Category: C

Catching Pen: A pen into which sheep are put while waiting to be sheared. Using catching pens ensures safe and efficient handling of livestock during shearing and other management practices.

Carnallite: A white or pale mineral containing hydrated magnesium and potassium chlorides, used as a source of potassium in fertilizers. Using carnallite in fertilizers improves soil fertility and crop yields.

Cherry Tomato: A variety of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) with very small fruit. Growing cherry tomatoes provides nutritious and versatile produce for fresh markets, enhancing farm income.

Cast Ewes: Old breeding ewes sold by hill farmers to lower ground farmers for one more crop of lambs. Managing cast ewes involves ensuring their health and productivity to maximize lamb production and farm income.

Cruciferae: Cruciferae /kru: s?f?ri:/ noun former name for Brassicaceae. Cultivating crucifer crops provides nutritious vegetables for markets.

Commodity Mountain: Commodity mountain noun a surplus of a certain agricultural product produced in the EU, e.g. the ‘butter mountain.’ Understanding commodity mountains helps manage supply and demand in agricultural markets.

Chianina: A breed of beef cattle originating in Tuscany, Italy, known for its large size and dual-purpose use. Raising Chianina cattle provides high-quality beef and serves as draught animals, enhancing farm productivity and income.

Conformation: Conformation /k?nf? mei?(?)n/ noun the general shape of an animal or bird Carcass conformation is very important when buying cattle at an auction. COMMENT: Conformation is important in the Carcass Classification System. There are five conformation classes, called EUROP: E = excellent; U = good; R = average; O = below average; P = poor. Understanding conformation helps in selecting high-quality livestock for breeding and production.

Circulation: Same as circulation of the blood. Understanding livestock physiology, including circulation, helps farmers manage animal health and diagnose conditions.

CID: Abbreviation for Cattle Identification Document. Using CIDs helps farmers track livestock, manage herd health, and comply with regulations.

Calving Interval: The period of time between one calving and the next. Managing calving intervals is essential for optimizing reproductive efficiency and milk production in dairy herds.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colorless, odorless, non-flammable atmospheric gas used in photosynthesis and given off in aerobic respiration. Managing carbon dioxide levels in greenhouses and fields supports healthy plant growth and mitigates climate change impacts.

Canterbury Lamb: A lamb reared in New Zealand, mainly for export. Raising and exporting Canterbury lamb provides a reliable income source for farmers, meeting global meat demand.

Carnivorous: Referring to animals that eat meat or plants that trap and digest insects. Understanding carnivorous species helps farmers manage their impact on farm ecosystems and protect valuable crops and livestock.

crop rotation: The practice of growing different crops sequentially on the same land to improve soil health and reduce pests and diseases. Crop rotation is a key strategy for sustainable farming.

Cull Cows: Cull cows, cull ewes, cull sows plural noun cows, ewes, or sows which are removed from the herd or flock and sold for slaughter. Managing cull cows supports livestock health and population control.

Cheviot: A large, hardy breed of sheep, usually hornless with a white face, providing good-quality wool. Raising Cheviot sheep supports wool production and offers high-quality meat, contributing to farm income.

Clearcut: The cutting down of all the trees in an area. Understanding clearcutting techniques helps farmers manage forestry operations and ensure sustainable land use.

Crush: Crush noun a steel or wood appliance like a strong stall, used to hold livestock when administering injections or when the animal is being inspected by a veterinary surgeon verb to press something with a heavy weight, as when crushing seeds to extract oil. Utilizing crushes ensures proper handling and healthcare for livestock.

Commensal: Commensal /k?mens?l/ noun an organism which lives on another plant or animal but does not harm it or influence it in any way. Parasite, symbiont adjective referring to a commensal. Understanding commensal relationships helps manage ecosystem balance and biodiversity.

Crow Garlic: Crow garlic noun same as wild onion. Managing crow garlic involves using integrated weed management strategies to protect crops.

Capercaillie: A large game bird found in northern coniferous forests. Managing habitats to support wildlife like capercaillie promotes biodiversity and sustainable land use practices.

Cuticle: Cuticle /kju:t?k(?)l/ noun a thin continuous waxy layer that covers the aerial parts of a plant to prevent excessive water loss. Understanding cuticles aids in managing crop health and water retention.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH): A UK organization researching and monitoring terrestrial and freshwater environments. Collaborating with CEH supports farmers in adopting sustainable and environmentally sound practices to improve farm operations.

Chemical Industries Association (CIA): A trade association in the UK representing the chemical and chemistry-using industries. Engaging with CIA helps farmers stay informed about industry developments and adopt safe practices for chemical use.

