Livestock Terms and Breeds Agriculture I

General Livestock Terms Barren – not capable of producing offspring Cull – to eliminate one or more animals from the breeding herd or flock Composite breed – a breed that has been formed by crossing 2 or more breeds (synthetic breed) Crossbreeding – mating animals from genetically diverse groups within a species Dam – female parent Sire – male parent Dry – non-lactating female

Estrus – the period of mating activity in the female mammal. Finish – the degree of fatness of an animal Gestation – the time from breeding or conception of a female until she gives birth to her young Herd – a group of animals Heterosis – (hybrid vigor) Performance of offspring that is greater than the average of the parents General Livestock Terms

Inheritance – the transmission of genes from parents to offspring Non-ruminant – mono-gastric animal Open – non-pregnant females Polled – naturally or genetically hornless Purebred – an animal eligible for registry with a recognized breed association. Puberty – the age at which the reproductive organs become functionally operative General Livestock Terms

Ruminant – a mammal whose stomach has 4 parts (rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum) Seedstock – breeding animals (purebred) Wet – milking female Weanling – an animal of weaning age Weaning – separating young animals from their dams so offspring can no longer suckle General Livestock Terms

Beef Terms Bovine – a general family grouping of cattle Bull - mature male Cow - mature female with one calf Heifer - female that has not calved yet Steer - castrated male prior to puberty Stag - castrated male after puberty Calf - young beef animal Calve – to give birth to a calf British breeds – breeds of beef cattle originating in England Continental breeds – breed cattle originating in countries other than England

Sheep Terms Ram/Buck - mature male Ewe - female, prior to and after lambing Wether - castrated male prior to puberty Stag - castrated male after puberty Lamb - young sheep or the process of giving birth to a lamb Mutton – meat from a sheep that is over 1 year old Wool – the fibers that grow from the skin of sheep

Swine Terms Boar - mature male Sow - mature female after farrowing Barrow - castrated male prior to puberty Stag - castrated male after puberty Gilt - female prior to farrowing Pig(let) -young pig Farrow – to give birth to pigs Litter – giving birth to multiple young

Horse Terms Stallion - mature male Mare - mature female after foaling Gelding - castrated male Filly - female prior to foaling Colt - male, uncastrated, up to 3 yrs. old Foal - young male or female horse or the act of giving birth

Chicken Terms Poultry – term that includes chickens, turkeys, geese, pigeons, peafowls, guineas, and game birds Cock/rooster - mature male Hen - mature female Cockerel - young male prior to puberty Capon - castrated male prior to puberty Pullet - young female prior to laying Chick - young chicken Boiler – a young meat-type chicken of either sex Clutch – eggs laid by a hen on consecutive days

External Anatomy Beef Main Terms:Loin, Rump, Tail head, Stifle, Brisket, Rib, Quarter, Rear flank, Forearm, Hook, Pin, Round, Loin, Rib, Flank, Plate, Chuck, Brisket, Shank Sheep Main Terms:Rump, Loin, Back (Rack), Shoulder, Leg, Rear flank, Fore flank, Breast, Leg, Breast, Loin, Rack, Shoulder, Shank Swine Main Terms: Shoulder, Loin, Rump, Ham, Rear flank, Fore flank, Jowl, Boston Butt, Loin, Ham, Jowl, Picnic Shoulder, Spare Ribs, Belly

Beef Cattle Parts

Sheep Parts

Identify Common Beef Breeds: British (English) Breeds: –Angus (Black and Red) –Horned and Polled Hereford –Shorthorn U.S. Breeds: –Brahman –Brangus –Braford –Beefmaster –Longhorn Continental Breeds: –Charolais –Simmental –Limousin –Gelbveih –Salers –Chianina

Angus

Angus Traits Originated in Scotland Most popular breed in VA Black in color (Also Red Angus - different breed) and polled (means NO horns) Early maturing Low birth weights Marbles well (marbling is putting fat into muscle - that’s what makes you steak taste GOOD = choice cuts means more $$$)

