Category: C

Chemotrophic: Referring to organisms obtaining energy from sources such as organic matter. Understanding chemotrophic processes aids farmers in managing soil health and nutrient availability for crops.

Chemical Element: A substance such as iron, calcium, or oxygen, existing independently and not formed from a combination of other substances. Understanding chemical elements aids in managing soil fertility and livestock nutrition for optimal farm productivity.

Controlled Atmosphere: Controlled atmosphere noun the conditions in which oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations are regulated and monitored, e.g. to improve the storage of fruit and vegetables. ‘English plum producers are looking at the possibility of storing Victoria plums in controlled atmosphere to extend the season until at least September.’ [The Grocer]. Utilizing controlled atmosphere storage extends the shelf life of produce and maintains product quality.

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.

Calcium Borogluconate: A chemical given in the form of injections to cows suffering from milk fever due to calcium deficiency. Administering calcium borogluconate helps restore calcium levels in cows, preventing milk fever and maintaining herd health.

Crossbar: Crossbar noun a bar which goes across something to make it more solid, as the crossbar of a rake. Utilizing crossbars enhances farm equipment efficiency and management.

Clod: A large lump of soil that may be difficult to break down into tilth. Managing clods involves using appropriate soil cultivation techniques to ensure a healthy seedbed for crops.

CFCU: Abbreviation for Counter Fraud and Compliance Unit. Engaging with CFCU helps farmers ensure compliance with regulations and protect against fraud.

Cultural Control: Cultural control noun the control of pests using various agricultural techniques such as crop rotation. Implementing cultural control practices supports pest management and sustainable agriculture.

Carry: To keep livestock on farmland. Properly managing livestock carrying capacity ensures sustainable grazing practices and prevents overgrazing.

Chinese Goose: A breed of goose with a lighter carcass, raised for meat production. Raising Chinese geese provides high-quality meat and valuable produce for niche markets, contributing to farm income.

CTS: CTS abbreviation Cattle Tracing Scheme. Utilizing the Cattle Tracing Scheme ensures proper livestock management and traceability.

Chemotroph: An organism converting energy from organic chemical compounds into more complex energy without using sunlight. Understanding chemotrophs helps farmers manage soil health and nutrient cycling for optimal crop growth.

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.

Chain: A number of metal rings attached together to make a line or a measure of length equal to 22 yards. Using chains in farming operations helps manage equipment and measure land accurately.

Cranefly: Cranefly /kre?nfl??/ noun a common pest (Tipula). The larvae are leatherjackets, which affect cereal crops, feeding on the crops in spring, eating away the roots and stems. Managing cranefly involves using integrated pest management strategies to protect crops.

Crusher: Crusher /kr???/ noun a company or factory which specializes in crushing seed to extract oil. Utilizing crushers enhances oil extraction efficiency and product quality.

CCW: Abbreviation for Countryside Council for Wales. Collaborating with CCW helps farmers stay informed about and involved in rural conservation efforts.

Cloven Hoof: The divided hoof of animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs. Understanding livestock anatomy, including cloven hooves, helps farmers manage animal health and provide proper care.

Caterpillar: The soft-bodied larva of many species of butterflies and moths, feeding mainly on foliage. Managing caterpillar populations involves using integrated pest management practices to protect crops and ensure healthy growth.

Cultivated Land: Cultivated land noun land that has been dug or prepared for growing crops. Managing cultivated land supports sustainable farming practices and crop production.

Collie: Collie /k?li/ noun Scottish breed of sheepdog. Employing Collies in livestock management improves herd control and protection.

Cabbage: A cultivated vegetable (Brassica oleracea) with a round heart or head, a useful food for stock and human consumption. Growing cabbage can improve farm income through fresh market sales and provide nutritious feed for livestock.

Chinchilla: A small rabbit important for its soft grey fur. Raising chinchillas provides high-value fur for the textile industry, enhancing farm income and product diversity.

Cl: Symbol for chlorine. Managing chlorine use helps farmers maintain water quality and protect crops and livestock from harmful pathogens.

Carrot Fly: A small fly (Psila rosae) with larvae that burrow into carrot roots, causing crop loss. Managing carrot flies involves using row covers, crop rotation, and natural predators to protect crops and maintain yields.

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.

Crushing Mill: Crushing mill noun a machine used to flatten grain before feeding it to livestock. Utilizing crushing mills enhances feed quality for livestock.

Certified Seed: Seed successfully tested for purity, disease, and weed contamination, granted certification for sale. Using certified seed ensures high-quality crop production and reduces the risk of disease and pest issues.

