Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
plant growth regulator: A chemical treatment that slows the growth of plants, used in low-maintenance areas such as roadside verges. Abbr PGR. Helpful content: Plant growth regulators can help farmers manage crop growth, reduce the need for frequent mowing or pruning, and maintain the desired plant size. This can lead to labor and cost savings in landscape management.
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy: a strategy produced by Defra to support farming and food industries in working towards practices that will lead to a better environment and healthy and prosperous communities. Engaging with sustainability strategies ensures farmers adopt practices that support long-term productivity and environmental health.
Cabbage White Butterfly: A common white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) that lays eggs on the leaves of cabbage plants. The caterpillars cause much damage to the plants. Controlling this pest includes using row covers, natural predators, and handpicking caterpillars to minimize crop damage.
passive immunity: Immunity received in the womb from the mother. Antibodies produced by her immune system to resist diseases that she has experienced or been vaccinated against are transferred to the embryo. Ensuring proper colostrum management and vaccination can enhance passive immunity in newborn livestock.
The selective mating of animals to enhance desired traits in future generations. This can improve productivity, health, and quality of livestock. For instance, breeding cows for higher milk production.
tissue culture: Plant or animal tissue grown in a culture medium. A method of plant propagation which reproduces clones of the original plant on media containing plant hormones. Utilizing tissue culture techniques can enhance plant breeding and propagation, providing disease-free and high-yielding crops.
moisture content: the percentage of water contained in something such as the soil, hay or straw. Understanding moisture content can help farmers manage irrigation, crop storage, and livestock feed more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.
graded seed: Graded seed, such as sugar beet, is separated by rubbing to ensure uniform planting. Using graded seed improves crop uniformity and yield, enhancing farm productivity.
Practices and technologies used to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency in dairy production and processing. For example, implementing water conservation measures to ensure sustainable dairy operations.
The adherence to regulations, standards, and best practices in dairy production and processing. For example, implementing compliance programs to meet regulatory requirements and ensure dairy product safety.
The tail of cattle, known for its rich flavor and gelatinous texture when cooked. Oxtail is used in soups and stews. For example, producing oxtail for traditional dishes like oxtail soup and braised oxtail.
Craft Food: Craft food noun food produced according to traditional techniques or recipes. Producing craft food supports sustainable and traditional culinary practices.
evaporation: The process of changing from a liquid into a vapor. Understanding evaporation helps farmers manage irrigation and water resources.
Land Use Classification: Land use classification is the classification of land according to the way it is used. Knowing land use classification assists farmers in optimizing land use and adhering to agricultural policies.
Lyophilise: To lyophilise or lyophilize means to preserve food by freezing it rapidly and drying in a vacuum. Utilizing lyophilization can improve food preservation and extend the shelf life of agricultural products.
Plantations where olive trees are cultivated for fruit production. Olive groves require specific management practices for planting, pruning, irrigation, and harvesting. For example, managing an olive grove to produce olives for oil and table consumption.
Contaminant: Contaminant /k?n tmin?nt/ noun a substance which causes contamination. Managing contaminants involves preventing pollution and ensuring product safety.
support buying: same as intervention buying. Understanding and managing support buying ensures financial stability and market access for farmers, supporting farm profitability.
extraction: The action of producing a substance out of another. The extraction of sugar from cane. Understanding extraction processes helps farmers produce value-added products and increase income.
The principles and practices used to provide balanced and nutritious diets to fish in aquaculture systems, ensuring optimal growth and health. For example, formulating fish feed to meet the nutritional needs of different species and improve production efficiency.
The practice of using farming methods that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially responsible. Sustainable farming includes practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, and conservation tillage. For example, adopting sustainable farming practices to reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term farm profitability.
The coordination and management of the flow of food products from production to consumption, including logistics, inventory, and quality control. For example, managing the food product supply chain to ensure timely delivery and maintain product quality.
The guidelines and practices that prevent and address discrimination in the workplace, ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all employees. For example, implementing food product anti-discrimination policies to promote a respectful and inclusive workplace.
LEAF: LEAF is an independent organization that promotes better understanding of farming by the public and helps farmers improve the environment by combining the best traditional farming methods with modern technology. Full form Linking Environment and Farming. Partnering with LEAF can enhance sustainable farming practices and public engagement.
The increase in size and weight of cattle over time, influenced by genetics, nutrition, and management. Growth is a key factor in livestock production. For instance, maximizing cattle growth through optimal nutrition and health care practices.
short duration ley: A ley which is kept only for a short time. Farmers benefit from managing short duration leys for efficient pasture rotation and forage production.
Food Industry Sustainability Strategy: A set of policies promoting sustainable development for producers and suppliers at each point along the food supply chain. Abbr FISS. This strategy helps farmers adopt practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term productivity.
Following Crop: A crop sown by a tenant farmer before leaving the farm at the end of their tenancy. Properly managing following crops ensures efficient land use and crop rotation.
The technologies and platforms that use fog computing to extend cloud services to the edge of the network, improving data processing and storage in food production and distribution. For example, adopting food product fog computing solutions to enhance connectivity and performance.
stabiliser: an artificial substance added to processed food such as sauces containing water and fat to stop the mixture from changing. Also called stabilising agent. Using stabilisers in food production ensures product consistency and quality, supporting market value and consumer trust.
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