Category: E

EHS: Abbreviation for experimental horticulture station. Farmers can benefit from EHS research to enhance their crop production techniques.

extensive agriculture: A way of farming which is characterized by a low level of inputs per unit of land. Compare intensive agriculture. Adopting extensive agriculture helps farmers promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

eject: To throw something out. Ejectors on manure spreaders help farmers distribute manure evenly over fields, improving soil fertility.

extract: 1. To take something out of somewhere. Vanilla essence is extracted from an orchid. 2. To produce a substance from another. Coconut oil is extracted from copra. Understanding extraction processes helps farmers produce value-added products and increase income.

earth up: To move soil to make a ridge, in which a crop such as potatoes or celery can grow. Plants are earthed up to protect the tender stems from frost or to make them white. Potatoes are earthed up to prevent the tubers from turning green and tasting bitter. This practice helps farmers protect crops from environmental stressors and improve quality.

England Rural Development Programme: A set of schemes run by Defra in the UK to develop sustainable farming methods in rural areas. Abbr ERDP. Participating in the ERDP helps farmers access funding and support for sustainable farming practices.

enzootic bovine leucosis: A blood cancer disease of cattle. It is a notifiable disease. Managing enzootic bovine leucosis is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their herds.

equine: Relating to horses. Understanding equine health and behavior helps farmers manage horse care and breeding.

EUROP: Letters which make up the conformation classes in the Carcass Classification System. Understanding EUROP classifications helps farmers market their meat products more effectively.

environmental assessment: The identification of the expected environmental effects of a proposed action. Conducting an environmental assessment helps farmers plan sustainable agricultural practices and comply with environmental regulations.

energy: The force or strength to carry out activities. You need to eat carbohydrates to give you energy. 2. Electricity or other fuel. We have to review our energy requirements regularly. Managing energy efficiently helps farmers reduce costs and improve sustainability.

English Leicester: A breed of sheep derived from Robert Bakewell’s flock, used for breeding many other longwool breeds. It produces a heavy fleece and is now a rare breed. Raising English Leicester sheep can provide farmers with high-quality wool and contribute to the preservation of rare breeds.

excessive: More than expected, needed, or allowed. Excessive ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer. Managing excessive inputs and outputs helps farmers optimize resource use and prevent environmental harm.

environmental management: The idea of humans interacting with the environment in a responsible and ethically sound way, without sacrificing productivity. Guidelines or practices which support this aim. Adopting environmental management practices helps farmers balance productivity with sustainability.

ear: The flower head of a cereal plant such as wheat or maize where the grains develop. Knowing this helps farmers monitor crop health and timing for optimal harvesting.

establish: 1. To work out or calculate something. To establish a position to find out where something is. 2. To start or set up something. We established routine procedures very quickly. To establish communication to make contact. To establish control to get control. 3. To settle or grow permanently. The starling has become established in all parts of the USA. Even established trees have been attacked by the disease. Establishing routines and procedures helps farmers improve farm management and productivity.

elder: A small tree (Sambucus nigra) with little black berries used to make wine. Growing elder can provide farmers with additional income from berry and wine production.

excess: An amount or quantity greater than what is expected, needed, or allowed. More than is expected, needed, or allowed. Managing excesses helps farmers optimize resource use and prevent waste.

eradicate: To remove something completely. International action to eradicate glaucoma. Understanding eradication techniques helps farmers manage pests and diseases effectively.

extreme: Referring to breeds of cattle which are traditionally kept for dairy or for meat, and not for a combination of the two. Understanding extreme breeds helps farmers specialize in specific livestock production for better quality and yield.

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.

ecological engineering: A design process that aims to integrate human activities with the natural environment for the benefit of both. Ecological engineering can help farmers create sustainable farm designs that minimize environmental impact.

European foul brood: A disease affecting bees that is caused by a bacterial parasite of the Streptococcaceae family that infests the larvae. Abbr EFB. Managing European foul brood is crucial for beekeepers to ensure healthy bee colonies and honey production.

egg classes: The grading of eggs under EU regulations, into Class A (fresh eggs), Class B (preserved eggs), and Class C (eggs for use in food processing). Understanding egg classes helps farmers market their eggs more effectively.

