Farm Dictionary

dry matter: The matter remaining in a biological sample or in animal feed after the water content has been removed. Abbr DM. Dry matter is a critical measure for evaluating the nutritional content of animal feed.

Milking Parlour

milking parlour: a building in which cows are milked, and often are also fed, washed and cleaned. There are four basic designs of parlour: the herringbone parlour, where the cow stands at an angle of 45° to the milker, is commonest for large herds; the abreast parlour, where the cows stand side by side with their backs to the milker; the tandem parlour where they stand in line with their sides to the milker; the most expensive and complex of the four systems is the rotary parlour, where the cows stand on a rotating platform with the milker in the middle. Proper management of milking parlours can ensure better milk quality and yield, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.

Soil Structure

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates, which affects soil properties such as porosity, water infiltration, and root growth. Soil structure is influenced by factors such as organic matter, soil texture, and management practices. For example, improving soil structure through organic matter addition and conservation tillage to support healthy plant growth and optimize water use efficiency.

International Coffee Agreement

International Coffee Agreement: An agreement between countries to stabilize the price of coffee. Abbr ICA. Helps coffee farmers by providing market stability.

Wild Chamomile

wild chamomile: Wild chamomile, also known as mayweed, is a plant that can grow in fields. While it may not be directly useful for farmers, understanding its presence can help in managing crops and preventing unwanted spread.

Roller Mill

roller mill: A piece of equipment used in the preparation of flour and animal feed. It has two smooth steel rollers which crush the grain. Using roller mills improves feed processing efficiency and product quality.

Romagnola

Romagnola: A large docile hardy breed of beef cattle from northeast Italy. The animals are grey with a black muzzle and hooves. Raising Romagnola cattle provides farmers with a source of high-quality beef and adaptable livestock for various environments.

Streptomycin

streptomycin: an antibiotic used against many types of infection, especially streptococcal ones. Properly managing antibiotic use ensures effective disease control and livestock health, supporting farm productivity.

Biocide

biocide: A substance that kills living organisms. Using biocides responsibly ensures effective pest control while minimizing environmental impact.

Sterility

sterility: the state of being free from microorganisms; the inability to produce offspring. Properly managing sterility ensures biosecurity and prevents disease outbreaks, supporting livestock health and productivity.

Grouse

grouse: A grouse is a small game bird, with two main species in Europe: the black grouse and the red grouse. Raising grouse provides income from game bird markets and supports biodiversity.

Energy Crops

Energy Crops:

Softwood

softwood: the open-grained wood produced by pine trees and other conifers; a pine tree or other conifer that produces such wood. Compare hardwood. Cultivating softwood trees provides farmers with a renewable source of timber for construction and paper production, supporting sustainable forestry practices.

Digestibility Coefficient

digestibility coefficient: The proportion of food digested and not excreted, shown as a percentage of the total food eaten. Understanding the digestibility coefficient is important for evaluating the nutritional value of animal diets. Farmers should work with veterinarians and nutritionists to develop highly digestible and nutritious diets for their livestock. Implementing proper dietary practices will enhance the productivity and welfare of livestock.

Precision Farming Equipment

Tools and machinery used in precision agriculture to enhance farming efficiency and productivity. Precision farming equipment includes GPS-guided tractors, automated planters, and drone technology. For instance, using GPS-guided equipment to ensure accurate planting and reduce overlap in field operations.

Web Conveyor

web conveyor: A machine used to move material along a moving web; found on all types of harvesters and some processing machines. Using web conveyors can improve harvest efficiency and reduce labor costs.

Rape

rape: Same as oilseed rape. Oilseed rape is a valuable crop for farmers, providing oil for food and industrial uses as well as high-protein animal feed.

Coupe

Coupe: Coupe /ku:p/ noun an area of a forest in which trees have been cut down. Managing coupes supports sustainable forestry practices.

Milk Bottle

A container used to package and distribute milk, typically made of glass or plastic. For example, using reusable milk bottles to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Food Product Marketing Strategies

The approaches used to promote and sell food products, including branding, advertising, and consumer education. For example, developing food product marketing strategies to highlight the quality and benefits of locally produced goods.

Succulent

succulent: a plant that has fleshy leaves or stems in which it stores water, e.g., a cactus. Properly managing succulents ensures healthy growth and optimal yields, supporting productive agriculture.

Tractor

tractor: A heavy vehicle with large wheels used for a range of tasks. On farms, it is mainly used for pulling cultivation and spraying equipment. Understanding tractor functions and maintenance can enhance farm operations and productivity.

Tree Preservation Order

tree preservation order: An order from a local government department that prevents a tree from being cut down. Abbr TPO. Complying with tree preservation orders supports environmental conservation and sustainable land use.

Cottage Garden

Cottage Garden: Cottage garden noun a flower garden containing old-fashioned flowers. Cultivating cottage gardens enhances landscape aesthetics and biodiversity.

Rogue

rogue: A plant of a different variety found growing in a crop; to remove unwanted plants from a crop, usually by hand. Managing rogues helps farmers ensure crop purity and optimize yields.

