Hay Rack
by hay rack: A wooden frame containing hay, which is placed where livestock can feed from it. Using hay racks helps manage feed distribution efficiently and reduces waste.
Author: Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.
Alan Nafzger, Ph.D., is the esteemed Editor-in-Chief of FarmerCowboy.com and a renowned expert in agricultural policy. With a doctorate in political science and a lifelong dedication to farming, Alan brings a unique blend of academic expertise and practical farming experience to his role. His deep understanding of agricultural policy and its impact on farming communities has made him a trusted voice in the field.
Alan’s career is marked by a commitment to advancing agricultural knowledge and practices. As a professor, he has educated and inspired countless students, sharing his extensive knowledge of agricultural policy and its implications. His insights are rooted in a lifetime of hands-on farming experience, providing a practical perspective that complements his academic credentials.
At FarmerCowboy.com, Alan leads with a vision to provide reliable, insightful, and up-to-date information to the farming community. His editorial direction ensures that the content is not only informative but also relevant and beneficial to farmers and agricultural professionals. Alan’s leadership and expertise have solidified FarmerCowboy.com as a go-to resource for agricultural news and analysis.
Alan Nafzger’s blend of academic rigor, practical farming experience, and a passion for agricultural policy make him an invaluable asset to the agricultural community. His contributions continue to shape the future of farming, ensuring that it remains sustainable and productive for generations to come.
Post-Harvest
post-harvest: The period after crops are harvested, focusing on storage, processing, and marketing. Effective post-harvest management ensures the quality and value of agricultural products.
Ad Lib Feeding
ad lib feeding: The unrestricted supply of feed, day and night. Implementing ad lib feeding can improve growth rates and productivity in livestock.
Three-Times-A-Day
three-times-a-day: A milking system in which cows are milked three times a day. Using this system can increase milk yields and improve dairy farm profitability.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum: A genus of composite plants, some cultivated for their flowers, such as Chrysanthemum roseum, the source of the insecticide pyrethrum. Growing chrysanthemums provides valuable ornamental and pest control crops for farms.
Alpha Amylase
alpha amylase: An enzyme present in wheat seed, which changes some starch to sugar. Excessive amounts can result in loaves of bread with sticky texture. Managing alpha amylase levels helps farmers ensure the quality of wheat and bakery products.
Parturition
parturition: The act of giving birth to offspring, when the fetus leaves the uterus, called by different names according to the animal. Calving, farrowing, foaling, lambing. Understanding parturition helps in managing livestock breeding and ensuring healthy births.
Aviculture
aviculture: The practice of keeping and breeding birds. Aviculture can diversify farm operations and provide additional income through the sale of birds and bird products.
Screwworm
screwworm: A fly similar to the bluebottle, but dark green in colour, common in Central and South America. It devastated cattle in the USA in the 1950s, but has now been eradicated there. Farmers benefit from preventing screwworm infestations to protect livestock health and prevent economic losses.
Cotton Grass
Cotton Grass: Cotton grass noun a plant with white fluffy flower heads that grows in boggy ground. Latin name: Eriophorum angustifolium. Managing cotton grass supports wetland conservation and biodiversity.
Damp Off
damp off: To die from a fungus infection that spreads in warm damp conditions and attacks the roots and lower stems of seedlings. Damping off is a common cause of seedling loss in greenhouses and nurseries. Farmers can prevent damping off by using sterilized soil, avoiding overwatering, and ensuring proper ventilation. Fungicide treatments and proper spacing of seedlings can also help reduce the risk of this disease.
Corn Marigold
Corn Marigold: Corn marigold noun a common weed (Chrysanthemum segetum). Managing corn marigold involves using weed control measures to protect crops.
Cattle Health Certification Standards (Chcs)
Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHCS): An organization setting common standards for testing non-notifiable diseases in cattle. Engaging with CHCS helps farmers maintain herd health and comply with industry standards.
Round Baler
round baler: A tractor-drawn machine which straddles the swath with a pickup cylinder. The crop is passed over a system of belts to form a round bale; when the bale is complete, twine is wrapped around it and it is thrown out of the machine. Using round balers supports efficient forage harvesting and storage.
Distill
distill: To purify a liquid by heating it so that it becomes a gas and then condensing it to form a pure liquid again. Distillation is an important process for producing high-quality products like essential oils and spirits. Farmers should use appropriate equipment and techniques for effective distillation. Understanding the benefits and applications of distillation will aid in optimizing production and product quality.
Cattle Breeding
The process of selecting and mating cattle to produce offspring with desirable traits. Cattle breeding aims to improve productivity, health, and genetic quality. For example, using artificial insemination to breed cattle with high milk production traits.
Dairy Farm Labor Management
The practices and strategies used to recruit, train, and manage farm workers, including labor laws and safety regulations. For example, implementing dairy farm labor management practices to ensure a productive and safe working environment.
