Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
The systematic collection and maintenance of records related to farm operations, including production, financial, and health data. For example, maintaining detailed farm records to track performance, comply with regulations, and inform management decisions.
target price: The wholesale price within the EU that market management is intended to achieve for certain products such as wheat. Understanding target prices helps farmers make informed marketing and pricing decisions.
Cayenne Pepper: A plant (Capsicum frutescens) producing a pungent red pepper from ground dried pods. Growing cayenne peppers provides a specialty crop for culinary use, enhancing farm product diversity.
off-going crop: A crop sown by a tenant farmer before leaving the farm at the end of their tenancy. They are permitted to return and harvest the crop and remove it. Understanding off-going crop rights can help farmers manage transitions and ensure fair agreements during changes in farm tenancy.
horse bean: A broad bean used as a fodder. Growing horse beans provides a nutritious feed source for livestock.
A primal cut of beef obtained from the hindquarters, known for its leanness and versatility. Round cuts are used for roasts, steaks, and ground beef. For instance, processing round into eye of round roasts and ground beef.
dry matter: The matter remaining in a biological sample or in animal feed after the water content has been removed. Abbr DM. Dry matter is a critical measure for evaluating the nutritional content of animal feed.
milking parlour: a building in which cows are milked, and often are also fed, washed and cleaned. There are four basic designs of parlour: the herringbone parlour, where the cow stands at an angle of 45° to the milker, is commonest for large herds; the abreast parlour, where the cows stand side by side with their backs to the milker; the tandem parlour where they stand in line with their sides to the milker; the most expensive and complex of the four systems is the rotary parlour, where the cows stand on a rotating platform with the milker in the middle. Proper management of milking parlours can ensure better milk quality and yield, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.
The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates, which affects soil properties such as porosity, water infiltration, and root growth. Soil structure is influenced by factors such as organic matter, soil texture, and management practices. For example, improving soil structure through organic matter addition and conservation tillage to support healthy plant growth and optimize water use efficiency.
International Coffee Agreement: An agreement between countries to stabilize the price of coffee. Abbr ICA. Helps coffee farmers by providing market stability.
wild chamomile: Wild chamomile, also known as mayweed, is a plant that can grow in fields. While it may not be directly useful for farmers, understanding its presence can help in managing crops and preventing unwanted spread.
roller mill: A piece of equipment used in the preparation of flour and animal feed. It has two smooth steel rollers which crush the grain. Using roller mills improves feed processing efficiency and product quality.
streptomycin: an antibiotic used against many types of infection, especially streptococcal ones. Properly managing antibiotic use ensures effective disease control and livestock health, supporting farm productivity.
softwood: the open-grained wood produced by pine trees and other conifers; a pine tree or other conifer that produces such wood. Compare hardwood. Cultivating softwood trees provides farmers with a renewable source of timber for construction and paper production, supporting sustainable forestry practices.
digestibility coefficient: The proportion of food digested and not excreted, shown as a percentage of the total food eaten. Understanding the digestibility coefficient is important for evaluating the nutritional value of animal diets. Farmers should work with veterinarians and nutritionists to develop highly digestible and nutritious diets for their livestock. Implementing proper dietary practices will enhance the productivity and welfare of livestock.
Tools and machinery used in precision agriculture to enhance farming efficiency and productivity. Precision farming equipment includes GPS-guided tractors, automated planters, and drone technology. For instance, using GPS-guided equipment to ensure accurate planting and reduce overlap in field operations.
web conveyor: A machine used to move material along a moving web; found on all types of harvesters and some processing machines. Using web conveyors can improve harvest efficiency and reduce labor costs.
A container used to package and distribute milk, typically made of glass or plastic. For example, using reusable milk bottles to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
The approaches used to promote and sell food products, including branding, advertising, and consumer education. For example, developing food product marketing strategies to highlight the quality and benefits of locally produced goods.
tree preservation order: An order from a local government department that prevents a tree from being cut down. Abbr TPO. Complying with tree preservation orders supports environmental conservation and sustainable land use.
Cottage Garden: Cottage garden noun a flower garden containing old-fashioned flowers. Cultivating cottage gardens enhances landscape aesthetics and biodiversity.
pound: A measure of weight, equal to 16 ounces or 453.592 grams. Symbol lb. Helpful content: Accurate measurement of weight is crucial for various farming activities, including feed distribution, produce marketing, and livestock management. Understanding and using standard weight units ensures consistency and efficiency in farm operations.
mixed grazing: a grazing system where more than one type of animal grazes the same pasture at the same time. Mixed grazing regimes provide a range of sward lengths which are attractive areas for birds to nest and feed and encourage regeneration of grassland and moorland areas. Understanding mixed grazing can help farmers optimize their livestock management practices, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.
Oryza: The Latin name for rice. Rice cultivation can provide farmers with a staple crop that has high market demand. Farmers can benefit from understanding best practices for rice farming, including water management, pest control, and harvesting techniques, to maximize yields and profitability.
distance: The amount of space between two points. Understanding distance is important for planning farm operations, planting, and irrigation. Farmers should use appropriate tools and techniques to measure distances accurately and optimize farm layout. Understanding the benefits of accurate distance measurement will aid in effective farm management and productivity.
Flail Forage Harvester: A type of forage harvester that uses a high-speed flail rotor. The cut crop passes through a vertical chute and is discharged into a trailer. Using a flail forage harvester ensures efficient harvesting and feed preparation.
The systems and practices used to track the origin and movement of food products through the supply chain, ensuring transparency and accountability. For example, using food product traceability systems to monitor production and distribution and ensure food safety.
integrated pest management (IPM): A pest control strategy that uses a combination of techniques to minimize pest damage while reducing the use of chemical pesticides. Implementing IPM can improve crop health and sustainability.
The gall bladder of cattle, often used in traditional dishes and for making pet food. For example, producing beef gall bladder for culinary and industrial applications.
plough body: The main part of the plough, consisting of the frog, mouldboard, share, and landside. Helpful content: Understanding the components of a plough body helps farmers maintain and repair their equipment, ensuring efficient and effective soil cultivation. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of ploughs and improve field performance.
dual-purpose breed: A breed of livestock that is used for two purposes, such as milk and meat production. Utilizing dual-purpose breeds can increase farm efficiency and profitability.
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