Excavator

excavator: A large machine for digging holes, as for laying drainage pipes. Using excavators helps farmers manage land development and construction efficiently.

Wattle

wattle: Rods and twigs woven together to make a type of fence or a piece of fleshy skin hanging down below the throat of birds such as the turkey. Using wattle fencing can improve farm infrastructure and animal containment.

Pound

pound: A measure of weight, equal to 16 ounces or 453.592 grams. Symbol lb. Helpful content: Accurate measurement of weight is crucial for various farming activities, including feed distribution, produce marketing, and livestock management. Understanding and using standard weight units ensures consistency and efficiency in farm operations.

Bradawl

bradawl: A small tool used for making holes in wood or leather. Using bradawls supports farm repair and construction activities.

Diversified Farming

Diversified Farming:

Mixed Grazing

mixed grazing: a grazing system where more than one type of animal grazes the same pasture at the same time. Mixed grazing regimes provide a range of sward lengths which are attractive areas for birds to nest and feed and encourage regeneration of grassland and moorland areas. Understanding mixed grazing can help farmers optimize their livestock management practices, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

Oryza

Oryza: The Latin name for rice. Rice cultivation can provide farmers with a staple crop that has high market demand. Farmers can benefit from understanding best practices for rice farming, including water management, pest control, and harvesting techniques, to maximize yields and profitability.

Distance

distance: The amount of space between two points. Understanding distance is important for planning farm operations, planting, and irrigation. Farmers should use appropriate tools and techniques to measure distances accurately and optimize farm layout. Understanding the benefits of accurate distance measurement will aid in effective farm management and productivity.

Flail Forage Harvester

Flail Forage Harvester: A type of forage harvester that uses a high-speed flail rotor. The cut crop passes through a vertical chute and is discharged into a trailer. Using a flail forage harvester ensures efficient harvesting and feed preparation.

Food Product Traceability Systems

The systems and practices used to track the origin and movement of food products through the supply chain, ensuring transparency and accountability. For example, using food product traceability systems to monitor production and distribution and ensure food safety.

RCVS

RCVS: Abbreviation for Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. This organization supports farmers by ensuring high standards of veterinary practice, contributing to animal health and welfare.

Integrated Pest Management (Ipm)

integrated pest management (IPM): A pest control strategy that uses a combination of techniques to minimize pest damage while reducing the use of chemical pesticides. Implementing IPM can improve crop health and sustainability.

Bacteria

bacteria: Microscopic organisms that can be beneficial or harmful. Farmers need to understand bacterial roles in soil health and livestock diseases to promote beneficial bacteria and mitigate harmful ones.

Beef Gall Bladder

The gall bladder of cattle, often used in traditional dishes and for making pet food. For example, producing beef gall bladder for culinary and industrial applications.

Plough Body

plough body: The main part of the plough, consisting of the frog, mouldboard, share, and landside. Helpful content: Understanding the components of a plough body helps farmers maintain and repair their equipment, ensuring efficient and effective soil cultivation. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of ploughs and improve field performance.

Amoeba

amoeba: A single-celled organism found in water, wet soil, or as a parasite of other organisms. The plural is amoebae. Managing amoeba infections helps farmers protect livestock health.

Dual-Purpose Breed

dual-purpose breed: A breed of livestock that is used for two purposes, such as milk and meat production. Utilizing dual-purpose breeds can increase farm efficiency and profitability.

Custom Harvesting

Custom Harvesting:

Hybrid Vigour

hybrid vigour: Same as heterosis. Using hybrid vigour in breeding programs can improve livestock and crop performance.

Digestibility Value

digestibility value: The amount of digestible organic matter in the dry matter of plants. Abbr D value. Understanding the digestibility value is important for evaluating the nutritional value of animal diets. Farmers should work with veterinarians and nutritionists to develop highly digestible and nutritious diets for their livestock. Implementing proper dietary practices will enhance the productivity and welfare of livestock.

Ley Farming

Ley Farming: Ley farming is a farming system in which fields are left to pasture in rotation. Strictly speaking, ley farming is a system where a farm or group of fields is cropped completely with leys which are reseeded at regular intervals; alternatively, any cropping system which involves the use of leys is called ley farming. Ley farming is an essential part of organic farming. Pasture land is fertilized by the animals which graze on it, and then is ploughed for crop growing. When the land has been exhausted by the crops, it is put back to pasture to recover. Implementing ley farming can enhance soil fertility and support sustainable agriculture.

Landscape Manager

Landscape Manager: A landscape manager is somebody such as a farmer or landowner who is responsible for the way land is used and looked after. Many farmers find themselves as landscape managers, required to maintain the countryside in an aesthetically and environmentally pleasing condition for the predominantly urban population to enjoy. Managing landscapes effectively enhances environmental sustainability and public enjoyment.

Pitfall Pitfall Pitfall

pitfall pitfall pitfall: A hidden danger or difficulty. Identifying and managing pitfalls in farming practices ensures successful and sustainable operations.

Milk Sugar