Category: E

experimental horticulture station: An experimental farm which specializes in plants, rather than livestock. Abbr EHS. Learning from EHS research helps farmers enhance their crop production techniques.

energy balance: A series of measurements showing the movement of energy between organisms and their environment. In farming, a common use of the energy balance is to assess the ratio between the amount of energy used to grow a crop and the amount of energy that crop produces. Understanding energy balance helps farmers optimize resource use and improve sustainability.

Environmental Change Network: An association which monitors trends in climate change and produces statistics. Abbr ECN. Participation in the ECN helps farmers stay informed about climate trends and adapt farming practices for sustainability.

ethanol: A type of alcohol used as a biofuel. Producing ethanol from crops can provide renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

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.

ethylene: A hydrocarbon occurring in natural gas and ripening fruits. It is used in the production of polythene and as an anesthetic. Also called ethene. Understanding ethylene helps farmers manage crop ripening and storage.

ecotone: An area between two different types of vegetation which may share the characteristics of both, e.g., the border between forest and moorland. Ecotones can be managed by farmers to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services.

entomology: The study of insects. Understanding entomology helps farmers manage pests and protect crops.

essence: A concentrated oil extracted from a plant, used in food, cosmetics, analgesics, and antiseptics. Vanilla essence. Understanding essence extraction helps farmers in value-added production and marketing.

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

endotoxin: A poison from bacteria which passes into the body when contaminated food is eaten. Managing endotoxins helps farmers ensure food safety and protect consumer health.

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.

ectoparasite: A parasite which lives on the skin or outer surface of its host but feeds by piercing the skin. Compare endoparasite. Managing ectoparasites is crucial for maintaining animal health and productivity on farms.

EN: Abbreviation for 1. Endangered species 2. English Nature. Understanding EN helps farmers contribute to conservation efforts and comply with environmental regulations.

existing chemicals: The chemicals listed in the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances between January 1971 and September 1981, a total of over 100,000. Compare new chemicals. Understanding existing chemicals helps farmers comply with regulations and manage inputs safely.

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.

enrichment: The increase in nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon compounds or other nutrients in water, especially as a result of sewage flow or agricultural run-off, which encourages the growth of algae and other water plants. Understanding enrichment helps farmers manage nutrient runoff and protect water quality.

ewe: An adult female sheep. Managing ewes is crucial for farmers to ensure healthy lamb production and flock management.

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.

EPA: Abbreviation for 1. Environmental Protection Act 1990 2. Environmental Protection Agency. Understanding EPA regulations helps farmers comply with environmental standards and adopt sustainable practices.

eviscerate: To remove the intestines and offal from a carcass. Understanding evisceration practices helps farmers process livestock efficiently and ensure food safety.

eggbound: Referring to a hen that produces an egg but is unable to lay it. Addressing eggbound conditions promptly helps maintain hen health and egg production.

EH: Abbreviation for English Heritage. Awareness of EH can help farmers understand and comply with regulations for preserving historical sites on their land.

ecofarming: A sustainable farming practice that integrates ecological principles. Ecofarming helps maintain biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce environmental impact.

evergreen: Referring to a plant which has leaves all year round. A tree or shrub which has leaves all year round. (NOTE: Yew trees and holly are evergreens.) Compare deciduous. Growing evergreen plants helps farmers provide year-round foliage and maintain landscape aesthetics.

ecologist: A scientist who studies ecology. Ecologists can provide farmers with valuable insights into sustainable farming practices.

effluent: Liquid, semisolid, or gas waste from industrial processes or material such as slurry or silage effluent from a farm. Managing effluent properly helps farmers minimize environmental pollution and comply with regulations.

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.

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

environmental set-aside: A scheme of suspending cultivation of food crops for a period with clearly defined environmental aims and designed appropriately for local conditions. Understanding environmental set-aside helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and improve sustainability.

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

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

early weaning: The practice of removing young from the dam earlier than is usual. Early weaning can benefit farmers by improving the health and growth rates of both the young and the dam.

excrement: Faeces. Managing excrement helps farmers maintain hygiene and prevent disease spread.

English Beef and Lamb Executive: An association providing market information for beef and lamb producers and suppliers. Abbr EBLEX. Farmers can benefit from EBLEX by accessing market information and support for beef and lamb production.

ethology: The study of the behavior of living organisms. Understanding ethology helps farmers manage livestock behavior and welfare.

ejector: A mechanism at the back of a farmyard manure spreader, which throws out the manure over a wide area. Understanding how ejectors work helps farmers optimize manure spreading.

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.

entero-: Prefix referring to the intestine. Understanding prefixes like “entero-” helps farmers and agricultural scientists accurately describe and manage pests and diseases.

endive: A salad plant (Cichorium endiva). Growing endive can provide farmers with a nutritious and profitable crop.

egg binding: An unsuccessful attempt by a hen to lay an egg. Managing egg binding is important for poultry farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their hens.

ET: Abbreviation for embryo transfer. Embryo transfer techniques help farmers enhance livestock genetics and improve herd quality.

E number: A classification of additives to food approved by the European Union. Understanding E numbers helps farmers in food processing and product formulation to comply with regulations and ensure food safety.

Energy Crops Scheme: A system set up by Defra under which farmers can apply for grants to establish energy crops on their land. The ECS supports farmers in developing sustainable energy production practices.

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

eelworm: A minute worm-like animal (Nematode) which attacks a great variety of food crops. Stem eelworm. Managing eelworm infestations is crucial for protecting crop health and yield.

enriched cage: A type of cage in which battery hens are kept, where the bird’s living conditions have been improved by an increase in the size of the cage and the inclusion of perches, nests, and litter so that the bird can peck and scratch. Enriched cages will replace existing battery cages in 2012 when the EU Directive on the welfare of laying hens comes into force. However, a review of the Directive is underway, with a report expected next year. Using enriched cages helps farmers improve animal welfare and comply with regulations.

endocrine gland: A gland such as the pituitary gland which produces hormones introduced directly into the bloodstream. Understanding endocrine glands helps farmers manage livestock health and reproduction.

enteric: Referring to the intestine. Understanding enteric health helps farmers manage livestock nutrition and prevent digestive diseases.

Essex Saddleback: A breed of pig which has been bred with the Wessex Saddleback to form the British Saddleback. Raising Essex Saddleback pigs can provide farmers with high-quality pork and contribute to the preservation of rare breeds.