CATTLE: Definitions of Use Class | GANADO
BEEF CATTLE
Beef or dairy breeds of cattle that are intended for meat production for human consumption or to produce offspring (beef) that will produce meat intended for human consumption.A. Beef Calves
Pre-ruminating (2 months old or less) and ruminating beef breeds dependent upon their dam for nourishment.
Formerly referred to as "suckling" beef calves, beef calves exclude veal calves.
B. Beef Steers
Weaned castrated male cattle (beef and dairy breeds) intended for slaughter, housed in any setting and receiving their diet from any source.
- Growing Beef Steers on Pasture (stocker, feeder, and slaughter) Weaned growing beef and dairy breeds maintained on pasture and receiving the majority of their diet from grazing.
- Stockers - Weaned calves grazing pasture to enhance growth prior to finishing and slaughter; they are usually younger, weigh less, and are of lower condition (finish) than “feeders.”
- Feeders - Weaned calves grazing pasture and of sufficient weight and maturity to be placed on high-energy rations for finishing; they are generally older, weigh more, and carry more condition (finish) than stockers.
- Slaughter Cattle - Cattle grazing on pasture and suitable for slaughter. Sex differentiation (e.g., heifers, steers and/or bulls) should be indicated on product labeling.
- Growing Beef Steers in a Dry Lot Weaned growing beef and dairy steers which receive the majority of their diet from harvested forage (possibly with a supplement).
- Growing Beef Steers Fed in Confinement for Slaughter Weaned growing and finishing beef steers (including dairy breeds) confined in group pens and fed a high-energy diet ad libitum until slaughter. Also referred to as "feedlot" cattle.
- Growing Beef Steers in a grow yard - Cattle confined to pens prior to finishing stage. Also known as starter yards.
C. Beef Heifers
Weaned female beef cattle intended for breeding (beef breeds) or slaughter (beef and dairy breeds) that have not yet calved, housed in any setting and receiving their diet from any source.
- Replacement Beef Heifers Weaned female beef heifers intended only for breeding to produce calves for meat production. If reproductive safety is not evaluated, an age restriction of less than 1 year will apply.
- Replacement Beef Heifers on Pasture - weaned replacement beef heifers maintained on pasture and receiving the majority of their diet from grazing.
- Growing Beef Heifers on Pasture (stocker, feeder, and slaughter) Weaned growing beef and dairy breeds maintained on pasture and receiving the majority of their diet from grazing.
- Stockers - Weaned calves grazing pasture to enhance growth prior to finishing and slaughter; they are usually younger, weigh less, and are of lower condition (finish) than “feeders.”
- Feeders - Weaned calves grazing pasture and of sufficient weight and maturity to be placed on high-energy rations for finishing; they are generally older, weigh more, and carry more condition (finish) than stockers.
- Slaughter Cattle - Cattle grazing on pasture and suitable for slaughter. Sex differentiation (e.g., heifers, steers and/or bulls) should be indicated on product labeling.
- Growing Beef Heifers in a Dry Lot Weaned growing beef and dairy steers which receive the majority of their diet from harvested forage (possibly with a supplement).
- Growing Beef Steers Fed in Confinement for Slaughter Weaned growing and finishing beef steers(including dairy breeds) confined in group pens and fed a high-energy diet ad libitum until slaughter. Also referred to as "feedlot" cattle.
- Growing Beef Heifers in a grow yard - Cattle confined to pens prior to finishing stage. Also known as starter yards.
D. Beef Bulls
Weaned intact male beef cattle intended for breeding (beef breeds) or slaughter (beef and dairy breeds), housed in any setting and receiving their diet from any source.
- Beef Bulls Intended for Breeding
- Beef Bulls Intended for Slaughter
E. Beef Cows
Female beef cattle that have calved.
VEAL CALVES
Immature male or female cattle, typically of dairy breeds, that are raised to produce meat (veal) for human consumption. Most lack a functional rumen; but depending on their handling, housing, age, and diet they may be ruminating.A. Bob Veal
Pre-ruminating veal calves less than 2 weeks of age.
DAIRY CATTLE
Cattle that are intended for or related to the production of milk for human consumption and/or to produce offspring that will produce meat (veal) or milk for human consumption.A. Dairy Calves
Pre-ruminating dairy cattle being fed a ration that includes milk or liquid milk replacer. Excludes veal calves.
B. Replacement Dairy Heifers
Weaned female dairy cattle that have not yet calved and are intended only for breeding and future milk production, housed in any setting and receiving their diet from any source.
If reproductive safety is not evaluated, an age restriction of less than 1 year will apply.
C. Dairy Bulls
Weaned intact male dairy cattle intended for breeding. If reproductive safety is not evaluated, an age restriction of less than 1 year will apply.
D. Dairy Cows
Female dairy cattle that have calved.
- Lactating Dairy Cows Dairy cows that are producing milk for human food.
- Dry Dairy Cows Dairy cows that have previously lactated, but which are not currently producing milk for human food (i.e., dairy cows between two lactations).
- Periparturient Dairy Cows Dairy cows that have previously lactated, and are in the transition period from approximately 3 weeks before to approximately 3 weeks after calving.