Category: F

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle: A vehicle in which the power is transmitted to all four wheels, as opposed to only one pair of wheels as is usual in cars. Using four-wheel drive vehicles supports efficient farm operations and transportation on challenging terrains.

Farmworker: A person who works on a farm. Farmworkers are essential for the daily operations and success of a farm.

Foetus: An unborn animal in the womb at the stage when all structural features are visible, i.e., after eight weeks in humans. Proper monitoring and care of pregnant livestock ensure healthy foetus development and successful births.

Fumigation: Disinfection by means of gas or fumes that penetrate into cracks and holes, a process that is probably more efficient than spraying or scrubbing. Properly managing fumigation practices ensures effective pest control and farm hygiene.

Frugivore: An animal that mainly eats fruit. Many bats and birds are frugivores. Understanding frugivore behavior supports biodiversity and ecological balance on farms.

Flood: A large amount of water covering land that is usually dry, caused by phenomena such as melting snow, heavy rain, high tides, or storms. Managing flood risks and implementing flood control measures help protect farmland and infrastructure.

Flightless Bird: A bird with small wings that cannot fly, e.g., an ostrich or a penguin. Understanding the care and management of flightless birds supports diverse farming operations.

Fennel: An aromatic herb (Foeniculum vulgare) of Mediterranean origin, used to flavour fish dishes and soups. Growing fennel adds diversity to farm crops and can provide culinary and medicinal benefits.

fertigation: The application of fertilizers through an irrigation system. Fertigation can improve nutrient management and crop productivity.

Feed Wheat: Wheat used as an animal feed and not for human consumption. Selecting appropriate feed wheat supports animal nutrition and farm efficiency.

Farm-Scale: Relating to trials or evaluations carried out on farms using regular farming practices rather than on small experimental plots. Farm-scale trials provide realistic data to improve agricultural practices.

Fodder Storage: The storing of fodder for use in winter. Proper fodder storage practices ensure a consistent feed supply for livestock during the winter months.

Foetal: Referring to a foetus. Proper management of foetal development ensures healthy livestock births and productivity.

Fairy Ring: A circle of darker colored grass in a pasture, caused by fungi. Farmers can use this knowledge to identify and manage soil health and fungal issues in their pastures.

Food and Agriculture Organization: An international organization that is an agency of the United Nations, established to improve standards of nutrition and eradicate malnutrition and hunger. Abbr FAO. This organization provides resources and guidance to farmers worldwide, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.

Fly Blown: Referring to a fleece laden with maggot-fly eggs. Properly managing fly infestations helps protect sheep health and wool quality.

Farm Produce: Food such as fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, and butter, which is produced on a farm. High-quality farm produce is essential for market success and consumer satisfaction.

Flixweed: A common annual weed (Descurainia sophia). Effective weed management practices are necessary to control flixweed and protect crop yields.

Fuel: A substance that can be burnt to provide heat or power, e.g., wood, coal, gas, or oil. Properly managing fuel resources supports energy efficiency and farm operations.

Farm to Fork: The chain of food supply from the farm where it is produced to the consumer. Understanding this chain helps farmers improve food safety, quality, and traceability.

Free: Not attached, confined, or controlled. Ensuring livestock and crops have free access to necessary resources supports their health and productivity.

Feed Stance: An open stall in a building where animals can feed. Proper design of feed stances ensures efficient feeding and animal comfort.

Flock: A large group of birds or some farm animals such as sheep and goats. Managing flocks effectively ensures animal health and productivity.

Farm Business Survey: A survey carried out by Defra on the financial performance of different types of farms. Abbr FBS. This survey helps farmers benchmark their performance and make informed business decisions.

Fauna: The wild animals and birds that live naturally in a specific area. Compare flora. Protecting fauna supports biodiversity and ecological balance on farms.

Farmed: Grown or produced commercially and not in the wild. For example, farmed salmon. Farmed products help meet market demand and can be managed sustainably.

