Livestock, Poultry and Grain Cattle Terms

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A 
  
AgedCows that are over 8 years old.
  
B 
  
Base PricePrice paid for livestock before application of any premiums or discounts, expressed in dollars per hundred weight. [1]
  
Basis LevelThe agreed upon adjustment to a futures price to establish the final price paid for livestock.[1]
  
BonerSlaughter cows expected to yield carcasses in the range of 80-85% lean. Typically a cow with between .15-.35 inches of backfat at the 12th rib.
  
Brahman XComment used to identify cattle that possess a noticeable degree of the Brahman breed influence, usually 1/4 blood or greater.
  
BreakerSlaughter cows expected to yield carcasses in the range of 75-80% lean. Typically a cow with more than .35 inch of backfat at the 12th rib.
  
Broken MouthAged cows that have one or more teeth missing.
  
BullA mature (approximately 24 months of age or older) uncastrated, male bovine. However, for the purpose of these standards, any mature, castrated, male bovine which has developed or begun to develop the secondary physical characteristics of an uncastrated male also will be considered a bull.
  
BullockA young (under approximately 24 months of age) male bovine (castrated or uncastrated) that has developed or begun to develop the secondary physical characteristics of a bull.
  
C

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CalvesComment used to differentiate between calves and yearlings weighing over 600 lbs. even when similar weights and grades are selling at or near the same price level. The weight division between calves and yearlings for market reporting purposes is 600 pounds. No comment is required on calves weighing less than 600 pounds, but all calves weighing more than 600 pounds must be identified as calves.
  
Canadian OriginUsed to identify cattle of Canadian origin on market reports.
  
Carcass CharacteristicsRange and average carcass weight in pounds, the quality and yield grade (if applicable), and the average dressing percentage.[1]
  
Cattle CommittedCattle that are scheduled to be delivered to the packer.[1]
  
Cattle DeliveredCattle that have been delivered to the packing plant for slaughter.[1]
  
Confidentiality GuidelineIn order for Livestock Mandatory reports to be published they must meet the 3/70/20 confidentiality guideline which states that in order for a report (regional or national) to be published, at least 3 companies have to submit data 50% of the time or more over a 60-day period. No one company can account for 70% or more of the cumulative market volume for any report over a 60-day period. In cases where only one company submits data for individual reports, the same company can not be the sole reporting entity more than 20% of the time during a 60-day period.
  
CowA female bovine that has developed through reproduction or with age, the relatively prominent hips, large middle, and other physical characteristics typical of mature females.
  
CME Settlement PriceLivestock products are settled to the midpoint of the trades or the last valid price in the pit (including trades, higher bids, lower offers, or nominal close based on prior settle if no activity) between 12:59:30-13:00:00 CT.
  
D 
  
DeliveredPrice of a trade including freight overages.
  
DiscountAdjustment, expressed in dollars per hundred weight, subtracted from the base price due to weight, quality characteristics, yield characteristics, livestock class, dark cutting, breed, dressing percentage, or other factors.[1]
  
F

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FancyUsed to identify cattle on market reports that typically sell at a premium, cattle denoted with this comment possess superior genetics or other known factors that allow for a higher price to be paid.
  
FleshyTypical fleshy feeder cattle are beginning to show moderate fat deposits in the cod, flanks, brisket, and around the tail head. The rib bones and hooks and pins in the pelvic region are barely visible if distinguishable at all. The animal has a smooth appearance including, the curvature over the loin. Feeder cattle fleshier than typical may have fat cover more associated with slaughter cattle and show indications of being on a silage and/or grain ration. Fleshy cattle often sell at a discount, due to the expected weight loss upon change of environment.
  
F.O.B.Free on board, regardless of the mode of transportation, at the point of direct shipment by the seller to the buyer (e.g. F.O.B Feedyard).[1]
  
Formula Marketing ArrangementAdvance commitment of cattle for slaughter using a method for calculating price. For slaughter cattle the base price is not negotiated but is based on some other price (such as plant average or weighted average price) or value determining mechanism that may or may not be known at the time the deal is struck. The final net price is determined after application of premiums and discounts.[1]
  
Forward ContractAn agreement for the purchase of cattle, executed in advance of slaughter, under which the base price is established by reference to prices quoted on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. In regards to slaughter cattle, premiums and discounts may be applied to the forward contract base price in order to determine the final net price.[1]
  
FullUsed to identify cattle on market reports that exhibit excessive fill (water/hay weight). Cattle have the appearance of disproportionally large mid-section (belly). Typically full cattle sell at a discount.
  
