Calf: Baby bovine

Yearling: One-year-old bovine, male or female

Heifer: A yearling cow, not yet calved

Cow: Female bovine. Once she calves, she's "fresh", or ready to be milked.

Milker: A cow that produces milk

Steer: Neutered male bovine

Bull: Intact male bovine

Young Stock: Calves and yearlings

Dry Cows: Cows that are not currently being milked

Hay: Dry grasses stored as food for cows in the winter

Dry Matter: Anything besides water that cows consume, including hay

Pasture: Green fields for grazing. Can contain all kinds of plants, including bluegrass, alfalfa, clover, dandelions and parsley.

Growing Season: The time of year that pasture grows. In some regions, that's summer; in others, almost all year long.

rBGH: Recombinant bovine growth hormone, given to conventional cows to increase their milk production. Not allowed in certified organic dairy farms.

Antibiotics: Medications designed to cure bacterial diseases, often fed daily to conventional dairy cows to prevent illness. Not allowed in certified organic dairy farms.

Pesticides, Herbicides and Chemical Fertilizers: Chemicals that are used to control weeds and insects or boost soil productivity. Not allowed on certified organic dairy farms.