April 24, 2025
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Phase

phase: A particular stage in a process. Managing different phases of crop and livestock production ensures efficient and successful farming practices.

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Agri-Food

agri-food: Relating to industries which are involved in the mass production, processing, and inspection of food products made from agricultural commodities. Farmers benefit from understanding agri-food industries to improve their market access and product quality.

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Twin

twin: One of two babies or animals born at the same time from two ova fertilized at the same time or from one ovum that splits in two. Managing twin births in livestock can improve breeding efficiency and productivity.

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Agricultural Holdings Act 1984

Agricultural Holdings Act 1984: An Act of Parliament which gives protection to tenants in questions of the fixing of rent and security of tenure. It makes provision for tenancies for a lifetime and for short-term lettings. Understanding this act helps farmers and landowners navigate tenancy agreements and rights.

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Magnesium

magnesium: a light, silvery-white metallic element that burns with a brilliant white flame. The addition of magnesium to soil may prevent deficiency diseases in crops or in livestock, such as interveinal yellowing of leaves in potatoes and sugar beet, and hypomagnesaemia or ‘grass staggers’ in grazing animals. Ensuring adequate magnesium in soil and livestock diets is crucial for healthy crop and livestock growth, leading to better yields and farm sustainability.

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Voluntary Restraint Agreement

voluntary restraint agreement: An agreement by which farmers agree not to spray in windy conditions. Such agreements are not legally binding. Abiding by voluntary restraint agreements can improve environmental protection and community relations.

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Commercial

Commercial: Commercial adjective 1. referring to business 2. produced to be sold for profit. Focusing on commercial agriculture enhances farm profitability and market reach.

Performance Testing

The evaluation of livestock based on specific traits such as growth rate, feed efficiency, and milk production. Performance testing helps identify superior animals for breeding. For example, conducting performance tests to select high-performing bulls for artificial insemination.

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Shank

shank: The lower part of a horse’s leg between the knee and the foot. Farmers benefit from understanding shank anatomy for effective horse management and care.

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Enrich

enrich: 1. To make something richer or stronger, e.g., soil can be enriched by adding humus. 2. To improve the nutritional quality of food. Enrich with vitamins. 3. To improve the living conditions of farm animals, e.g., by providing them with larger living areas. Enrichment practices help farmers enhance soil health, food quality, and animal welfare.

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Consume

Consume: Consume verb 1. to use up or burn fuel The new pump consumes only half the fuel which the other pump would use. 2. To eat foodstuffs The population consumes ten tonnes of foodstuffs per week. Managing consumption involves efficient resource use and waste reduction.

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Husbandry System

husbandry system: A written plan for looking after a group of farm animals, looking at considerations such as their habitat, diet, medical care, production rates, and general welfare. Developing a husbandry system supports effective livestock management and productivity.

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Haulm Silage

haulm silage: Silage made from the stems and leaves of peas and beans left after harvest. Producing haulm silage can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, improving farm sustainability.

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Reproductive Organs

reproductive organs: Parts of the bodies of animals which are involved in the conception and development of a fetus. Knowledge of reproductive organs helps farmers manage breeding and improve livestock health.

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Se

Se: Se symbol selenium. Selenium is a trace element essential for animal health. Farmers benefit from understanding selenium’s role in preventing deficiencies and ensuring livestock productivity.

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K Symbol

K symbol: Potassium – a chemical element essential for plant growth. Symbol K. Helps farmers understand the importance of potassium in soil fertility and plant nutrition.

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Rolled Grain

rolled grain: Grain which has been through a roller mill before it is fed to livestock. Rolled grain, usually barley, is more easily digested. Using rolled grain improves livestock nutrition and feed efficiency.

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Pony-Trekking

pony-trekking: A recreational activity where people hire ponies to ride along country paths, now sometimes organized from farms as a form of diversification. Helpful content: Offering pony-trekking can diversify farm income and attract tourists. This activity promotes rural tourism, provides additional revenue streams, and allows farmers to showcase their landscapes and agricultural practices.

Back Fat Thickness

The measurement of the fat layer over the back, usually at the 12th rib. Back fat thickness is used to assess fat cover and carcass quality. For instance, monitoring back fat thickness in pigs to ensure optimal meat quality and processing efficiency.

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Scottish Halfbreed

Scottish halfbreed: A crossbred type of sheep obtained by using a Border Leicester ram on a Cheviot ewe. They are used widely in lowland Britain. Farmers benefit from raising Scottish halfbreeds for their adaptability and efficient meat and wool production.

