growth and/or fattening before slaughter
Feedlot
beef cattle enterprise where cattle are placed in confinement, fed harvested feeds and fattened for
slaughter
Seedstock Producer
enterprise that produces breeding animals for the commercial segment of the industry. The
majority of purebred breeders fall into this category
Backgrounding
, growing program for feeder cattle from time calves are weaned until they are on a finishing
ration in the feedlot
Beef
meat from cattle (bovine species) other than calves. Meat from calves is called veal
Beef checkoff program
Beef promotion and Research Act established in October 1986. Each time cattle are marketed, $1
per head is paid by the seller to the Beef Industry Council (BIC). Month is used in promotion,
research, and education. Generates approximately $70 million per year
Biological Type
usually refers to size of cattle (large, medium or small), growth rate, milk production (high,
medium, or low), and age at puberty
Bovine
refers to a general family grouping of cattle
Boxed beef
cuts of beef put in boxes for shipping from packing plant to retailers. These primal (round, loins,
ribs, and chuck) and subprimal cuts are intermediate cuts between the carcass and retail cuts
Branded beef production
a specifically labeled product that is differentiated from commodity items by its brand name.
Certified Angus beef is an example
British breeds
Bull
a sexually mature male. Bull calf used to denote males under 1 year of age
Cow
a female that has produced a calf
Heifer
a female that has not produced a calf. Note: some cattlemen will refer to a heifer that has just
calved as a first calf heifer
Heiferette
a heifer that has calved once, dried up and is then fed for slaughter
Steer
a castrated male
Calf
a young cattle (less than 1 year) of either sex
Calve
the act of giving birth. Some dairymen will refer to "freshen" as a term denoting calving
Stocker
,weaned cattle that are run on grass or fed high roughage diets. Generally weigh 350 to 550
pounds when started. Expected to gain 250 to 300 pounds during growing phase
Cow-Calf Operation
a management unit that maintains a breeding herd of cows and produces weaned calves for sale
Yearling
a cattle of either sex that is 1 to 2 years of age. Some cattlemen will refer to short or long
yearlings
Crossbred
an animal that is a product of the crossing of two or more breeds
Feeder Cattle
those requiring more growth and/or fattening before slaughter
Feedlot
beef cattle enterprise where cattle are placed in confinement, fed harvested feeds and fattened for
slaughter
Seedstock Producer
enterprise that produces breeding animals for the commercial segment of the industry. The
majority of purebred breeders fall into this category
Backgrounding
, growing program for feeder cattle from time calves are weaned until they are on a finishing
ration in the feedlot
Beef
meat from cattle (bovine species) other than calves. Meat from calves is called veal
Beef checkoff program
Beef promotion and Research Act established in October 1986. Each time cattle are marketed, $1
per head is paid by the seller to the Beef Industry Council (BIC). Month is used in promotion,
research, and education. Generates approximately $70 million per year
Biological Type
usually refers to size of cattle (large, medium or small), growth rate, milk production (high,
medium, or low), and age at puberty
Bovine
refers to a general family grouping of cattle
Boxed beef
cuts of beef put in boxes for shipping from packing plant to retailers. These primal (round, loins,
ribs, and chuck) and subprimal cuts are intermediate cuts between the carcass and retail cuts
Branded beef production
a specifically labeled product that is differentiated from commodity items by its brand name.
Certified Angus beef is an example
British breeds
