Mn
by Mn: symbol manganese. Understanding the role of manganese in soil and livestock nutrition can help farmers prevent deficiencies and ensure better crop and animal health and productivity.
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.
Rural Environment
rural environment: The countryside. Protecting the rural environment supports sustainable agriculture and enhances biodiversity.
Active Ingredient
active ingredient: The main effective ingredient of something such as an ointment or agrochemical, as opposed to the base substance. Abbr AI. Knowing the active ingredients in agrochemicals helps farmers use them safely and effectively.
Food Product Incident Investigation
The process of examining and analyzing incidents related to food products, including contamination, quality issues, and safety concerns, to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. For example, conducting food product incident investigations to improve processes and prevent future issues.
Agricultural Holding
agricultural holding: A basic unit for agricultural production, consisting of all the land and livestock under the management of one particular person or group of people. Managing agricultural holdings effectively is crucial for farmers to optimize productivity and sustainability.
Institute Of Food Research
Institute of Food Research: A not-for-profit scientific institute which advises on food safety, diet and health. Abbr IFR. Ensures farmers have access to the latest research on food safety and nutrition.
Horticultural Development Council
Horticultural Development Council: A non-departmental government body providing information and support to people in the horticulture industry, including producers of soft fruit, mushrooms, and tree fruit. Abbr HDC. Engaging with HDC can provide farmers with valuable research and support for horticultural practices.
Beef Brisket
A cut of beef obtained from the breast or lower chest, known for its rich flavor and tenderness when cooked slowly. Brisket is commonly used for barbecuing and braising. For example, producing beef brisket for barbecue joints and home cooks.
Monophyletic
monophyletic: derived from a single ancestral type. Understanding monophyletic relationships can help farmers improve their breeding programs and ensure better genetic diversity and productivity.
Inorganic Pesticide
inorganic pesticide: A pesticide made from inorganic substances such as sulfur. Helps farmers control pests using inorganic pesticides.
Soil Erosion Assessment
The evaluation of soil erosion risk and severity to inform management practices and conservation efforts. Soil erosion assessment helps identify vulnerable areas and prioritize interventions. For example, conducting soil erosion assessments to develop targeted conservation plans and protect soil health on a farm.
Rib
A primal cut of beef obtained from the rib section, known for its tenderness and flavor. Rib cuts include ribeye steaks and prime rib. For instance, producing ribeye steaks for high-end restaurants and retail markets.
Theoretical Field Capacity
theoretical field capacity: The rate of work that would be achieved if a machine were performing its function at its full-rated forward speed for 100% of the time. Understanding theoretical field capacity can help farmers plan and optimize machinery use for efficient field operations.
Penicillin
penicillin: An antibiotic, originally produced from a fungus, that controls bacterial and fungal infections (NOTE: Penicillin and the related family of drugs have names ending in -cillin: amoxycillin). COMMENT: Penicillin is effective against many microbial diseases, such as mastitis in cattle. Using antibiotics like penicillin helps in treating infections and maintaining livestock health.
Adulterate
adulterate: To reduce the quality of something, such as by adding water to milk. Ensuring products are not adulterated maintains their quality and marketability for farmers.
Guinea Corn
guinea corn: Guinea corn is sorghum, a versatile crop used for food, fodder, and industrial products. Growing guinea corn diversifies farm production and meets market demands for cereals.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
An approach to farming that seeks to increase productivity, enhance resilience to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This involves practices such as crop rotation, conservation tillage, and agroforestry. For example, implementing climate-smart practices can help a farm adapt to changing weather patterns.
Crop
Crop: Crop noun 1. a plant grown for food 2. a yield of produce from plants The tree has produced a heavy crop of apples. The first crop was a failure. The rice crop has failed. 3. the bag-shaped part of a birds throat where food is stored before digestion verb (of plants) to produce fruit a new strain of rice which crops heavily. Managing crops ensures optimal yields and sustainable agriculture.
Cattle Milk Vitamin D
A nutrient added to milk to support bone health and immune function. Vitamin D is commonly fortified in milk. For instance, fortifying milk with vitamin D to help prevent deficiencies in the population.
Farm Business Survey
Farm Business Survey: A survey carried out by Defra on the financial performance of different types of farms. Abbr FBS. This survey helps farmers benchmark their performance and make informed business decisions.