Food Safety Act 1990: Legislation setting hygiene standards for food producers and suppliers. This act helps ensure food safety and quality, benefiting farmers and consumers.

Floury: Soft and powdery, like flour. Floury potatoes are varieties that turn easily into flour when cooked. Growing floury potatoes provides a valuable food source and supports diverse crop production.

Fair: A regular meeting for the sale of goods or animals, often with sideshows and other entertainments. Fairs provide farmers with opportunities to market their products, network with other farmers, and learn about new farming techniques and technologies.

FAC: Abbreviation for Food Advisory Committee. This committee provides guidance on food safety and standards, ensuring that farmers’ products meet regulatory requirements and are safe for consumption, thereby protecting public health and enhancing marketability.

Field Crop: A crop grown over a wide area, e.g., most agricultural crops and some market-garden crops. Effective field crop management ensures high yields and sustainable farming practices.

Farmscape: A landscape dominated by agriculture. Farmland is the main element in farmscape, though non-agricultural uses may be included. Creating a balanced farmscape supports both productivity and environmental health.

Food Mile: A measure of the distance that food is transported from its place of origin to the consumer. Managing food miles supports sustainable food systems and reduces environmental impact.

Flower: The reproductive part of a seed-bearing plant. Properly managing flower development ensures successful pollination and fruit production.

Fuelwood: Wood grown to be used as fuel. Properly managing fuelwood supports sustainable energy use and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

Food Industry Sustainability Strategy: A set of policies promoting sustainable development for producers and suppliers at each point along the food supply chain. Abbr FISS. This strategy helps farmers adopt practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term productivity.

Following Crop: A crop sown by a tenant farmer before leaving the farm at the end of their tenancy. Properly managing following crops ensures efficient land use and crop rotation.

Fine Grains: High-quality grains such as those of wheat and rice. Compare coarse grains. Producing fine grains meets market demand and ensures high-quality food products.

Flushing Ewes: Ewes brought into good condition before breeding, usually by improving their diet. Properly managing flushing ensures reproductive success and flock productivity.

FCR: Abbreviation for feed conversion rate. Monitoring FCR helps farmers enhance feed efficiency and animal growth, leading to better productivity and profitability.

Fee: Money paid to a professional for a service. Farmers often pay fees for veterinary services, consultations, and other professional support to maintain farm operations.

Flail Forage Harvester: A type of forage harvester that uses a high-speed flail rotor. The cut crop passes through a vertical chute and is discharged into a trailer. Using a flail forage harvester ensures efficient harvesting and feed preparation.

Farrand Test: A method for determining the alpha amylase content of milling wheat. The amount of alpha amylase enzyme present in wheat is important for making bread. Excessive alpha amylase in flour results in poorer loaves. This test helps farmers and millers ensure the quality of their wheat.

Food Supply: 1. The production of food and the way in which it gets to the consumer. 2. A stock of food. Properly managing food supply ensures food security and supports farm productivity.

Farrowing Crate: A steel frame holding the sow during farrowing to help prevent the overlying of piglets. This crate improves piglet survival rates and supports sow welfare.

Forage Feeding: The practice of cutting herbage from a sward or foliage from other crops for feeding fresh to animals. Properly managing forage feeding ensures high-quality nutrition and livestock health.

Filament: The stalk of a stamen, carrying an anther. Understanding plant anatomy, including filaments, helps farmers manage pollination and improve crop yields.

Free-Range Eggs: Eggs from hens that are allowed to run about in the open and eat more natural food. Properly managing free-range hens ensures high-quality egg production and animal welfare.

False Seedbed: A seedbed prepared to allow weed seeds to germinate, which are then killed by cultivation before sowing root crops. This method helps manage weed populations and improve crop yields.

Fumigant: A chemical compound that becomes a gas or smoke when heated and is used to kill insects. Properly managing fumigants supports effective pest control and farm hygiene.