Acidosis – A disease usually caused by feeding too much grain or increasing the level of grain in the diet too rapidly. It results in the rumen having very acid conditions, and endotoxins may be produced that adversely affect various parts of the body.
Body condition score – Abbreviated BCS. Applying a numerical score to describe the amount of muscle and fat cover on an animal. Usually performed by feeling along the backbone in the loin area, over the ribs, and at the breastbone (sternum). Scores range from 1 (extremely thin) to 5 (extremely obese).
Browse – Vegetative parts of woody plants, primarily leaves and twigs, that typically contain high levels of tannins.
Carbohydrates – The major energy source found in most feedstuffs. Carbohydrates contain twice as many hydrogen atoms as carbon and as many oxygen atoms as carbon, commonly designated as CH2O. They include substances such as sugar, starch, fiber, cellulose, and hemicellulose.
Cellulose – A major structural carbohydrate in plants. A component of fiber that is poorly digested by nonruminant animals. Cellulose is composed of glucose molecules chemically linked by a “beta” linkage that is only digested by bacteria such as those in the rumen and(or) cecum.
Coccidiosis – An infectious intestinal disease caused by protozoan organisms (coccidia). The disease causes diarrhea and damages the lining of the intestine. Moisture, stress, and unsanitary conditions are conducive to coccidiosis.
Concentrates – A feed with less than 20% crude fiber and usually more than 60% TDN on an as fed basis. Often a mixture of feedstuffs with added minerals and vitamins.
Crude fiber – The more fibrous, less digestible portion of a plant primarily consisting of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. A method of estimating the fiber content of a feedstuff through sequential extraction with acid and alkaline solutions.
Enterotoxemia – A disease caused by an overgrowth of bacteria (Clostridia perfringens) in the intestine usually due to fermentation of a large quantity of starch, with production of endotoxin. Usually causes rapid death of animals.
Fiber – A component of the feed that consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. It is necessary for normal rumen health.
Forage – The edible part of the plant, other than separated grain, that can provide feed for grazing animals.
Founder – Refers to a consequence of acidosis, resulting in rapid growth of the hoof.
Mineral – The inorganic group of nutrients including elements such as calcium, phosphorus, copper, etc.
Nutrient – One of six classes of chemical compounds having specific functions in the nutritive support of animal life.
Nutrient requirements – The level of specific nutrients required to keep an animal healthy and productive.
Nutrition – The study of nutrients, determining what nutrients are required, what levels of nutrients are necessary for various levels of productivity, and how to provide those nutrients.
Polioencephalomalacia, PEM, or ‘polio’ – A neurological disease of goats caused by thiamine deficiency. The rumen normally produces adequate levels of thiamine, but under some conditions such as a high grain diet, high sulfur in the diet, stress, or being ‘off feed,’ the thiamine is degraded, thus causing the disease.
Stockpiled forage – Forage that is allowed to accumulate for grazing at a later time.
Supplement – A feed designed to provide nutrients deficient in the animal’s main diet.
TDN – Total Digestible Nutrients, a measure of digested energy. A lb of TDN equals 2,000 Calories (kilocalories).
Vitamins – Specific organic substances required for various metabolic functions.

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