Category: E

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.

endangered species: A species that is facing a risk of extinction in the wild, usually taken to be when fewer than 250 mature individuals exist. Abbr EN. Protecting endangered species helps farmers contribute to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

eutrophication: The process by which water becomes full of phosphates and other mineral nutrients which encourage the growth of algae and kill other organisms. Managing eutrophication helps farmers protect water quality and prevent environmental degradation.

environmental ethics: The examination and discussion of people’s obligations towards the environment. Adopting environmental ethics helps farmers make decisions that protect and sustain the natural world.

English Nature: The UK government agency that is responsible for nature conservation in England. Abbr EN. Understanding English Nature helps farmers participate in conservation efforts and comply with environmental regulations.

extensive system: A farming system which uses a large amount of land per unit of stock or output. An extensive system of pig farming. Understanding extensive systems helps farmers optimize land use and reduce environmental impact.

ES: Abbreviation for Environmental Stewardship. Participating in Environmental Stewardship helps farmers receive funding for implementing environmentally friendly farming practices.

ex-farm: Referring to a price for a product which does not include transport from the farm to the buyer’s warehouse. Understanding ex-farm pricing helps farmers negotiate sales and manage logistics.

Entry Level Stewardship: One of the categories under the Environmental Stewardship scheme, where farmers with any size holding can apply for funding in return for implementing certain environmental management schemes on their land. Abbr ELS. Participating in ELS helps farmers receive funding for implementing environmentally friendly farming practices.

EIA: Abbreviation for environmental impact assessment. Conducting an EIA helps farmers plan sustainable agricultural practices and comply with environmental regulations.

espalier: A method of training a fruit tree, in which its branches are made to grow flat against a wall or other support. Compare cordon. A tree, especially apple or pear, trained in this way. From a vertical trunk pairs of branches are usually trained horizontally about 50cm apart. Training fruit trees as espalier can help farmers save space and increase fruit production.

euro: A unit of currency adopted as legal tender in several European countries from January 1st, 1999. Understanding the euro helps farmers engage in international trade and manage financial transactions.

enzootic pneumonia: A disease of pigs, previously thought to be caused by a virus. Symptoms include coughing and stunted growth. Abbr EP. Managing enzootic pneumonia is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their pigs.

EBLEX: Abbreviation for English Beef and Lamb Executive. Farmers can benefit from EBLEX by accessing market information and support for beef and lamb production.

export quotas: Limits set to the amount of a type of produce which can be exported. Understanding export quotas helps farmers comply with trade regulations and manage production.

ecology: The study of the relationships among organisms as well as the relationships between them and their physical environment. Ecological knowledge helps farmers understand and manage the interactions between their farming practices and the environment.

extensification: 1. The use of less intensive farming methods. Compare intensification. 2. A payment made to farmers to encourage them to farm less intensively. Adopting extensification practices helps farmers improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

evaporate: To change from being a liquid to being a vapor, or to change a liquid into a vapor. In the heat of the day, water evaporates from the surface of the earth. The sun evaporated all the water in the puddle. Understanding evaporation helps farmers manage irrigation and water resources.

endosperm: A storage tissue in plant seeds that provides nourishment for the developing embryo. Understanding endosperm is essential for farmers to manage seed health and crop production.

exclosure: An area fenced to prevent animals from entering. Compare enclosure. Using exclosures helps farmers protect sensitive areas and manage grazing effectively.

epizoon: An animal which lives on another animal. Understanding epizoon relationships helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent infestations.

Environmentally Sensitive Area: In the UK, a rural area designated by Defra as needing special protection from modern farming practices. Abbr ESA. (NOTE: This program has now been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship scheme.) Understanding ESA helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and receive funding for conservation efforts.

easy feed: A means of feeding livestock which allows easy access to feed by means of hoppers or feeding passages. Easy feed systems can help farmers streamline livestock feeding processes and improve animal health.

edaphic: Referring to soil. Knowledge of edaphic factors helps farmers manage soil health and fertility effectively.

ERDP: Abbreviation for England Rural Development Programme. Participating in the ERDP helps farmers access funding and support for sustainable farming practices.

ethical trading: Business practices which are socially responsible and protect the environment and the rights of workers. Adopting ethical trading practices helps farmers promote sustainability and fair labor practices.

ETA: Abbreviation for estimated transmitting ability. Knowing ETA helps farmers make informed breeding decisions to improve livestock quality.

establishment grant: An amount of money given to farmers under the Energy Crops Scheme which covers some of the costs of planting energy crops. Accessing establishment grants helps farmers invest in sustainable energy production.

EHF: Abbreviation for experimental husbandry farm. Farmers can learn from EHF research to improve their livestock management practices.

embryo transfer: The transplanting of an embryo from one animal into the womb of another, used as a method of improving breeding quality. Abbr ET. Embryo transfer helps farmers enhance livestock genetics and improve herd quality.

exotic: Referring to an organism or species that is not native and has been introduced from another place or region. An organism or species that is not native to its current environment. Also called alien. Managing exotic species helps farmers protect native biodiversity and prevent invasive species.

energy crop: A crop which is grown to be used to provide energy, e.g., a fast-growing tree. Biomass itself can come from a variety of sources, including energy crops such as miscanthus and short-rotation willow, forestry trimmings, off-cuts and roots, tree surgeons’ chips, reclaimed timber and municipal solid waste, some industrial waste, sewage sludge, liquid animal waste, and the enormous amount of food waste. Growing energy crops provides farmers with renewable energy sources and additional income.

erect habit: The habit of a plant which grows upright and does not lie on the ground. Understanding plant habits helps farmers manage crop growth and optimize planting strategies.

enterotoxin: A bacterial exotoxin which particularly affects the intestine. Managing enterotoxins helps farmers ensure food safety and protect consumer health.

Environment Agency: In England and Wales, the government agency responsible for the protection of the environment, including flood and sea defenses. Abbr EA. Understanding the role of the EA helps farmers comply with environmental regulations and improve sustainable farming practices.

erucic acid: A fatty acid found in rape oil, which is linked to heart disease. Varieties of oilseed rape with low erucic acid content are considered the best. Understanding erucic acid helps farmers select and grow healthier crop varieties.