January 3, 2025
G

Gangrene

gangrene: A condition in which tissues die and decay, as a result of bacterial action, because the animal has lost blood supply to the affected part of the body through injury. Serious rot affecting potato tubers. Caused by fungi, it spreads in storage. Recognizing and managing gangrene can prevent severe losses in livestock and crops.

D

Dag

dag: A tuft of dirty wool round the tail of a sheep. Regularly removing dags (a process called dagging) is essential for maintaining sheep hygiene and preventing flystrike, a condition where flies lay eggs in the dirty wool, leading to maggot infestations. Keeping sheep clean reduces the risk of disease and improves wool quality.

Q

Quality Assurance

quality assurance: The system of procedures used in checking that the quality of a product is good. Implementing quality assurance ensures that farm products meet high standards, enhancing consumer trust and compliance with regulations, thus benefiting farmers through better market access and reduced risk of product recalls.

P

Pastoralist

pastoralist: A farmer who keeps grazing animals on pasture. The people most affected by the drought in the Sahara are nomadic pastoralists. Supporting pastoralists helps maintain traditional farming practices and livelihoods.

G

Government Agencies

government agencies: Government agencies provide specialist advice for farmers, such as ADAS in the UK. Utilizing these resources helps farmers adopt best practices, improve efficiency, and comply with regulations.

Land Use Planning

The process of organizing and managing land resources to meet agricultural, environmental, and societal needs. Land use planning helps balance competing interests and promote sustainable development. For example, developing a land use plan to allocate areas for farming, conservation, and urban development.

S

Standard

standard: something which has been agreed on and is used to measure other things by; a plant grown on a single long stem that is kept from forming branches except at the top; a type of fruit tree or rose tree where the stem is about two metres high, on top of which the head is developed; a large tree in a woodland. Using standard practices ensures consistency and quality in agricultural production, supporting market value and consumer trust.

G

Galloway

Galloway: A hardy breed of completely black hornless cattle, mainly reared for beef. The breed’s hardiness makes it suitable for less fertile land, providing a reliable source of beef.

C

Ca (Calcium)

Ca (Calcium): A metallic chemical element naturally present in limestone and chalk, essential for biological processes. In farming, calcium is vital for soil structure and plant health, promoting strong cell walls and aiding in nutrient absorption. Farmers use calcium amendments to correct soil pH and prevent nutrient deficiencies.

F

Floury

Floury: Soft and powdery, like flour. Floury potatoes are varieties that turn easily into flour when cooked. Growing floury potatoes provides a valuable food source and supports diverse crop production.

L

Loose-Box

Loose-Box: A loose-box is a stable for animals that are kept untied. A loose-box should have a hay rack, manger, water bowl, and tying rings. It should also have a grooved floor to make cleaning and drainage easier. Loose-boxes are also useful for housing sick animals. Using loose-boxes can enhance animal welfare and management.

S

Sprayer

sprayer: a machine which forces a liquid through a nozzle under pressure, used to distribute liquids such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and fertilisers. Using sprayers ensures efficient application of agricultural inputs, promoting healthy crop growth and better yields.

N

Non-Till

non-till: adjective same as no-till agriculture. No-till agriculture involves minimal soil disturbance, promoting soil health and reducing erosion. Farmers can benefit from adopting no-till practices to enhance soil structure, improve water retention, and reduce labor and fuel costs. No-till farming supports sustainable land management, increases resilience to climate change, and can lead to higher crop yields over time. Understanding and implementing no-till techniques can enhance farm sustainability and productivity.

D

Dartmoor

Dartmoor: A breed of large moorland sheep, white-faced with black spots, and a long curly fleece. Dartmoor sheep are known for their resilience and quality fleece. Farmers raising Dartmoor sheep should focus on proper grazing management, regular shearing, and health monitoring to maintain flock productivity. Marketing the unique characteristics of Dartmoor wool can attract premium buyers.

E

Elm

elm: A large hardwood tree that grows in temperate areas. Genus: Ulmus. Understanding elm trees helps farmers manage woodland and prevent diseases like Dutch elm disease.

C

Cryophilous

Cryophilous: Cryophilous /kra? ?f?l?s/ adjective referring to a plant that needs a period of cold weather to grow properly COMMENT: Cryophilous crops need a period of cold weather in order to produce flowers later in the growing period. If such crops do not undergo this cold period, their growth remains vegetative, or they only form abortive flowers with no seeds. Wheat, barley, oats, peas, sugar beet, and potatoes are all cryophilous. Understanding cryophilous plants aids in managing crop production and optimizing yields.

F

Fair

Fair: A regular meeting for the sale of goods or animals, often with sideshows and other entertainments. Fairs provide farmers with opportunities to market their products, network with other farmers, and learn about new farming techniques and technologies.

Farm Data Management

The practices and systems used to collect, store, analyze, and use data related to farm operations, including production, financial, and environmental data. For example, implementing farm data management systems to improve decision-making and optimize farm performance.

C

Compound Fertilizer

Compound Fertilizer: Compound fertilizer noun a fertilizer that supplies two or more nutrients. Also called mixed fertilizer. Compare straight fertilizer. Using compound fertilizers ensures balanced nutrient supply for crops.

C

Colony

Colony: Colony noun a group of animals, plants, or microorganisms living together in a place a colony of ants. Understanding colony dynamics helps in managing populations and ecosystems.

C

Chick

Chick: A young, newly hatched bird, up to the time it is weaned from the hen or brooder. Managing chick health and nutrition is crucial for developing strong, productive adult poultry.

R

Rein

rein: A long narrow strap used to control a horse, each end of which is attached to the bit in the horse’s mouth. Proper use of reins ensures safe and effective handling of horses, benefiting farm operations.

C

Control

Control: Control noun 1. the process of restraining something or keeping something in order to bring or keep something under control to make sure that something is well regulated The authorities brought the epidemic under control. out of control unregulated The epidemic appears to be out of control. 2. (in experiments) a sample used as a comparison with the one being tested verb 1. to direct or manage something 2. to keep something in order The veterinary service is trying to control the epidemic. They were unable to control the spread of the pest. Managing control measures ensures effective farm operations and product quality.

S

Spoilage

spoilage: the process of food becoming inedible, especially because of poor storage conditions. Proper storage and handling of food products prevent spoilage, ensuring quality and reducing losses.

S

Strip Cultivation

strip cultivation: a method of communal farming in which each family has a long thin piece or several long thin pieces of land to cultivate. Properly managing strip cultivation ensures efficient land use and sustainable agricultural practices.

E

Estate

estate: 1. A rural property consisting of a large area of land and a big house. 2. A plantation. Managing estates effectively helps farmers optimize land use and productivity.

M

Maltose

maltose: a sugar formed by digesting starch or glycogen. Understanding the role of maltose in livestock nutrition can help farmers manage animal diets more effectively, leading to better growth and productivity.

S

Sugar Beet Harvester

sugar beet harvester: a machine for harvesting sugar beet, which may be trailed or self-propelled. The machine cuts off the beet tops, lifts the root, cleans off the soil and conveys the beet to a hopper which is then emptied by a second elevator onto a trailer. Using sugar beet harvesters ensures efficient harvesting and productivity, reducing labor costs and enhancing farm profitability.