Ecologist
ecologist: A scientist who studies ecology. Ecologists can provide farmers with valuable insights into sustainable farming practices.
Agricultural Terms and Helpful Expert Insight
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
enriched cage: A type of cage in which battery hens are kept, where the birds 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.
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.
environmental tax: Same as ecotax. Understanding environmental taxes helps farmers adopt practices that protect the environment and comply with regulations.
elephant grass: Same as miscanthus. Growing miscanthus can provide farmers with a renewable energy source and improve soil health.
electrical conductivity: A measurement of salt concentration in soils. Monitoring electrical conductivity helps farmers manage soil salinity and improve crop health.
ecosystem services: The benefits provided by ecosystems that support human life and agriculture, such as pollination, water purification, and soil fertility. Protecting ecosystem services is essential for sustainable farming.
etiolation: The process by which a green plant grown in insufficient light becomes yellow and grows long shoots. Understanding etiolation helps farmers manage plant health and optimize growth conditions.
erysipelas: An infectious disease mainly affecting pigs and also turkeys. In pigs, the symptoms are reddish inflammations on the skin and a high fever. It may cause infertility or abortion and manifests itself in three forms: acute, sub-acute, and chronic. Also called Diamonds disease. Managing erysipelas is crucial for farmers to ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.
exceed: To be more than expected, needed, or allowed. The concentration of radioactive material in the waste exceeded the government limits. It is dangerous to exceed the stated application rate; do not apply more than the recommended amount. Understanding limits helps farmers comply with regulations and ensure safe practices.
excretion rate: The rate at which a substance such as nitrogen is excreted by an animal. Understanding excretion rates helps farmers manage livestock nutrition and waste.
extraction rate: The percentage of flour produced as a result of milling grain. Understanding extraction rates helps farmers optimize processing and improve product quality.
etiolation: The process by which a green plant grown in insufficient light becomes yellow and grows long shoots. Understanding etiolation helps farmers manage plant health and optimize growth conditions.
ecologically sustainable development: Development which limits the size of the human population and the use of resources, so as to protect the existing natural resources for future generations. This principle helps farmers plan for long-term sustainability and resource conservation.
estimated breeding value: The value of an animal, calculated using an estimate of how many offspring it will have and what they will be worth. Abbr EBV. Knowing EBV helps farmers select and breed livestock for desirable traits, improving herd quality and productivity.
ectoparasite disease: A disease caused by lice and other insects, usually characterized by intense irritation. Farmers need to manage ectoparasite diseases to ensure the health and welfare of their livestock.
emission standard: The amount of an effluent or pollutant that can legally be released into the environment, e.g., the amount of sewage which can be discharged into a river or the sea, or the amount of carbon monoxide that can legally be released into the atmosphere by petrol and diesel engines. Complying with emission standards helps farmers reduce pollution and avoid legal penalties.
encephalopathy: BSE. Managing encephalopathy is crucial for farmers to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain animal health.
export refunds: Refunds made by the EU to farmers to compensate for a lower export price for produce. Accessing export refunds helps farmers manage financial stability and market fluctuations.