Category: C

CEFAS: Abbreviation for Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. Engaging with CEFAS helps farmers adopt sustainable practices and protect aquatic environments.

Chromosome: A thin structure in the nucleus of a cell formed of DNA, carrying genes. Understanding chromosomes helps farmers in breeding practices to improve crop and livestock genetics.

Chilli Pepper: A small seed pod, red or green, from the plant Capsicum frutescens, with a very hot taste. Growing chilli peppers provides a specialty crop for culinary use, enhancing farm product diversity and income.

Cramp: Cramp noun a spasm of the muscles where the muscle may remain contracted for some time. Understanding muscle cramps aids in managing livestock health and veterinary care.

Contract Grower: Contract grower noun a grower who produces a crop to order for a specific outlet ‘Our contract growers have to grow to our specifications; we visit them every week and make a report”, says Mr. Verduyn. If the crop is not to standard, and management advice has not been followed, the contract is unlikely to be renewed.’ [Farmers Weekly]. Engaging in contract growing ensures market access and stable income for farmers.

Cutter: Cutter noun a pig finished for both the fresh meat and the processing markets at weights similar to bacon pigs, i.e. 80–90kg live weight. Understanding cutter pigs aids in managing livestock production and meat quality.

Crutch: Crutch noun a forked pole, used when dipping sheep, to push the animal’s shoulders down into the liquid. Utilizing crutches aids in managing and handling livestock.

Crop Year: Crop year noun a period of twelve months calculated as the time from the sowing and harvesting of one crop until the next sowing season. Understanding crop years aids in managing agricultural cycles and production schedules.

Cattle Rustler: A person who steals cattle. Implementing security measures helps farmers prevent cattle rustling and protect their livestock.

Curry: Curry verb to rub down or dress a horse. Utilizing curry combs aids in managing and grooming livestock.

Coffee Rust: Coffee rust noun a fungus disease which attacks coffee plants. Managing coffee rust involves using resistant varieties and fungicides to protect coffee crops.

Chain Harrow: A type of harrow built like a piece of chain-link fencing, used to aerate grassland. Using chain harrows helps farmers maintain pasture health and improve soil structure for crop growth.

Compassion in World Farming: Compassion in World Farming noun a political lobby group which campaigns for the welfare of livestock and for humane practices in farming. Abbr CIWF. Engaging with CIWF supports animal welfare and ethical farming practices.

Complete Diet: Complete diet noun same as total mixed ration. Providing a complete diet ensures livestock receive balanced nutrition for optimal health and productivity.

Cage Rearing: A method of rearing poultry in which birds are taken from day-old chicks to placement in laying cages. Implementing efficient cage-rearing systems can increase poultry production and improve farm profitability.

Coupling: Coupling noun an attachment which couples an implement to a tractor. Utilizing couplings enhances farm equipment efficiency and management.

Clarts: Dung attached to the fleece of sheep. Managing clarts involves maintaining good hygiene practices to ensure the health and quality of sheep fleece.

Calf Diphtheria: A disease affecting the mouth and throat of a calf. Preventing and treating calf diphtheria involves maintaining good hygiene and providing appropriate veterinary care to ensure the health of young livestock.

Curative Fungicide: Curative fungicide /kj??r?t?v f??g?sa?d/ noun a fungicide that is applied to plants once they have been infected with a fungus rather than as a preventative measure. Utilizing curative fungicides protects crops from fungal diseases.

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.

Crucifer Crop: Crucifer crop noun crops such as broccoli, cabbage, turnips, and spinach belonging to the Cruciferaceae family. Cultivating crucifer crops provides nutritious vegetables for markets.

Clumping: The gathering together of a large number of things in a mass. Understanding clumping behavior in plants or animals helps farmers manage crops and livestock effectively.

Community: Community noun a group of different organisms which live together in an area the plant community on the sand dunes. Understanding community dynamics helps manage ecosystems and biodiversity.

Clean Crop: A measure of the amount of cereal not mixed with seeds of other plants. Managing clean crops involves using appropriate weed control measures to ensure high-quality produce.

Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas found in car fumes, burning gas, and cigarette smoke. Ensuring proper ventilation and monitoring carbon monoxide levels protects livestock and farmworkers from poisoning.

Clamp: A method of storing root crops in the open by heaping and covering with straw and earth or silage storage in a trench. Using clamps helps farmers manage crop storage and ensure feed availability for livestock.

