Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Contact Animal: Contact animal noun an animal which has had contact with a diseased animal and which may need to be isolated Movement restrictions placed on the contact animals in the herd will remain in place and the animals will be subject to testing for brucellosis over a period of months. [Farmers Guardian]. Managing contact animals helps prevent disease spread and ensure herd health.
Farm Animal Welfare Council: An agency established by the British government to review the welfare of farm animals on agricultural land, at markets, in transit, and at the place of slaughter. Abbr FAWC. This council helps ensure ethical treatment and welfare standards for farm animals.
thiabendazole: A substance used to worm cattle. Proper use of thiabendazole can help manage parasitic infections in livestock, ensuring health and productivity.
MCPA: a herbicide that kills the most persistent broad-leaved weeds, such as nettles, buttercups, charlock, dock seedlings, plantains and thistles. Understanding the application and effects of MCPA can help farmers manage weed infestations more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.
hand pulling: The act of pulling weeds or plants out of the ground by hand. Hand pulling weeds helps maintain crop health and reduces the need for chemical herbicides, promoting sustainable farming practices.
nomad: an animal that moves from place to place without having a fixed range. Compare migrant. Understanding the behavior of nomadic animals, such as livestock, helps farmers manage grazing patterns and prevent overgrazing. Farmers can benefit from rotational grazing systems that mimic nomadic movements, promoting pasture health and sustainability. This approach ensures adequate forage availability, reduces soil erosion, and improves livestock nutrition and productivity. Implementing managed grazing practices supports sustainable land use and enhances overall farm efficiency.
Catabolism: The breaking down of complex chemicals into simple chemicals. Understanding catabolism aids in managing livestock nutrition and metabolism for optimal health and productivity.
derris: A powdered insecticide extracted from the root of a tropical plant, used against fleas, lice, and aphids. Rotenone. Farmers should use derris carefully, following label instructions and safety guidelines, to manage pests effectively. Understanding the impact of derris on crops, livestock, and the environment will help in selecting the right product and application method. Monitoring pest populations and integrating other control methods can enhance pest management.
Groningen Whiteheaded: Groningen Whiteheaded is a dual-purpose breed of cattle developed in the Netherlands, with a black body and white head. Raising dual-purpose breeds provides both milk and meat, enhancing farm efficiency and income.
blister beetle: A beetle that produces a blistering agent called cantharidin. Controlling blister beetles protects livestock from poisoning and preserves crop health.
Agricultural Holdings Act 1984: An Act of Parliament which gives protection to tenants in questions of the fixing of rent and security of tenure. It makes provision for tenancies for a lifetime and for short-term lettings. Understanding this act helps farmers and landowners navigate tenancy agreements and rights.
magnesium: a light, silvery-white metallic element that burns with a brilliant white flame. The addition of magnesium to soil may prevent deficiency diseases in crops or in livestock, such as interveinal yellowing of leaves in potatoes and sugar beet, and hypomagnesaemia or grass staggers in grazing animals. Ensuring adequate magnesium in soil and livestock diets is crucial for healthy crop and livestock growth, leading to better yields and farm sustainability.
voluntary restraint agreement: An agreement by which farmers agree not to spray in windy conditions. Such agreements are not legally binding. Abiding by voluntary restraint agreements can improve environmental protection and community relations.
Commercial: Commercial adjective 1. referring to business 2. produced to be sold for profit. Focusing on commercial agriculture enhances farm profitability and market reach.
The evaluation of livestock based on specific traits such as growth rate, feed efficiency, and milk production. Performance testing helps identify superior animals for breeding. For example, conducting performance tests to select high-performing bulls for artificial insemination.
enrich: 1. To make something richer or stronger, e.g., soil can be enriched by adding humus. 2. To improve the nutritional quality of food. Enrich with vitamins. 3. To improve the living conditions of farm animals, e.g., by providing them with larger living areas. Enrichment practices help farmers enhance soil health, food quality, and animal welfare.
husbandry system: A written plan for looking after a group of farm animals, looking at considerations such as their habitat, diet, medical care, production rates, and general welfare. Developing a husbandry system supports effective livestock management and productivity.
haulm silage: Silage made from the stems and leaves of peas and beans left after harvest. Producing haulm silage can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, improving farm sustainability.
reproductive organs: Parts of the bodies of animals which are involved in the conception and development of a fetus. Knowledge of reproductive organs helps farmers manage breeding and improve livestock health.
rolled grain: Grain which has been through a roller mill before it is fed to livestock. Rolled grain, usually barley, is more easily digested. Using rolled grain improves livestock nutrition and feed efficiency.
water management: The careful and appropriate use of water. Effective water management can improve farm productivity and sustainability.
pony-trekking: A recreational activity where people hire ponies to ride along country paths, now sometimes organized from farms as a form of diversification. Helpful content: Offering pony-trekking can diversify farm income and attract tourists. This activity promotes rural tourism, provides additional revenue streams, and allows farmers to showcase their landscapes and agricultural practices.
The measurement of the fat layer over the back, usually at the 12th rib. Back fat thickness is used to assess fat cover and carcass quality. For instance, monitoring back fat thickness in pigs to ensure optimal meat quality and processing efficiency.
Scottish halfbreed: A crossbred type of sheep obtained by using a Border Leicester ram on a Cheviot ewe. They are used widely in lowland Britain. Farmers benefit from raising Scottish halfbreeds for their adaptability and efficient meat and wool production.
bottom land: Fertile, low-lying land along a river. Managing bottom land supports productive agriculture and prevents soil erosion.
The process of developing and implementing a strategic plan for farm operations, including goals, resources, and financial projections. For example, creating a farm business plan to guide decision-making and achieve long-term success.
triticale: A new cereal hybrid of wheat and rye. It combines the yield potential of wheat with the winter hardiness and resistance to drought of rye. Increasingly used in the UK, triticale replaces winter and spring feed barleys. It has a high level of disease resistance and a reduced demand for chemical fertiliser. Growing triticale can enhance crop diversity and improve resilience to environmental stresses.
Cover: Cover verb to copulate with a female animal a bull covers a cow noun 1. something that goes over something else completely 2. the amount of soil surface covered with plants. ground cover 3. plants grown to cover the surface of the soil Grass cover will provide some protection against erosion. Utilizing cover crops and ground cover techniques enhances soil health and prevents erosion.
packhouse: A building used for grading, cleaning, and packing produce on a farm before it is sent to the customer. Ensuring produce is properly graded, cleaned, and packed helps farmers maintain high standards and reduce waste, leading to better market prices and customer satisfaction.
Shetland: A rare breed of cattle, native to the Shetland Isles. It is medium-sized, black and white, with short legs, short horns and a bulky body. A breed of sheep, native to the Shetland Isles. The colour varies from white, through grey and black to light brown; the ewes are polled and the rams horned; it produces fine soft wool of high quality, used in the Shetland wool industry. A small Shetland ewe yields a fleece 1.52 kilos in weight. A breed of pony, used as a riding horse for children. Farmers benefit from raising Shetland breeds for their hardiness and valuable products, including wool, meat, and pony services.
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