Category: E

ecological diversity: A variety of biological communities that interact with one another and with their physical and chemical environments. Ecological diversity benefits farmers by creating resilient ecosystems that support sustainable agriculture.

embryo: An organism that develops from a fertilized egg or seed, e.g., an animal in the first weeks of gestation or a seedling plant with cotyledons and a root. (NOTE: After eight weeks an unborn baby is called a fetus.) Understanding embryo development is essential for farmers in breeding and crop production.

emergence: 1. The germination of a seed 2. A stage in the growth of a plant, when the new shoot or stalk appears through the surface of the soil. Understanding emergence stages helps farmers optimize planting and crop management practices.

elevator: A machine for carrying grain or silage to the top of a storage unit. Elevators help farmers efficiently manage grain and silage storage.

ecological corridor: A strip of vegetation allowing the movement of wildlife or other organisms between two areas. Ecological corridors can enhance biodiversity on farms, supporting ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control.

Environmental Protection Agency: An administrative body in the USA which deals with pollution. Abbr EPA. Understanding the role of the EPA helps farmers comply with environmental regulations and improve sustainable farming practices.

environment: The surroundings of any organism, including the physical world and other organisms. Built environment, natural environment. Understanding the environment helps farmers adopt practices that protect and sustain the natural world.

embryonic: 1. Referring to an embryo 2. In the first stages of development. Knowledge of embryonic stages helps farmers manage breeding programs effectively.

ESA: Abbreviation for Environmentally Sensitive Area. Understanding ESA helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and receive funding for conservation efforts.

excretion: The passing of the waste products of metabolism such as faeces, urine, sweat, or carbon dioxide out of the body. Compare secretion. Understanding excretion helps farmers manage animal health and hygiene.

Embden: A heavy white breed of goose, with blue eyes. Raising Embden geese can provide farmers with high-quality meat and feathers.

estate village: A planned village built within an estate. Understanding estate villages helps farmers manage rural communities and agricultural land.

entomologist: A scientist who specializes in the study of insects. Entomologists can provide farmers with valuable insights into sustainable pest management practices.

enzootic disease: An outbreak of disease among certain species of animals in a certain area. Compare epizootic disease. Managing enzootic diseases helps farmers protect animal health and prevent the spread of infections.

eye-bright: Same as ivy-leaved speedwell. Managing eye-bright helps farmers maintain crop health and biodiversity.

eggplant: A plant with purple fruit (Solanum melongena), used as a vegetable. It is a native of tropical Asia. Also called aubergine. Growing eggplant can diversify a farmer’s crop production and provide additional income.

ensilage: The process of making silage for cattle by cutting grass and other green plants and storing it in silos. Ensiling techniques help farmers preserve feed quality and ensure a consistent supply of nutritious feed for livestock.

elt: A young sow. (NOTE: This is not a common word.) Understanding terminology like “elt” helps farmers communicate effectively about livestock.

ESA: Abbreviation for Environmentally Sensitive Area. Understanding ESA helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and receive funding for conservation efforts.

elm: A large hardwood tree that grows in temperate areas. Genus: Ulmus. Understanding elm trees helps farmers manage woodland and prevent diseases like Dutch elm disease.

estate: 1. A rural property consisting of a large area of land and a big house. 2. A plantation. Managing estates effectively helps farmers optimize land use and productivity.

electronic identification: A way of marking animals with tags containing a readable chip, which identifies them. Abbr EID. Electronic identification helps farmers efficiently track and manage their livestock.

environmentally friendly: Intended to minimize harm to the environment, e.g., by using biodegradable ingredients. Also called environment-friendly. Adopting environmentally friendly practices helps farmers protect the natural world and improve sustainability.

episodic: Happening sometimes but not regularly. Managing episodic events helps farmers plan for and mitigate the impacts of irregular occurrences.

