Barnyard Vo"cow"bulary

Bovine - a term for large hoofed animals such as buffalo, yaks and cows, of course. Read about life on a dairy farm and some cool cows in our Bovine Bugle Blog.

Bulk Tank - A large refrigerated storage tank that holds fresh cows’ milk. As cows are milked, the milk travels though the milking machine and pipes in the barn to a bulk tank. Milk trucks pick up milk from the farms every other day and bring it to a processing plant.

Bull - male cattle

Butterfat - also known as milkfat, this is the natural, fatty portion of milk. 

Calf - a young heifer (female cattle) or bull (male cattle)

Cattle - cows, bulls steers, heifers and calves

Compost - Soil fertilizer made with manure, leaves, sawdust, grass clippings, soil and water.

Cow - the mature female of cattle

Cud - Partially digested food that is regurgitated from a cow’s rumen (stomach) into its mouth to be chewed again. A cow can spend 10 hours a day chewing her cud.

Culled from the Herd - term used when a cow has been sold to market for beef.

Dam - the mother of a calf

Dry Cow - a cow who is not producing milk

Dry Period (dried off) - the time during which the cow does not produce milk. Typically for the last two months before a cow is due to freshen (give birth), a farmer will stop milking her. This allows the cow to relax her body and build up strength for the upcoming birth.

Forage - Cow feed that is high in fiber and low in nutrients such as corn stalks, oat, barley or wheat grains, legumes and grasses. 

Freestall Barn - A building that provides farm animals with a clean, dry, comfortable resting area and easy access to food and water. Cows that are housed in freestall barns are not restrained and are free to enter, lie down and leave the barn whenever they choose.

Freshen - the term used when a cow gives birth to a calf

Grain – A mixture of dried seeds from a variety of grasses.

Graze/Grazing - When cattle are sent to pasture and eat the ground cover.

Hay - Dried feed such as rye, alfalfa, clover, grass and oats. Hay is then gathered by a piece of farm machinery called a baler that processes it into rectangle or round bales.

Heifer -  young cow who has not yet given birth to a calf

Herd - A group of cows on a dairy farm. Cows are often placed into herds with other cows their age or milking status such as dry cows and heifers.

Holstein - A black and white breed of dairy cattle known for having the highest milk production. Holsteins are the most popular dairy breed.

Jersey - A breed of dairy cattle known for the high butterfat content of their milk. Jersey cows are smaller than other breeds and are known for their big eyes, honey-brown color and gentle nature. Stonyfield’s mascot Gurt is a Jersey cow.

Lactation Period - the time during which a cow produces milk. Lactation begins for the cow after the birth of her calf and usually lasts 305 days.

Manure - Cow droppings, used as fertilizer because of the helpful bacteria and nutrients it contains.

Mastitis - An inflammation of a dairy cow’s milk ducts/utter.

Milking Parlor - A special area on a dairy farm where cows are milked.   

Organic Farming - Organic refers to the way agricultural products- food and fiber- are grown and processed. Organic farming methods rely on a healthy rich soil to produce strong plants that resist pests and diseases. Toxic, persistent pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not allowed. In the case of livestock such as dairy cows, antibiotics and artificial hormones are prohibited, opting instead for preventative measures for keeping animals healthy and productive. Click here to learn more about organic.

Pasture - Land that is covered in different types of grass or legumes. On a dairy farm, pastures are used for grazing dairy cows.

Roughage - Term used for high fiber plants such as fruits, legumes, vegetables and whole grains.

Runoff - Water from rain, snowmelt or other sources that flow over the land surface and are a major component of the water cycle. Dairy farms take measures to control the amount of runoff from their farms through the use of drainage systems and retention ponds.

Silage - Fermented, high-moisture feed for dairy cows that’s made from corn and grass crops.

Silo – A tall storage facility on farms that holds food for animals.

Sire - the father of a calf

Teat - The part of a cow’s udder that the milk comes out of. Dairy cows commonly have four teats.

Udder - a sac hanging from the underside of the cow's belly between and in front of the hind legs which holds the cow's milk