Author: Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.

scion: A piece of a plant which is grafted onto a rootstock. Farmers benefit from using scions for grafting to propagate desirable plant varieties.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia

mastitis-metritis-agalactia: full form of MMA. Understanding and managing mastitis-metritis-agalactia is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock, reducing mortality rates and ensuring better economic outcomes for farmers.

Clean Cattle

Clean Cattle: Cattle that have not been used for breeding. Managing clean cattle involves providing proper nutrition and healthcare to ensure their productivity and welfare.

Beef Sebaceous Gland

The sebaceous glands of cattle, often used for medicinal purposes. For example, producing beef sebaceous gland for pharmaceutical and health applications.

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.

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.

Rein

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

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.

Brussels Sprouts

brussels sprouts: A vegetable in the cabbage family. Growing brussels sprouts provides nutritious food and valuable crops for fresh markets and processing.

Season Extension

Season Extension:

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.

Food Packaging And Labeling Regulations

The laws and guidelines governing the packaging and labeling of food products, including ingredient lists, nutritional information, and allergen warnings. For example, complying with food packaging and labeling regulations to ensure consumer safety and meet legal requirements.

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.

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.

Precision Agriculture

by Alan Nafzger, Ph.D.December 23, 2024May 25, 2024

Precision Agriculture:

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.

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.

SASSAS

SASSAS: Set-aside scheme. Farmers benefit from participating in SASSAS for land management and conservation incentives.

Dietary

dietary: Referring to diet. Dietary practices are crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock. Farmers should ensure that animals receive a balanced and nutritious diet, tailored to their specific needs. Working with veterinarians and nutritionists to develop proper dietary plans will help optimize animal health and farm productivity.

FAC

FAC: Abbreviation for Food Advisory Committee. This committee provides guidance on food safety and standards, ensuring that farmers’ products meet regulatory requirements and are safe for consumption, thereby protecting public health and enhancing marketability.

Electronic Identification

electronic identification: A way of marking animals with tags containing a readable chip, which identifies them. Abbr EID. Electronic identification helps farmers efficiently track and manage their livestock.

Hill Radnor

Hill Radnor: Radnor. Raising Hill Radnor sheep provides farmers with hardy livestock suited to hilly and upland areas.

Combine Harvester

Combine Harvester: Combine harvester noun a large machine that cuts a crop, threshes it and sorts the grain or seed from the straw or chaff. Combine harvesters are used to harvest a vast range of crops such as cereals, grass, peas, and oilseed rape. COMMENT: The combine harvester cuts the crop, passes it to the threshing mechanism, then sorts the grain or seed from the straw or chaff. The straw is left in a swath behind the combine, and the chaff is blown out of the back. The grain is lifted to a hopper from which it is unloaded into trailers. Most combine harvesters are self-propelled, with a cab for the driver, power steering, and monitoring systems for the key components. Special attachments used with combines include straw spreaders, pick-up attachments for grass and clover crops, and maize pickers. Utilizing combine harvesters enhances crop harvesting efficiency and reduces labor requirements.

Show Heifer

A heifer that is raised and prepared for exhibition in livestock shows, judged on conformation and quality. Show heifers are groomed and trained for competition. For instance, selecting and raising a show heifer to compete in a state fair.

Producer-Retailer

producer-retailer: A person who produces a commodity for sale directly to the public, as through a farm shop or by milk delivery. Helpful content: Producer-retailers can benefit from direct sales to consumers, allowing for better profit margins and stronger customer relationships. This approach can also provide consumers with fresher and more traceable products.

HSE

HSE: Abbreviation for Health and Safety Executive. Engaging with HSE guidelines helps farmers maintain a safe working environment for themselves and their workers.

Trough

trough: A long narrow area of low pressure with cold air in it, leading away from the centre of a depression. A long narrow open wooden or metal container for holding water or feed for livestock. Proper management of troughs can ensure adequate water and feed supply, improving livestock health and productivity.

Pole Bean

Pole Bean:

Texan Angora Goat

Texan angora goat: A breed of goat with very fine hair, imported from America. Raising Texan Angora goats can provide high-quality fiber (mohair) and diversify farm products.

Milk Pasteurization

The process of heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful bacteria and extend shelf life. Pasteurization is a critical step in dairy processing. For example, pasteurizing milk to ensure it is safe for consumption and meets regulatory standards.

Picloram

picloram: A systemic herbicide. Understanding herbicides like picloram aids in effective weed management and protecting crop yields.

Celeriac

Celeriac: A variety of celery with a thick edible root used in soups and salads. Growing celeriac provides a nutritious and versatile crop for fresh markets, enhancing farm income.

Herd Book

herd book: The record of animals kept by breeding societies in which only the offspring of registered animals can be recorded. Maintaining a herd book helps farmers track pedigrees and improve breeding programs.

BASC

BASC: Abbreviation for British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Farmers can collaborate with BASC to promote sustainable land use and wildlife conservation.

Dehorning

dehorning: The process of removing or preventing the growth of horns on livestock. Dehorning can reduce injuries and improve safety in animal handling.

Environmentally Friendly

environmentally friendly: Intended to minimize harm to the environment, e.g., by using biodegradable ingredients. Also called environment-friendly. Adopting environmentally friendly practices helps farmers protect the natural world and improve sustainability.

Episodic

episodic: Happening sometimes but not regularly. Managing episodic events helps farmers plan for and mitigate the impacts of irregular occurrences.

Cattle Plague

Cattle Plague: A disease of cattle eradicated from the UK in 1877 but still found in parts of Asia and Africa. Understanding the history and prevention of cattle plague helps farmers protect their herds from similar diseases.

Field Crop