EFB: Abbreviation for European foul brood. Awareness of EFB helps beekeepers manage and prevent this disease, ensuring healthy bee colonies.

esparto: A species of grass which yields fibers used mainly in making paper. It originally came from North Africa and Southern Spain. Growing esparto can provide farmers with an alternative income source from fiber production.

environment-friendly: Same as environmentally friendly. Adopting environmentally friendly practices helps farmers protect the natural world and improve sustainability.

egg: 1. A reproductive cell produced in a female mammal by the ovary which, if fertilized by male sperm, becomes an embryo. 2. A fertilized ovum of an animal such as a bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, or insect, protected by a membrane layer in which the embryo continues developing outside the mother’s body until it hatches. 3. A round object laid by female birds, with a hard calcareous shell forming a case containing albumen and yolk. The young bird grows inside the egg until it hatches. Understanding egg development and health is crucial for poultry farmers to ensure high-quality production.

easement: The right of someone who does not own a piece of land to use it, especially for access to another place. Understanding easement rights helps farmers manage land access and legal issues effectively.

evaporation: The process of changing from a liquid into a vapor. Understanding evaporation helps farmers manage irrigation and water resources.

extraction: The action of producing a substance out of another. The extraction of sugar from cane. Understanding extraction processes helps farmers produce value-added products and increase income.

extender: A food additive which makes the food bigger or heavier without adding to its food value. Understanding extenders helps farmers in food processing and product formulation.

electric fence: Thin wires supported by posts, the wires being able to carry an electric current. This type of fence is easily moved around the farm, and makes strip grazing on limited areas possible. Electric fences help farmers manage grazing and protect crops from livestock.

epiphytic: Attached to another plant for support but not parasitic. Understanding epiphytic relationships helps farmers manage crop health and biodiversity.

Extensification Payments Scheme: Until 2005, a system of payments made to farmers who received payments under the Beef Special Premium Scheme or Suckler Cow Premium Scheme and met specific stocking densities. Now superseded by the Single Payment Scheme. Accessing extensification payments helps farmers manage financial stability and promote sustainable farming.

excavator: A large machine for digging holes, as for laying drainage pipes. Using excavators helps farmers manage land development and construction efficiently.

eradication area: An area from which a particular animal disease is eradicated, usually involving the slaughter of infected animals. Managing eradication areas helps farmers prevent the spread of diseases and protect livestock health.

emulsify: To mix two liquids so thoroughly that they will not separate. Emulsification techniques help farmers create stable food products and formulations.

extensification schemes: Pilot schemes for beef cattle and sheep which were begun in 1990 to offer compensation to farmers who reduced their beef output or the number of sheep by at least 20% and maintained this reduction over a 5-year period. The schemes were aimed at a less intensive use of land and reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Participating in extensification schemes helps farmers adopt sustainable practices and receive financial support.

environmental tax: Same as ecotax. Understanding environmental taxes helps farmers adopt practices that protect the environment and comply with regulations.

Environmental Protection Agency: An administrative body in the USA which deals with pollution. Abbr EPA. Understanding the role of the EPA helps farmers comply with environmental regulations and improve sustainable farming practices.

emerge: To come out of the soil. Monitoring crop emergence helps farmers assess germination success and manage crop health.

evaporated milk: Milk which has been made thick and rich by evaporating some of its water content. Understanding evaporated milk production helps farmers diversify dairy products and add value.

energy value: The heat value of a substance measured in joules. Also called calorific value. Understanding energy value helps farmers select efficient and cost-effective energy sources.

enteritis: An inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestine. Managing enteritis is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

enzootic disease: An outbreak of disease among certain species of animals in a certain area. Compare epizootic disease. Managing enzootic diseases helps farmers protect animal health and prevent the spread of infections.

experimental husbandry farm: An experimental farm which specializes in livestock, rather than plants. Abbr EHF. Learning from EHF research helps farmers improve their livestock management practices.

excrete: To pass waste matter out of the body. The urinary system separates waste liquids from the blood and excretes them as urine. Compare secrete. Understanding excretion helps farmers manage animal health and hygiene.

extensive farming: A farming system that uses small inputs of labor, fertilizers, and capital relative to the land area being farmed. Extensive farming can be sustainable and less harmful to the environment.

ecological recovery: The return of an ecosystem to its former favorable condition. Ecological recovery practices can help farmers restore degraded land and improve agricultural productivity.