Breeds & Origins
Originating in Scotland, this solid black beef cattle breed is known for producing high-quality marbled meat.
What is Angus (or Black Angus)?
When cattle get a bad cold that makes them cough and run a fever, farmers call it "traveling" sickness.
What is Shipping Fever (or Bovine Respiratory Disease)?
Since chickens don't have teeth, they swallow tiny rocks and store them in this tough organ to chew up seeds.
What is a gizzard?
Mating two animals of totally different breeds—like a Lab and a Poodle—to get the best traits from both is called this.
What is crossbreeding?
This is the primary component of milk, making up roughly 87% of cow's milk by weight.
What is water?
This black-and-white dairy cow breed from the Netherlands produces the highest volume of milk of any dairy breed.
What is Holstein-Friesian (or Holstein)?
This is the word horse owners use when a horse has a terrible bellyache, usually from drinking too little water or eating bad food.
What is colic?
Animals like cows, sheep, and goats get this group name because they have four compartments in their stomach to process grass.
What are ruminants?
An animal is called this if both of its parents belong to the exact same breed and have official paperwork.
What is a purebred?
A young female dairy cow that has not yet given birth to her first calf is called this.
What is a heifer?
This reddish-brown pig breed with floppy ears was created in America and is famous for growing fast and making lean meat.
What is a Duroc?
This painful bacterial infection makes a milk cow's udder swollen and sore, making her milk turn lumpy.
What is mastitis?
Pigs and horses have simple, single-room stomachs just like humans do, which is known by this scientific name.
What is a monogastric stomach?
Keeping a newly bought farm animal separated in its own pen for 30 days so it doesn't pass germs to the rest of the herd is called this.
What is quarantine?
This specialist professional diagnoses, treats, and prevents illnesses and injuries in farm livestock.
What is a veterinarian (or large animal vet)?
Originating in Spain, this fine-wool sheep breed produces extremely soft, high-quality fleece used in clothing.
What is Merino?
Often called "lockjaw," farm animals get this dangerous nerve infection when dirty rust or soil gets into a deep cut.
What is tetanus?
In a cow's belly, this huge, main chamber acts like a giant mixing bowl where micro-bugs break down tough plant fibers.
What is the rumen?
Farmers use this tool to start a pregnancy without needing the male and female animal in the same barn.
What is artificial insemination (or AI)?
This heat-treatment process kills harmful bacteria in raw milk to make it safe for consumer purchase.
What is pasteurization?
Known for high milk production, this dairy goat breed originated in the Swiss Alps and is recognized by its erect ears.
What is Saanen (or Alpine)?
Swine producers work hard to keep their barns clean to avoid this severe viral illness, which causes severe breathing trouble and high fever in pigs.
What is PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome)?
Horses can eat a lot of grass even without a four-part stomach because plant fiber breaks down inside this large organ after the small intestine.
What is the cecum?
Mixed-breed animals are often healthier, stronger, and grow faster than purebreds thanks to this special two-word effect (also called hybrid vigor).
What is heterosis?
This dairy term refers to a female cow or goat that is pregnant and nearing the start of her next lactation cycle.
What is a springer?