Dairy TerminologyDairy Terminology

By John WallaceBy John Wallace

CalfCalf

Newly born cowNewly born cow

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ColostrumColostrum

The first milk secreted after calving. The first milk secreted after calving. Higher in total solids than normal milk.Higher in total solids than normal milk. Helps create a healthy immune system. Helps create a healthy immune system.

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Babcock TestBabcock Test

Traditional method of measuring the Traditional method of measuring the butterfat content of milk, which may be used butterfat content of milk, which may be used for calibrating modern electronic testing for calibrating modern electronic testing devices.devices.

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California MastitisCalifornia Mastitis Test Test

An inflammation of the mammary gland An inflammation of the mammary gland usually caused by bacteriausually caused by bacteria

A mastitis screening test useful for A mastitis screening test useful for determining the somatic cell content in milk. determining the somatic cell content in milk. A reagent is required to react with nuclear A reagent is required to react with nuclear material of cells present in milk to form a material of cells present in milk to form a gel.gel.

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CWTCWT CwtCwt. Hundredweight or 100 pounds of milk . Hundredweight or 100 pounds of milk

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Days in MilkDays in Milk The number of days during the The number of days during the

present lactation that the cow has been present lactation that the cow has been milking, beginning with the last date of milking, beginning with the last date of calving to the current test date calving to the current test date

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Dry cowDry cow + + Dry dateDry date

Any cow that has calved once and is not Any cow that has calved once and is not producing milk producing milk

First calendar day the cow is not milked First calendar day the cow is not milked

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FreemartinFreemartin

Female born twin to a bull calf (about 9 out Female born twin to a bull calf (about 9 out of 10 of these will not conceive). A sterile of 10 of these will not conceive). A sterile heifer born twin with a bull.heifer born twin with a bull.

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FreshenFreshen

Commonly used to designate the act of Commonly used to designate the act of calving (parturition); to give birth to a calf calving (parturition); to give birth to a calf and concurrently initiate lactation.and concurrently initiate lactation.

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FreshFresh

A cow that has recently given birth to a calf. A cow that has recently given birth to a calf.

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HeiferHeifer A bovine female less than three years of A bovine female less than three years of

age who has not borne a calf. Young cows age who has not borne a calf. Young cows with their first calves are sometimes called with their first calves are sometimes called first-calf heifers first-calf heifers

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LactateLactate To secrete or produce milk To secrete or produce milk

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Nurse cowNurse cow A dairy cow used to supply milk for nursing A dairy cow used to supply milk for nursing

calves, commonly other than her own calves, commonly other than her own

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OxytocinOxytocin

A naturally secreted hormone A naturally secreted hormone that is important in milk letdown that is important in milk letdown and the contraction of smooth and the contraction of smooth uterine muscles during uterine muscles during parturition. parturition.

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ReferencesReferences

www.holstein.ca www.holstein.ca www.animal-lib.org.au www.animal-lib.org.au news.nationalgeographic.com news.nationalgeographic.com rwqp.rutgers.edu rwqp.rutgers.edu www.obriencounty.com www.obriencounty.com www.nctc.net www.nctc.net www.ddgs.umn.edu www.ddgs.umn.edu

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