Category: C

Cold Shortening: Cold shortening noun chilling meat too quickly after slaughter, which makes it tough. Properly managing meat processing techniques ensures high-quality, tender meat products.

Combine Drill: Combine drill noun a drill which sows grain and fertilizer at the same time (NOTE: Some drills have separate tubes for the seed and the fertilizer, others have one tube for both. It is important to clean combine drills after use, as the corrosive action of the fertilizer can damage the tubes). Using combine drills ensures efficient planting and fertilization.

Connective Tissue: Connective tissue /k?nektiv ti?u/ noun the tissue that forms the main part of bones and cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, in which a large amount of fibrous material surrounds the tissue cells. Understanding connective tissue aids in managing livestock health and veterinary care.

Claying: The application of clay to sandy soils to improve their texture. Using claying techniques helps farmers manage soil health and improve water retention and fertility.

Contagious Abortion: Contagious abortion noun Brucellosis, an infectious disease, which is usually associated with cattle where it results in reduced milk yields, infertility, and abortion. Managing contagious abortion involves vaccination and biosecurity measures to protect livestock health.

Catchment: An area of land that collects and drains rainwater, such as a lake or river basin. Managing catchment areas supports sustainable water use and protects soil and water quality on farms.

Casting: A method of ploughing in a circle, going in an anticlockwise direction. Using casting ploughing techniques helps farmers manage field operations and improve soil structure for crop growth.

Celeriac: A variety of celery with a thick edible root used in soups and salads. Growing celeriac provides a nutritious and versatile crop for fresh markets, enhancing farm income.

Cryptosporidiosis: Cryptosporidiosis /kr?pt??sp?r?di??s?s/ noun a disease of humans, caused by bacteria found in animals and in contaminated water. Managing cryptosporidiosis involves implementing biosecurity measures to protect livestock and human health.

Corn Cob: Corn cob noun a seed head of maize. Also called cob. Managing corn cobs ensures proper maize production and utilization.

Chronic: Referring to a disease or condition that lasts for a long time. Managing chronic conditions in livestock involves providing ongoing veterinary care and monitoring to ensure animal welfare and productivity.

Crop Growth Rate: Crop growth rate noun the rate of increase in dry weight per unit area of all or part of a sward. Understanding crop growth rates aids in managing crop yields and optimizing production.

Coffee Cherry: Coffee cherry noun the red fruit of the coffee plant, which contains the coffee beans. Harvesting coffee cherries at the right time ensures optimal flavor and quality of the coffee beans.

Cactus: A succulent plant with a fleshy stem often protected by spines, found in the deserts of North and Central America. (Plural: cacti or cactuses.) Cultivating cacti can provide farmers with drought-resistant crops that require minimal water, useful in arid farming regions.

Crop Sprayer: Crop sprayer noun a machine or aircraft which sprays insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide onto crops, or a company that performs this service. Utilizing crop sprayers protects crops from pests and diseases.

Cross-Infection: Cross-infection noun an infection of other animals in a herd or flock from an infected animal. Managing cross-infection involves implementing biosecurity measures to protect livestock health.

Consumer: Consumer noun a person or company which buys and uses goods and services Gas consumers are protesting at the increase in prices. The factory is a heavy consumer of water. Understanding consumer behavior helps farmers meet market demands and optimize production.

Companion Plant: Companion plant noun a plant which improves the growth of nearby plants or reduces pest infestation. Companion plants are often used by horticulturists and gardeners because they encourage growth or reduce pest infestation in an adjacent plant. COMMENT: Some plants grow better when planted near others. Beans and peas help root plants such as carrots and beetroot. Most herbs (except fennel) are helpful to other plants. Marigolds help reduce aphids if they are planted near plants such as broad beans or roses which are subject to aphid infestation. The strong smell of onions is disliked by the carrot fly, so planting onions near carrots makes sense. On the other hand, most other plants (and especially peas and beans) dislike onions and will not grow well near them. Utilizing companion planting enhances crop health and reduces the need for chemical pest control.

Chit: A shoot or sprout, particularly in seed potatoes before planting. Managing chitting involves promoting early sprouting to ensure uniform and healthy crop establishment.

Capability Class: The classification of the usefulness of land for agricultural purposes. Using capability class assessments aids farmers in making informed decisions about land use, crop selection, and sustainable practices.

Calomel: Same as mercury (I) chloride. Understanding the properties and uses of calomel helps farmers use it appropriately and safely in agricultural practices.

Cowman: Cowman /ka?m?n/ noun a person in charge of a dairy herd (NOTE: The plural is cowmen). Engaging with cowmen ensures proper management and care for dairy herds.