Continuing Professional Development: Continuing professional development noun the continuation of training and study throughout a person’s career. Abbr CPD. ‘Experience of dairying in New Zealand and the USA indicates that both these dairying cultures place emphasis on communication, as well as the continuing professional development of their staff.’ [Farmers Weekly]. Engaging in continuing professional development ensures up-to-date knowledge and skills for agricultural professionals.

Carpel: A female part of a flower, formed of an ovary, style, and stigma. Understanding flower anatomy, including carpels, aids in plant breeding and crop production.

Certificate of Bad Husbandry: A certificate issued to a tenant farmer by an Agricultural Land Tribunal if the tenant is inefficient and unable to farm to a satisfactory standard. Understanding agricultural regulations helps farmers maintain best practices and avoid penalties.

Cuber: Cuber /kju:b?/ noun a machine used for making cubes or pellets from meal. Meal mixed with molasses is forced through small holes and cut into various lengths. Utilizing cubers enhances feed quality and management for livestock.

Conservationist: Conservationist noun a person who promotes, carries out, or works for conservation. Engaging with conservationists supports environmental protection and sustainable land use practices.

Creep Feed: Creep feed noun feed given to small animals during creep feeding. Utilizing creep feed provides proper nutrition for young livestock.

Channelise: To straighten a stream with many bends to make the water flow faster. Implementing channelization helps farmers manage water flow and prevent erosion in agricultural landscapes.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): A measure of the fertility of soil, describing its ability to hold and supply nutrients. Managing CEC involves using appropriate soil amendments to improve nutrient availability and enhance crop yields.

CVL: CVL abbreviation Central Veterinary Laboratory. Engaging with the Central Veterinary Laboratory supports livestock health and veterinary care.

Chlamydiosis: A bacterial infection transmitted by infected birds such as ducks and pigeons. Implementing biosecurity measures helps prevent chlamydiosis and protect poultry health.

Control Area: Control area noun an area where controls are operating to prevent the spread of a disease within the area, usually a larger area than the infected area. Establishing control areas helps prevent the spread of diseases and protect livestock health.

Concave: Concave noun part of a combine harvester, a curved dish which catches the grain after it has been threshed. Understanding combine harvester parts like concaves aids in efficient harvesting and grain processing.

Chewings Fescue: A common variety of grass used for pastures in New Zealand. Growing Chewings fescue provides valuable forage for livestock, supporting pasture health and productivity.

Cow Kennels: Cow kennels plural noun a wooden building with stalls for cows. Utilizing cow kennels provides proper housing and management for livestock.

Course: Course noun 1. the development of events over a period of time the usual course of the disease in the normal course of events usually 2. a sequence of medical treatment given over a period of time a course of antibiotics 3. the length of time in a rotation, when the land is growing a particular crop The Norfolk four-course rotation has turnips, followed by spring barley, red clover, and winter wheat, so that each crop will only be grown on the same land in one year out of four. Implementing crop rotation practices supports soil health and sustainable agriculture.

Cube: Cube noun a small square block or pellet verb to press animal feed into small square pellets. Utilizing cubes enhances feed quality and management for livestock.

Centigrade: Same as Celsius. Understanding temperature scales helps farmers monitor and manage environmental conditions for optimal crop and livestock health.

Coir: Coir /k?i?/ noun a rough fibre from the outer husk of coconuts. Using coir as a soil amendment improves soil structure and water retention.

Cote: Cote /k??t/ noun dove cote. Using cotes ensures proper housing and management of doves and pigeons.

Convenience Foods: Convenience foods plural noun foods which have been prepared so that they are ready to be served after simply being reheated ‘People are working longer hours. As a result demand for convenience foods has exploded, not just for pre-packed ready meals, but quickly cooked food like chops and steaks.’ [Farmers Guardian]. Producing convenience foods meets market demands and provides quick meal solutions.

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.

Clone: A group of cells or organisms derived from a single cell by asexual reproduction, identical to the first cell or individual. Understanding cloning techniques helps farmers manage plant and animal breeding for optimal productivity.

culling: The process of removing less productive or unhealthy animals from a herd. Culling helps improve overall herd health and productivity.

Compensatory Growth: Compensatory growth /k?mp?nseit(?)ri gr???/ noun growth that occurs after a period of under-feeding when the animal regains lost weight. Managing compensatory growth involves providing proper nutrition and healthcare to support animal recovery.