Category: A

acreage: The area of a piece of land measured in acres. Knowing the acreage of their land helps farmers plan crop rotations and manage resources effectively.

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service: An organization which advises on employment disputes and rights in the workplace. Abbr ACAS. Farmers can benefit from ACAS guidance to resolve labor issues and maintain fair employment practices.

agribusiness: A large-scale farming business run along the lines of a conventional company, often involving the processing, packaging, and sale of farm products. Farmers can learn from agribusiness practices to scale up their operations and improve efficiency.

ad lib feeding: The unrestricted supply of feed, day and night. Implementing ad lib feeding can improve growth rates and productivity in livestock.

alpha amylase: An enzyme present in wheat seed, which changes some starch to sugar. Excessive amounts can result in loaves of bread with sticky texture. Managing alpha amylase levels helps farmers ensure the quality of wheat and bakery products.

aviculture: The practice of keeping and breeding birds. Aviculture can diversify farm operations and provide additional income through the sale of birds and bird products.

ammonium: An ion formed from ammonia. Managing ammonium levels in soil and water helps farmers optimize crop health and productivity.

alternate husbandry: Husbandry in which arable and grassland cultivation are alternated every few years. Implementing alternate husbandry practices helps farmers manage soil health and crop rotation.

aerial root: A root of some plants, which hangs above the ground or clings to other plants so that it can take up moisture from the air. Knowing about aerial roots helps farmers manage plant health and propagation.

agalactia: A disease of pigs, a form of post-farrowing shock. The sow does not secrete milk. Managing agalactia is crucial for ensuring the health and productivity of sows and piglets.

antibiotic: A drug that stops the spread of bacteria or fungi. Proper use of antibiotics is vital for maintaining animal health and preventing disease outbreaks in livestock.

agricultural engineer: A person trained in applying the principles of science to farming. Farmers rely on agricultural engineers to design and maintain machinery and systems that improve farm efficiency.

agri-environmental indicator: An indicator designed to provide information on the various ways in which agriculture affects the environment. Farmers benefit from understanding environmental indicators to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact.

AI centre: A center which keeps breeding bulls, boars, and rams, and quantities of their semen for use in artificial insemination. Farmers benefit from AI centers to enhance their breeding programs.

allele: One of two or more alternative forms of a gene, situated in the same area (locus) on paired chromosomes and controlling the inheritance of the same characteristic. Understanding alleles helps farmers with breeding programs and genetic improvement of livestock and crops.

Agricultural Wages Board: A board which fixes minimum wages and holiday entitlements for agricultural workers and deals with terms and conditions of their employment. Abbr AWB. Understanding wage regulations helps farmers comply with labor laws and maintain fair employment practices.

anaerobically: Without using oxygen. Slurry is digested anaerobically by bacteria. Managing anaerobic digestion helps farmers produce biogas and improve waste management.

Animal Diseases Research Association: Former name for Moredun. Understanding animal disease research helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent outbreaks.

acid rain: Precipitation such as rain or snow which contains a higher level of acid than normal. Acid rain can damage crops and soil, so farmers need strategies to mitigate its impacts.

aleurone: A protein found in the outer skin of seeds. Understanding aleurone helps farmers manage seed quality and nutrition.

access: A place of entry, or the right of entry, to somewhere. Ensuring proper access to fields and facilities is important for farm operations and safety.

acaridicide: Same as acaricide. Effective use of acaridicides is essential for maintaining livestock health and preventing economic losses due to parasite infestations.

amino acid: A chemical compound which is a component of proteins. Proteins are first broken down into amino acids. Essential amino acids. Understanding amino acids helps farmers manage animal nutrition and health.

air pollution: The contamination of the air by substances such as gas or smoke. Also called atmospheric pollution. Understanding and managing air pollution is important for farmers to protect crop health and comply with environmental regulations.

allo-: Prefix different. Farmers use allo- as a prefix in various agricultural terms to describe different or alternative practices and technologies.

