Category: A

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.

Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment: An independent advisory committee giving statutory advice to UK government ministers on the risks to human health and the environment from the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Abbr ACRE. Understanding ACRE guidelines helps farmers make informed decisions about GMOs.

ACAF: Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs. This committee’s guidelines help farmers ensure the safety and quality of animal feeds, promoting healthy livestock.

agro-: Prefix referring to agriculture or to the cultivation or management of land. Farmers use agro- as a prefix in various agricultural terms to describe practices and technologies related to farming.

Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service: Formerly, a service of the federal Department of Agriculture which operated the department’s various schemes throughout the USA. It was incorporated into the Farm Service Agency in 1993. Abbr ASCS. Farmers benefit from stabilization and conservation programs to manage resources and improve sustainability.

allergen: A substance which produces a hypersensitive reaction in someone. Allergens are usually proteins, and include foods, the hair of animals, and pollen from flowers, as well as dust. Managing allergens is important for farmers to ensure the safety and health of farm workers and consumers.

anabolism: The process of building up complex chemical substances on the basis of simpler ones. Understanding anabolism helps farmers optimize livestock nutrition and growth.

ADHAC: Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee. This committee provides guidance on housing for farm workers, which is important for farmers to ensure proper living conditions and compliance with regulations.

acidity: The proportion of acid in a substance. Managing soil acidity is important for farmers to ensure favorable growing conditions for their crops.

American foul brood: A disease affecting bees that is caused by a bacterial parasite of the Bacillaceae family that infests the larvae. Abbr AFB. Managing AFB is crucial for beekeepers to maintain healthy and productive hives.

accredit: To recognize officially. Accreditation of farms and products ensures standards and quality, benefiting farmers by enhancing market access and consumer trust.

acid deposition: Same as acid rain. Acid deposition can negatively impact soil and water quality, so farmers must take measures to mitigate its effects on their crops and livestock.

all-terrain vehicle: A vehicle which can be driven over all types of land surface. Abbr ATV. Using ATVs helps farmers manage and access their land more efficiently.

acidify: To make a substance more acid, or to become more acid. Farmers need to know how to acidify soils appropriately to correct nutrient deficiencies and improve crop production.

alm: An alpine pasture normally only grazed in summer. Managing alpine pastures helps farmers optimize grazing resources for livestock.

azotobacter: A genus of bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil. These bacteria enhance soil fertility, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and benefiting crop production.

ammonia: A gas with an unpleasant smell that is easily soluble in water. Formula: NH3. Ammonia is released into the atmosphere from animal dung. It has the effect of neutralizing acid rain, but in combination with sulfur dioxide it forms ammonium sulfate which damages the green leaves of plants. Managing ammonia emissions is important for farmers to protect crop health and comply with environmental regulations.

actuals: Stocks of commodities such as cotton or rice which are available for shipping. Compare futures. Managing actuals allows farmers to plan their sales and distribution more efficiently.

Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs: A committee set up by the Food Standards Agency in 1999 to advise on health and safety in animal feeds and feeding practices. Abbr ACAF. Following ACAF guidelines helps farmers ensure the safety and quality of animal feeds.

ALC: Agricultural land classification. Abbr ALC. Understanding land classification helps farmers plan and manage their agricultural activities effectively.