Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
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: Referring to food which cannot be digested, e.g. roughage. Helps farmers understand animal nutrition and feed composition.
white birds-eye: Same as chickweed. Managing chickweed can prevent competition with crops and improve pasture quality.
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 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: 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.
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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A scale used to assess the fineness of wool fibres. Understanding wool fineness helps farmers produce high-quality wool for the textile industry.
Fallen Stock: Dead animals on a farm. Proper disposal and management of fallen stock are crucial for biosecurity and preventing the spread of diseases.
petroleum jelly: A type of grease which is produced from petroleum and is used as a lubricant and for treating sores on animal skin. Using petroleum jelly helps in treating minor injuries and maintaining livestock health.
malt: best-quality barley grains which have been through the malting process and are used in breweries to make beer and in distilleries to make whisky. Understanding the malting process and the quality requirements for malt can help farmers produce high-value barley, leading to better marketability and income.
biological diversity: Another term for biodiversity. Maintaining biological diversity enhances farm resilience and productivity.
Capillarity: Same as capillary action, the movement of a liquid upwards inside a narrow tube or through the soil. Understanding capillarity helps farmers manage soil moisture levels and optimize irrigation practices.
The process of selling calves for various purposes, including breeding, meat production, and replacement stock. Calf marketing strategies depend on market demand and production goals. For instance, selling high-quality replacement heifers to other dairy farms.
maize: a tall cereal crop grown in warm climates, that carries its grains on a large solid core (cob) of which there are only one or two per plant. Maize is grown for making silage, or for harvesting as ripened grain; some is grazed or cut as a forage crop, while a small proportion is sold for human consumption as corn on the cob. Maize needs rich deep well-drained soils and ideally a frost-free growing season with a lot of sunshine before harvest. Understanding the cultivation requirements and uses of maize can help farmers maximize their crop yield and profitability.
grain spear: A grain spear measures the temperature and moisture of stored grain. Using grain spears ensures optimal storage conditions, preventing spoilage and maintaining grain quality.
environmental set-aside: A scheme of suspending cultivation of food crops for a period with clearly defined environmental aims and designed appropriately for local conditions. Understanding environmental set-aside helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and improve sustainability.
dead stock: A comprehensive term for all implements, tools, appliances, and machines used on a farm. It can also include seed, fertilizer, and feeding stuffs. Managing dead stock effectively involves regular maintenance, proper storage, and inventory management. Farmers should keep detailed records of their equipment and supplies to ensure they are in good working condition and available when needed. This practice can help reduce downtime and improve farm efficiency.
The penis of cattle, often used in traditional dishes and for making pet food. For example, producing beef penis for culinary and specialty markets.
reaping hook: A short-handled semicircular implement with a sharp blade, formerly used for cutting corn by hand. Understanding traditional tools like the reaping hook provides historical context for modern agricultural practices.
The technologies and platforms that use RPA to automate repetitive and manual tasks in food production and distribution, improving efficiency and reducing errors. For example, adopting food product RPA systems to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
dried grass: Grass that has been artificially dried and is used as an animal feed of high nutritional value. Dried grass provides essential nutrients to livestock, especially during periods when fresh forage is not available.
red grouse: A species of grouse native to the British Isles. Maintaining populations of red grouse can enhance biodiversity and support sustainable hunting practices.
Welfare of Animals Order 1997: A piece of legislation which sets out the minimum standard of welfare for animal in transport, including guidelines on vehicle condition, journey times, and necessary documentation. Abbr WATO. Complying with WATO regulations can ensure humane treatment of animals during transport, improving welfare standards.
French Bean: A common green vegetable (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown for sale fresh or for processing as canned, frozen, or dried vegetables. Properly managing French beans ensures high-quality vegetable production and marketability.
alternate husbandry: Husbandry in which arable and grassland cultivation are alternated every few years. Implementing alternate husbandry practices helps farmers manage soil health and crop rotation.
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