Category: A

adipose: Containing or made of fat. Farmers need to understand adipose tissue in livestock for effective breeding and health management.

Agriculture Act 1968: An Act of Parliament which defines what constitutes livestock and makes it an offense to cause unnecessary pain or distress to a farm animal. Understanding this act helps farmers comply with animal welfare regulations and maintain ethical practices.

ammoniacal nitrogen: Nitrogen derived from ammonia. Managing ammoniacal nitrogen levels helps farmers optimize soil fertility and crop production.

algicide: A substance used to kill algae. Using algicides helps farmers manage algae growth in water sources and maintain water quality for irrigation and livestock.

agri-food: Relating to industries which are involved in the mass production, processing, and inspection of food products made from agricultural commodities. Farmers benefit from understanding agri-food industries to improve their market access and product quality.

Agricultural Holdings Act 1984: An Act of Parliament which gives protection to tenants in questions of the fixing of rent and security of tenure. It makes provision for tenancies for a lifetime and for short-term lettings. Understanding this act helps farmers and landowners navigate tenancy agreements and rights.

acaricide: A substance used to kill mites and ticks. Using acaricides helps farmers protect their livestock from parasites, ensuring better health and productivity.

abscission: The shedding of a leaf or fruit due to the formation of a layer of cells between the leaf or fruit and the rest of the plant. Farmers need to manage this process to maintain crop yield and quality.

Animal Health Divisional Office: One of 24 regional branches of the State Veterinary Service. Abbr AHDO. Farmers benefit from the services provided by AHDO to manage animal health and comply with regulations.

alkali: A substance which reacts with an acid to form a salt and water. It may be either a soluble base or a solution of a base that has a pH value of more than 7. Understanding alkalinity helps farmers manage soil pH for optimal crop growth.

alley cropping: The planting of crops such as maize or sorghum between trees. The trees help to prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes, and may benefit soil fertility if the leaves are used as mulch or if the trees are legumes. Implementing alley cropping practices helps farmers improve soil health and crop yields.

acidification: The process of becoming acid or making a substance more acid. Acidification of soil can affect crop yields, so farmers must use appropriate amendments to maintain soil health.

agrarian: Referring to matters of land tenure and problems arising from land ownership. Understanding agrarian issues helps farmers navigate land management and legal challenges.

alkalinity: The amount of alkali in something such as soil, water, or a body. Understanding and managing alkalinity helps farmers maintain soil health and water quality.

Agricultural Chemicals Approval Scheme: A scheme which gave advice to farmers on the use and efficiency of chemicals and tested chemicals before use by farmers. It was operated by the Agricultural Chemicals Approved Organization and was a voluntary scheme which has now been replaced by the FEPA legislation. Abbr ACAS. Following chemical approval schemes helps farmers use agrochemicals safely and effectively.

ACPAT: Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. Farmers can benefit from the expertise of ACPAT members in maintaining the health and well-being of their livestock.

albumose: An intermediate product in the digestion of protein. Understanding digestion processes helps farmers optimize livestock feeding strategies.

AHDO: Animal Health Divisional Office. Farmers benefit from the services provided by AHDO to manage animal health and comply with regulations.

anaerobic decomposition: The breaking down of organic material by microorganisms without the presence of oxygen. Understanding anaerobic decomposition helps farmers manage waste and improve soil health.

active ingredient: The main effective ingredient of something such as an ointment or agrochemical, as opposed to the base substance. Abbr AI. Knowing the active ingredients in agrochemicals helps farmers use them safely and effectively.

agricultural holding: A basic unit for agricultural production, consisting of all the land and livestock under the management of one particular person or group of people. Managing agricultural holdings effectively is crucial for farmers to optimize productivity and sustainability.

adulterate: To reduce the quality of something, such as by adding water to milk. Ensuring products are not adulterated maintains their quality and marketability for farmers.

alpine pastures: Grass fields in high mountains which are used by cattle farmers in the summer. Managing alpine pastures helps farmers optimize grazing resources and maintain livestock health.

anaplasmosis: An infectious disease of cattle, characterized by anemia. Understanding and managing anaplasmosis helps farmers protect the health and productivity of their herds.

agitator: The part of a machine for harvesting root crops, such as potatoes, which shakes the earth off the crop after it has been lifted. Using agitators in harvesting machinery improves efficiency and reduces labor costs for farmers.

