Drag Harrow
by drag harrow: A heavy type of harrow used in the preparation of seedbeds. Drag harrows help break up soil clumps and create a smooth surface for planting.
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.
Feedyard
A facility where cattle are fed and fattened before slaughter. Feedyards provide high-energy diets to increase weight gain. For instance, raising cattle in a feedyard to prepare them for the meatpacking industry.
Agricultural Economist
agricultural economist: A person who studies the economics of the agricultural industry. Insights from agricultural economists can guide farmers in making profitable and sustainable business decisions.
Germination
germination: The process by which a seed develops into a new plant. Ensuring proper germination conditions is crucial for successful crop establishment.
Friends Of The Earth
Friends of the Earth: A pressure group formed to influence local and central governments on environmental matters. Abbr FoE. This organization advocates for sustainable farming practices and environmental protection.
Zigzag Harrow
zigzag harrow: A zigzag harrow is a light harrow used for seedbed preparation. Using a zigzag harrow helps farmers improve soil conditions for planting.
Intensive Farming
intensive farming: A farming system that uses high levels of inputs, such as labor, fertilizers, and capital, to achieve high yields. Intensive farming can increase productivity but requires careful management to avoid environmental degradation.
Boric Acid
boric acid: A compound used as a pesticide and antiseptic. Using boric acid responsibly supports pest control and farm hygiene.
Conventional Farming
A traditional method of farming that typically involves the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Conventional farming aims to maximize yield and efficiency. For example, growing corn using conventional farming practices to achieve high production levels.
Crab
A type of crustacean commonly farmed for its edible meat. Crab farming involves raising crabs in controlled environments such as ponds or tanks. For instance, crab farms produce crabs for the seafood market.
Soil Aggregates
Clumps of soil particles that form due to natural processes and management practices. Soil aggregates improve soil structure, water infiltration, and nutrient retention. For example, increasing soil organic matter to enhance soil aggregation and support sustainable crop production.
Palynology
palynology: The scientific study of pollen, especially of pollen found in peat and coal deposits. Also called pollen analysis. Studying pollen helps in understanding past climates and ecosystems, aiding in crop planning and biodiversity conservation.
Mangosteen
mangosteen: a tree (Garcinia mangostana) which is native to Malaysia, but which is now cultivated in the West Indies. The fruit has a dark shiny rind and a soft sweet white flesh. Growing mangosteen can provide farmers with a unique and high-value crop, particularly in regions with suitable climates, contributing to income diversification and economic stability.
Green Top Milk
green top milk: Green top milk is untreated milk, identified by the green tops of the bottles. Understanding the regulations and market for green top milk helps farmers produce and market dairy products effectively.
Amniotic Fluid
amniotic fluid: The fluid that surrounds and protects a fetus. Understanding amniotic fluid helps farmers manage livestock reproduction and health.
Sugar Beet
sugar beet: a specialised type of beet grown for the high sugar content of its roots. It is cultivated in temperate regions, and in Britain is an especially important crop in East Anglia. The crowns and leaves of the crop are used for feedingstuff, as is also the residue after the sugar content has been extracted from the roots. Properly managing sugar beet crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.
Toxic Substance
toxic substance: A substance that is poisonous or harmful to humans, animals, or the environment. Proper handling and disposal of toxic substances can prevent contamination and ensure farm safety.
Pollard
pollard: A tree of which the branches have been cut back to a height of about 2m above the ground. Helpful content: Pollarding is a sustainable tree management practice that provides fodder for livestock and wood for fuel or construction. This method helps farmers maintain tree health and productivity while supporting diverse farm needs.
Monocotyledon
monocotyledon: a flowering plant which has only one seed leaf (cotyledon). Compare dicotyledon. Understanding the characteristics of monocotyledons can help farmers manage crop production and biodiversity more effectively.
Soil Rehabilitation
The process of restoring degraded soil to improve its health, fertility, and productivity. Soil rehabilitation involves practices such as soil amendments, erosion control, and re-vegetation. For example, implementing soil rehabilitation measures to restore degraded farmland and support sustainable agricultural production.
Mode Of Action
mode of action: the way in which a pesticide acts. For example, organophosphorous compounds disrupt the nerve impulses in insects. Understanding the mode of action of pesticides can help farmers manage pest control more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.
Soft Wheat
soft wheat: wheat containing grains which, when milled, break down in a random manner. Soft wheats have less protein than hard wheats and have poor milling qualities. Growing soft wheat provides farmers with a crop suitable for specific market demands, such as pastry and cake flours.
Beekeeping
The practice of maintaining bee colonies for the production of honey, beeswax, and other products. Beekeeping also includes managing hive health and preventing diseases. For example, inspecting hives regularly to check for pests and diseases.
Air Layering
air layering: A method of propagation where a stem is partially cut, then surrounded with damp moss, which is tied securely to the stem. Roots will grow from the cut at the point where it is in contact with the moss. Using air layering helps farmers propagate plants efficiently.
Leicester Longwool
Leicester Longwool: Leicester Longwool is a breed of large hornless white-faced sheep, used a lot by Robert Bakewell, but now rare. Understanding and preserving rare breeds like Leicester Longwool can enhance genetic diversity and resilience in sheep farming.
Pathogenetic
pathogenetic: Referring to pathogenesis. Knowledge of pathogenetic processes aids in the development of disease-resistant crop varieties and livestock breeds.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade: An international system where food companies agree to pay producers in developing countries a fair price for their products. Fair trade practices support sustainable farming, fair wages, and ethical production, benefiting small-scale farmers and promoting global equity.
Mixed Cropping
mixed cropping: the practice of growing more than one type of plant on the same piece of land at the same time. Opposite monocropping. Understanding mixed cropping can help farmers optimize their crop production and improve soil health and biodiversity.
Soil Aeration
The process of improving soil structure by creating air spaces within the soil. Soil aeration enhances root growth, water infiltration, and nutrient uptake. For example, using a mechanical aerator to improve soil aeration in a compacted pasture and support healthy forage growth.
Systemic (Of A Pesticide)
systemic (of a pesticide): referring to a substance absorbed into the plant through the root or leaf and moved around within the plant. Properly managing systemic pesticides ensures effective pest control and healthy crop growth, enhancing farm productivity.
Stripper-Header
stripper-header: a machine which harvests a crop such as linseed and strips off the seedheads. Using stripper-headers ensures efficient crop harvesting, reducing labor costs and enhancing productivity.
Centrifugal Sugar
Centrifugal Sugar: A type of raw sugar containing 96% to 98% sucrose, isolated from sugar beet or cane. Understanding sugar processing helps farmers and processors produce high-quality sweeteners for the market.
Soil Ecosystem Services
The benefits provided by soil organisms and processes, including nutrient cycling, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. Soil ecosystem services are essential for sustainable agriculture and environmental health. For example, maintaining soil biodiversity to enhance ecosystem services and support productive farming systems.
Cattle Reproduction Management
The practices and strategies used to manage breeding and reproductive cycles in cattle to optimize milk production and herd genetics. For example, using artificial insemination to improve genetic traits and reproductive efficiency in dairy herds.
Salination
salination: A process by which the salt concentration of soil or water increases, especially as a result of irrigation in hot climates. Also called salinisation. Farmers benefit from understanding and managing salination to prevent soil degradation and maintain crop productivity.