Category: C

Cornflour: Cornflour /k?nfla??/ noun a type of flour extracted from maize grain. It contains a high proportion of starch, and is used for thickening sauces. Also called corn starch. Utilizing cornflour provides a versatile thickening agent for culinary use.

Cane Fruit: Fruit from plants belonging to the genus Rubus, including raspberry, blackberry, and loganberry. Cultivating cane fruits offers valuable produce for fresh markets and processing, enhancing farm revenue.

Capillarity: Same as capillary action, the movement of a liquid upwards inside a narrow tube or through the soil. Understanding capillarity helps farmers manage soil moisture levels and optimize irrigation practices.

Calve: To give birth to a calf. Properly managing the calving process ensures the health and safety of both the cow and the newborn calf, contributing to herd productivity.

Corn Starch: Corn starch noun same as cornflour. Utilizing corn starch provides a versatile thickening agent for culinary use.

Climax: The final stage in the development of plant colonization of a specific site, when changes occur within a mature and relatively stable community. Understanding climax stages helps farmers manage ecosystems and promote biodiversity on farms.

Condition: Condition noun 1. the present state of something 2. the state of health or of cleanliness of an animal The animal was in such poor condition that the vet decided it had to be put down. 3. (in breeding) the amounts of muscle and fat present in an animal. Understanding animal condition helps in making informed decisions about nutrition and healthcare.

Conserve: Conserve verb 1. to keep and not waste something The sloth sleeps during the day to conserve energy. 2. to look after and keep something in the same state to conserve tigers’ habitat. Implementing conservation practices helps protect natural resources and promote sustainability.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): A policy framework set by the European Union to regulate agricultural markets and support farmers. Understanding CAP helps farmers navigate regulations, access subsidies, and optimize farm management.

Contract Work: Contract work noun work carried out by specialist firms on a contract, which involves payment for work carried out, e.g. the provision of a drainage system or combining a crop. Engaging in contract work ensures access to specialized services and expertise for farm operations.

Consumerism: Consumerism /k?n sju:m?riz(?)m/ noun a movement for the protection of the rights of consumers. Engaging with consumerism supports fair trade practices and ensures product quality.

Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG): A hormone produced by the placenta in mammals that helps maintain pregnancy. Understanding reproductive hormones like hCG aids farmers in managing breeding practices and ensuring livestock fertility.

Courgette: Courgette noun marrow fruit at a very immature stage in its development, cut when between 10 and 20 cm long. It may be green or yellow in colour. Also called zucchini. Cultivating courgettes provides nutritious vegetables for markets.

COGAP: COGAP abbreviation Code of Good Agricultural Practice. Following COGAP ensures sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.

Cure: Cure verb to preserve meat by salting or smoking COMMENT: Meat is cured by keeping in brine for some time; both salting and smoking have a dehydrating effect on the meat, preventing the reproduction and growth of microorganisms harmful to man. Utilizing curing techniques enhances meat preservation and product quality.

Capping: A hard crust that sometimes forms on the soil surface, caused by heavy rain or machinery. Managing soil to prevent capping involves minimizing soil compaction and maintaining proper soil structure for optimal plant growth.

Cardoon: A vegetable similar to the globe artichoke, grown in Mediterranean areas. Growing cardoons provides a specialty crop for fresh markets and culinary use, enhancing farm product diversity.

Cutworm: Cutworm /k?tw?:m/ noun a caterpillar of the turnip moth and the garden dart moth, which attacks plants such as turnips, swedes, and potatoes by eating their roots and stems. Managing cutworms involves using integrated pest management strategies to protect crops.

castration: The removal of the testicles of a male animal to prevent breeding. Castration is often used to manage animal behavior and improve meat quality.

Clove of Garlic: A small bulb in a cluster of garlic. Growing garlic provides nutritious and versatile produce for fresh markets, enhancing farm income.

Colonise: Colonise /k?l?naiz/, colonize verb (of plants and animals) to become established in a new ecosystem Derelict city sites rapidly become colonised by plants. Rats have colonised the sewers. Understanding colonization processes aids in ecosystem management and restoration.

Can: A metal container for food or drink, typically made of steel with a lining of tin or entirely of aluminum. Proper canning practices preserve food, extending its shelf life and reducing waste.

Crop Spraying: Crop spraying noun same as crop dusting. Implementing crop spraying practices protects crops from pests and diseases.

Congenital Disorder: Congenital disorder noun a disorder which is present at birth. COMMENT: An animal may be abnormal at birth because of a genetic defect, such as misshapen heads of calves; other congenital disorders such as swayback in lambs, may be caused by deficiencies in the mother (in the case of swayback, maternal copper deficiency). Managing congenital disorders involves providing proper nutrition and healthcare for pregnant animals.