ACOS: Advisory Committee on Organic Standards. The guidelines provided by ACOS help farmers adhere to organic farming standards, ensuring the integrity and marketability of their organic products.

ACC: Agricultural Credit Corporation. Access to credit from ACC can help farmers invest in their operations, improving productivity and sustainability.

Acacia: A species of tree often grown for its pretty leaves and blossoms. Acacias can be valuable for agroforestry systems, providing shade and improving soil quality.

AFB: 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.

Angeln: A German dual-purpose breed of cattle, red or brown in color, with black hooves. Raising Angeln cattle provides farmers with valuable livestock for milk and meat production.

acceptable daily intake: The quantity of a substance such as a nutrient, vitamin, additive or pollutant which a person or animal can safely consume daily over their lifetime. Understanding acceptable daily intake levels helps farmers ensure the safety of their produce for consumers.

ACP states: Lomé Convention. Knowledge of trade agreements such as the Lomé Convention helps farmers understand international market opportunities for their products.

amoeba: A single-celled organism found in water, wet soil, or as a parasite of other organisms. The plural is amoebae. Managing amoeba infections helps farmers protect livestock health.

almond: A small tree (Prunus dulcis) grown for its edible nuts, or an edible nut produced by this tree. Growing almonds provides farmers with valuable crops for culinary and commercial purposes.

ACP: Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Recommendations from ACP assist farmers in the safe and effective use of pesticides, protecting crops while minimizing environmental impact.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department: The department of the devolved Welsh Assembly government which deals with farming, the environment, animal welfare, and rural development in Wales. Abbr ARAD. Farmers in Wales benefit from the resources and support provided by ARAD to improve their practices and sustainability.

alkaline: Containing more alkali than acid and having a pH value of more than 7. Managing soil alkalinity is crucial for farmers to ensure favorable growing conditions for crops.

alpine plants: Plants which grow on high mountains. Alpine vegetation grows above the treeline. Understanding alpine plants helps farmers manage biodiversity and grazing resources in high-altitude areas.

Agricultural Development Programme: A plan to improve the agricultural productivity of a community through training and modernization of equipment. Abbr ADP. Participating in development programs helps farmers adopt new technologies and practices to enhance their productivity.

activate: To start a process or to make something start working. Pressing this switch activates the pump. Understanding activation processes is important for farmers to operate machinery and equipment efficiently.

anaemia: A condition where the level of red blood cells is less than normal or where the hemoglobin is reduced, making it more difficult for the blood to carry oxygen. The US spelling is anemia. Managing anemia in livestock is crucial for maintaining health and productivity.

acid grassland: A type of vegetation that typically grows on soils that drain freely and are low in mineral nutrients, and may also occur on post-industrial sites. Farmers managing acid grassland need to understand its unique properties to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

accommodation land: Land available for short-term tenancy. This provides farmers with flexible land use options to meet their changing agricultural needs.

analyse: To examine something in detail. We analyzed the milk yields from different breeds of cow. Understanding analysis helps farmers make informed decisions about crop and livestock management.

African swine fever: A virus disease which is highly contagious among pigs. Animals suffer fever and high temperature followed by death. In Europe, it occurs in parts of Spain. Managing and preventing African swine fever is crucial for pig farmers to protect their herds.

acetone: A colorless liquid with a sweetish smell that is flammable, used as a solvent and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: CH3COCH3. Knowing how to handle and store acetone safely is important for farmers who use it in various agricultural processes.

albino: An organism that is unusually white, having little or no pigmentation in its skin, hair, or eyes because it is deficient in the coloring pigment melanin. Managing albino animals helps farmers ensure their health and well-being.

agist: To take another person’s livestock to feed on your land. Agistment provides additional income for farmers and helps manage grazing resources.

anabolic steroids: Hormones which encourage growth and muscle building. Understanding anabolic steroids helps farmers manage livestock growth and health.

achene: A dry single-seeded fruit that does not split open. Understanding the characteristics of achenes helps farmers in seed harvesting and storage practices.