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Common questions

Beginner glossary

ADG

Average Daily Gain. How many pounds your animal puts on in one day, on average, between two weigh-ins.

As-fed

The weight of feed the way it comes out of the bag or scoop, water and all. It is what you actually put in the pan.

Dry matter

Feed weight with all the water taken out. Nutrition labels use it, but you feed as-fed.

Finish

How much fat cover an animal is carrying. A market animal needs enough finish to be ready, but not so much that it looks soft.

Bloom

That healthy, shiny, fresh look — good hair or hide, bright eyes, full of life. Bloom comes from good feed, water, hair care and rest.

Brace

When a lamb or goat pushes into your hands so its muscles flex and show. You teach it with practice a few minutes at a time.

Drive

Moving a hog around the ring with a whip and brush, keeping it walking calm, head up, between you and the judge.

Set up

Placing your animal's feet and head so it looks its best while the judge is looking at it.

Topline

The line down the animal's back from shoulders to hips. Judges want it straight and strong, not dipped or humped.

Back tag

The numbered tag or sticker on your animal at a show so officials and the judge know which entry it is.

Withdrawal period

The number of days after a medicine that must pass before the animal can be shown or sold, so no medicine is left in the meat. Never skip it — ask your advisor and vet.

Quality assurance

The class or test (like YQCA) that teaches safe, honest animal care. Most fairs require the certificate before you can show.

Jackpot show

An extra show, usually outside the fair, where entry fees are paid back out as prize money.

Premium sale

The auction at the end of the fair where buyers bid on your market animal.

Add-on

Extra money a supporter gives you on top of the sale price. Always send a thank you letter.

Tag-in / validation

The day officials tag, photograph or DNA-sample your animal to prove you owned it in time to show it.

Ownership deadline

The last date you could buy your animal and still show it at that fair.

Weight class

A group of animals with similar weights that show against each other. Your projected show weight decides your class.

Showmanship

The class that judges you, not your animal — how you handle, set up and present it, and how you answer questions.

Feed conversion

Pounds of feed it takes to add one pound of animal. Lower is more efficient.

Cost of gain

What each pound of growth costs you in feed dollars.

Break-even price

The price per pound you need at the sale just to get your money back.

Top dress

A supplement you sprinkle on top of the feed, usually for energy, protein or hair.

Drench

Giving liquid medicine or vitamins by mouth with a drench gun or syringe, slowly and carefully.

FAMACHA

A color card you hold up to a sheep or goat's eyelid to check for anemia from worms.

Scours

Diarrhea. Loose, watery manure. Call your advisor or vet if it does not clear up fast.

Weight tape

A tape you wrap around the animal's heart girth that estimates weight. Handy, but a scale is more accurate.

Rate of gain

Another way to say how fast your animal is growing — usually the same as ADG.

Biosecurity

Keeping germs from spreading between animals: clean boots, clean equipment, no sharing brushes or water buckets.