Category: F

Field Trial: A trial that tests the ability of a crop variety to perform under normal cultivation conditions. Conducting field trials helps farmers select the best varieties for their specific conditions and improve crop performance.

Folic Acid: A vitamin in the vitamin B complex found in milk, liver, yeast, and green plants such as spinach. Ensuring adequate folic acid levels supports livestock health and reproduction.

Four-Course Rotation: Same as Norfolk rotation. Implementing four-course rotation helps maintain soil fertility and reduce pest and disease pressures.

Fancy Breed: A breed reared for decoration or show rather than produce. These breeds add diversity to farming and can be a source of income through shows and exhibitions.

Fermentation: The process whereby carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes from yeast, producing heat and alcohol. Proper fermentation techniques are essential for producing high-quality silage and other products.

Feed Concentrate: An animal feed with a high food value relative to volume. Using feed concentrates efficiently supports livestock growth and productivity.

Fish Farming: The commercial activity of keeping fish in ponds or fenced areas of the sea for sale as food. Also called aquaculture, aquafarming, aquiculture. Fish farming supports sustainable seafood production and diversifies agricultural activities.

Full-Mouthed: Referring to an animal that has a complete set of permanent teeth. Properly managing full-mouthed animals ensures their health and productivity.

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.

Flock Mating: A mating system that uses several males to mate with the females of a flock. Properly managing flock mating enhances genetic diversity and reproductive success.

Fortified: With something added to make stronger. Fortified food and beverages support livestock health and nutrition.

Five Freedoms: A set of guidelines considered when looking after the welfare of farm animals. The five freedoms are: freedom from hunger or thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, or disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress. Adhering to these guidelines ensures ethical and humane treatment of livestock.

Forage Box: A large movable container used mainly to transport forage from a silo to a trough. Using forage boxes supports efficient feed transportation and livestock management.

Feed Conversion Efficiency: The number of kilograms of feed required to produce a kilogram of weight gain in an animal such as a pig. Abbr FCE, FCR. Improving feed conversion efficiency reduces feed costs and enhances farm profitability.

FSA: Abbreviation for Farm Service Agency, a US government agency providing information and support for farmers, and Food Standards Agency, a British government agency offering advice on food safety and quality. Properly using FSA resources supports farm management and food safety.

Follicle: 1. The small structure in the skin from which each hair develops. 2. One of many small structures in the ovaries where egg cells develop. Properly managing follicles ensures animal health and reproductive success.

free-range: Referring to livestock, especially poultry, that are allowed to roam freely. Free-range farming practices can improve animal welfare and product quality.

Fallopian Tube: In mammals, a tube that conveys eggs from an ovary to the womb. Understanding reproductive anatomy helps farmers in breeding and managing livestock health.

Feed Preparation: The milling and crushing of grain, mixing of the ingredients, and making into cubes or pellets. Proper feed preparation ensures balanced diets and supports livestock health.

Faeces: Solid waste matter passed from the bowels of a human or other animal after food has been eaten and digested. (The US spelling is feces.) Effective disposal and treatment of faeces help maintain farm hygiene, reduce disease risk, and can be used in composting to enhance soil fertility.

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

Fawn: A young deer. Understanding the needs and behavior of fawns helps farmers manage wildlife and livestock interactions.

FISS: Abbreviation for Food Industry Sustainability Strategy. This strategy promotes sustainable development across the food supply chain, helping farmers adopt practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term productivity.

FoE: Abbreviation for Friends of the Earth. This organization advocates for environmental protection and sustainable farming practices.

Feedlot: An area of land where livestock are kept at a high density, with small pens in which the animals are fattened. All feed is brought into the feedlot from outside sources. Efficient feedlot management supports high-density livestock production.

Feedstuff: Food for farm animals. Also called feedingstuff. Providing high-quality feedstuff is essential for livestock health and productivity.

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.

Fallow Crop: A crop grown in widely spaced rows, allowing for hoeing and cultivation between the rows. This practice helps manage soil health and weed control.

Fat: A white oily substance in the body of mammals, which stores energy and protects against cold. In farming, managing animal fat levels is important for meat quality and marketability.

Farm Manager: A person who runs a farm on behalf of the owner. Farm managers ensure that farm operations are efficient, productive, and sustainable.

Flockmaster: A farm worker in charge of a flock of sheep or goats. Effective flock management by a flockmaster ensures the health and productivity of the flock.

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.

Flail: A wooden hand tool used for beating grain to separate the seeds from the waste parts. Proper use of flails supports traditional farming practices and efficient grain processing.

Feedmill: A mill for preparing animal feed. Proper operation of a feedmill ensures consistent quality and supply of feed for livestock.

Feedstuff: Food for farm animals. Also called feedingstuff. Providing high-quality feedstuff is essential for livestock health and productivity.

Flatten: To become flat or make something flat. To make plants lie flat on the ground. Flattened stems by a roller-crusher. Properly managing flattened crops ensures easier harvesting and reduces crop loss.

Finish: To feed cattle or sheep at a rate of growth that increases the ratio of muscle to bone and the proportion of fatty tissue in the carcass to a level fit for slaughter. Proper finishing practices ensure high-quality meat and marketability.

Foldland: An area of land allotted to each manor for the purpose of grazing the manor’s sheep. Understanding historical land use practices supports the management of grazing systems.

Foliage: The leaves on plants. Properly managing foliage supports plant health, photosynthesis, and crop yields.

Foodstuff: Something that can be used as food, such as cereals, vegetables, and other foodstuffs. Properly managing foodstuffs ensures high-quality food production and marketability.

Fertilise: 1. (of a sperm) to join with an ovum. 2. (of a male) to make a female pregnant. 3. To put fertiliser on crops or soil. Proper fertilisation practices enhance crop growth and soil health.

Farmer’s Lung: A type of asthma caused by an allergy to rotting hay. Awareness and prevention of farmer’s lung help protect the respiratory health of farm workers.

Farrowing: The act of giving birth to piglets. Managing farrowing properly ensures the health and productivity of sows and piglets.

Fineness Count: A scale used to assess the fineness of wool fibres. Understanding wool fineness helps farmers produce high-quality wool for the textile industry.

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

French Bean: A common green vegetable (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown for sale fresh or for processing as canned, frozen, or dried vegetables. Properly managing French beans ensures high-quality vegetable production and marketability.

Flights: Same as flight feathers. Proper care of flight feathers ensures bird health and welfare.

FBS: Abbreviation for Farm Business Survey. This survey provides valuable data on farm financial performance, helping farmers make informed business decisions.

First Calver: A cow that has produced its first calf. Proper care of first calvers supports their transition into productive dairy or breeding animals.

Forester: A person who manages woodland and plantations of trees. Proper forest management practices ensure sustainable timber production and environmental health.