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Gourd

gourd: A gourd is the fruit of a trailing or climbing plant, cultivated for ornamental purposes or as utensils. Growing gourds diversifies farm products, providing additional income sources.

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Stone

stone: a single small piece of rock; a hard endocarp that surrounds a seed in a fruit such as a cherry. Properly managing stones in fields and crops ensures healthy plant growth and efficient farm operations.

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Triticale

triticale: A new cereal hybrid of wheat and rye. It combines the yield potential of wheat with the winter hardiness and resistance to drought of rye. Increasingly used in the UK, triticale replaces winter and spring feed barleys. It has a high level of disease resistance and a reduced demand for chemical fertiliser. Growing triticale can enhance crop diversity and improve resilience to environmental stresses.

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Cover

Cover: Cover verb to copulate with a female animal a bull covers a cow noun 1. something that goes over something else completely 2. the amount of soil surface covered with plants. ground cover 3. plants grown to cover the surface of the soil Grass cover will provide some protection against erosion. Utilizing cover crops and ground cover techniques enhances soil health and prevents erosion.

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Packhouse

packhouse: A building used for grading, cleaning, and packing produce on a farm before it is sent to the customer. Ensuring produce is properly graded, cleaned, and packed helps farmers maintain high standards and reduce waste, leading to better market prices and customer satisfaction.

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Shetland

Shetland: A rare breed of cattle, native to the Shetland Isles. It is medium-sized, black and white, with short legs, short horns and a bulky body. A breed of sheep, native to the Shetland Isles. The colour varies from white, through grey and black to light brown; the ewes are polled and the rams horned; it produces fine soft wool of high quality, used in the Shetland wool industry. A small Shetland ewe yields a fleece 1.5–2 kilos in weight. A breed of pony, used as a riding horse for children. Farmers benefit from raising Shetland breeds for their hardiness and valuable products, including wool, meat, and pony services.

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Woodlot

woodlot: A woodlot is a small area of land planted with trees. Farmers can manage woodlots for timber production, firewood, and wildlife habitat, adding diversity to farm resources.

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WWFWWF

WWFWWF: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) focuses on wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability. Farmers can collaborate with WWF to enhance biodiversity and adopt sustainable farming practices.

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Disinfectant Footbath

disinfectant footbath: A disinfectant solution through which animals, e.g., cattle, have to walk to clean their feet and to remove diseases such as foot rot. Using disinfectant footbaths is important for maintaining hoof health and preventing disease in livestock. Farmers should ensure proper construction, maintenance, and use of footbaths for effective disinfection. Understanding the benefits and applications of disinfectant footbaths will aid in maintaining a healthy and productive herd.

Yield Grade Calculation

The process of determining the amount of usable meat from a carcass, based on factors such as fat thickness, ribeye area, and carcass weight. Yield grades range from 1 (highest yield) to 5 (lowest yield). For instance, calculating yield grades to optimize meat production and processing.

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Simmental

Simmental: A breed of cattle originating in Switzerland, the colour of which is yellowish-brown or red. It is a dual-purpose breed, with a high growth rate potential and good carcass quality. Farmers benefit from raising Simmental cattle for their efficient meat and milk production.

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Mill

mill: a factory where a substance is crushed to make a powder, especially one for making flour from the dried grains of cereals. Proper management of mills can help farmers process their crops more effectively, ensuring better quality and marketability.

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Lease

Lease: A lease is a written contract for letting or renting a piece of equipment for a period against payment of a fee. To lease means to let or rent land or equipment for a period. The company has a policy of only using leased equipment. To use land or equipment for a time and pay a fee. All the farm’s tractors are owned, but the combines are leased. Utilizing leasing arrangements can provide farmers with access to necessary equipment without large capital investments.

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OTMS

OTMS: Over Thirty Month Scheme. A scheme supporting farmers by providing payment and support for the disposal of cattle born or reared in the United Kingdom before August 1996. This helps farmers manage older cattle, comply with regulations, and maintain a healthy and productive herd.

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Grain Drill

grain drill: A grain drill is a machine used for sowing cereals in rows. Employing grain drills ensures uniform crop planting, leading to better yields and efficient use of farm resources.

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Meatlinc

Meatlinc: a new breed of sheep used as a terminal sire. Only the rams are sold. Understanding the characteristics and uses of Meatlinc sheep can help farmers improve their breeding programs and meat production, leading to better yields and profitability.