Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
streptococcus: a bacterium belonging to a genus that grows in long chains and causes diseases such as strangles and mastitis. (NOTE: The plural is streptococci.) Understanding streptococcus bacteria helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks, supporting productivity and well-being.
dry period: In cattle, a period of six to eight weeks between lactations when a cow is rested from giving milk. Properly managing the dry period is crucial for the health and productivity of dairy cows, allowing them to recover and prepare for the next lactation.
pedigree market: The market for animals sold for breeding rather than for slaughter. Compare commercial market. Participating in the pedigree market can provide additional income and improve the quality of breeding stock.
Zadoks scale: The Zadoks scale shows the growth stages of a plant from germination to ripening. Farmers use the Zadoks scale to monitor crop development and optimize management practices.
Cattle Rustling: The stealing of cattle. Preventing cattle rustling involves using technology, security practices, and community cooperation to protect livestock.
angora: A breed of rabbit, bred mainly for its fur. A breed of goat, important as a source of mohair. The original color was white, but there are now grey, pale brown, and other shades. The wool is extremely fine. Raising Angora animals provides farmers with valuable fiber for textiles.
Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation: a British government policy to promote the use of energy from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power. Abbr NFFO. The Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation supports farmers in adopting renewable energy solutions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and enhancing environmental sustainability. Farmers can benefit from government incentives and subsidies to install solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy systems on their farms. Utilizing renewable energy sources can lower energy costs, reduce carbon footprints, and create additional revenue streams, contributing to farm resilience and profitability.
overstorey: The topmost vegetation layer in a forest, formed by the tallest trees. Managing the overstorey is crucial for forest health and productivity. Farmers can benefit from understanding the ecological dynamics of overstorey vegetation and applying sustainable forestry practices to maintain biodiversity and resource availability.
Floodwater: Water that spreads uncontrolled onto land that is usually dry. After floodwater recedes, the center of the town was left buried in mud. Properly managing floodwater helps protect farmland and infrastructure.
The weight of a carcass after slaughter, including bones and some internal organs. Hanging weight is used for pricing and yield calculations. For instance, pricing beef based on hanging weight to ensure fair compensation for producers and processors.
buttermilk: The liquid left after churning butter. Using buttermilk in baking and cooking adds value to dairy production and reduces waste.
The study and application of nutrients to support plant growth and development, including the use of fertilizers. For example, formulating and applying balanced fertilizers to ensure optimal plant nutrition and productivity.
export quotas: Limits set to the amount of a type of produce which can be exported. Understanding export quotas helps farmers comply with trade regulations and manage production.
denatured wheat: Wheat which has been stained to make it unusable for human consumption. Denaturing wheat can prevent it from entering the food supply chain and ensure its use in animal feed or other non-food applications. Farmers and processors should use proper techniques and follow regulations for denaturing wheat. Understanding the market and regulatory requirements for denatured wheat can help optimize its use and management.
Codominant: Codominant /k??d?min?nt/ adjective 1. (of a species) (said of two or more species) being roughly equally abundant in an area and more abundant than any other species. There are three codominant tree species in this forest. 2. Referring to alleles of a gene that are not fully dominant over other alleles in a heterozygous individual. Understanding codominance helps farmers with breeding programs.
knotgrass: Knotgrass – a common weed (Polygonum aviculare) which affects spring cereals, sugar beet and vegetable crops. Its spreading habit prevents other slower-growing plants from growing. Also called ironweed, irongrass, pigweed, wireweed. Helps farmers identify and control weed infestations.
Red Data Book: A catalogue formerly published by the IUCN, listing species which are rare or in danger of becoming extinct. The information is now available in a searchable database. The Red Data Book helps farmers and conservationists identify and protect endangered species, promoting biodiversity.
no-till agriculture: a system of cultivation in which mechanical disturbance of the soil by plowing is kept to a minimum to reduce soil erosion. Also called non-till. No-till agriculture involves minimal soil disturbance, promoting soil health and reducing erosion. Farmers can benefit from adopting no-till practices to enhance soil structure, improve water retention, and reduce labor and fuel costs. No-till farming supports sustainable land management, increases resilience to climate change, and can lead to higher crop yields over time. Understanding and implementing no-till techniques can enhance farm sustainability and productivity.
Specific breeds of cattle raised primarily for meat production. Beef cattle breeds include Angus, Hereford, and Charolais. For example, raising Angus cattle for their high-quality beef and market demand.
Fenland Rotation: A system of crop rotation developed on the Fens of East Anglia, using potatoes, sugar beet, and wheat in rotation. This rotation helps maintain soil fertility and reduce pest and disease pressures.
methanol: an alcohol manufactured from coal, natural gas or waste wood, which is used as a fuel or solvent. Formula: CH3OH. Also called methyl alcohol, wood alcohol. Biodiesel is made by mixing vegetable oil with methanol, giving glycerine as a by-product. Its source is natural and renewable and it dramatically reduces exhaust emissions of smoke and soot, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, the cause of acid rain. Methanol can be used as a fuel in any type of burner. Its main disadvantage is that it is less efficient than petrol and can cause pollution if it escapes into the environment, as it mixes easily with water. Production of methanol from coal or natural gas does not help fuel conservation, since it depletes Earths fossil fuel resources. Understanding the production and uses of methanol can help farmers utilize alternative fuels more effectively, contributing to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
shorthorn: A breed of cattle, with short horns. In the 18th century, Charles Colling used many of the breeding principles established by Robert Bakewell to develop the shorthorn breed, which became the most common in Britain and remained so for over a hundred years. It has later developed into three different strains: the Beef Shorthorn, the Dairy Shorthorn and the Lincoln Shorthorn. Farmers benefit from raising shorthorn cattle for their versatility in meat and milk production.
best linear unbiased prediction: A statistical method for predicting genetic merit. Using BLUP helps farmers make informed breeding decisions to improve livestock performance.
extensification: 1. The use of less intensive farming methods. Compare intensification. 2. A payment made to farmers to encourage them to farm less intensively. Adopting extensification practices helps farmers improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
perennial ryegrass: A grass (Lolium perenne) which forms the basis of the majority of long leys in the UK. It is the most important grass in good permanent pasture and is often sown mixed with other grasses and clover (NOTE: Perennial ryegrass has a long growing season, is quick to become established, and responds well to fertilizers. It is best suited to grazing and is highly palatable for animals.) Using perennial ryegrass in pastures ensures high-quality forage and sustainable grazing for livestock.
Bison bonasus: The scientific name for the European bison. Raising bison can diversify farm operations and contribute to species conservation.
The practices and procedures used to ensure the safety, consistency, and quality of food products, including testing and inspections. For example, implementing food product quality control measures to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.
successional cropping: the growing of several crops one after the other during the same growing season; the process of sowing a crop such as lettuce over a long period, so that harvesting takes place over a similarly long period. Properly managing successional cropping ensures efficient land use and continuous crop production, supporting farm productivity.
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