Ribeye Area Measurement
The size of the ribeye muscle, measured at the 12th rib. Ribeye area is used to assess muscling and meat yield. For example, measuring the ribeye area of beef cattle to evaluate carcass quality and market potential.
Soil-Borne Fungus
soil-borne fungus: a fungus whose spores are carried in the soil. Managing soil-borne fungi protects crops from disease, ensuring healthy growth and better yields.
Crossbreeding
Crossbreeding: Crossbreeding /kr?sbri:di?/ noun mating or artificial insemination of animals of different breeds in order to combine the best characteristics of the two breeds. Engaging in crossbreeding practices supports genetic diversity and livestock improvement.
Integrated Fish Farming
The practice of combining fish farming with other agricultural activities, such as crop or livestock production, to create a synergistic system. For example, implementing integrated fish farming to enhance resource use efficiency and diversify farm income.
Environmental Mastitis
A type of mastitis caused by pathogens present in the cow’s environment, such as bedding and water. Environmental mastitis is managed through hygiene and management practices. For example, maintaining clean bedding to reduce the risk of environmental mastitis in dairy cows.
Deer Commission For Scotland
Deer Commission for Scotland: An association in Scotland which advises on best practices in wild deer management. Abbr DCS. Farmers involved in deer farming or managing land with wild deer populations should follow the guidelines and recommendations provided by the DCS. Implementing best practices in deer management can improve herd health, reduce disease risk, and enhance the sustainability of deer populations.
Portland
Portland: A rare breed of sheep. Both sexes are horned, with brown or tan faces and legs. Helpful content: Portland sheep are known for their hardiness and adaptability to various environments. Farmers can benefit from raising this rare breed due to its resilience and the unique qualities of its wool and meat.
Cattle Milk Protein
An essential nutrient in milk, important for growth and repair in the body. Milk protein is used in various dairy products, including cheese and yogurt. For instance, enhancing milk protein levels through selective breeding and nutrition management.
Watering System
A setup for providing water to livestock, including troughs, automatic waterers, and pipelines. Adequate water supply is essential for animal health and productivity. For example, installing an automatic watering system in a pasture to ensure cattle have constant access to fresh water.
Rough Fell
Rough Fell: A hardy moorland breed of horned sheep, closely related to the Swaledale. It has a dark-colored face with irregular patterns. The wool is of coarse quality. Raising Rough Fell sheep supports diversified farm income and sustainable grazing practices.
Management Practice
management practice: practical ways of using management decisions to organise the use of resources or materials. Vaccination of ewes and lambs is one of the more common management practices performed by sheep producers each and every year. Some producers will vaccinate their flock for everything, while others choose a more conservative approach. [Farmers Guardian]. Understanding and implementing effective management practices can help farmers improve productivity and sustainability.
Sclerotinia
sclerotinia: A soil-borne disease affecting many crops, including potatoes, oilseed rape and peas. Farmers benefit from managing sclerotinia to protect crop health and prevent yield losses.
Domesticate
domesticate: To breed wild animals so that they become tame and can fill human needs or to breed wild plants, selecting the best strains so that they become useful for food or decoration. Domestication has led to the development of many farm animals and crops that are essential for modern agriculture.
Outfields
outfields: In hill farms, the fields furthest from the homestead, cropped only from time to time and allowed to lie fallow for long periods. Managing outfields effectively can improve soil health and pasture quality. Farmers can benefit from rotational grazing and crop rotation practices to enhance the productivity and sustainability of outfields.
Agricultural Policy And Legislation
The laws, regulations, and policies that govern agricultural practices, trade, and subsidies. For example, understanding agricultural policy and legislation to navigate regulatory requirements and access government programs.
Outline Planning Permission
outline planning permission: Permission in principle to build a property on a piece of land, but not the final approval because further details must be submitted. Understanding outline planning permission can help farmers with land development and compliance. Farmers can benefit from securing outline planning permission to enhance the value and utility of their land.
Pest Monitoring
The practice of regularly inspecting crops and livestock for signs of pests and their damage. Pest monitoring helps farmers make informed decisions about pest control methods. For example, conducting regular field inspections to detect early signs of pest infestations in a crop.
Brown Earth
brown earth: A type of fertile soil rich in organic matter. Managing brown earth soils supports high crop productivity and sustainable farming practices.
Alpine Pastures
alpine pastures: Grass fields in high mountains which are used by cattle farmers in the summer. Managing alpine pastures helps farmers optimize grazing resources and maintain livestock health.