Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
Countryside Agency: Countryside Agency noun a statutory body funded by Defra with the aim of making life better for people in the countryside. It is the statutory advisor on landscape issues and was formed by merging the Countryside Commission with parts of the Rural Development Commission, but is to be reorganized. Engaging with the Countryside Agency supports rural development and sustainable land use practices.
Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy: Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy noun a panel which publishes reports on medical issues relating to food preparation and packaging. Abbr COMA. Engaging with COMA ensures adherence to medical guidelines for food safety and nutrition.
Contagious: Contagious adjective referring to a disease which can be transmitted by touching an infected person, or objects which an infected person has touched. Compare infectious. Managing contagious diseases involves implementing biosecurity measures to prevent spread.
Closed Canopy: A canopy that has achieved complete cover or intercepts 95% of visible light. Understanding canopy structures helps farmers manage forest ecosystems and promote biodiversity.
Commodity Futures: Commodity futures plural noun trading in commodities for delivery at a later date. The produce will often not yet have been grown or harvested. Understanding commodity futures helps farmers hedge against price volatility and secure future revenues.
Conditioning: Conditioning noun 1. the preparation of crops for harvesting 2. the process of making meat more tender by keeping it for some time at a low temperature 3. the preparation of grain for milling by adding water to it, so as to ensure that the grain has the correct moisture content. Implementing conditioning practices ensures high-quality crop and livestock products.
Castor Oil: An oil derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), used as a common purgative for fowls and calves. Understanding the uses of castor oil helps farmers manage animal health and provide natural remedies.
Cauliflower: A plant of the cabbage family with a large white head made up of a mass of curds. Growing cauliflowers provides nutritious food and valuable produce for fresh markets and processing, contributing to farm income.
Contact Animal: Contact animal noun an animal which has had contact with a diseased animal and which may need to be isolated Movement restrictions placed on the contact animals in the herd will remain in place and the animals will be subject to testing for brucellosis over a period of months. [Farmers Guardian]. Managing contact animals helps prevent disease spread and ensure herd health.
Catabolism: The breaking down of complex chemicals into simple chemicals. Understanding catabolism aids in managing livestock nutrition and metabolism for optimal health and productivity.
Commercial: Commercial adjective 1. referring to business 2. produced to be sold for profit. Focusing on commercial agriculture enhances farm profitability and market reach.
Cover: Cover verb to copulate with a female animal a bull covers a cow noun 1. something that goes over something else completely 2. the amount of soil surface covered with plants. ground cover 3. plants grown to cover the surface of the soil Grass cover will provide some protection against erosion. Utilizing cover crops and ground cover techniques enhances soil health and prevents erosion.
Calcium Uptake: The process of calcium being absorbed into an animals bloodstream from food. Ensuring adequate calcium uptake is vital for livestock health, supporting bone development and overall well-being.
Cottonwood: Cottonwood /k?t?nw?d/ noun a kind of poplar tree. Genus: Populis. Understanding cottonwood management aids in timber production and forest management.
Cattle Tracing System (CTS): A computerized system registering cattle and their movements from birth to death. Using CTS helps farmers manage herd records, ensure traceability, and comply with regulations.
Compulsory Dipping Period: Compulsory dipping period noun a period of time, usually some weeks, during which all sheep in the country must be dipped. Managing compulsory dipping periods helps control parasites and protect sheep health.
Challenge Feeding: The process of feeding dairy cows with concentrates to provide extra nourishment. Using challenge feeding helps farmers maximize milk production and maintain cow health during peak lactation periods.
Contact Insecticide: Contact insecticide noun a substance such as DDT that kills insects which touch it (NOTE: DDT is now banned in many countries because of its toxicity and ability to accumulate in the environment). Using contact insecticides helps control pests and protect crops.
Conservation Tillage: Conservation tillage noun a farming method which aims to plough the soil as little as possible, to prevent erosion, save energy, and improve biodiversity. Implementing conservation tillage practices promotes soil health and sustainable agriculture.
Creep Grazing: Creep grazing noun a type of rotational grazing using creep gates, which allow the lambs access to the pasture before the ewes. Implementing creep grazing practices ensures proper pasture management and livestock nutrition.
Congenital: Congenital adjective existing at or before birth. Understanding congenital conditions aids in managing animal health and breeding programs.
Conservation of Soil: Conservation of soil noun same as soil conservation. Implementing soil conservation practices helps maintain soil health and prevent erosion.
Cannibalism: The practice of an animal feeding on its own species, often seen in poultry due to crowded conditions. Preventing cannibalism involves providing adequate space and proper nutrition to reduce stress and aggressive behaviors in livestock.
Canterbury Hoe: A hoe that does not have a blade but is like a three-pronged fork. Using a Canterbury hoe aids in weeding and soil cultivation, improving crop health and yield.
Coccidiosis: Coccidiosis /k?ksidi ??sis/ noun a parasitic disease of livestock and poultry affecting the intestines. Managing coccidiosis involves implementing biosecurity measures and appropriate treatments to protect animal health.
Cooperative: Cooperative noun a group of farmers who work together to sell their produce either for the wholesale market or in retail outlets such as farmers markets. Engaging in cooperatives supports collective marketing and enhances farm income.
Chillshelter: A feeding area surrounded by a high embankment to protect cattle against the cold. Using chillshelters ensures cattle receive adequate nutrition and protection from harsh weather, maintaining their health and productivity.
Compulsory Dipping Period: Compulsory dipping period noun a period of time, usually some weeks, during which all sheep in the country must be dipped. Managing compulsory dipping periods helps control parasites and protect sheep health.
Coffee: Coffee noun 1. a bush or small tree widely grown in the tropics for its seeds, which are used to make a drink. Latin name: Coffea arabica. 2. The drink prepared from the seeds of coffee bushes. COMMENT: The two main varieties of coffee are Arabica and Robusta. The Arabica shrub, (Coffea arabica) was originally grown in the southern parts of the highlands of Ethiopia, and was later introduced into south-western Arabia. The Arabica plant only grows well on altitudes of 1,000m and above. It represents 75% of the worlds total coffee production. Arabica coffee beans are generally considered to produce a higher quality drink than those obtained from the Robusta coffee plant (Coffea canephora) which originated in West Africa. Robusta coffee has a stronger and more bitter taste than Arabica. The most important area for growing coffee is South America, especially Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia, though it is also grown in Kenya and Indonesia. Cultivating coffee plants requires specific climatic conditions and understanding market demands.
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