Countryside Management: Countryside management noun the study and practice of environmental conservation in association with rural enterprise, countryside access, and recreational activities. Implementing countryside management practices promotes environmental conservation and sustainable rural development.

Colorado Beetle: Colorado beetle /k?l?r?d?? bi:t(?)l/ noun a beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) with black and yellow stripes which eats and destroys potato plants. Managing Colorado beetles involves using integrated pest management strategies to protect potato crops.

Council for the Protection of Rural England: Council for the Protection of Rural England noun former name for CPRE. Engaging with the Council for the Protection of Rural England supports rural conservation and sustainable land use practices.

Cold Frame: Cold frame noun a box construction, with a glass lid, used for raising or keeping plants out of doors but with a certain amount of protection against frost. Utilizing cold frames extends the growing season and protects young plants from harsh weather.

Climate Change Levy: A tax on the use of energy by sectors like agriculture and industry to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding climate change levy regulations helps farmers adopt sustainable practices and reduce energy costs.

Clearfell: Same as clearcutting. Managing clearfell operations involves using sustainable practices to protect soil health and support crop growth.

Carbohydrate: An organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, such as sugars, cellulose, and starch. Managing carbohydrate intake in livestock diets ensures they receive adequate energy for growth and productivity.

Cerebrocortical Necrosis (CCN): A disease of sheep caused by thiamine deficiency, leading to symptoms like blindness and fits. Preventing CCN involves providing balanced nutrition and early intervention to maintain herd health.

Coloniser: Coloniser /k?l?naiz?/, colonist /k?l?nist/ noun an organism that moves into and establishes itself in a new ecosystem, e.g. a plant such as a weed. Managing colonisers involves controlling invasive species to protect native biodiversity.

Centrifugation: The separation of components of a liquid in a centrifuge. Also called centrifuging. Using centrifugation in dairy and food processing helps farmers and producers separate and refine products efficiently.

Common: Common adjective belonging to several different people or to everyone common land noun an area of land to which the public has access for walking COMMENT: About 80% of common land is privately owned and, subject to the interests of any commoners, owners enjoy essentially the same rights as the owners of other land. Commoners have different types of ‘rights of common’, e.g. to graze animals, or to extract sand, gravel, or peat. Managing common land involves balancing public access with sustainable land use practices.

Condition Scoring: Condition scoring noun a method of assessing the state of body condition of animals; scores range from 0–5 for cattle and 1–9 for sows. Low condition scores indicate thinness, and high scores fatness. A score of about 3 is ideal. ‘Condition scoring is the ideal on-farm method of assessing cow body reserves as it requires no specialist equipment or weighing facilities and once you get a grasp of the points system it is relatively quick to do.’ [Dairy Farmer]. Using condition scoring helps monitor and manage livestock health and nutrition.

Cotyledon: Cotyledon /k?ti li:d?n/ noun the green plant structure resembling a leaf that appears as a seed germinates and before the true leaves appear, developing from the embryo of the seed COMMENT: Cotyledons are thicker than normal leaves, and contain food for the growing plant. Plants are divided into two groups, those producing a single cotyledon (monocotyledons) and those producing two cotyledons (dicotyledons). Understanding cotyledon development aids in managing seed germination and crop growth.

Chill Starvation: A disease affecting very young lambs, caused by loss of body heat during severe weather conditions. Preventing chill starvation involves providing adequate shelter and nutrition to young lambs to ensure their survival and growth.

Canal: A waterway made by people to irrigate land. Constructing and maintaining canals ensures adequate water supply for irrigation, supporting crop growth and farm sustainability.

Clot: (of blood) to become thick and stop flowing, forming a scab if exposed to the air. Understanding blood clotting mechanisms helps farmers manage livestock health and address injuries effectively.

Catching Pen: A pen into which sheep are put while waiting to be sheared. Using catching pens ensures safe and efficient handling of livestock during shearing and other management practices.

Carnallite: A white or pale mineral containing hydrated magnesium and potassium chlorides, used as a source of potassium in fertilizers. Using carnallite in fertilizers improves soil fertility and crop yields.

Cherry Tomato: A variety of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) with very small fruit. Growing cherry tomatoes provides nutritious and versatile produce for fresh markets, enhancing farm income.

Cast Ewes: Old breeding ewes sold by hill farmers to lower ground farmers for one more crop of lambs. Managing cast ewes involves ensuring their health and productivity to maximize lamb production and farm income.

Cruciferae: Cruciferae /kru: s?f?ri:/ noun former name for Brassicaceae. Cultivating crucifer crops provides nutritious vegetables for markets.