Category: B

bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE): A neurological disorder in cattle, also known as mad cow disease. Knowledge of BSE and its prevention is critical for ensuring the safety of beef products and maintaining public health.

best-before date: A date stamped on foodstuffs indicating the last date when the food is guaranteed to be in good condition. Farmers should monitor best-before dates to ensure product quality and compliance.

bur: A rough, prickly seed case. Managing bur plants supports crop health and prevents livestock injuries.

birdlime: A sticky substance used to trap birds. Understanding traditional methods like birdlime provides historical context for modern pest management.

bombus: A genus of bumblebees. Encouraging bombus populations supports pollination and enhances crop yields.

breakdown: The failure of machinery or equipment. Preventing and managing breakdowns ensures efficient farm operations and minimizes downtime.

biocontrol: The control of pests by using predators and natural processes. Implementing biocontrol methods reduces reliance on chemical pesticides and promotes sustainable farming.

bed out: Planting a flower bed with decorative plants. Properly bedding out enhances farm aesthetics and can attract visitors.

beef bull: A bull reared to produce beef. Proper breeding and management of beef bulls ensure high-quality meat production.

BAA: Abbreviation for British Agrochemicals Association, an organization representing agrochemical manufacturers. Knowing about BAA helps farmers access reliable sources of pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring compliance with safety standards.

broomrape: A parasitic plant that attaches to the roots of crops. Managing broomrape through crop rotation and resistant varieties protects crop health and yields.

Beltsville: A breed of large turkey with white feathers. Raising Beltsville turkeys can meet market demands for meat and enhance farm diversity.

burrow: A hole or tunnel dug by an animal. Managing burrows supports pest control and protects crop health.

buffalo: A large bovine animal, also known as bison. Raising buffalo provides high-quality meat and supports biodiversity.

bumper: A protective bar on vehicles, also a term for an exceptionally good harvest. Ensuring farm vehicles are equipped with bumpers supports safety and managing bumper crops maximizes yield benefits.

block: An area of land divided into smaller sections for farming. Efficient block management improves crop rotation and resource allocation.

breakfast: A meal eaten in the morning. Providing balanced breakfasts for farm workers supports their health and productivity.

BHC: Abbreviation for benzene hexachloride. Awareness of BHC and its regulation ensures safe pesticide use on the farm.

broody hen: A hen that is inclined to sit on eggs to hatch them. Using broody hens supports natural incubation and chick rearing.

brook: A small stream. Managing water sources like brooks supports irrigation and water conservation on the farm.

boat: Referring to the curved shape of leaves or pods. Understanding plant morphology, such as boating, helps farmers identify and manage crops.

burial: The act of burying something, such as waste or dead animals. Proper burial practices ensure farm hygiene and prevent environmental contamination.

bitumen: A black, sticky substance used for road surfaces and waterproofing. Understanding the use of bitumen in farm infrastructure supports effective maintenance and development.

bioaccumulation: The accumulation of substances like toxic chemicals in increasing amounts up the food chain. Managing bioaccumulation helps prevent contamination of crops and livestock.

bison: A large herbivorous mammal also known as the American buffalo. Bison farming provides high-quality meat and supports biodiversity.

bastard fallow: Land left fallow between harvesting and sowing, usually ploughed to control weeds. This practice helps rejuvenate soil and prepare it for the next crop cycle.

back: (Of the wind) changing direction anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Farmers can use wind direction changes to predict weather patterns and protect crops from potential damage.

Belted Galloway: A breed of beef cattle with a distinctive white belt around the body. Raising Belted Galloways provides high-quality beef and unique breed characteristics for marketing.

bone: Referring to the skeletal structure of animals. Ensuring the health of livestock bones is crucial for overall animal health and productivity.

brood patch: A bare area on the belly of birds, used to transfer heat to eggs. Understanding bird anatomy, such as brood patches, supports effective poultry management.

bing: A feed passage. Ensuring clear and accessible feed passages like bings supports efficient livestock feeding.

botanical garden: A garden dedicated to the collection, cultivation, and display of a wide range of plants. Botanical gardens provide resources for farmers to learn about diverse plant species and cultivation techniques.

bean aphid: A small, oval-bodied, black or dark green fly that colonizes plants and causes wilting. Implementing integrated pest management controls bean aphids and protects crops.

butcher: A person who prepares and sells meat. Understanding butchering techniques ensures high-quality meat processing and marketability.

bacterial pea blight: A notifiable fungal disease attacking pea plants. Early detection and management of bacterial pea blight are critical to prevent crop loss and protect farm productivity.

biological control: The control of pests using natural predators and processes. Implementing biological control methods reduces chemical use and promotes sustainable farming.

black band disease: A disease of sugarcane caused by the fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa. Early detection and treatment of black band disease prevent crop losses and maintain sugarcane health.

bovine: Relating to cattle. Understanding bovine health and management practices is essential for successful cattle farming.

bracken: A large fern that can be invasive in pastures. Managing bracken through controlled grazing and mechanical removal protects pasture health.

bugle: A plant of the mint family, also a term for a small trumpet. Understanding plant species like bugle supports biodiversity and ecosystem health on the farm.

bristle: A stiff hair or feather. Understanding animal anatomy, such as bristles, aids in managing livestock health and hygiene.

biffin: A variety of cooking apple. Choosing the right apple varieties like biffin enhances orchard productivity and market appeal.

blunt plow: A plow with a blunt edge used for shallow tillage. Using blunt plows helps manage soil structure and reduce erosion.

B symbol: Represents boron, a micronutrient essential for plant growth. Farmers need to monitor boron levels in soil to prevent deficiencies that can stunt crop growth and reduce yields.

brackish water: Water that has more salinity than freshwater but less than seawater. Understanding water quality is important for managing irrigation and aquaculture systems effectively.

bacon: Cured meat from the back and sides of a pig. Knowledge of the curing process allows farmers to produce high-quality bacon, adding value to their pork products.

brooding: The process of incubating eggs and caring for young birds. Managing brooding conditions ensures healthy chick development and high survival rates.

burr: A rough edge or raised area on a material. Managing burs in livestock and crops ensures product quality and animal health.

biotoxin: A toxic substance produced by a living organism. Managing biotoxins is crucial for ensuring food safety and protecting livestock health.

basic slag: Calcium phosphate produced as waste from blast furnaces, used as a fertilizer. Using basic slag improves soil fertility and provides essential nutrients to crops.