T 

TDN See total digestible nutrients. 
TMR Total mixed ration. See complete ration. 
TMS See total milk solids. 
Take To accept a male in coitus. Also a lay term meaning to become pregnant. 
Take-off See Automatic take-off. 
Tanbark trail A term often associated with those who exhibit animals in competition at fairs and livestock shows. 
Tankerload In milk collection and distribution, large quantities of milk in a large stainless steel tank borne on a transport truck--the method of transporting milk.
Tattoo A method of permanent identification to be crossreferenced with visible identification. Permanent ink used with tattoo numbers creates a lifetime record of identification in the ears of dairy cattle.
Teat A small protuberance or appendage on the udder, through which milk from the udder flows. 
Teat meatus Small canal located in the end of each teat; also called a streak canal. 
Term The gestation period. 
Tertiary waste treatment Usually, the final treatment of waste water to reduce pollution potential or health hazard allowing discharge into bodies of water. Not economically practical with animal manure waste waters.
Test To evaluate the producing ability of a lactating animal; to determine the percentages of various components of milk, such as milk fat; to examine the blood of an animal for specific pathogens.
Test interval The interval, in days, between successive DHI tests. As a routine procedure, a test interval shall not consist of less than 15, or more than 45 days. For Official DHI/DHIR records, the test interval shall not exceed 75 days.
Tester One who weighs, samples, and tests milk. Also called a test supervisor. 
Tetany A condition in an animal in which there are localized, spasmodic muscular contractions. 
Tether To tie an animal with a rope or chain to allow grazing but prevent straying. 
Thyroprotein See Iodinated casein 
Time recording device/monitor A mechanical/electronic device that automatically monitors the interval between milkings. The time is expressed in hours plus minutes, and the device must display the starting and ending time of the previous milking.
Times milked Cows are normally milked twice per day with records being labeled 2x; however, cows may be milked more frequently (3x, 4x, etc.).
Titer The quantity of a substance required to produce a reaction with a given volume of another substance, or the amount of one substance required to correspond with a given amount of another substance. Agglutination titer is the highest dilution of a serum that causes clumping of bacteria.
Toe out To walk with the feet pointed outward. Also called splay-footed. 
Total digestible nutrients (TDN) A standard evaluation of the nutritional merit of a particular feed for farm animals which includes all the digestible organic nutrients--protein, fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and lipids.
Total milk solids (TMS) Primarily milk fat, proteins, lactose, and minerals. 
Toxins The poisons produced by certain microorganisms. They are products of cell metabolism. The symptoms of bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, botulism, and staphylococcal food poisoning, are caused by toxins.
Toxoid A denatured toxin. It retains the ability to stimulate the formation of antitoxin in an animal's body. 
Trade barriers Rules and regulations that hamper the trade of commodities. Tariffs, fees for imported goods and import limits or quotas are barriers to trade.
Type The physical conformation of an animal. 
Type classification A program sponsored by breed associations whereby a registered animal's conformation may be compared with the "ideal" or "true" type animal of that breed by an official inspector (classifier).