Acarina: Same as Acarida. Understanding Acarina’s role in agriculture helps farmers protect their crops and livestock from these pests.

actinobacillosis: A disease of cattle affecting the tongue and throat. It also occurs in sheep as swellings on the lips, cheeks, and jaws. Also called cruels, wooden tongue. Knowing the symptoms and treatment of actinobacillosis helps farmers maintain the health of their livestock.

abattoir: a slaughterhouse.

actinomycosis: A disease of cattle and pigs, where the animal is infected with bacteria which form abscesses in the mouth and lungs. Also called lumpy jaw. Early diagnosis and treatment of actinomycosis are crucial for preventing severe health issues in livestock.

AI: Active ingredient; artificial insemination. Abbr AI. Farmers use artificial insemination to improve breeding programs and livestock genetics.

ammonia treatment: A method of treating straw, using ammonia to make it more palatable and nutritious. Implementing ammonia treatment helps farmers improve livestock feed quality.

Andalusian: A dark red breed of cattle, used both as draught animals and for beef. A laying breed of chicken with blue feathers. Understanding the characteristics of Andalusian cattle and chickens helps farmers manage livestock and poultry production.

ACR: Automatic cluster removal. Using ACR systems can improve milking efficiency and udder health in dairy operations.

alp: A high mountain pasture, above the treeline. Managing high mountain pastures helps farmers optimize grazing resources for livestock.

activator: A substance which activates a process, such as a compost activator. Using activators helps farmers accelerate composting and improve soil health.

alkaloid: One of many poisonous substances found in plants, which use them as a defense against herbivores. Many alkaloids such as atropine, morphine, or quinine are also useful as medicines. Farmers benefit from understanding alkaloids to manage plant health and potential toxicity.

analyst: A person who examines samples of substances to find out what they are made of. A person who carries out a study of a problem. A health and safety analyst. Farmers benefit from analysts’ expertise to improve their practices and productivity.

abstract: To remove water from a river so that it can be used by industry, farmers or gardeners. Abstraction is important for farmers to ensure they have a reliable water supply for irrigation and livestock.

Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology Commission: The UK government advisory body on biotechnology issues affecting agriculture and the environment. Farmers benefit from the guidance of this commission to adopt sustainable and innovative practices.

algaecide: Same as algicide. Using algaecides helps farmers manage algae growth in water sources and prevent harm to crops and livestock.

allograft: A graft of tissue from one individual to another of the same species. Also called homograft. Using allografts helps farmers in animal breeding and veterinary procedures.

anaesthesia: The loss of the feeling of pain. A process that prevents a person or animal from feeling pain, usually by the use of drugs. The US spelling is anesthesia. Managing anesthesia helps farmers ensure the safety and welfare of livestock during medical procedures.

algae poisoning: Poisoning caused by toxic substances released when algae decompose. Understanding and preventing algae poisoning is crucial for farmers to protect livestock health.

agroecosystem: A community of organisms in a crop-producing area. Managing agroecosystems helps farmers create resilient and productive agricultural environments.

Ancona: A laying breed of chicken, with white tips on black feathers. Raising Ancona chickens provides farmers with high-quality egg production.

Animal Health Act 2002: An Act of Parliament which put into place controls to deal with outbreaks of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and scrapie. Understanding this act helps farmers comply with regulations and manage disease outbreaks.

animal health planning: An official set of guidelines for controlling and treating diseases in farm animals. Following health planning guidelines helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks.

aggregate measure of support: An index which shows the actual monetary value of the support given by the Government to a sector such as agriculture. Abbr AMS. Understanding aggregate measures of support helps farmers assess government support for their industry.

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

Advisory Committee on Organic Standards: A non-departmental public body set up by the Government to advise ministers on organic standards. Abbr ACOS. Adhering to ACOS standards ensures the integrity and marketability of organic products for farmers.