A tremorgen produced by Neotyphodium lolii, an endophytic fungus. Causes ryegrass staggers.

Lolitrem B

A change or abnormality to the tissue of a living organism, most commonly caused by trauma or disease.

Lesion

Type of plant, commonly grown as a crop, which produces its seeds in pods. Can be used for livestock forage or silage. Common legumes used in agriculture include alfalfa, peas and soybean.

Legume

Poultry bred to produce large numbers of eggs used for human consumption.

Layers

Inflammation of the laminae of the hoof, impacting an animal’s mobility. Common in horses and cattle. Commonly caused by ingestion of rich grass in horses and can be caused by a range of different factors in cattle. Reduced mobility in cattle leads to reduced feed intake and consequently reduced body weight and production.

Laminitis

A substance that weakens or inhibits the body’s immune system, allowing pathogens to thrive, potentially causing infection.

Immunosuppressant

Long filaments produced by moulds. Hyphae are needed for mould growth, survival and dispersion. They allow the mould to grow from single cells to branched bodies of hyphae (mycelium).

Hyphae

A pronounced joint in the hind leg of cattle and horses found between the knee and fetlock. The hock points slightly backwards.

Hock

A young female cow that has not yet given birth to a calf.

Heifer

Percentage of fertile eggs that hatch, aim is above 85%.

Hatchability Find out more