Calf: A young cow less than one year old. Managing calf health and nutrition is crucial for developing strong, productive adult cattle in a herd.

Controlled Atmosphere Packaging: Controlled atmosphere packaging noun the packaging of foods in airtight containers in which the air has been treated by the addition of other gases. This allows a longer shelf-life. Using controlled atmosphere packaging extends the shelf life of food products and maintains quality.

Chop Down: To cut through the trunk of a tree with an axe so that the tree falls. Understanding proper tree felling techniques helps farmers manage forestry operations safely and efficiently.

Calabrese: A variety of sprouting broccoli grown as a vegetable for human consumption. Growing calabrese provides nutritious food and valuable crops for fresh markets and processing, contributing to farm income.

Countryside Alliance: Countryside Alliance noun an organization which lobbies the Government on policy and legislation affecting rural life. Engaging with the Countryside Alliance supports advocacy and policy development for rural communities.

Common Eyespot: Common eyespot noun eyespot. Managing common eyespot involves using disease-resistant crop varieties and appropriate fungicides.

Country Stewardship: Country stewardship noun countryside stewardship. Implementing country stewardship practices promotes biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

Cruciferae: Cruciferae /kru: s?f?ri:/ noun former name for Brassicaceae. Cultivating crucifer crops provides nutritious vegetables for markets.

Cadmium: A metallic element naturally present in soil and rock, often associated with zinc. Monitoring cadmium levels in soil helps farmers prevent heavy metal contamination in crops, ensuring food safety and complying with agricultural regulations.

Contractor: Contractor noun company or person who carries out contract work for a farmer. Engaging with contractors provides specialized services and expertise for farm operations.

Closewool: One of the breeds of sheep with short dense wool, such as the Devon closewool. Raising closewool sheep supports wool production and offers high-quality meat, contributing to farm income.

Chocolate Spot: A fungal disease of winter beans caused by Botrytis cinerea or Botrytis fabae. Managing chocolate spot involves using appropriate fungicides and cultural practices to protect crops and ensure healthy yields.

Clostridial Disease: A disease caused by Clostridium, such as pasteurellosis. Preventing clostridial diseases involves using appropriate vaccines and biosecurity measures to protect livestock health.

Country Code: Country code /k?ntri k??d/ noun a voluntary code of conduct for people spending leisure time in the countryside, which indicates how to respect the natural environment and avoid causing damage to it. Understanding the country code supports sustainable tourism and environmental protection.

Cowpox: Cowpox /ka?p?ks/ noun an infectious viral disease of cattle, which can be transmitted to humans. It is used as part of the vaccine against smallpox. Also called vaccinia. Managing cowpox involves vaccination and biosecurity measures to protect livestock and human health.

Cleansing: Same as afterbirth. Understanding reproductive health, including cleansing, helps farmers manage livestock breeding and ensure animal welfare.

Churn: A large metal milk container or the act of shaking a liquid violently to mix it. Using churns helps farmers manage dairy operations and produce high-quality milk products.

Cornflower: Cornflower /k?nfla??/ noun a common weed (Centaurea cyanus) with tall stems and bright blue flowers. Managing cornflower involves using weed control measures to protect crops.

Certificate: An official paper stating something, such as the National Certificate in Agriculture. Obtaining agricultural certificates demonstrates expertise and compliance with industry standards, enhancing farm credibility.

Capillary Action: The movement of a liquid upwards inside a narrow tube or through the soil. Understanding capillary action helps farmers manage soil moisture and irrigation to support healthy crop growth.

Chemical of Concern: A list of chemicals identified as having potential risks to human health or the environment. Understanding and managing chemicals of concern helps farmers protect their operations and the environment from harmful effects.

Cutter Bar Mower: Cutter bar mower noun a machine used to cut grass and other upright crops (NOTE: The knife cutter bar mower has mostly been replaced by the rotary mower). Utilizing cutter bar mowers enhances farm machinery efficiency and crop harvesting.

Crust: Crust noun a hard layer which forms on the surface of something, e.g. the crust of salts formed on soil after evaporation. Managing soil crusts involves using soil management practices to enhance soil health and structure.

Carbon Sequestration: The uptake and storage of carbon by trees and other plants absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Practicing carbon sequestration through tree planting and cover crops helps mitigate climate change and improve soil health.

Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations: Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations noun an organization which represents the interests of farmers from all European member states. Abbr COPA. Engaging with COPA supports advocacy and policy development for farmers.