Category: C

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.

Calving Time: The time when a cow is ready to calve. Monitoring calving times helps farmers prepare for and manage the birthing process, ensuring the health of both cow and calf.

Commodity: Commodity noun a substance sold in very large quantities, e.g. raw materials or foodstuffs such as corn, rice, butter. Understanding commodity markets helps farmers optimize production and sales.

Clearance: The action of clearing land for cultivation. Managing land clearance involves using sustainable practices to protect soil health and support crop growth.

Cyst: Cyst noun an unusual growth in the body or on a plant, shaped like a pouch and containing liquid or semi-liquid substances. Understanding cysts aids in managing livestock and crop health.

Caper: A Mediterranean shrub whose flower buds are used as a flavoring. Cultivating capers provides a specialty crop for gourmet markets, diversifying farm products and income.

Channel Island Breeds: The Guernsey and Jersey breeds of dairy cattle. Raising Channel Island breeds provides high-quality milk and contributes to the profitability of dairy operations.

Chicken: A young bird of a domestic fowl or the meat of domestic poultry. Raising chickens provides nutritious meat and valuable produce for fresh markets and processing, contributing to farm income.

Common Prices: Common prices plural noun the prices obtained by all EU farmers for a wide range of their products, including beef, cereals, milk products, and sugar. EU regulations involve control on imports and intervention buying. These prices are reviewed each year. Understanding common prices helps farmers plan production and marketing strategies.

Cultivate: Cultivate verb 1. to grow crops Potatoes are cultivated as the main crop. 2. to dig and manure the soil ready for growing crops The fields are cultivated in the autumn, ready for sowing wheat. Engaging in cultivation practices supports sustainable agriculture and crop production.

Cover Crop: Cover crop noun 1. a crop sown to cover the soil and prevent it from drying out and being eroded (NOTE: When the cover crop has served its purpose, it is usually ploughed in, so leguminous plants which are able to enrich the soil are often used as cover crops.) 2. a crop grown to give protection to another crop that is sown with it In the tropics, bananas can be used as a cover crop for cocoa. 3. a crop grown to give cover to game birds. ‘As leaving maize stubble fields bare could risk failure to meet cross-compliance, more growers are recognizing cover crops could prove a worthwhile option.’ [Farmers Weekly]. Utilizing cover crops enhances soil health and prevents erosion.

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.

Cloxacillin: A type of antibiotic. Using antibiotics like cloxacillin helps farmers manage livestock health and treat bacterial infections effectively.

CSS: CSS abbreviation Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Engaging in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme supports biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

Carbon (C): A common non-metallic element that is an essential component of living matter and organic chemical compounds. Carbon is crucial for plant photosynthesis, where it is absorbed from the air and converted into organic matter. Understanding the role of carbon helps farmers enhance soil health and crop productivity through practices like carbon sequestration and proper crop rotation.

Camembert: A soft French cheese produced in Normandy. Producing specialty cheeses like Camembert adds value to dairy operations and offers unique products for niche markets.

Crispbread: Crispbread /kr?spbr?d/ noun a dry biscuit made from rye. Producing crispbread provides a nutritious and shelf-stable food product.

Curry Report: Curry Report noun a UK government report published in 2002 after a major outbreak of foot and mouth disease. It recommended radical changes to the agriculture and food industries, looking forward to a profitable sustainable future for farming in providing good food for consumers who place increasing emphasis on a healthy diet as well as caring for the environment. Engaging with the Curry Report supports agricultural policy development and sustainable farming practices.

Corsican Pine: Corsican pine /k?sik?n pain/ noun a fast-growing conifer (Pinus nigra). Growing Corsican pine provides valuable timber and enhances forest management.

Cruels: Cruels /kru:?lz/ noun same as actinobacillosis. Managing cruels involves providing proper healthcare and treatment for livestock.