Clearcutting: Same as clearcutting, the cutting down of all trees in an area at the same time. Implementing clearcutting practices helps farmers manage forestry operations and support sustainable land use.

Cratch: Cratch /kræ?/ noun a rack used for feeding livestock out of doors. Utilizing cratches provides proper feeding facilities for livestock.

Crossbreed: Crossbreed /kr?sbri:d/ noun an animal bred from two different pure breeds verb to produce new breeds of animals by mating animals of different pure breeds. Engaging in crossbreeding practices supports genetic diversity and livestock improvement.

Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO): The managing head of a state veterinary service. Engaging with the CVO helps farmers stay informed about and comply with livestock health regulations and best practices.

Cyanocobalamin: Cyanocobalamin /sa??n??k??bæl? m?n/ noun vitamin B12. Understanding cyanocobalamin aids in managing livestock nutrition and health.

Cold Treatment: Cold treatment noun the use of freezing to disinfest storage containers. Applying cold treatment protects stored produce from pests and diseases.

Culvert: Culvert /k?lv?t/ noun a covered drain for water. Managing culverts supports proper drainage and land management.

C4: A metabolic pathway for CO2 fixation, which uses four-carbon compounds. Plants with this mechanism, such as maize, are adapted to high sunlight and arid conditions. They have low photorespiration. Understanding C4 plants helps farmers in dry regions choose crops that maximize water use efficiency and yield.

Curds: Curds plural noun tight flower heads formed on brassicas such as cauliflowers and broccoli. Understanding curds aids in managing crop growth and productivity.

Crush Margin: Crush margin noun the difference in price between the unprocessed seed and the product extracted after crushing. Understanding crush margins aids in managing agricultural markets and production costs.

Calcicole: A plant that grows well on chalky or alkaline soils. Identifying and cultivating calcicoles helps farmers manage soil health and select appropriate crops for their land.

cattle: Domesticated bovine animals raised for milk, meat, or draft purposes. Effective cattle management is essential for optimizing production and maintaining animal health.

Chisel Plough: A plough with a heavy-duty frame and tines bolted to it, used for deep soil cultivation. Using chisel ploughs helps farmers improve soil structure, manage weeds, and enhance crop growth.

Calcified: Made hard by the deposition of calcium salts. Understanding calcification processes aids in managing livestock health, particularly bone development and strength.

Crushing Subsidy: Crushing subsidy noun payment made in the EU to oil producers to compensate for the difference between vegetable oil prices in the EU and those outside. Understanding crushing subsidies aids in managing agricultural markets and support policies.

Crop Breeding: Crop breeding noun the development of new varieties of crops. Engaging in crop breeding supports agricultural innovation and crop improvement.

Counter Fraud and Compliance Unit: Counter Fraud and Compliance Unit noun an organization which detects irregularities with CAP claims. Abbr CFCU. Engaging with the Counter Fraud and Compliance Unit ensures compliance with agricultural policies and regulations.

Chitterlings: The small intestines of pigs used for food. Utilizing chitterlings as a food product helps farmers reduce waste and maximize the value of livestock.

Crofter: Crofter /kr?ft?/ noun a joint tenant of a divided farm in Scotland. Engaging with crofters supports rural development and sustainable farming practices.

Candling: A checking process in which eggs are passed over a source of light to detect blood spots or cracks. Using candling ensures egg quality and safety for consumption and sale.

colostrum: The first milk produced by a mammal after giving birth, rich in antibodies. Feeding colostrum to newborns is vital for their immune system development and overall health.

Chill: To preserve by cooling to a temperature just above freezing. Using chilling techniques helps farmers and processors extend the shelf life of perishable products, reducing waste and ensuring food safety.

cash crop: A crop produced primarily for sale rather than for personal consumption. Growing cash crops can provide farmers with essential income and economic stability.

Conservancy: Conservancy /k?n s?:v(?)nsi/ noun an official body which protects a part of the environment. Engaging with conservancies supports environmental protection and sustainable land use practices.

Chorleywood Bread Process: A method of making bread developed by the British Baking Industries Research Association, eliminating the long fermentation period by vigorous mechanical mixing of dough. Using the Chorleywood bread process helps farmers and bakers produce high-quality bread efficiently.

Commensalism: Commensalism /k?mens?liz(?)m/ noun the state of organisms existing together as commensals. Managing commensalism involves understanding ecological interactions and maintaining ecosystem health.

Contact Herbicide: Contact herbicide noun a substance which kills a plant whose leaves it touches, e.g. paraquat. Using contact herbicides effectively controls weeds and protects crops.

Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS): A research and advisory agency investigating aquatic science and contamination, run by Defra. Engaging with CEFAS helps farmers adopt sustainable practices and protect aquatic environments.