Category: E

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.

essential amino acid: An amino acid necessary for growth but which cannot be synthesized by monogastric animals and has to be obtained from the food supply. (NOTE: The essential amino acids are: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, arginine, and histidine.) Understanding essential amino acids helps farmers formulate balanced diets for their livestock.

East Friesland: A breed of sheep introduced into the UK from Holland. It is a large long slim-bodied breed and is much valued for its high milk yield. This breed can be beneficial for farmers looking to improve milk production.

environmentalist: A person who is concerned with protecting the environment. Environmentalists can provide farmers with valuable insights into sustainable farming practices.

eutherian: A mammal whose young develop within the womb attached to maternal tissues by a placenta. Subclass: Eutheria. Also called placental mammal. Understanding eutherian mammals helps farmers manage livestock breeding and health.

endo-: Prefix meaning inside or within. Compare ecto-. Understanding prefixes like “endo-” helps farmers and agricultural scientists accurately describe and manage pests and diseases.

enzootic abortion: A virus infection of sheep causing abortion about two weeks before lambing. Managing enzootic abortion is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their flocks.

edge effect: An increase in growth and yield seen in crop plants growing at the edge of a plot or field. Understanding edge effects can help farmers optimize planting strategies for better yields.

ecotoxicity: The degree to which a chemical released into an environment by human activities affects the organisms that live or grow there. Understanding ecotoxicity helps farmers minimize environmental damage and improve sustainability.

erythromycin: An antibiotic used to combat bacterial infections. Understanding antibiotics like erythromycin helps farmers manage livestock health and prevent disease outbreaks.

Escherichia coli: A Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in faeces and associated with acute gastroenteritis if it enters the digestive systems of humans or animals. Understanding E. coli helps farmers ensure food safety and implement measures to prevent contamination.

environmental impact assessment: An evaluation of the effect upon the environment of an action such as a large construction program. Abbr EIA. Conducting an EIA helps farmers plan sustainable agricultural practices and comply with environmental regulations.

entire: Referring to an animal which has not been castrated. Managing entire animals requires specific care and handling practices to ensure safety and productivity.

exploitation: The action of taking advantage of something. The utilization of natural resources. The unfair use of something or treatment of someone for personal benefit. Adopting fair and sustainable practices helps farmers manage resources responsibly.

erosion: The wearing away of soil or rock by rain, wind, sea, or rivers or by the action of toxic substances. Grass cover provides some protection against soil erosion. Preventing erosion helps farmers maintain soil health and productivity.

elevator digger: A machine for harvesting crops such as potatoes, which can be adapted to harvest carrots, onions, or flower bulbs. Using elevator diggers helps farmers streamline the harvesting process and reduce labor costs.

exhausted fallow: Fallow land which is no longer fertile. Managing exhausted fallow helps farmers restore soil health and productivity.

early bite: Grazing in the spring provided by new growths of grass which sprout when the weather gets warmer. Early bite can help farmers optimize grazing schedules and improve livestock health.

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.

eye: 1. A growth bud which has not developed, e.g., the bud of a potato tuber which develops shoots when the tuber is planted. 2. The instinctive action of a sheepdog when working sheep. Understanding growth buds helps farmers manage crop health and productivity.

eucalyptus: An Australian hardwood tree (Eucalyptus spp.) with strong-smelling resin. The trees are quick-growing and often used for afforestation but are susceptible to fire. Growing eucalyptus can provide farmers with a fast-growing timber source.

enterovirus: A virus which prefers to live in the intestine. Understanding enteroviruses helps farmers implement effective biosecurity measures and prevent disease outbreaks.

emission: A substance discharged into the air by an internal combustion engine or other device. Exhaust emissions contain pollutants. Gas emissions can cause acid rain. Managing emissions helps farmers reduce environmental impact and comply with regulations.

ecological factors: Factors which influence the distribution of a plant species in a habitat. Knowledge of ecological factors helps farmers manage crops and land use effectively.