European Food Safety Authority: A consultative body, funded by the European Community, which advises policymakers on health and food safety issues. Abbr EFSA. Understanding EFSA guidelines helps farmers ensure food safety and meet regulatory standards.

environmental degradation: A reduction in the quality of the environment. Preventing environmental degradation helps farmers maintain productive land and healthy ecosystems.

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.

ergot: A fungus that grows on cereals, especially rye, producing a mycotoxin which causes hallucinations and sometimes death if eaten. Genus: Claviceps. Understanding ergot helps farmers manage crop health and prevent contamination.

Environmental Stewardship: A system under which farmers and land managers receive funding for implementing schemes to protect the environment, such as preventing soil erosion or protecting wildlife. Participating in Environmental Stewardship helps farmers receive funding for implementing environmentally friendly farming practices.

ear emergence: The main stage used in determining the heading date of a crop. In the case of a sward, this is the date at which 50% of the inflorescences have appeared. This information helps farmers manage crop growth stages and plan harvesting schedules.

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.

Enterobacteria: A family of bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia. Understanding Enterobacteria helps farmers implement effective biosecurity measures and prevent disease outbreaks.

earthworm: An invertebrate animal with a long thin body divided into many segments, living in large numbers in the soil. Earthworms aerate the soil as they tunnel. They also eat organic matter and help increase the soil’s fertility. They help stabilize the soil structure by compressing material and mixing it with organic matter and calcium. It is believed that they also secrete a hormone which encourages rooting by plants. Earthworms are beneficial for farmers as they enhance soil fertility and structure, promoting healthy crop growth.

evapotranspire: To lose water into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration. Understanding evapotranspiration helps farmers manage irrigation and optimize water use for crops.

exploit: 1. To take advantage of something. Ladybirds have exploited the sudden increase in the numbers of insects. 2. To use a natural resource. Exploiting the natural wealth of the forest. 3. To treat something or someone unfairly for personal benefit. Understanding exploitation helps farmers manage resources sustainably and ethically.

EAGGF: Abbreviation for European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Farmers can benefit from the EAGGF by accessing financial support for agricultural improvements and sustainability projects.

environmental conditionality: Same as cross-compliance. Understanding environmental conditionality helps farmers meet sustainability standards and receive agricultural subsidies.

E: E symbol for “Excellent” in the EUROP carcass conformation classification system. This classification can help farmers understand and market the quality of their meat products more effectively.

Envirowise: A government program providing advice to businesses in industry and commerce on improving efficiency in the use of resources and reducing waste. Farmers can benefit from Envirowise by accessing advice on sustainable farming practices and resource management.

EFSA: Abbreviation for European Food Safety Authority. Farmers can benefit from EFSA guidelines to ensure food safety and meet regulatory standards.

EID: Abbreviation for electronic identification. Electronic identification helps farmers efficiently manage and track their livestock.

exotoxin: A poison produced by bacteria which affects parts of the body away from the place of infection. Understanding exotoxins helps farmers manage animal health and prevent disease spread.

evapotranspiration: The movement of water from soil through a plant until it is released into the atmosphere from leaf surfaces. Understanding evapotranspiration helps farmers manage irrigation and optimize water use for crops.

encroach on: To come close to and gradually cover something. Managing encroachment helps farmers protect their land and maintain agricultural productivity.

experimental farm: A farm which is used to experiment with new farming techniques, rather than being run as a commercial enterprise. Learning from experimental farms helps farmers adopt innovative practices and improve productivity.

enclosure: 1. An area surrounded by a fence, often to contain animals. Compare exclosure 2. The action of enclosing open land. Field (NOTE: The term enclosure is used in England to refer especially to the enclosure of common land in the 16th and 18th centuries, when rights to common land were removed and major landowners used ditches, fences, hedgerows, and walls to mark the boundaries of land which they owned freehold.) Understanding enclosure history helps farmers manage land and livestock effectively.

EFA: Abbreviation for essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are crucial for livestock nutrition and health. Understanding EFA helps farmers formulate balanced diets for their animals.

edible snails: Snails reared for human consumption. Raising edible snails can provide farmers with an alternative income source and diversify agricultural production.

euthanasia: The act of killing a sick animal in a humane way. Understanding euthanasia practices helps farmers manage animal welfare and prevent suffering.

establishment: 1. The germination and emergence of seedlings. There was a good crop establishment. 2. A period when a newly seeded sward is becoming established. Successful establishment is crucial for farmers to ensure healthy crop growth and yield.