Category: A

AHO: Animal Health Office; Animal Health Officer. Abbr AHO. Farmers benefit from the expertise of Animal Health Officers to maintain livestock health and comply with animal welfare standards.

Agricultural Engineers Association: An organization which protects the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural machinery in the UK. Abbr AEA. Farmers benefit from the resources and advocacy provided by AEA to improve their operations.

acclimatisation: The process of adapting to a different environment. Acclimatisation is crucial for farmers when introducing new crops or livestock to different climates.

agricultural: Referring to farming. Farmers need to understand various agricultural practices to manage their farms effectively and sustainably.

amylase: An enzyme which converts starch into maltose. Understanding amylase helps farmers manage livestock digestion and nutrition.

Agricultural Waste Stakeholders’ Forum: A group that includes representatives of government, farming organizations, waste companies, and farm suppliers with the aim of identifying and dealing with issues of waste management in agriculture. Farmers benefit from participating in forums to address waste management challenges and find solutions.

Agricultural Mortgage Corporation: A corporation which makes loans available to borrowers on the security of agricultural land and buildings in England and Wales. Abbr AMC. Access to loans from AMC helps farmers invest in their operations and improve productivity.

anaerobism: A lack of oxygen such as is found in gley soils. Understanding anaerobism helps farmers manage soil health and productivity.

alveolus: A thin-walled air sac that occurs in large numbers in each lung and allows oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide to leave the blood. Understanding alveolus function helps farmers manage livestock respiratory health.

agricultural policy: The decisions and commitments that make up a government’s attitude to and program for agriculture. Understanding agricultural policy helps farmers navigate regulations and benefit from government support.

anaerobic digester: A digester that operates without oxygen. Anaerobic digesters can be used to convert cattle manure into gas. Implementing anaerobic digesters helps farmers produce biogas and manage waste efficiently.

acariasis: A skin disease caused by ticks or mites. Understanding and managing acariasis is crucial for farmers to maintain the health and productivity of their livestock.

Agricultural Development and Advisory Service: Former name for ADAS. ADAS provides technical advice and support to farmers, helping them improve their practices and productivity.

acidic: Referring to acids. Knowledge of soil acidity is crucial for farmers to manage soil pH levels for optimal crop growth.

abstraction: The removal of water from a river or other source for use by industry, farmers or gardeners. Effective water abstraction practices ensure sustainable water use for agricultural needs.

ammoniacal: Referring to ammonia. Understanding ammoniacal processes helps farmers manage nitrogen levels in soil and crops.

acreage allotment: A quota system operated in the USA, which limits the area of land that can be planted with a certain type of crop. Farmers must comply with acreage allotments to receive subsidies and support for sustainable farming practices.

agrobiodiversity: The aspects of biodiversity that affect agriculture and food production, including within-species, species, and ecosystem diversity. Managing agrobiodiversity helps farmers improve resilience and sustainability in their farming systems.

animal inspector: An official whose job is to inspect animals to see if they have notifiable diseases and are being kept in acceptable conditions. Farmers benefit from inspections to ensure livestock health and compliance with regulations.

alpha acids: A number of related compounds found in hops, which give hops their bitter taste. Understanding alpha acids helps farmers manage hop production for brewing.

accredited herd: A herd of cattle registered under a scheme as being free from Brucellosis. Maintaining an accredited herd ensures livestock health and marketability.

aeration: The replacement of stagnant soil air with fresh air. Proper soil aeration promotes healthy root development and improves crop yields for farmers.

agri-biotechnology: Biotechnology as applied to agriculture. Understanding agri-biotechnology helps farmers adopt innovations that improve crop yields and livestock productivity.

Allium: The Latin name for a family of plants including the onion, leek, garlic, and chives. Growing Allium species provides farmers with valuable crops for culinary and medicinal purposes.

albinism: An inherited lack of pigmentation in an organism. Understanding albinism helps farmers manage and breed livestock with this condition.

AMC: Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. Abbr AMC. Access to loans from AMC helps farmers invest in their operations and improve productivity.

Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee: The committee that advises the Health and Safety Commission on the protection of people at work and others from hazards to health and safety arising within the agricultural and related industries. Farmers benefit from the guidance of this committee to ensure workplace safety and compliance.

agricultural laborer: A person who does heavy work on a farm, formerly a rural worker with no land, and sometimes still a worker with a special skill, such as ditching or hedging. Understanding the role of agricultural laborers helps farmers manage their workforce effectively.

acidophilus milk: A cultured milk made from fresh milk which is allowed to go sour in a controlled way. One of the most popular types of acidophilus milk in Europe is yogurt. Farmers producing acidophilus milk products can diversify their offerings and meet consumer demand for probiotics.

alder: A hardwood tree in the birch family. Genus: Alnus. The wood is resistant to decay in wet conditions. Farmers may grow alder for timber production and soil improvement.

ACRE: Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. ACRE provides guidance on the environmental impact of genetically modified organisms, helping farmers make informed decisions about their use.

Agricultural Industries Confederation: A trade association for suppliers of feed, fertilizers, seeds, and grain to the agricultural sector. Abbr AIC. Farmers benefit from the resources and advocacy provided by AIC to improve their practices and productivity.

agri-environment scheme: A scheme to give money to farmers to persuade them to adopt land management practices that benefit the environment, e.g., the Environmental Stewardship Scheme. Participating in agri-environment schemes helps farmers improve sustainability and receive financial support.

alimentary canal: A tube in the body going from the mouth to the anus, including the throat, stomach, and intestines, through which food passes and is digested. Understanding the alimentary canal helps farmers manage animal nutrition and health.

AESA: Adjusted Eurospec Average. Understanding market averages like AESA helps farmers make informed decisions about livestock sales and pricing.

ammonium phosphate: A fertilizer which can be used straight, but is more often used in compounds. Applications may increase the acidity of the soil. Understanding ammonium phosphate helps farmers manage soil pH and nutrient levels.

animal husbandry: The process of breeding and looking after farm animals. Understanding animal husbandry helps farmers manage livestock health, productivity, and welfare.

aerate: To allow air to enter a substance, especially soil or water. Aerating soil improves its structure and fertility, benefiting crop growth for farmers.

anchorage: The ability of plant roots to hold firm in the soil. Understanding anchorage helps farmers manage soil health and crop stability.

agroecology: The ecology of a crop-producing area. Applying agroecology principles helps farmers adopt sustainable practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity.

anaemic: Affected by anaemia. The US spelling is anemic. Understanding anemia helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent productivity losses.

anaerobic digestion: The breakdown of organic material without the presence of oxygen. This process can convert waste into biogas and nutrient-rich slurry, offering farmers a sustainable waste management solution.

anaerobic: Not needing oxygen for existence. Compare aerobic. Understanding anaerobic processes helps farmers manage waste and soil health.

adsorbable: Referring to a gas or vapor which is able to bond with a solid when it touches its surface. Knowing about adsorbable substances aids farmers in soil and environmental management.

acetonaemia: A disease affecting cows, caused by ketone bodies accumulating. The animal loses appetite and the smell of acetone affects the breath, urine, and milk. Early diagnosis and treatment of acetonaemia are essential to prevent severe health impacts and loss of productivity in dairy herds.

aggregate: A mass of soil and rock particles stuck together. Managing soil aggregates is important for farmers to maintain soil structure and fertility for crop production.

aerial: Referring to something which exists in the air. Understanding aerial aspects of farming, such as aerial spraying, helps farmers manage pests and diseases more effectively.

ADS: Agriculture Development Scheme. This scheme supports farmers in improving their agricultural practices and productivity.

Animal Health Officer: An employee of an Animal Health Divisional Office, with veterinary training. Abbr AHO. Farmers benefit from the expertise of Animal Health Officers to maintain livestock health and comply with animal welfare standards.

agroforestry: The growing of farm crops and trees together as a farming unit. Agroforestry practices benefit farmers by improving soil health, diversifying income streams, and enhancing biodiversity.