A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abattoir
See: Slaughter house.
Abortion
The delivery of fetuses or fetal membranes between date of service and up to and including the 109th day of pregnancy.
Accuracy (of selection)
Correlation between an animal´s unknown actual breeding value and a calculated estimated breeding value.
Ad libitum feeding (ad lib feeding)
A system of feeding in which no limit is placed on feed intake. Self-feeding or allowing pigs to consume feed on a free-choice basis.
ADG
See : Average daily gain.
Age at slaughter
The number of days from a pig´s date of birth to that pig´s date of slaughter.
Age at weaning
The number of days from a piglet´s birth to that pig´s removal from the sow.
Agronomy
A branch of agriculture dealing with crop production and soil management.
AI
See: Artificial insemination.
AI-AO All-in/all-out
A system of management in which the barn is completely filled at one time and then completely emptied at one time to allow for cleaning and disinfecting between groups of pigs.
Alleles
Alternate forms of genes. Because genes occur in pairs in body cells, one gene of a pair may have one effect and another genes of that same pair (allele) may have a different effect on the same trait.
Amino acid
Simplest organic structure of which proteins are formed. About ten are required in the diet. Dietary provision of amino acids determines the adequacy of dietary protein.
Anestrous
Female that is expected to express, but has not been detected in estrous.
Animal welfare
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has defined animal welfare as "a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, human handling, and when necessary, humane euthanasia".
Antibiotic
A chemical substance produced by a microorganism that has the capacity to inhibit the growth of or to kill other microorganisms.
Antibody
A protein produced by the body in response to a foreign agent. Part of the body´s natural defense against invasion by foreign substances.
Antimicrobial
An agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their multiplication or growth: includes antibiotics and synthetic agents.
Appetite
A desire for food or water.
Aquifer
Layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel that contains or conducts groundwater.
Arrival date
The date when a breeding company delivers a replacement gilt or boar to a farm or the date when the gilt or boar joins the breeding herd after selection.
Artificial insemination (AI)
The deposition of spermatozoa in the female genitalia by artificial rather than natural means.
Assets, current
Items that are used or sold and can be converted into cash within a 12-mo period without disrupting the business. Examples include cash, cash value of bonds, stocks and life insurance, accounts receivable, nondepreciable items such as grain, fresh flowers, forage inventories, feeder and market livestock, and supplies such as vermiculite and fertilizer.
Assets, fixed
Items that have combined, depreciated value; includes the operation´s buildings, land, machinery, vehicles, breeding stock, other long-term assets, and any other disposable items of value.
Atrophied piglets
The wasting away or decreasing in size of muscle, fat, or any other tissue or organ. May result from weakening disease or from disease.
Aujeszky´s Disease
Pseudorabies virus (PRV).
Availability, of breeding stock
The quantity of breeding stock of any class ready for shipment.
Availability, of nutrients
A feed´s nutrient concentration that is absorbed and utilized by the animal.
Average
An arithmetic mean; the sum divided by the sample size.
Average daily gain
The average amount of weight a pig gains in a day.
Average, weighted
A sum divided by the number of contributing units.