G 
  
GauntUsed to identify cattle on market reports that are emaciated (expressing the lack of fill). Typically gaunt cattle sell at a premium.
  
Guaranteed OpenComment used to identify heifers that are guaranteed open (not bred) by the seller.
  
H 
  
HeiferA young female bovine that has not had her first calf.
  
HeiferetteA female bovine, 2 ½ years old or younger that exhibits cow characteristics, that has not had her first calf or recently lost her first calf.
  
I

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InferiorCattle which suffer from disease, parasitism, severe emaciation, or any condition that must be corrected before they can be expected to perform normally, are considered unthrifty and graded U.S. Inferior. Double-muscled cattle are also graded U.S. Inferior because they do not deposit marbling normally.
  
L 
  
LeanSlaughter cows expected to yield carcasses in the range of 85+% lean. Typically a cow with less than .15 inch of backfat at the 12th rib.
  
LoadComment used for video auction and direct reporting to segregate sales that are full semi load lots.
  
M 
  
Mexican OriginUsed to identify cattle of Mexican origin on market reports.
  
N 
  
NegotiatedCash or spot market purchase by a producer of livestock to a packer under which the price for the livestock is determined by seller-buyer interaction. The livestock are usually scheduled for delivery to the packer not more than 14 days after the date on which the livestock are committed to a packer. However for slaughter cattle, delivery can be extended up to 30 days.[1]
  
Negotiated GridAgreement under which the base price for the livestock is determined by buyer-seller interaction. The livestock are usually scheduled for delivery within 14 days. The final net price will be determined after application of premiums and discounts to the net price.[1]
  
Net PricePrice paid for livestock after application of any premiums or discounts, expressed in dollars per hundred weight.[1]
  
P 
  
Packer OwnedCattle that a packer owns for at least 14 days immediately before slaughter.[1]
  
Per HeadComment used to denote cattle that were sold a per head basis, instead of being sold on a per cwt. basis. Per head basis selling usually occurs when quoting replacement or bred females.
  
R 
  
ReplacementComment used to describe mature cows or heifers that are being purchased to be placed in a cow/calf operation.
  
S

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Source VerifiedTerm used to describe cattle that qualify for a Process Verified Program (PVP) or Quality System Assessment.
  
T 
  
Thin FleshedTypical thin feeder cattle are angular in appearance. Their rib bones and the hooks and pins in the pelvic region are plainly visible. There is also a definite ridge formed by the dorsal processes in the short loin region. Various regions of the body such as the round, loin, rib cage, shoulder, etc. are plainly visible, and the muscular nomenclature is easily distinguishable. There is no evidence of smoothness associated with fat deposits. Thin cattle have a loss of flesh to the point that they are showing signs of muscle loss. These cattle often sell at a premium, because of compensatory gain (the expected efficient and speedy weight gain experienced when these cattle are given a proper ration).
  
V 
  
VaccinatedTerm used to describe cattle that have received a known vaccination regiment, usually part of a total pre-conditioning program.
  
Value AddedUsed to identify cattle on market reports that typically sell at a premium, cattle denoted with this comment have a combination of several of following quantifiers: source and aged verified, all-natural, non-hormone treated, a known vaccination program, being weaned more than 30 days, or superior genetics.
  
W 
  
WeanedTerm used to describe feeders that have been weaned for an extended period of time (typically 30+ days). Feeders that are described as weaned typically bring a significant premium over those that are not weaned or that have been weaned for just a short time.
  
Y

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YearlingsYearlings are cattle that are 12 months of age. Market reporters usually do not know the exact age of the cattle and must rely on the physical appearance of the animal to determine the age or in the case of direct cattle the information provided by the contact. The weight division between calves and yearlings for market reporting purposes is 600 pounds. No comment is required on yearlings weighing more than 600 pounds, but all yearlings weighing less than 600 pounds must be identified as yearlings.
  
YoungReplacement cows that are 4 years old or less that have had at least one calf.
  

 


    1.  LMR denotes definitions derived from Livestock Mandatory Reporting regulations, found in sections 59.30 and 59.100 of the Federal Register.