B

Babcock test Traditional method of measuring the butterfat content of milk, which may be used for calibrating modern electronic testing devices.
Bactericide An agent or substance capable of destroying bacteria. 
Bacterin A suspension of killed or attenuated bacteria (vaccine) used to increase disease resistance. 
Bacteriostatic Describes a substance that prevents the growth of bacteria but does not kill them. 
Bag See udder. 
Balanced ration The daily food allowance of an animal, mixed to include suitable proportions of nutrients required for normal health, growth, production, and well-being. A ration containing all the dietary requirements to meet the purpose for which it is being fed.
Bang's disease see Brucellosis. 
Baled hay Forage that has been compressed into a bale (round or rectangular) to save space in storage and aid in handling. 
Barnsheet The prelisted sheet used in the DHI system for collection and input of DHI data and information at the farm.
Barren Sterile, infertile, nonbreeder, incapable, of producing offspring. Also, open or not pregnant. 
Basal metabolism (BM) The chemical changes that occur in the cells of an animal in the fasting or resting state when it uses just enough energy to maintain vital cellular activity, respiration, and circulation as measured by the basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Base-excess pricing A system of pricing grade A milk whereby the quantity of milk delivered by each producer during base-forming months (usually October through December) becomes the quantity eligible for the Class I price. The excess (surplus) is paid for only at the Class II or Class III
price.
BASIC A simplified, inexpensive testing plan to provide basic management information to dairy farmers. Since basic plans involve owner sampling and recording, Official DHI Rules need not be followed.
Beefy (beefiness) A term used to designate the desirable physical conformation of a beef animal, as contrasted with a dairy animal which is trimmer (not beefy) and more angular.
Bleat The vocal sound made by a goat. 
Blend price The price paid producers for market milk when classified pricing is used. The blend price is an average of class prices weighted by the quantity of milk used in each class. See classified pricing.
Blind quarter A quarter of an udder that does not secrete milk or one that has an obstruction in the teat which prevents the removal of milk. A nonfunctional mammary gland.
Bloat A disorder of ruminants usually characterized by an accumulation of gas in the rumen. 
Blood plasma The liquid portion of blood in which the corpuscles of blood cells are suspended. 
Bloom A term commonly used to describe the beauty and freshness of a cow in early lactation. A dairy cow in bloom has a smooth hair coat and presents evidence of milking ability (dairy character).
BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) An indirect measure of the concentration of biodegradable substances in an aqueous solution. The degradation of organic matter uses up dissolved oxygen.
Bolus Regurgitated food that has been chewed and is ready to be swallowed; a large pill for dosing animals. 
Bone meal Animal bones that were steamed under pressure and then ground. It contains 1.5 to 2.5 percent nitrogen, 12 to 15 percent phosphorus, and 20 to 34 percent calcium. It is used as a fertilizer and as a mineral supplement for feeding farm animals.
Bovine Pertaining to the ox or cow. 
Bovine Growth Hormone (See BST or Somatotropin) 
Bran The seed coat of wheat and other cereal grains which is separated from flour and used as animal food. 
Breed Animals having a common origin and characteristics that distinguish them from other groups within the same species. 
Breed average The average milk production of cows for a given dairy breed. 
Breeding value (genetic value) The genetic ability or merit of an animal for a given trait, for example, secreting milk. One-half of this genetic ability is transmitted to offspring.
British breeds Those native to Great Britain, such as Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorn. 
Broad-spectrum antibiotic An antibiotic that is active against a large number of microbial species. 
Broken udder A term sometimes used to indicate an udder that is pendulous and loosely attached. 
Bronopol A noncorrosive milk preservative. 
Browse Small, woody plants with fedder shoots used as feed by goats, sheep, and cattle. 
Brucellosis Contagious abortion in beef and dairy cattle, caused by Brucella abortus. 
BST (bovine somatotropin) A complex, biologically active protein secreted by the pituitary gland. It stimulates body cell growth and milk production available as a synthetically produced product for use in cattle. Sometimes called "growth hormone" or BGH.
Buck A sexually mature male goat. 
Bulk milk Milk stored on the farm in a tank (or tanks), as compared with that stored in cans. 
Bulk milk tank A refrigerated stainless steel vessel in which milk is cooled quickly to 2 to 4øC. (35 to 39øF.) and stored until picked up in a bulk tank truck.
Bull A sexually mature uncastrated bovine male. 
Bulling A cow in heat (estrus). 
Butterfat see milk fat. 
Buttermilks There are two kinds of buttermilk. Natural buttermilk is the by-product of churning cream into butter. Cultured buttermilk is usually made from skim milk by adding a starter culture and incubating until lactic acid develops to about 0.8 percent. Salt is usually added to accentuate
the flavor.