Category: E

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.

EA: Abbreviation for Environment Agency. Understanding the role of the EA can help farmers comply with environmental regulations and improve sustainable farming practices.

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.

excreta: The waste material excreted from the body of an animal, e.g., faeces, urine, droppings, or sweat. Managing excreta helps farmers maintain hygiene and prevent disease spread.

ecosphere: The part of the Earth and its atmosphere where living organisms exist, including parts of the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere. Also called biosphere. Knowledge of the ecosphere helps farmers adopt practices that protect and sustain the environment.

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.

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.

ecoparasite: A parasite which is adapted to a specific host. Compare ectoparasite, endoparasite. Understanding ecoparasites helps farmers manage pest control and animal health.

earmarking: The process of identifying an animal by attaching a tag to its ear. Earmarking helps farmers keep track of livestock health, breeding, and management efficiently.

environmental pollution: The pollution of the environment by human activities. Preventing environmental pollution helps farmers maintain healthy ecosystems and comply with regulations.

exposed: 1. Referring to something or someone not covered or hidden. 2. Not protected from environmental effects. Left in an exposed position on the hillside. Managing exposure helps farmers protect crops and livestock from environmental stressors.

ephemeral: A plant or insect that has a short life cycle and may complete several life cycles within a year. Many weeds are ephemerals. Managing ephemeral species helps farmers maintain crop health and productivity.

entomological: Referring to insects. Understanding entomology helps farmers manage pests and protect crops.

eyespot: A disease of cereals (Cercosporella herpotrichoides), which causes lesions to form on the stem surface and gray mold inside the stem. Compare sharp eyespot. Managing eyespot disease helps farmers protect crop health and yield.

ecological efficiency: A measurement of how much energy is used at different stages in the food chain or at different trophic levels. Understanding ecological efficiency helps farmers optimize resource use and improve sustainability.

environmental quality standard: A limit for the concentration of an effluent or pollutant which is accepted in a specific environment, e.g., the concentration of trace elements in drinking water or of additives in food. Complying with environmental quality standards helps farmers protect ecosystems and ensure food safety.

emulsifier: A substance added to mixtures of food such as water and oil to hold them together. Stabilizer (NOTE: Emulsifiers are used in sauces and added to meat to increase the water content so that the meat is heavier. In the European Union, emulsifiers and stabilizers have E numbers E322 to E495.) Understanding emulsifiers helps farmers in food processing and product formulation.

environmental impact: The effect upon the environment of actions or events such as large construction programs or the draining of marshes. Understanding environmental impact helps farmers adopt practices that minimize harm to the natural world.

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund: A fund set up to cover the costs of administering the CAP, financed by the European Union budget. Abbr EAGGF. Accessing EAGGF helps farmers receive financial support for agricultural improvements and sustainability projects.

ecoagriculture: The practice of productive agriculture using methods designed to maintain natural resources, biodiversity, and the landscape. Ecoagriculture benefits farmers by promoting sustainable practices that protect and enhance the environment.

enrich: 1. To make something richer or stronger, e.g., soil can be enriched by adding humus. 2. To improve the nutritional quality of food. Enrich with vitamins. 3. To improve the living conditions of farm animals, e.g., by providing them with larger living areas. Enrichment practices help farmers enhance soil health, food quality, and animal welfare.

emulsifying agent: Same as emulsifier. Emulsifying agents help farmers in food processing and product formulation to create stable and consistent products.

export: Produce or a crop which is sold to a foreign country. To send and sell crops or produce to foreign countries. Understanding export processes helps farmers access international markets and increase sales.

ecotourism: A form of tourism that increases people’s understanding of natural areas, without adversely affecting the environment, and gives local people financial benefits from conserving natural resources. Farmers can benefit from ecotourism by diversifying income sources and promoting conservation.

English Heritage: An organization partly funded by government that is responsible for maintaining buildings and monuments of historical interest in England. Abbr EH. Awareness of EH can help farmers understand and comply with regulations for preserving historical sites on their land.

ecosystem: A complex of plant, animal, and microorganism communities and their interactions with the environment in which they live. European wetlands are classic examples of ecosystems that have been shaped by humans. Understanding ecosystems helps farmers create balanced and productive farming systems.

ecological diversity: A variety of biological communities that interact with one another and with their physical and chemical environments. Ecological diversity benefits farmers by creating resilient ecosystems that support sustainable agriculture.

embryo: An organism that develops from a fertilized egg or seed, e.g., an animal in the first weeks of gestation or a seedling plant with cotyledons and a root. (NOTE: After eight weeks an unborn baby is called a fetus.) Understanding embryo development is essential for farmers in breeding and crop production.

emergence: 1. The germination of a seed 2. A stage in the growth of a plant, when the new shoot or stalk appears through the surface of the soil. Understanding emergence stages helps farmers optimize planting and crop management practices.

elevator: A machine for carrying grain or silage to the top of a storage unit. Elevators help farmers efficiently manage grain and silage storage.

ecological corridor: A strip of vegetation allowing the movement of wildlife or other organisms between two areas. Ecological corridors can enhance biodiversity on farms, supporting ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control.

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.

environment: The surroundings of any organism, including the physical world and other organisms. Built environment, natural environment. Understanding the environment helps farmers adopt practices that protect and sustain the natural world.

embryonic: 1. Referring to an embryo 2. In the first stages of development. Knowledge of embryonic stages helps farmers manage breeding programs effectively.

ESA: Abbreviation for Environmentally Sensitive Area. Understanding ESA helps farmers adopt practices that protect sensitive environments and receive funding for conservation efforts.

excretion: The passing of the waste products of metabolism such as faeces, urine, sweat, or carbon dioxide out of the body. Compare secretion. Understanding excretion helps farmers manage animal health and hygiene.

Embden: A heavy white breed of goose, with blue eyes. Raising Embden geese can provide farmers with high-quality meat and feathers.

estate village: A planned village built within an estate. Understanding estate villages helps farmers manage rural communities and agricultural land.

entomologist: A scientist who specializes in the study of insects. Entomologists can provide farmers with valuable insights into sustainable pest management practices.

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.