Livestock glossary

Rumen

The largest compartment of the cow’s four-chambered stomach, where feed is fermented by microorganisms.

Reticulum (honeycomb)

The second stomach compartment, connected to the rumen. Heavy objects settle between the rumen and the reticulum.

Rumen bolus (reticulo-rumen bolus)

A sensor given to the cow orally by a veterinarian that stays in the rumen and continuously measures data such as body temperature and activity.

Oestrus (heat)

The period when the cow accepts mounting. The cycle averages 21 days; standing heat usually lasts 8–18 hours.

Silent heat

An oestrus with weak signs that is hard to detect by eye.

Artificial insemination (AI)

The transfer of semen collected from a selected bull into the cow at the right time.

Calving interval

The time between two consecutive calvings of a cow. Missed heats lengthen this interval.

Gestation length

In cattle, about 283 days on average (roughly 9.5 months).

Lactation

The period after calving during which the cow produces milk.

Dry period

The rest period before the next calving during which the cow is not milked.

Mastitis

Inflammation of the udder tissue; one of the most common diseases reducing milk quality and yield.

Metritis

Infection of the uterus in the days after calving; often accompanied by fever.

Ketosis

A metabolic disease caused by an energy deficit after calving; appetite and yield drop.

Heat stress

The cow’s inability to regulate its body temperature due to high temperature and humidity; feed intake, milk yield and fertility decline.

THI (temperature-humidity index)

An index that combines temperature and humidity into a single number to indicate the level of heat stress.

Body condition score (BCS)

An assessment of the cow’s fat reserves, usually scored from 1 to 5.

Lameness

Abnormal gait caused by foot and leg problems; reduces movement and yield.

Rumination (cud chewing)

Bringing swallowed feed back up into the mouth and chewing it again; a sign of healthy digestion.

Withdrawal period

The statutory waiting period after drug treatment during which milk or meat may not be supplied for consumption.

Precision livestock farming

Continuous, individual monitoring of every animal using sensors, software and artificial intelligence.

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