Contour Farming: Contour farming noun a method of cultivating sloping land in which the land is ploughed along a terrace rather than down the slope, so reducing soil erosion COMMENT: In contour farming, the ridges of earth act as barriers to prevent soil being washed away and the furrows retain the rainwater. Implementing contour farming practices helps prevent soil erosion and promote sustainable land use.

CLA: Abbreviation for Caseous Lymphadenitis or Country Land and Business Association. Engaging with CLA helps farmers maintain herd health and comply with industry standards.

Cloche: A covering of either glass or plastic used to protect seedbeds. Using cloches helps farmers extend growing seasons and protect young plants from adverse weather conditions.

Chlorinator: An apparatus for adding chlorine to water. Using chlorinators helps farmers manage water quality and protect crops from pathogens.

Calcareous: Containing calcium. Calcareous soils support high crop productivity and sustainable farming practices by providing essential nutrients for plant growth.

Colic: Colic noun pain in any part of the intestinal tract, especially a symptom of abdominal pain in horses. Managing colic in horses involves proper diet, healthcare, and monitoring.

Chernozem: A dark fertile soil rich in organic matter, found in temperate grass-covered plains of Russia and North and South America. Understanding soil types like chernozem helps farmers manage fertility and optimize crop production.

Clove: A dried flower bud of a tree (Eugenia caryophyllata) used for flavoring. Growing cloves provides a specialty crop for culinary use, enhancing farm product diversity and income.

Capillary: A tiny blood vessel between arterioles and venules, carrying blood and nutrients into tissues. Knowledge of capillary function aids in understanding livestock health and diagnosing circulatory issues.

Coeliac Disease: Coeliac disease /si:liak di:zi:z/ noun a disease of the small intestine resulting from an inability to digest wheat protein (NOTE: The protein gluten causes the body’s own immune system to attack and damage the gut lining). Awareness of coeliac disease is essential for farmers producing gluten-free products.

Conditioner: Conditioner noun a substance that is used to make an improvement in something else Mushroom compost can be used as a soil conditioner. Using conditioners improves soil health and crop productivity.

Crop Husbandry: Crop husbandry noun the practice of growing and harvesting crops. Engaging in crop husbandry practices supports sustainable agriculture and optimal crop yields.

Common Birds Census: Common Birds Census noun an ongoing survey of commonly occurring birds, run by the British Trust for Ornithology. Engaging with the Common Birds Census helps farmers monitor and protect avian biodiversity on their land.

Coop: Coop /ku:p/ noun a cage for poultry. Using coops ensures proper housing and management of poultry.

Cd: Symbol for cadmium. Managing cadmium levels in soil and water is essential for protecting crop health and ensuring food safety.

COPA: COPA abbreviation Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations. Engaging with COPA supports advocacy and policy development for farmers.

Cwt: Cwt abbreviation hundredweight. Understanding hundredweight measurements aids in managing crop and livestock weights.

Cotton Gin: Cotton gin noun a machine which separates the seeds from the cotton fibres. Utilizing cotton gins enhances cotton processing efficiency and product quality.

Cavings: Broken pieces of straw from a threshing machine. Understanding the by-products of threshing helps farmers manage waste and utilize resources efficiently.

Curb: Curb noun a strap passing under the lower jaw of a horse, used as a check. Utilizing curbs aids in managing and handling livestock.

Countryside Stewardship: Countryside stewardship noun the practice of altering farming practices to benefit wildlife and retain natural diversity. Abbr CSS. Implementing countryside stewardship practices promotes biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

Compounder: Compounder /k?m pa?nd?/ noun a company which produces compound feed. Engaging with compounders ensures access to balanced animal feed for livestock nutrition.

Crop Standing: Crop standing noun herbage growing in a field before harvest. Understanding crop standing aids in managing crop yields and harvesting schedules.

Cucumber: Cucumber noun a creeping plant (Cucumis sativus) with long green fleshy fruit, used as a salad vegetable COMMENT: Cucumbers are native to India, and are used as a cooked vegetable in oriental cooking; they are a major glasshouse crop. Cultivating cucumbers provides nutritious vegetables for markets.

Condense: Condense verb to make a vapour become liquid. Managing condensation processes ensures efficient water use and management on farms.

Caryopsis: A seed of cereals and grasses. Understanding the structure of caryopsis helps farmers in breeding and cultivating healthy cereal crops.