Nonfat Dry Milk (NDM)
See USDA standards.
Organic
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through USDA approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. To be labeled as “Organic,” food must be certified to USDA standards.
Packer Owned
Livestock that a packer owns for at least 14 days immediately before slaughter.[1]
Per Head
Comment used to denote cattle that were sold a per head basis, instead of being sold on a per cwt. basis. Per head basis selling usually occurs when quoting replacement or bred females.
Per Point
With regards to hay reporting, Per Point means that the price of hay is sold based on the protein level. Instead of being sold per ton, for example, it is sold per protein point. This unit of measurement is most commonly used by dairies and exporters.
Price Trend
The direction in which prices are moving in relation to trading in the previous reporting period(s). There are five types:
HIGHER – The majority of sales are at prices measurably higher than the previous trading session.
FIRM – Prices are tending higher, but not measurably so.
STEADY – Prices are unchanged from the previous trading session.
WEAK – Prices are tending lower, but not measurably so.
LOWER – Prices for most sales are measurably lower than the previous trading session.
Prices and Values
Care will be exercised in using the terms "price" and "value." The "prices" at which livestock or livestock products are sold are not necessarily their "value." The terms are not synonymous and must not be used interchangeably.
Print Butter
Butter which is packaged in one-pound or smaller pieces.
Product Price Formulas
Used to compute advanced prices as well as class and component prices that set the minimum price paid to milk producers in all federal milk orders. The formulas consist of weighted average product prices, make allowances, and yield factors. The product prices are those published in the National Dairy Products Sales Report (a mandatory survey conducted by AMS) for butter, NDM, cheese, and dry whey.
Railcar
Approximately 130,000 to 160,000 pounds.