Red Angus

Hereford

Horned Herefords originated in England - Polled Herefords were first bred in the USA Red body with white face and usually other white marking on the legs and belly can be horned (with horns) or polled Hardy, adaptable to harsh cold climate Early maturing (but not very good at marbling Work well for cross-breeding

Shorthorn

Originated in England Can be red, white, or roan (mix of white and another color) in color Can be horned or polled Dual purpose breed - can be used for milk and meat Noted for maternal ability more docile than any other breed; excellent disposition

Charolais

Originated from France White in color Can be horned or polled Heavily muscled Considered a bull breed - because they add weight through muscle Heavy birth weights Late maturing – larger carcass weight

Simmental

Originated from Switzerland Can be either yellow/red with white or black with white In the US we tend to breed more for black and white (US likes black colored hides) Was originally dual purpose, now used mainly as a beef breed Larger mature size – increased input = increased output (good for VA because of forage)

Limousin

Originated in France Can be either golden or black in color Can be horned or polled High weight gain = excellent cutability Late maturing

Gelbvieh

Originated in Austria and Germany Golden colored Can be horned or polled Developed as a dual-purpose breed Excellent maternal traits High birth weights Late maturing

Salers

Originated in France Dark red in color Typically have a longer, shaggy haircoat Horned

Chianina

Originated in Italy (Chiana Valley-Tuscany) White to steel gray in color with black points (nose, legs) One of the oldest breeds - used as models for Roman sculpture Horned Extremely large frame Low milk production Terminal breed

Brahman

Originated in India Various colors, but greys and browns are predominant Characteristic hump over shoulder, large droopy ears, and lots of excess skin under neck Bos Indicus breed of cattle (not Bos Taurus) Heat and parasite resistance (big advantage) Low birth weights Undesirable carcass traits (big disadvantage)

Brangus

Developed in USA Cross of Brahman (3/8) and Angus (5/8) Almost always black and polled Breed to get the good meat characteristics of the Angus with the heat tolerance of the Brahman

Braford

Developed in the USA Cross of Hereford and Brahman cattle Generally have coat pattern of Hereford with Brahmans’ excess skin Can be horned or polled

Beefmaster

Developed in the USA 3 way cross between Hereford (1/4), Shorthorn (1/4), and Brahman (1/2) Selected for ability to grow well under range conditions (out in LARGE areas of land, means they must be able to grow well without additional feed and little extra care)

Longhorn

Originated in the USA Generally multicolored Characteristic long horns Bred historically for meat and trail drive to market Now bred mainly as a hobby (roping cattle, for their horns) Poor meat quality High fertility

Sheep Breeds Rambouillet Dorset Suffolk Hampshire Lincoln

Rambouillet Ewe breed (Maternal) Good herding instinct Large and hardy White, small horizontal ears Rams horned Medium length wool Large wool cap

Dorset Medium length wool Dual Breed (milking, meat) White, Horizontal ears Small wool cap Horned/Polled

Suffolk Large, with short wool Ram breed (tall, meaty, good carcass) Droopy ears

Hampshire Medium Length wool Ram Breed Black face, white wool Large Droopy ears Prone to wool blindness

Lincoln Dual purpose breed Black nose Small wool cap Long wool Erect ears Fairly good carcass

Swine Breeds Yorkshire Landrace Chester White Duroc Hampshire Spotted Swine or Spots

Yorkshire Good Mothering White Erect Ears

Landrace White Long Floppy ears Good Mothering

Chester White White Medium Droopy ears Good Mothering

Duroc Red Good carcass Females - poor milking ability Drooped ears

Hampshire Black and white, belted Good carcass Erect ears Poor libido

Spotted Swine or Spots Black and white spots Droopy ears Aggressive

ANY QUESTIONS???