Decay
decay: A process by which tissues become rotten and decompose, caused by the action of microorganisms and oxygen. Proper management of decaying organic matter is important for farmers to maintain soil health and prevent the spread of diseases. Composting is an effective way to recycle decaying material into valuable nutrients for crops. Farmers should monitor and manage decay processes to enhance soil fertility and reduce waste.
Green Manuring
green manuring: Green manuring is the process of growing green crops and ploughing them in to increase the organic content of the soil. Implementing green manuring practices enhances soil health, supports sustainable crop production, and reduces input costs.
Starter Fertilizer
A type of fertilizer applied at planting to provide essential nutrients to young plants and promote early growth. Starter fertilizers help improve seedling establishment and vigor. For example, applying starter fertilizer to corn seeds at planting to support healthy root development and early growth.
Indigestible
indigestible: Referring to food which cannot be digested, e.g. roughage. Helps farmers understand animal nutrition and feed composition.
White BirdS-Eye
white birds-eye: Same as chickweed. Managing chickweed can prevent competition with crops and improve pasture quality.
Lamb Dysentery
Lamb Dysentery: Lamb dysentery is a bacterial disease which enters the lamb from the pasture. The bacteria infects the land for a very long time. The disease can be avoided by vaccinating the lambs as soon as possible after birth or by vaccinating the ewes before lambing. Understanding and preventing lamb dysentery can save farmers from significant livestock losses.
Ground Cover
ground cover: Ground cover are plants that grow densely close to the ground, either naturally or planted to prevent soil erosion or weed spread. Using ground cover supports soil health and reduces maintenance costs.
Porcine Dermatitis And Nephropathy Syndrome
Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome: A disease of pigs causing blotches under the skin. The cause of this disease is not yet known. Abbr PDNS. Helpful content: Early detection and management of PDNS can help mitigate its effects on pig health. Farmers should work with veterinarians to develop effective treatment and prevention strategies, ensuring the well-being of their herds.
Whey Protein
A high-quality protein derived from whey, used in nutritional supplements and food products. Whey protein is valued for its amino acid profile and digestibility. For example, adding whey protein to smoothies and shakes for muscle recovery.
Grain Tank
grain tank: A grain tank is a storage area at the top of a combine for threshed grain. Proper maintenance of grain tanks ensures efficient grain collection and reduces losses during harvest.
Space Allowance
space allowance: the amount of space a farmed animal should have in which to move around, feed, and rest. (NOTE: Guidelines on minimum space allowances are set out in the animal welfare codes.) Ensuring proper space allowance for livestock supports animal health and welfare, promoting better productivity and ethical farming practices.
Lehmann System
Lehmann System: Lehmann system is a system of pig breeding developed in Germany, where bulk food such as potatoes and fodder beet are fed after a basic ration of meal. Implementing the Lehmann system can optimize pig nutrition and improve breeding outcomes.
Montgomery
Montgomery: A type of cheddar cheese, one of the best British farmhouse cheeses, matured for 15 months and producing a tangy flavour with a crumbly texture. Understanding the characteristics and marketability of Montgomery cheese can help farmers optimize their dairy production and income.
Refrigerator Ship
refrigerator ship: A ship which carries produce under refrigerated conditions. Utilizing refrigerator ships enables farmers to export perishable goods to international markets while preserving quality.
Green Pound
green pound: The green pound is the fixed sterling exchange rate used for agricultural payments in the UK. Understanding the green pound helps farmers navigate financial transactions and optimize subsidies.
Hill Grazing
hill grazing: Grassland used for sheep and cattle grazing in hilly and mountainous areas. Managing hill grazing effectively supports livestock health and pasture sustainability.
Mechanically Recovered Meat
mechanically recovered meat: the scraps of meat which remain on an animals carcass after the prime cuts have been removed, which are removed using machinery, ground and used as cheap filler for burgers, pies, sausages, etc. Abbr MRM. Understanding the uses and regulations of mechanically recovered meat can help farmers maximize the value of their livestock products.
Cane Fruit
Cane Fruit: Fruit from plants belonging to the genus Rubus, including raspberry, blackberry, and loganberry. Cultivating cane fruits offers valuable produce for fresh markets and processing, enhancing farm revenue.
Trough Space
trough space: The length of trough that should be allowed per animal in an enclosure, so that they each have space to feed comfortably. Ensuring adequate trough space can prevent competition and improve feeding efficiency.
Dry Feeding
dry feeding: The feeding of meal to animals without the addition of water. This may cause problems with pigs and poultry. Ensuring proper hydration and balanced nutrition is essential for the health and productivity of livestock.
Fineness Count
Fineness Count: A scale used to assess the fineness of wool fibres. Understanding wool fineness helps farmers produce high-quality wool for the textile industry.