Category: F

Fence: A barrier put around a field, either to mark the boundary or to prevent animals from entering or leaving. Effective fencing is essential for livestock management and farm security.

Finncattle: A breed of dairy cattle derived from three Finnish breeds. The animals are medium-sized and brown. Raising Finncattle provides farmers with high-quality milk and robust livestock.

Fir Cone: A hard oval or round structure on a fir tree containing the seeds. The term is sometimes applied to the cones of other trees such as pines. Managing fir cones supports seed production and forest regeneration.

Fertilisation: The joining of an ovum and a sperm to form a zygote and start the development of an embryo. Understanding fertilization processes helps farmers optimize breeding programs and improve reproductive success.

Food and Environmental Protection Act, 1986: Legislation bringing the use of agrochemicals under statutory control, as opposed to the previous voluntary arrangement. Abbr FEPA. This act helps ensure the safe use of agrochemicals, protecting farm environments and public health.

Falling Time: The time taken for wheat grain to fall to the bottom of a container of water, measured by the Hagberg test. This helps farmers determine the quality and baking properties of wheat.

Fatstock: Livestock fattened for meat production. Proper feeding and management of fatstock ensure high-quality meat and profitable market returns.

Fallen Stock: Dead animals on a farm. Proper disposal and management of fallen stock are crucial for biosecurity and preventing the spread of diseases.

Fodder Radish: A type of brassica grown primarily for use as a green fodder crop. Growing fodder radish provides nutritious feed for livestock and supports soil health.

Flat Rate Feeding: A system of feeding concentrates to dairy cows, involving few changes to the level of concentrate input from calving to turnout. Implementing flat rate feeding can simplify feed management and ensure consistent nutrition for dairy cows.

Farrowing Rails: Rails that prevent the sow from overlying the piglets. Using farrowing rails helps reduce piglet mortality.

Fraxinus: The Latin name for the ash tree. Growing Fraxinus trees supports timber production and biodiversity in agroforestry systems.

Flocculation: The grouping of small particles of soil together to form larger ones. Flocculation is very important in making clay soils easy to work. Proper soil management practices encourage flocculation and improve soil structure.

FEP: Abbreviation for Farm Environment Plan. This plan helps farmers manage their land sustainably and protect environmental resources.

Freehold Property: Property held in freehold. Properly managing freehold property supports long-term farm stability and investment.

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.

Field Capacity: The maximum possible amount of water remaining in the soil after excess water has drained away. Understanding field capacity helps farmers optimize irrigation practices and maintain soil health.

FAQ: Abbreviation for frequently asked questions. Providing FAQs helps farmers easily access important information and best practices for farm management.

Feed Intake: The amount of food eaten by an animal. Monitoring feed intake helps detect health issues and optimize feeding practices.

Faecal: Referring to faeces. (The US spelling is fecal.) Proper management of faecal matter is crucial on farms to prevent contamination, manage waste effectively, and maintain sanitary conditions for both livestock and crops.

Friends of the Earth: A pressure group formed to influence local and central governments on environmental matters. Abbr FoE. This organization advocates for sustainable farming practices and environmental protection.

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.

Fair Trade: An international system where food companies agree to pay producers in developing countries a fair price for their products. Fair trade practices support sustainable farming, fair wages, and ethical production, benefiting small-scale farmers and promoting global equity.

Finnish Ayrshire: A breed of cattle found in northern Finland, similar to the Ayrshire, mainly reared for milk. Managing Finnish Ayrshires supports dairy production and provides high-quality milk.

Feed Ratio: The ratio showing the price of an animal sold on the market against the cost of feeding it. Understanding feed ratios helps farmers make informed financial decisions and optimize profitability.

Farmstead: A farmhouse and the farm buildings around it. Maintaining a well-organized farmstead enhances farm operations and living conditions.

Flight Feathers: The main feathers on a bird’s wing, properly called the ‘primaries’. Managing flight feathers is important for the health and welfare of poultry and other birds on the farm.

Female: Referring to an animal that produces ova and bears young. Understanding female reproductive anatomy and health is crucial for successful breeding programs.

Firebreak: An area kept free of vegetation so that a fire cannot pass across and spread to other parts of the forest or heath. Creating firebreaks helps prevent the spread of wildfires and protects valuable land.

FMD: Abbreviation for foot-and-mouth disease. Proper monitoring and control measures are essential to prevent the spread of FMD and maintain livestock health.

Farming: Running a farm, including activities such as keeping animals for sale or for their products and growing crops. Effective farming practices ensure the sustainability and profitability of agricultural operations.

Fusarium Ear Blight: A serious fungal disease of wheat that can cause significant loss in yield and quality. Properly managing Fusarium ear blight ensures crop health and productivity.

Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group: An organization in the UK advising farmers on environmental and conservation issues. Abbr FWAG. This group helps farmers implement sustainable practices and protect biodiversity on their farms.

False Staggers: A disease of sheep caused by maggots, leading to inflammation of the nostrils and head, making the sheep appear dazed. Awareness of this disease helps farmers take preventive measures and maintain flock health.

flail mower: A type of mower that uses flails attached to a rotating drum to cut vegetation. Using a flail mower can help manage pastures and control weeds.

Food Web: A series of food chains linked together in an ecosystem. Properly managing food webs supports biodiversity and ecological balance on farms.

Fir: A common evergreen coniferous tree. Genus: Abies. Growing fir trees can be part of agroforestry systems, providing timber, windbreaks, and enhancing biodiversity.

Factory Farming: A highly intensive method of rearing animals characterized by keeping large numbers of animals indoors in confined spaces and feeding them processed foods, with the use of drugs to control diseases. This method allows for high production rates but requires careful management to maintain animal health and comply with welfare standards.

Forage Harvester: A machine that cuts, chops, and loads green crops such as lucerne into a trailer to make silage. Properly using forage harvesters supports efficient feed preparation and storage.

Flies: Plural of fly. Proper fly control is essential for maintaining livestock health and farm sanitation.

Freemartin: A female calf produced when a male and female embryo share a uterus, causing the reproductive system of the female embryo to be effectively masculinised. Properly managing freemartins ensures their health and productivity.

Feed Refusal: The amount of allotted feed that a farm animal does not eat. Monitoring feed refusal helps identify health issues and adjust feeding practices accordingly.

Feeding Face: The area allowed to each animal to feed from under controlled conditions. Each cow needs 150mm of feeding face. Managing feeding space ensures all animals have access to food and reduces competition.

Fishmeal: A powder of dried fish, used as an animal feed or fertilizer. Using fishmeal as feed enhances livestock nutrition and supports sustainable farming practices.

Foxglove: A common weed (Digitalis purpurea) that is poisonous and harmful to animals. Properly managing foxgloves helps protect livestock health and maintain safe pastures.

Fallow: A period when land is not used for growing crops to allow nutrients to build up again in the soil or to control weeds. Fallow periods are essential for sustainable land management and soil fertility.

Floral: Referring to plants or flowers. Properly managing floral resources supports pollination and enhances farm productivity.

Finishing: The action of feeding cattle or sheep until they are ready for slaughter. Effective finishing practices enhance meat quality and farm profitability.

Feeding Value: The nutritional value of feedingstuffs. Understanding feeding value helps farmers select the best feed for their animals to ensure health and productivity.

Fox: A carnivorous canine predator (Vulpes vulpes) with red fur and a large bushy tail. Managing fox populations through proper practices helps protect livestock and maintain ecological balance.