Maharashtra HSC Animal Science & Dairying (Bifocal) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Animal husbandry

The science and practice of breeding, feeding, housing, health care and economic use of farm animals for milk, meat, wool, eggs, draught power and manure.

Zero grazing

A stall-feeding system in which green fodder is harvested and carried to animals kept in sheds, so animals never graze. It suits land-scarce peri-urban dairy farming.

Livestock census

A nationwide count of livestock and poultry conducted every five years in India, recording species, breed, age and sex, used for planning and policy decisions.

Dental formula of cattle

Adult cattle have 32 teeth: upper jaw has no incisors or canines but a dental pad; lower jaw has 6 incisors and 2 canines; each side has 6 premolars and 6 molars.

Body condition score

A 1-5 scale for cattle and buffalo assessed by palpating loin, ribs, hip and tail head, where 1 is emaciated, 5 is obese and 3 to 3.5 is ideal for milch animals.

Withers

The highest point of the back, located between the shoulders at the base of the neck. It is used as a reference for measuring animal height.

Murrah buffalo

The highest-yielding Indian buffalo breed, black in colour with tightly curled horns, deep body and heavy milk yield. It is widely used for upgrading local buffaloes.

Jersey breed

A small, fawn to brown exotic dairy cattle breed known for early maturity, high milk fat content and efficient feed conversion, widely used in Indian crossbreeding programmes.

Ear tagging

A permanent identification method in which a numbered plastic or metal tag is fixed to the ear using a punch and applicator, allowing individual animal records to be maintained.

Silage

Green fodder chaffed and compacted in an airtight pit so that anaerobic fermentation produces lactic acid, preserving the fodder for lean periods with good palatability.

Balanced ration

A feed mixture supplying energy, protein, minerals and vitamins in the correct proportion and quantity to meet an animal's requirement for maintenance and production.

Dry matter intake

The total feed consumed by an animal after removing moisture, usually about two to three percent of body weight daily in cattle and buffalo under normal conditions.

Colostrum

The first yellowish thick milk secreted after calving, rich in antibodies, vitamin A and minerals. It must be fed to the newborn calf within the first hour of life.

Steaming up

Gradual increase of concentrate feeding in the last two to three weeks before calving, preparing the animal for higher nutrient demand and peak milk yield after calving.

Dry period

The non-lactating interval of about sixty days before calving, during which the udder rests and regenerates and the animal is treated for mastitis and parasites.

Lactometer

A hydrometer used to measure the specific gravity of milk, normally 1.026 to 1.032 for cow milk. Lower readings indicate added water or skim milk.

Gerber fat test

A method of estimating milk fat by digesting milk with sulphuric acid and amyl alcohol in a butyrometer, centrifuging, and reading the fat percentage on the calibrated scale.

Pasteurisation

A heat treatment of milk, either 63 degrees Celsius for thirty minutes or 72 degrees Celsius for fifteen seconds, which destroys disease-causing bacteria and improves keeping quality.

Oestrous cycle

The recurring reproductive cycle in female cattle and buffalo, about twenty-one days long, during which the animal shows heat and ovulates if not already pregnant.

Artificial insemination

Deposition of diluted, preserved semen from a proven bull into the female reproductive tract using instruments, avoiding the need to keep a bull on the farm.

Gestation period

The duration of pregnancy from conception to calving, about 280 to 285 days in cows, 305 to 310 days in buffaloes, 150 days in goats and 148 days in sheep.

Mastitis

Inflammation of the udder caused mainly by bacterial infection, shown by a hot swollen quarter, clotted milk and reduced yield. It is detected by strip cup and CMT tests.

Bloat

Abnormal accumulation of gas in the rumen causing left flank distension and discomfort. First aid includes walking the animal, antifoaming drench or stomach tube.

Milk fever

A metabolic disease around calving caused by low blood calcium, with muscle tremors, recumbency and cold ears. It is treated by slow intravenous calcium borogluconate.

Foot-and-mouth disease

A highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals causing fever, vesicles on the mouth and feet, salivation and lameness. It is controlled mainly by vaccination.

Brooding temperature

The warmth provided to young chicks, starting near 32 to 34 degrees Celsius in the first week and reduced by about 2 to 3 degrees each subsequent week.

Feed conversion ratio

The ratio of feed consumed to weight gain or eggs produced. A lower value means the animal converts feed into product more efficiently and profitably.

Deep litter system

A poultry housing method where birds are kept on a floor covered with absorbent material such as paddy husk or sawdust, which is stirred and replaced periodically.

Three-tier dairy cooperative

The Indian dairy cooperative structure with village dairy cooperative societies at the base, district milk unions in the middle and the state milk federation at the top.

Gross margin

Gross income from milk, manure and calves minus variable costs such as feed, medicine and casual labour. Fixed costs are not deducted in this calculation.

Break-even point

The level of milk production or sales at which total revenue exactly equals total cost, so the enterprise makes neither profit nor loss at that output.

Cost of milk production

Total annual cost of feed, labour, depreciation, veterinary care and interest divided by total litres of milk produced, giving the cost per litre.