Category: F

Formulation: The form in which a pesticide is sold for use, e.g., emulsions, wettable powders, etc., which can be mixed with water. Properly managing pesticide formulations ensures effective pest control and environmental safety.

Freezer: An appliance for preserving perishable items by keeping them at a very low temperature. Properly using freezers supports food preservation and reduces waste.

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.

Forested: Referring to land covered with forest. Properly managing forested areas supports timber production, biodiversity, and environmental health.

Farm Health Planning: An official set of guidelines from Defra for preventing, managing, and treating diseases in farm animals. Implementing health plans helps farmers maintain healthy livestock and reduce disease outbreaks.

Fungicide: A substance used to kill fungi. Properly managing fungicides ensures effective disease control and crop health.

Fullering: Making a groove on the lower surface of a horse’s shoes into which the heads of the nails will fit. Properly managing fullering supports horse hoof health and performance.

Freeholder: A person who holds a freehold property. Properly managing freehold property supports long-term farm stability and investment.

Fortified Wine: Wine such as sherry or port with extra alcohol added. Properly managing fortified wine production supports high-quality beverage production and marketability.

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.

Fat Hen: A weed (Chenopodium album) affecting spring cereals, peas, and row crops. Effective weed management practices are necessary to control fat hen and protect crop yields.

Forward: Earlier than usual or too early. Managing forward crops and livestock ensures timely production and market readiness.

Forest Floor: The ground at the base of the trees in a forest. Properly managing the forest floor supports biodiversity and ecological health.

Fatten: To give animals food to prepare them for slaughter. Managing the fattening process efficiently enhances meat quality and farm profitability.

Farmyard: The area around farm buildings. Maintaining a clean and organized farmyard helps prevent accidents and promotes efficient farm operations.

Flax: The linseed plant. Growing flax provides valuable seeds and fibers for various agricultural and industrial uses.

Field-Grown: Referring to a crop grown in a field as opposed to in a greenhouse. Field-grown crops often have different management requirements and benefits compared to greenhouse-grown crops.

Feed: 1. To take food. 2. To give food to a person or animal. 3. To provide fertilizer for plants or soil. Proper feeding practices are essential for animal health and crop productivity.

Farm Fragmentation: A situation where the fields of a farm are scattered over an area, so that the holding is not made up of a single unit of land. Managing fragmented farms requires strategic planning to maintain efficiency and productivity.

Farmland: Land on a farm used for growing crops or rearing animals for food. Proper management of farmland ensures long-term productivity and environmental health.

Fertiliser: A chemical or natural substance spread and mixed with soil to stimulate plant growth. Using the right fertiliser helps improve crop yields and soil fertility while minimizing environmental impact.

Ft: Abbreviation for foot. Properly managing measurements supports accurate farm planning and operations.

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

Finger Wheel Swath Turner: A machine used for raking. Using a swath turner helps manage forage and haymaking operations efficiently.

Fecundity: The fertility of a plant or animal. Measuring fecundity helps farmers plan breeding programs and optimize reproductive performance.

Fly: A general term for a small insect with two wings, of the order Diptera. Some flies cause diseases of plants (the frit fly) and some harm animals (the gadfly). Proper fly control is essential for maintaining plant and animal health on the farm.

Floret: A little flower that forms part of a larger flower head. Understanding floret development helps manage crop yields and quality.

Foliar: Referring to leaves. Proper foliar management practices support plant health and productivity.

Furlong: One-eighth of a mile, or 220 yards. Properly managing measurements supports accurate farm planning and 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.

Foxtail Millet: The first cereal to be cultivated in China, used for silage, hay, brewing, and flour in many parts of the world, and in Britain it is used as birdseed. Properly managing foxtail millet production supports diverse crop options and agricultural productivity.

Floodwater: Water that spreads uncontrolled onto land that is usually dry. After floodwater recedes, the center of the town was left buried in mud. Properly managing floodwater helps protect farmland and infrastructure.

FCE: Abbreviation for feed conversion efficiency. This measure helps farmers optimize animal feeding practices to improve growth rates and reduce feed costs.

Farm Support Scheme: Article 39 of the Treaty of Rome providing the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy. Each member state contributes to the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund. Payments are made for structural changes under the guidance fund and much larger payments under the guarantee section. This scheme helps farmers manage financial risks and support agricultural development.

FARMA: Abbreviation for National Farmer’s Retail and Markets Association. This association supports farmers in marketing their products and improving sales through direct-to-consumer models.

Food Balance: The balance between food supply and the demand for food from a population. Understanding food balance helps farmers plan production and manage resources effectively.

F: Fahrenheit (°F) is a scale of temperature measurement where the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point is 212°F. Farmers use Fahrenheit to monitor and manage the climate conditions essential for crop growth and livestock health.

Forest: 1. An area of land greater than 0.5 ha, 10% of which is occupied by trees. Properly managing forests supports timber production, biodiversity, and environmental health.

Fodder: Plant material or a crop grown to give to animals as food, e.g., grass or clover. Growing and managing fodder crops provides nutritious feed for livestock and supports sustainable farming practices.

Four Tooth Sheep: A sheep that is 18–21 months of age. Properly managing four tooth sheep ensures their health and productivity.

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.

FVO: Abbreviation for Food and Veterinary Office. This office provides valuable guidance to farmers on best practices for food safety and animal health.

Fallowing: The process of allowing land to lie fallow for a period. It helps improve soil structure, fertility, and reduce pest and weed pressure.

Fen: An area of flat marshy land with plants such as reeds and mosses growing in alkaline water. Managing fenland can provide valuable wildlife habitats and agricultural resources.

Feed Grain: A cereal fed to animals and birds, e.g., wheat or maize. Choosing high-quality feed grain supports animal health and growth.

Forage Maize: Maize grown for ensilage. Properly managing forage maize production ensures a valuable feed source for livestock and supports crop rotation.

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.