European Union: An alliance of 25 European countries, originally established with six members in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. Among its powers are those for environmental and agricultural policy in its member states. Abbr EU. (NOTE: Formerly called the European Community or European Economic Community.) Understanding EU policies helps farmers comply with regulations and access funding opportunities.

exhaustive: Complete and thorough. An exhaustive reply to the safety concerns. An exhaustive search for the information. Conducting exhaustive research helps farmers make informed decisions and implement best practices.

ethene: Same as ethylene. Understanding ethylene helps farmers manage crop ripening and storage.

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

eradication: The complete removal of something. The total extinction of a species. Implementing eradication practices helps farmers control pests and diseases and protect crop health.

ECN: Abbreviation for Environmental Change Network. Participation in the ECN helps farmers stay informed about climate trends and adapt farming practices for sustainability.

environmental directive: An EU policy statement on the appropriate ways of dealing with a specific environmental issue. Understanding environmental directives helps farmers comply with regulations and adopt sustainable practices.

Exmoor Horn: A stock fat sheep, with a broad head, curled horns, and dense fleece. Mainly found on Exmoor, the breed has been crossed with the Devon Longwool to create the Devon Closewool. Raising Exmoor Horn sheep helps farmers produce high-quality wool and meat.

earlies: Potatoes grown for harvesting early in the season. Compare maincrop potatoes. Early potatoes can provide farmers with a quick return on investment and an early market presence.

epicarp: The outer skin of a fruit. Also called exocarp. Understanding epicarp structure helps farmers in fruit cultivation and harvesting.

ecological: Referring to ecology. Ecological knowledge helps farmers adopt practices that support environmental health and biodiversity.

ergotamine: The toxin that causes ergotism. Understanding ergotamine helps farmers manage crop health and prevent contamination.

emaciation: Becoming extremely thin. Scab causes emaciation in sheep. Managing emaciation is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

egg eating: A form of behavior by intensively housed poultry in which birds eat their own eggs. It may be due to eggs being broken because of thin shells. Managing egg eating behavior helps farmers reduce losses and improve egg quality.

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.

earth: 1. Soil 2. The ground or land surface. Understanding soil composition and health is crucial for farmers to enhance crop yield and sustainability.

eutrophic: Referring to water which is high in dissolved mineral nutrients. Understanding eutrophic conditions helps farmers manage water quality and prevent nutrient pollution.

ewe lamb: A female lamb less than six months old. Raising ewe lambs helps farmers manage breeding programs and ensure flock growth.

enzyme: A protein substance produced by living cells which promotes a biochemical reaction in living organisms. (NOTE: The names of enzymes mostly end with the suffix -ase.) Understanding enzymes helps farmers manage livestock nutrition and health.

Enterobius: A threadworm or nematode which infests the intestine. Managing Enterobius infestations is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

enhancer: An artificial substance that increases the flavor of food or of an artificial flavoring that has been added to food. (NOTE: In the European Union, flavor enhancers added to food have the E numbers E620 to E637.) Understanding enhancers helps farmers in food processing and product formulation.

evening primrose: A biennial plant with hairy leaves and seeds that produce an oil which is used by the pharmaceutical industry. Growing evening primrose can provide farmers with an alternative income source from oil production.

Environmental Protection Act 1990: A UK regulation to allow the introduction of integrated pollution control, regulations for the disposal of waste, and other provisions. Abbr EPA. Complying with the EPA helps farmers reduce pollution and protect the environment.

expander: A device behind a mole which widens a drain. Using expanders helps farmers manage drainage and prevent waterlogging.

Emmer: A species of wheat (Triticum dicoccoides) which is a natural hybrid of wild wheat and a goat grass. A further crossing between Emmer and a goat grass produced wheat (Triticum aestivum). Growing Emmer can provide farmers with a resilient and nutritious crop.

ECS: Abbreviation for Energy Crops Scheme. The ECS provides financial support to farmers for growing energy crops, promoting sustainable energy production.